The company formerly known as the International Harvester Company (now Navistar International) is today mostly involved in the business of build big rigs and farm equipment. But back in the day International was able to compete with the Big Three in the light-duty truck market, and while they no longer make passenger vehicles, there is a small but strong cult of International vehicle fans across the nation
While you might expect to find an International Scout (sort of like a Ford Bronco, but cooler) at a car show or farm fair, but not at the drag strip, right? But Bangshift profiled the ‘63 International Scout Gasser owned Dave Pelissier, which can rip huge wheelstands and run with some of the fastest racers around.
Affectionately dubbed “Elephant Hunter,” this ‘63 Scout has a long history of racing, having once been powered by a 426 HEMI V8 and wearing a rear end from a ‘50’s Oldsmobile, and the front axle from a van. It had incredibly steep 5:14 gears and could run the 1320 in about 12-seconds. Not bad for an old farm truck!
Once Pelissier got his hands on the scout though, he replaced the HEMI with a 377 cubic-inch Chevy V8 high compression, Bodix heads, and about 510 horsepower on tap. The transmission is a GM-sourced TH400, and these days Elephant Hunter is more like a mid 11-second car than a 12-second car. It may not be the fastest or prettiest car out there, but we sure as hell love it. Do you?
