The Pinto was Ford’s first subcompact built in the U.S. and would remain in production for 10 model years (1971-80). The car would be popular enough to spawn a badge-engineered version for Mercury called the Bobcat. This 1974 edition, a station wagon, looks to be in good shape, although the photos provided are limited, and it may have just 42,000 miles. Located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, this nice wagon is available here on craigslist for $7,900 OBO. Thanks to Pat L. for spotting this one for us!
Three million Pintos would see the light of day (plus another 225,000 Bobcats) and the car would have its greatest success in 1974. That was the year following the OPEC oil embargo and almost every manufacturer selling small cars (and good on gas) saw production rise (in the case of the Pinto, more than a half million units). The most noticeable changes to the cars that year were larger bumpers needed to accommodate enhanced Federal safety standards.
Under the hood of this nice-looking Pinto should be a 140 cubic inch inline-4 which is paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. We’re told the Ford runs great, having been treated to some recent upgrades in terms of the timing belt, brakes (front discs), exhaust, and tires (wider wheels on the back?). The body and paint look fine, but we can’t tell about the interior. The seller provides several photos of the undercarriage and things look quite tidy there. No rust bucket for sale here!
Another nice Pinto, this time a wagon, which is a desirable body style. Period-correct colors, including the avocado interior. Four speed transmission is a plus for me. It’s good to have the undercarriage pics, but sure would be nice to have more and better exterior, interior, and engine pics.
The underside picks are on craigslist.
Not one profile pic, can’t tell what them wider wheels are..
Can’t say I am a fan of the color however I truly am a fan of car and model along with the drive train. I had a powder blue 76 outfitted with the same drive train. I drove it to 150,000 miles and it got 36 MPG on the highway. Not a beast but a great dependable vehicle. Like all of my vehicles service, service, service it is a cheap way to keep them young at heart and they really last. On another note I had a 85 Bronco II with a V 6 and 4 wheel drive that lasted to 500,000 miles and no rebuilds just regular maintenance.
Seller,
Need to see more interior photos before I can bid.
Thanks.
UGH! Those bumpers. I had a ’73 back in the day and a much better-looking car.
US government mandated 5mph impact Bumpers they have since lowered the standard to 2.5mph and that’s why just a small tap causes so much damage to today’s cars
Yep. You could put a continental kit on this car without any alterations.
Molotov cocktail = a Pinto with a rag stuffed into the fuel filler.
For sure…lol. I saw a pinto with a personalized tag that said..BOOM
that tells you to stay back 500 ft. 💥.
Not a wagon
The wagon didn’t have the same problem as the sedan, but even then it was vastly overhyped.
One TV “news” show tried to demonstrate how dangerous the Pinto’s were, so they rolled another car down a hill, smashing into the back of a Pinto. Nothing, they did it several more times, nothing happened, they took the gas cap off… nothing. They poured gas on the back of the car and did it again, STILL nothing. Finally they threw a match on it, THEN the poor car caught on fire.
I like this Pinto a lot, this unloved car needs a tweaked Eco-Boost with suspension and brake upgrades then go out and terrorize
I had the same exact one, although I think mine was a 73. It was a fun car back in the day!
HARVEST Gold YES ! Half my childhood was harvest gold. Haha
I had the same exact one, Same color, although I think mine was a 73. It was a fun car back in the day!
That’s why I like the color. Would NOT want a lot of stuff that color. Bit reminds me of childhood. That and autumn gold. My folks had a lot of Autumn Gold. Then my teenage years I had a 73 Dart in the Chrysler version of Antumn Gold. Then a 78 Volvo in that shade. Dad called it Afrika Korp yellow
As far as appliances go from the era, I think the official name was Harvest Gold.
The green was called avocado.
Red was called poppy.
Brown was Coffee.
Just Sayin’
I forgot about Coppertone.
My dad refused to buy any appliance other than white. He said all those colors (including stainless steel) were fads and would be outdated in no time. He was right.
Of course it’s green – inside too.
If the disc brakes are not power assisted, can a power booster be added?
Joe, power brakes became standard on Pintos a few years later. Pintos always stopped well even without the assist. Respectfully, Dan
My friend’s sister complained about the pedal pressure required with man front discs.
She also tried 1 with 4 wheel drum brakes & she prefered that 1 – less pedal pressure req’d.
Find a new vehicle today with manual discs in USA. Nope. Not even the 3 cyl Mits Mirage.
I’m an old timer here. I cleaned and detailed new and used cars at a Ford Dealer on the overnight for many years. I cleaned countless Pintos and know them front yo back. The write up mentions that it is most likely a 140 cubic inch 4 (2.3 liter) under the hood. That’s not necessarily true. It may very well be the 2000 CC or 2.0 liter as 74 was a transitional year for the engines. This is the last year without catalytic converters and smog pumps (unless it has California emissions) do it is really nice to work on under the hood. The fact that it’s a stick helps too. Pinto wagons have surprising amount of room with the back seat folded down. Good luck to the new owner. Definitely a fun car that you won’t see every day and it will turn more heads than you can imagine 😊👍
The wagon didn’t have the same problem as the sedan, but even then it was vastly overhyped.
One TV “news” show tried to demonstrate how dangerous the Pinto’s were, so they rolled another car down a hill, smashing into the back of a Pinto. Nothing, they did it several more times, nothing happened, they took the gas cap off… nothing. They poured gas on the back of the car and did it again, STILL nothing. Finally they threw a match on it, THEN the poor car caught on fire.
“Pinto” and “survivor” in the same heading caught my eye