Thanks to Pat L for sending this one in! This is a 1974 Ford Pinto Wagon and it’s in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, about 17 miles east of Albuquerque. It’s on Craigslist with an asking price of $1,000 $800 or best offer. With some work it could look like this again!
The Pinto wagon was available from 1972 to 1980 and I personally prefer these early models, they were so simple and pure compared to the later years. If this whole car looked as nice as this front end photo it would be hard to pass up this one. Although this Green Glow-colored wagon is a second-generation car it shares a lot of the first-generation basic good looks, in my opinion.
Being a New Mexico car this one is pretty much rust-free, which is always the biggest challenge when restoring a vehicle. You can see a big dent on the right door, but I’d rather sort that out than to have the bottom of the door be rusty like most of these cars are by now.
Man, that rear bumper looks HUGE! Here’s what this car used to look like, and could again; beautiful! Here’s a 1972 Pinto Wagon and you can see how much better the smaller bumper looks; dang 5-mph-bumper-regulations. The seller says that this car has some dents and scratches but no rust and that they purchased it to turn it into a street rod but they have too much on their plate so it has to go.
Ahhhh yeeeeee’uh, there’s that 4-speed manual! A two-door wagon with a 4-speed; what’s not to like?! The seller says that they have new front seat covers, I’m not sure if they’re OEM style or not, but the passenger seat looks good and the driver’s seat looks like it just needs a new seat bottom insert. The carpets are faded and probably dirty and, being a southwest car, I’m guessing that mice have had their way in and around this car like they always do. The dash and other plastics and vinyls could be dyed and the dash looks good but I think I see a crack to the right of the driver’s instrument pod? There are no engine photos but this 2.3L inline-four cylinder runs and has had a recent oil change and minor tuneup. The clutch supposedly works good and it sounds like this one is ready for some cosmetic work and then just drive it for the fun of it. Are any of you fans of Pinto Wagons? How would you restore this one?
The price looks like $800.00 to me. It’s at the top. Must be a reduction.
How did I miss that?! Thanks, JW.
Collapse the bumper shocks, Frisbee those terrible hubcaps up onto your neighbors roof and put on proper Pinto caps or Ford slot mags, some painless dent repair and wax, and you’ve got something. Kinda.
My mom had a white Pinto in 1980, and I’ve had a soft spot for them since. I especially like the two door station wagons. I would install a 302 in this, weld in metal where the rear side windows are to give it a sedan delivery look, and convert the hubs so I could run a set of 5 slot aluminum mags. Good stuff, indeed!
Recall done yet? http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1971-1980-ford-pinto12.htm
(While not totally immune from the hazards of rear-end collisions, station wagons — with their 10 extra inches of rear-end sheetmetal and different configuration for the fuel filler — were deemed far safer, and were not a part of the recall notice.)
– From the above-cited article.
My old man bought a bunch of these wagons with minor damage ( didn’t take much to total one) from car auctions, so I’ve been around these. Not bad cars. I don’t care for the 2.3, and with 134g’s on one, unless it’s been rebuilt, it doesn’t owe you anything,( where as the 1600 was, when properly maintained, I feel, a better motor) and the 4 speed has a weird ratio setup. Big hole between 1st and 2nd, and sorely needs a 5 speed ( my ’73 Capri had the same trans) Unless these are clean, low mileage, it may be kind of hard putting money into this, other than having a decent mini-wagon to drive. I always liked the small, 2 door wagon setup. Oh, and lose the “Walmart” wheel covers!!! I hate when people put those on thinking it improves the looks.
My first car was a 73 Pinto wagon. Small bumper car with a 2.3L and a four speed.
25MPG, cold air and could fit all my buddies. Amazingly it would run a little over 100 mph. It had mag wheels and low profile Goodyear tires. Dark blue.
I would park one next to my Lotus Esprit and Bentley Mulsanne if I could ever find a good 73 wagon again.
I opened this late, because of ” technical difficulties” this looks ideal, I would use it to putt putt around while I rounded up what I needed to fix it up . It would certainly gather attention! , yes, ditch those ugly wheel covers back in the day, Car Craft made a hot rod out of a similar Pinto Wagon, , using a 302, I believe today’s V/6s would probably move it along just as well , and it wouldn’t be nose heavy , new carpet, super sound system, upgrade the suspension we’re good to go!
Nice ride. My 1st car was a 74 Pinto coupe. The girls liked it in high school. It had air and auto. Bought it from old lady for 875.00. Wish I could get it . L.A. Mel.
Nice little wagon. As I’ve mentioned on other posts, I loved the Pintos. My dad and stepmom had a late ’70s Pinto wagon that I liked and wish they’d kept longer. The $800 price on this one isn’t bad…but something I just can’t afford on my Social Security. Hope someone gives it a nice home.
Had a 74 wagon as a parts runner while building my 63 impala back in the late 80’s, after a week I couldn’t leave it stock. Lowered it 2 inches, painted it a aqua green, kept the tan interior, threw on some Riken 15in honeycomb rims and redid the exhaust. Fun lil toy, I miss it
Is this wagon still available?