You’ve just heard about the new and electrified Scout SUV, and you’re hooked. But there’s a problem: the new one won’t be here until 2027. So, you consider a vintage one, but there’s a problem there, too. While torquey at the low end, the original International Scouts offered around 200 horsepower at most, so they weren’t exactly speed machines.
The solution? The folks over at Velocity Modern Classics are happy to sell you something in between new and old in the form of a restored and reimagined Scout II with a V8 engine stuffed under the hood.
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Velocity Modern Classics offers a Scout II with over 450 horsepower
The original Scout II was never much of a drag racer, but the new reimagined one from Velocity sets out to change that. A GM-sourced LT1 V8 engine sits above the front wheels and is bolted up to a 10L80 10-speed automatic transmission. Velocity says the LT1 is complemented by a custom-performance exhaust system, and the unit churns out 460 horsepower.
Velocity Modern Classics
Of course, there’s a lot more going on here than just a hopped-up V8. Wilwood four-piston disc brakes sit at each corner, as do 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels. The changes are much more than skin-deep, as Velocity’s Scout II is built on a custom chassis from Roadster Shop, allowing the truck to look vintage while offering better-than-modern handling and ride quality. Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles ensure the SUV can cruise through most off-road challenges, too.
Velocity Modern Classics
The Velocity Scout offers plenty of customization, too – but it isn’t cheap
Velocity offers lots of ways for customers to customize their Scout II, including details like specialty graphics, retractable power running boards, and a blackout package that deletes chrome trim and adds black-painted wheels. A premium version named the Heritage Edition adds goodies like custom leather bucket seats sourced from Recaro, a special center console that includes a wireless device charging tray, and a billet steering wheel.
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That said, you’re not exactly slumming it if you stick with the “regular” Scout either. Each truck comes with a six-point roll cage and the modern amenities most consider must-haves, like full climate control, LED headlights, and a backup camera. Digital instrumentation is a delightfully anachronistic inclusion – especially juxtaposed with the standard wooden steering wheel.
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While the press release was light on pricing details, Velocity does have a couple of Scout II restorations listed as sold on their website. One is available beginning August 2025 at an eye-watering $339,900. That’s over five times the expected base price of the Scout EV coming in 2027. But then, the Scout EV won’t sound this good – or boast a completely customized chassis.
Final thoughts
The Velocity Modern Classics Scout II – from a pricing perspective, anyway – seems to position itself in a similar market space as the Porsche reimaginations from Singer. We know classic SUVs and restomod trucks in particular are a hot commodity these days, but that’s a lot of scratch to part with. We just have to hope the driving experience matches up. If you’re a well-heeled off-roader fan, you could certainly do worse than this unique restomod from Velocity Modern Classics.
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