Is there such a thing as seeing too many Ford Pintos? I don’t think so, but I also like weird old motorcycles, vintage EVs, old pickups, vintage snowmobiles, and a lot of vehicles that not everyone likes. This 1973 Ford Pinto Squire Wagon is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and they’re asking $5,750. Here is the original listing, and thanks to PRA4SNW for the tip!
This Pinto Squire wagon looks nicer than I expected, although the seller has only added two exterior photos to their listing. Still, the two photos show both sides, and also the front and back, so that’s great. The paint looks nice overall, but the seller does acknowledge that there’s some rust. We don’t get any detailed photos, and there are no underside photos, so be prepared. We all know, or I hope we do, that the Pinto wagons didn’t have the “ka-pow” issue of some of the early sedans.
The Squire package is the way to go if you really want to relive the 1970s. I guess the three-speed automatic transmission is pretty desirable for a sizable number of potential buyers, but I’d sure rather have a 4-speed manual myself. The front vinyl seats appear not too bad, other than the driver’s seat needing some help. There seems to be a dash pad of some sort, and new carpet wouldn’t be the worst idea. Here’s a 1973 Ford Pinto brochure to check out.
The back seat looks great, and I don’t see any issues at the top of the back seat from sun damage. Shaq isn’t going to fit back there, but for any adults under six feet, it might not be the worst place to travel. At least the rear side windows pop open for some fresh air. The rear cargo area looks great and would have enough luggage space for most people. Put that Chevy Suburban back in the garage; this Pinto Squire Wagon is the one to take to the South Dakota Black Hills!
The engine and engine compartment are cleaner than I expected. This is Ford’s 2.0-liter OHC inline-four with 83 horsepower and 97 lb-ft of torque. Backed by that C4 automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels, the seller says this car has AC, but the belt isn’t connected, so it’ll need work. They say it needs a tune-up and has an exhaust leak, but they don’t say how it runs. It looks like a pretty nice Pinto Wagon to me. Is that an oxymoron? At this price, is it worth a gamble?
Fun write-up SG. To answer your question, I don’t tire of seeing Pintos. This one isn’t perfect, but with some effort would be a decent Cars & Coffee entrant. Nice Squires have become collectible, and bring solid money.
My 1973 Pinto, which served me well for several years, was decidedly more basic— a 1.6L 4-speed low-option Runabout. It too had those miniature mud guards.
Loved my 71 wagon. But with an automatic here, the desirability plummets.
Scotty, going from two brown Coupe Devilles to Brown Pintos. I like it!!! Although I’m getting the sinking suspicion that a brown vehicle will be in your near future…… Just a hunch. ( I’m kidding). But I will gladly second what Bob said above. Never get tired of Pintos, Vegas, Falcons, Comets, Mavericks, Gremilins, well, you get the idea.
I like the variety on here. Keep them coming Scotty!!!
It’s a project with an indeterminate amount of rust, needs interior work, an unknown problem with the engine and non functioning AC. The seller goes out of his way to gloss over the cars issues such as the way he describes the issues with the AC. They quote Hagarty price guide, which is never a good sign. It’s hard to see this bringing close to the current asking price of $5,750. There is a reason it hasn’t sold quickly.
Steve R
I’m giving this way too much thought here, and I generally don’t like to comment on pricing, but I think this is a $2,500.00 car, and I say that because while it appears to be functional in every meaningful aspect, it also is kind of rough. Everything seems dirty and dinged up, and to be honest, as it is, it’s a fun beater. A conversation starter and transportation, but carpet, a dash cap, and seat covers will set you back a decent amount of money…
I totally agree with both you and Steve. More than the AC not working, a car that “needs a tune up” for sale means that the seller is either lazy and not caring or may know more about why it is not running well. The faded fake wood are not selling points. Too much money needed to be anything other than a “beater”, unless a buyer has a nostalgic connection to restore it.
I had 2 1973 Pinto wagons, both automatics. They were peppier than my ’74 coupe with the strangled 2.3 liter. Rust killed them before anything mechanical did. I see the seller wants $5700, but can’t do a “tune up” on the car, eh? I’m in the market for a wagon, again. But South Carolina is a bit too far to look at a pig in a poke.
the pinto was a fire death trap when new $2500.00 when new nope
While I was negative in remarks above, I think the wagon version did not have that danger. Or was the whole issue made up any more than with other smaller cars? Lots of opinion on that issue.
Stephen, I tried to head that off, but we know most people don’t read the entire articles. The wagon did not have the fire issue. And as I always like to say, how much was a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda new? $5,000? If you can get one for that now, please let us know.
But people was the minimum wage was back then,
so that would’ve been a lot of money back then,as would
annual insurance for a teenage boy.
Sigh.
these are starting to bring some cash. not sure this 5k worthy but looks somewhat decent.
“that’s the one”. Yes, wagon only (doesnt need the ‘squire’ trim). Flip seats dwn & U have 69 inch long (+3 = 6ft, and 42 wide) in the 60 cuft range. 8^ )
My Focus waggy (30 yrs newer) was just 3 inches wider each side back there and took pallets w/motors ratchet-strapped down. 😱
An AOD can mate up for auto w/overdrive (4 speed) for around town/my style.
The Lima cross flow (like modern Japanese i4) had a great run (26 yrs?) and a fav 2v carb of mine (holly/weber) as to its progressive design (power’n MPGs).
About the only thing to detract is the over weight design (2,6xx lbs in this model) AND this is @ 7.75 ft WB (oops). The Focus? even worse. But had SEFI. 👍
I don’t know about the 2.0, but the 2.3 of that era had soft camshafts. It will sound like it needs a tune-up, but a tune-up doesn’t help. Ask me how I know…
Other cars had the same gas tank location problem but were a little smarter than Ford was solving it. Small jeep wagons had the exact same problem so jeep put a decent sized trailer hitch on the cars which added strength to help fend off incidents with other vehicles.
Sure Pinto coupes had some gas tanks ruptured and the press made a big deal about it, but what about the mid-60’s Mustangs and Fairlanes where the gas tank was the trunk floor and there was no partition between it and the passenger compartment or all of the pickups that has the fuel tank mounted in the passenger compartment behind the rear seat.
Steve R
Just for fun, put a modern EcoBoost in it.
Had a 74 pinto runabout, 2.3 litre auto, here in NZ. Brought over by Deep Freeze in a cargo plane. Great wee car, very solid,huge bumpers. Didn’t make much difference being LHD. Cop stopped us once and started talking to my passenger, who said, I’m not sitting here with the steering wheel. Haha
This car caught my eye because it’s been listed on FB Marketplace for a year. If the ad is real, and not just forgotten about, why wouldn’t the seller lower the price just to get rid of it?
Things that make me say “Hmmmm”.