Mikes Scout Story

It was early fall, 1995. The air was crisp, the leaves just beginning to turn, and Mike found himself in a dimly lit movie theater, popcorn in hand, lost in the world of Empire Records. That’s when it happened—a fleeting scene, Renee Zellweger’s character behind the wheel of a rugged, unmistakable Scout II. The image burned itself into Mike’s memory. He leaned forward, heart skipping a beat, and thought, what is that? It was love at first sight.

Five years later, that cinematic spark became reality. In 2000, Mike tracked down his first Scout—a 1979 beauty, wrapped in Persimmon orange, its interior a bold Russet Plaid. The moment he slid behind the wheel, he was hooked. The Scout wasn’t just a vehicle; it was a time machine, a rolling piece of Americana.

But as the miles rolled on, Mike realized he craved more: better drivability, improved fuel efficiency, and the kind of reliability that only modern engineering could provide. Back then, the RestoMod scene for classic 4x4s was virtually unknown and in its infancy. So, Mike did what was available at the time—he dropped in a 350-crate engine, coaxing 300 horses from under the hood, and paired it with a transmission adapter from Advanced Adapters to the 727. The Scout roared to life, a blend of old soul and new muscle.

A few years later, wanderlust called. Mike sold his beloved Scout to travel Europe—a bittersweet farewell. Yet, the Scout never truly left him. Friends and family, knowing his passion, would send him photos of Scouts spotted in parking lots or cruising down sunlit streets. Each image was a postcard from the past, a reminder of adventures yet to come.

By 2022, the world had changed. The Classic 4x4 RestoMod craze was in full swing, and nostalgia was back in vogue. Mike, now older and wiser, felt the pull once more. This time, he wasn’t alone—a good friend Jake had just bought his first Scout, and together, they saw an opportunity. The Scout RestoMod world was calling, and they were ready to answer, determined to bring a new chapter to a story that began in a darkened theater so many years ago.

Jakes Scout Story

On a whim—and fueled by nothing more than a dream—Jake headed to Costa Rica in the summer of 2009, accompanied by his loyal German Shepherd, Java, and his trusty 1980 Toyota FJ60. His goal was ambitious and unconventional: to build an organic fruit-drying company, based on a business model he had spent years refining through long, idea-filled conversations with his younger brother, Joe.

What began as a leap of faith quickly turned into a success story. Within just a few years, Jake had built a fully operational business in Costa Rica, producing high-quality organic products and fulfilling orders for some of the largest retailers in the United States. Along the way, he needed mechanical work done on his FJ60 and was referred to a local mechanic named Martin. What Jake didn’t know at the time was that this mechanic would one day become his future father-in-law—and a pivotal figure in what would eventually become Pura Vida Scouts.

As the business grew, so did Jake’s family. Eventually, Jake, his wife Esther, and their rapidly expanding household decided it was time to return to the U.S. Jake sold the business, relocated to the Atlanta area, and began the next chapter of life stateside.

It didn’t take long for the itch to return.

Jake had always been drawn to vintage 4x4s—especially first-generation Broncos—but by the time 2022 rolled around, prices had skyrocketed beyond practicality. Around that same time, Jake found himself thinking about Mike’s ’79 Scout, a truck he had long admired. The Scout suddenly made perfect sense: iconic, rugged, underappreciated, and full of potential.

That decision led to Jake’s first Scout—a 1978 Scout powered by a 392—which he restored side-by-side with his father-in-law, Martin. That build wasn’t just a project; it was the merging of Jake’s Costa Rican roots, family ties, mechanical craftsmanship, and lifelong love of classic 4x4s.

Pura Vida Scouts was born from that intersection—adventure, family, and the belief that classic vehicles deserve a second life, done right..