The Ford Pinto was often criticized due to issues suffered by early vehicles. They were viewed as disposable items, and many found their way to scrapyards decades ago. However, this 1973 Station Wagon is a genuine survivor that has spent much of its life squirreled away in a warehouse. As a consequence, its condition is above average, and its odometer shows 24,000 genuine miles. It requires a new home, with the seller listing the Pinto here on Craigslist in Southern California. They set their price at $14,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Jack M for spotting this pint-sized survivor.
The growing success of small foreign cars during the 1960s forced Ford’s hand, and after years of focusing on its larger models, it chose to develop its first subcompact. Lee Iacocca was the driving force behind this new model, although it was vehemently opposed by many within the company’s management team. That they relented and gave the Pinto the green light was fortuitous because it proved to be an enormous sales success. This Wagon rolled off the line in 1973, with its first owner selecting Medium Bright Yellow to cloak its exterior. The seller is candid in their assessment, indicating that while most of the paint is original, there is evidence of touch-ups. There are minor marks and imperfections, but none justify performing a cosmetic restoration. This classic has spent its entire life in California, making its rust-free status unsurprising. The exterior is clean, and the underside shows no evidence of existing or developing problems. The trim is in good condition, and the tinted glass is crystal clear.
The 1973 model year marked the end of an era for the Pinto, as it was the last where buyers found the 2.0-liter four under the hood. Developing a modest 83hp and 97 ft/lbs of torque, it sends its ponies to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Outright performance was never the aim of the exercise, with Iacocca focused on a low curb weight and excellent fuel economy. The Pinto delivered on both fronts, although weight would climb during the production run as Ford struggled to meet evolving safety regulations. This Wagon should tip the scales at around 2,489 lbs, but that figure rose to 2,676 lbs by the time the last Wagons rolled off the line in 1980. The difference doesn’t sound dramatic, but with relatively modest power and torque generated by the four, it was felt under the driver’s right foot. The seller indicates that this Wagon has a genuine 24,000 miles on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. However, if it has spent years in storage, it is plausible. This Ford rolls on new tires and features heavier suspension. It runs and drives as it should, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
Affordability was another key consideration during the Pinto’s development, which is reflected by the interior. Potential buyers shouldn’t search for power windows, power locks, or other luxuries. They could specify air conditioning, although this Wagon misses out there. It does feature a factory AM radio, while the aftermarket speakers suggest there could be a stereo hidden somewhere. Trimmed in Black, the only identified flaws are faded carpet and a cracked pad beneath the cap. Otherwise, the vinyl is free from problems, and the cargo area looks surprisingly good for a classic of this type and age. It probably won’t win the buyer many show trophies, but nor will it cause them embarrassment.
It is undeniable that the 1973 Ford Pinto Station Wagon won’t tick the boxes for many enthusiasts, but these vehicles enjoy a strong following in the classic world. They sold in excellent numbers in their heyday, and 1973 was no exception. Of the 484,512 Pintos sold during that model year, an impressive 217,763 buyers selected the Station Wagon variant. That means that these vehicles were not rare when new, but natural attrition has reduced the numbers substantially. That raises the question of whether the seller’s price is justified. It undoubtedly falls well above the market average, but it isn’t unprecedented. Much hinges on whether documentary evidence exists for the odometer reading. It is worth noting that this Pinto has been on the market for two weeks, suggesting the seller hasn’t been drowning in potential buyers. Is this Wagon one that you might consider parking in your garage, or doesn’t Ford’s 1970s subcompact appeal to you?
Thank you Adam for your write-up on this very clean Pinto Wagon. Bonus points for the nicer interior, the manual transmission, and the cheery color.
I knew there were lots of Pinto Wagons sold, but didn’t realize just how many until I reviewed data like Adam cited. Which led to this thought: in today’s new vehicle market, full-size pickups reign. But the second most popular segment is probably compact SUV’s. In a sense, are they the 50-year-later successor to the popular Pinto Wagon?
This is a great write up. I agree with Bob, I do think that small wagons like the Pinto are definitely a precursor to modern day small SUVs. I never gave much thought to Pinto wagons in the past but I sure do appreciate them now. Besides the great color combination ( I like this shade of yellow with the black interior) and its a stick, I like how they got period correct white walls and kept the hubcaps which to me look to be in remarkable condition. This is definitely a very nice one. I would be happy to have it.
Hey Ford I’d buy one today.
Same body, 2.3T, 6sp manual. 3.31 gears w Trac-Lok. 😎 🏁
You could restomod this one with the Ecoboost 2.3L four, for the same effect! 330 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, routed through a five or six-speed gearbox, Whee!
https://performanceparts.ford.com/engines/#Ecoboost™
Thanks Robert. Amazing the power they can juice out of the little 4 cylinders.
I’d be proud to hit the streets with this one.
I wonder if the old tires come with it? Firestone 500?
Craigs List shows Odometer isn’t working so what are true miles?
odometer has been/is working.
Not according to the ad, if by some chance the odometer has been fixed the mileage will still be unknown. Regardless, without documentation, odometer readings on a car this old are meaningless, condition is all that matters, the $14,500 asking price seems high.
Steve R
According to Ford’s 1973 “Armchair Estimator,” a low-spec Pinto wagon like this retailed for $2317. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $17,000 in 2024 dollars. Not bad depreciation for 52 years!
Makes me nostalgic for the days when you could buy not-too-terrible-to-drive, fairly reliable (for the first 25,000 miles…) car for under 18K. Not feeling nostalgic for black vinyl seats without A/C.
Second nice Pinto in as many days her on BF. I like this wagon. But for that price they really need to replace that stained, ugly carpet in the cargo area.
I ‘am not much of a ford guy but this is pretty cool with a manual transmission. My parents bought a new one backin 1978 but it had a automatic and they got rid of it in the mid 1980’s. New jersey winters were hard on it!
Sad to say, but $14,500 is right on the mark for a low mile Pinto wagon, these days. Just like any 50 year old car. Attrition makes the price go up.
This was featured here in August with the same asking price, there are over 10,000,000 people with a 2 hour drive, the market says it’s not priced right or it would have sold already.
Steve R
Or, maybe California’s “incredible” economy has caught up to the prospective buyers for this type of car? Pinto wagons won’t pay your mortgage, and you can’t eat them.
Big C
Anybody that bought a house 20 years ago and is disciplined financially is largely immune. Sure it’s expensive, but housing prices didn’t explode until manufacturing jobs were driven away and replaced by software engineers at the same time many areas ran out of buildable land. This car hasn’t sold because no one wants it for the sellers asking price.
Steve R
Yep…That must be why.
Wow! Still better looking than anything out of Japan during the 70’s and 80’s.
Seriously? Japan was making some great little cars during that time frame…. including the Great Little Car (GLC)!
I like the Pinto, but it was antiquated early in its life span.
Except the Asian cars dissolved in water faster than an Alka Seltzer , The Pinto was a more rugged car
At that time, even the Japanese were still using the same basic setup, front engine with RWD (Toyota Celica). Front wheel drive was mostly seen on VW’s and other European iron (Saab, Mini Cooper) and wouldn’t start to show up in the Asian competition until the end of the decade, and the Big Three wouldn’t start using it in their subcompacts until the early 1980’s (GM X-Cars, Ford Escort and variants, and the Omni/Horizon twins from Chrysler). Where the Americans fell short was in the adoption of electronic engine controls for emissions control, which accounts for the lousy drivability of “Malaise Era” Detroit iron, compared with the European and Asian competition.
Worth about 5-6k today!
My mom bought a new 73 Pinto wagon with the 2.0L 4 speed. I remember that she almost walked away from buying it because it had AM radio that was around $60 and she didn’t want it. She ended up buying it and I put an FM converter in it. Took my drivers license test in that car. It was tough as nails.
Ah, Audiovox FM converters…not much bigger than a pack of smokes but they didn’t cost much and worked just fine!
IIRC, they didn’t cost much more than a pack of butts, either! Under $20, at fine stores everywhere!
Priced a little high, but presents well. I prefer this body style to the coupe. This would turn some heads at a car show.
Price seems a tad up there. Maybe if it was a 2.3, but even then a third too much. Always a pretty car, and handy to a certain extent.
2.3 was not available until ‘74. Which also brought chrome railroad ties front and rear.
Except the Asian cars dissolved in water faster than an Alka Seltzer , The Pinto was a more rugged car
This car deserves to be upgraded. Eco-Boost 2.3, 6sp manual, modern braking and suspension
Ditto! I saw on Art Morrison’s web site a couple of years ago, someone was doing exactly that, by putting an Art Morrison Chassis under it, of course! The upgrades included a full IRS setup and four-wheel disk brakes, along with a modern rack & pinion setup. The project was still under construction when I saw it, but I haven’t seen the finished product yet!
The Art Morrison chassis’s are great upgrades, sounds super cool, would like to test drive it. I had one of these wagons, same year, same engine that I modified with high compression pistons, Crane cam, stainless oversized valves ,headers and 4 Mikuni side draft carbs. It would scream to 8000 rpm. I lowered and upgraded the suspension with Racer Walch parts, BFG TA’s and wider rims. Car was faster on my favorite stretch of winding road than the 69 435 HP Vette I had previously. Made some extra money racing some unsuspecting German sports cars. Fun days!
Would take this any day over any Chevy Vega!
Any Vega except the Cosworth Vega, that is! I agree, though, the Pinto was a better car than the Vega in almost every way, despite the Pinto’s “flammable” reputation, which was largely undeserved, and the wagons didn’t deserve at all!
A while back there was a Pinto Package listing, a bunch of yellow Pintos. I wonder if this is one from that collection, and now getting flipped.
“odometer broken”. so much for the low mileage claim!
I learned how to drive a manual in a baby s*** yellow Pinto wagon. Ooof! That back carpet. Check for rust underneath. Years ago I worked on my x-sister in law’s Bobcat (Mercury Pinto) that had a leaky rear hatch and 3″ of grass growing out of the carpet.
I purchased a hatchback used and later a wagon used. Bought them cheap, made some repairs and just drove them. They were good little basic transportation vehicles. Don’t really see that type of vehicle in today’s market.
What’s going on with the air cleaner? The snorkel is supposed to be pointing to the air duct in front of the battery,,,
Paint it orange.
I hate Illinois NAZIs! I loved that movie.
My first car was a 72 wagon. Grabber blue. Beer tap stick shift, cut a crank open sun roof into the roof, mounted a cb radio to the roof, girlfriend put curtains on the back windows. Almost never a the back seats up. Drove it to 130k miles.
There is no way a 73 pinto is worth that kind of money. There are many cars from that time frame that could be purchased that have a much better chance for appreciating value. If you love Pintos get it if not you know what to do.
I just wish it had the upgraded instrument package, with a tach, voltmeter, oil pressure and coolant temperature gages. That may have only been available on the Cruisin’ Wagon, with the steel sides in place of the rear side glass and the porthole side window in each side, so it may be a non-starter.
One of the best scenes of many, and unexpected! “I always loved you.” On the LONG way down.