Warehouse Rescue: 1980 Ford Pinto Wagon

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The seller of this survivor-grade Ford Pinto wagon is selling the car due to an abundance of unwanted attention. Fitted with the preferred manual transmission and remaining in exceptional condition after years of warehouse storage, the seller notes that everywhere he goes, drivers and passers-by want to share their Pinto stories. Enough is enough, and now this little lightning bug for curiosity hounds is listed here on craigslist with a price tag of $5,000 firm.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ikey H. for sending this one in. The Pinto looks to be in excellent condition, with original Bright Yellow paint, nicely preserved chrome bumpers, wire hubcaps, and a period roof rack. The seller notes he has gone through the car extensively while preserving as much of its originality as possible, and that it drives quite nicely. A/C is present but not working at the moment.

Who knows – given the high state of preservation, maybe you’ll get lucky and the A/C will just need a recharge. Unlikely, but mileage is fairly low for the year, at under 90,000. The dash remains uncracked and interior cosmetics overall are quite impressive. Finding a wagon with the manual gearbox is hard enough, and then you factor in how lovingly this Pinto has been maintained. Even the fake wood trim looks fresh.

The seller notes the Pinto has passed California’s stringent smog testing and several new parts have been added. These include: new tires, alternator, fuel pump, rebuilt carburetor, and more. Accompanied by a stack of paperwork and original owner’s documents and manuals, this Pinto wagon is one of the nicest we’ve seen in a while and comes with many of the right boxes checked. A potential steal at $5K.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Bear

    Nice find!
    SOMEONE who’s 1st car was a Pinto will undoubtedly Snap This Up & relive memories of their youth!! (y) (y)

    Like 12
  2. Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TNMember

    Someone loved this humble Pinto wagon. The bright yellow paint would make it even more of an eye-catcher at the local cruise-in. I predict the seller will get the “firm” price.

    “Sharing their Pinto stories.” I enjoy that at car shows, when people have an opportunity to relive pleasant memories which included a similar car. And yes, there were lots of people who had Pintos.

    Like 14
  3. Dan

    After reading the ad, I have to wonder: in 2060, will people want to ogle at Ford Flexes and GMC Acadias and share their stories that revolve around said vehicles? California emissions regulations are but one reason I’m glad I left that state. The featured Pinto is in astoundingly good condition, but were I in the market for a Pinto, I’d search for a hatchback or a sedan.

    Like 3
    • grant

      They made a Pinto sedan?

      Like 3
      • Dan

        I guess it would more correctly be termed a fastback. The body style I’m thinking of looks a lot like the hatchback, but has a trunk instead of a hatch.

        Like 7
      • Miguel

        Yes, the Pinto came in a Hatchback or the sedan with a trunk.

        Like 0
    • PatrickM

      I had a ’75 Pinto wagon, V6, 2 bbl, which I’ve commented on before. Great car. Wish I still had it.

      Like 7
  4. Skorzeny

    Jeff, those are wheel covers, not hubcaps.

    Like 10
  5. Commuterdude

    It wasn’t worth $5,000 when it was only a year old. Just sayin’.

    Like 5
  6. 8banger DaveMember

    And there’s that steering wheel again!

    Like 3
  7. Bob C.

    Last year for these little puddle jumpers.

    Like 3
  8. lbpa18

    This is what you buy your young son for high school. No drag racing, and no late nite playing doctor with the girl next door. No girl would be seen in it. Just honest transportation with a long life ahead.

    Like 1
    • Miguel

      Not true at all. If the girl is going to judge the guy on what car he has, he doesn’t need to be with her.

      Like 1
  9. Doug

    The A/C needing a recharge could get VERY expensive; R-12 was replaced by R134 years ago. The oils are NOT compatible – to change over will require a new compressor and drier, at minimum.

    Like 3
    • bone

      They make conversion kits ; they are not that expensive

      Like 0
  10. Stevieg

    I recently told a friend of mine that when my 2018 Hyundai dies, probably from some sort of electronic issue that will one day cost more than the car is worth, I am just going to buy a Pinto wagon. I hope I can find a car like this in 15 or so years lol. I am wishing my Hyundai already died so I could buy this!. One day….

    Like 4
    • Mike leyshon

      I will side with Miguel…especially about judgements on cars people drive ! You have the wrong lady if she is that shallow and you are insecure…

      On R-12, it is found easier than you think, with pag oil. Replaced all O-rings and charged my 89 mustang 3 years ago. Not hard to convert to R134 either ! I run 2.3 turbos and would love the right Pinto…wagons are becoming increasingly rare.

      Like 0
  11. Miguel

    I just saw a 1974 Pinto Squire wagon go through the Mecum auction in Harrisburg.

    It was brown with an automatic and it wasn’t that nice. The air cleaner and the valve cover had some rust on it.

    It sold for $9500.00 This car is a much better example than that one was.

    Like 1
  12. chrlsful

    like the larger Lima a lill better (w/a 32/36) but yeah, this would B my Daily (paint whatever lght color they had that yr)…may B 10,000 mi/yr. (Swap off w/the 66 bronk & ‘cycle).

    Like 0
  13. Ash A

    I’m the owner of this Pinto Wagon and enjoyed this write up a lot!

    The car sold this past Saturday for the full $5,000 to a lovely Japanese couple who live in Los Angeles.

    Like 0
  14. Barney

    I wished I saw this, I would have given 6k to get it! Darn it!

    Like 1

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