If you’re looking for something truly different in a sea of vintage muscle and full-size cruisers, this 1977 Ford Pinto Cruiser might be just the ticket. Dressed in a standout shade of soft orange and showing only 75,500 miles, this little long-roof offers a refreshing blend of funky styling and practical fun. It’s currently being offered by a private seller here on eBay, where it’s drawing attention as a well-preserved and uncommon wagon.
Ford’s Pinto lineup offered budget-friendly transportation with some quirky trims, and the “Cruiser” wagon is among the most visually unique of the breed. This example has reportedly been used primarily for car shows over the past three years, which may explain why it presents so well inside and out. The body appears straight, and the paint retains a bright finish that pops against chrome and woodgrain trim accents. With the country’s renewed appreciation for wagons and oddball economy cars from the ’70s, this one feels like it’s riding the right wave.
Under the hood, you’ll find the factory 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, known for its reliability more than its speed, producing just over 90 horsepower. The seller notes the engine “runs like a sewing machine,” which is exactly what you want from a vintage commuter—consistent, smooth, and easy to maintain. A five-speed manual transmission gives it an added level of engagement not often found in these wagons, helping this Pinto stand out from the more common three-speed autos of its time.
Inside, the cabin looks to be just as carefully maintained, though the listing provides few close-up photos or detailed descriptions of the upholstery or trim. Still, the tone of the ad suggests a car that’s been loved and shown off, and show-worthy Pintos don’t exactly grow on trees. The seller indicates this is more of a feeler to “see what the market may hold,” but the tone implies no urgency—just a desire to pass it on to the next enthusiast who gets it.
In a world increasingly dominated by beige SUVs and cookie-cutter crossovers, is there still a place for a vibrant, well-kept Pinto Cruiser wagon with three pedals and a whole lot of charm?
Period-correct colors, loud graphics, instrumentation group, what looks like a 5-speed transmission, overall nice condition. Aftermarket upholstery (??), looks good. Fun to see Pintos which have not rusted into oblivion.
These cool wagons may be “cruisers”, but the official name is Cruising Wagon. And the seller says the car runs like a “sowing” machine; I’m trying to visualize that…..
Probably referring to some type of farm implement!!!
That interior looks like it could have come from a “Sprint” edition Pinto, with the blue inserts and white trim on the seat covers and door cards! Offers in honor of the 1972 Olympics, it was available on the Maverick, Mustang and Pinto in ’72 only (see link below)!
https://www.motortrend.com/features/1608-special-edition-1972-ford-mustang-sprint-package-celebrates-the-olympics
The ad is gone and the sale ended, with the reserve unmet.
Very nicely done, both inside and out. The 5 speed is a great upgrade. Love the color combo too. This just screams the 70’s. The Tubine wheels are definitely very period correct and they still look good after all these years.
The turbine wheels were the first thing to jump out at me, when I saw the image load on my computer screen. They really look just great on Pintos & Bobcats. Such a clean build, even though I don’t care for the loud paint, I’d drive it just the way it is. Too nice to change.
Must be cruiser day, good ones too. Nice one here.
Nice Pinto wagon. I had a girlfriend in the 70s that had a 1972 Pinto wagon, blue and blue, 4-speed. We had alot of fun in that car, I have always wanted another one. Elizabeth, is this a new trend on BF that you don’t show the asking price or the location in your writeup? I know you want me to click on eBay but I usually don’t have the time to be bouncing around the interweb.
You don’t have time to click a link?
If a car featured on this site was posted on Craigslist when it’s deleted so is all of the information including the asking price.
Steve R
As @Steve R has mentioned, the same goes for eBay, where the listings are removed after 90 days. I often use BF’s search option for specific cars, which could go back for many years, and it’s nice to see the if the values appreciate or depreciate. Why not list the price?
I totally agree with Jesse. This is an auction, so there is no such thing as showing a price since that price is going to change. You need to click the link and follow the auction in order to get an idea of what the price will end up being.
Both Steve R and I try to post the final sale price of EBay listings that we follow so that there is a historical record here that can be referred to if/when the car shows back up again. Or, for the curious minded who want to know what a car possibly sold for.
On the other hand, having the Craigs List price displayed on BF will help to preserve it for when the listing disappears.
Auction ended 8/1/2025 with a high bid of $10,000, did not meet reserve.
Steve R
It has been relisted on ebay.
Thanks for that info Steve R. I have been used to the writer just putting the price in the writeup, I don’t know why that is so hard these days. If they don’t have the time, I don’t either. I have three businesses to run, I shouldn’t even be looking at old cars. BTW Steve R, I read and appreciate your comments. You seem to be knowledgeable in the car world. Keep it up. Take care.
Thank you for the nice comment.
Steve R
I think the clue is the “disclosure” right below the lead photo. By forcing readers to click on the original listing link, BF is getting a kickback. I don’t appreciate that inconvenience either, Jesse, and ignore postings that don’t at least include the location.
What state was it located in ?
Bend, Oregon.
And according today’s reports on Jalopnik, less dangerous than the Wankpanzer – oh excuse me – Cybertruck.
Pinto you kill yourself. Cybertruck you kill others.
Obviously, you don’t have a clue about Ford Pinto wagons.
Needs. Little Windsor under the hood. Or at least a turbo on that 4 banger. Love the fact it’s got 3 pedals. That is the one thing I miss in my daily driver wagon.
Worst pictures though in the ebay ad in my opinion. Basically all the same thing, and not a single shot of what’s going on under the hood. Not a fan of the interior either though it is clean and in good shape.
And of course a little v-8 would require an upgraded drivetrain.
A wrecked SVO Mustang would work, it’s the same engine, but with a turbo and beefed-up internals to survive forced induction. Those dead ponies are getting hard to find, though, as they didn’t make too many in the first place, and the few that are left are being held by their owners as collector cars. Most of the wrecked examples have already gone to the crusher, LOL! I’m with you on the pictures, no pictures of the dash showing the mileage or of the rest of the interior, under the hood, or under the car, and a brown or tan interior would look better!
Looks like it doesn’t have A/C.
Wonder what that would cost?
It would be tempting to find a 260 or 289 to drop into it.
Looks like it doesn’t have A/C.
Wonder what that would cost?
It would be tempting to find a 260 or 289 to drop into it.
I’m with you on the A/C and the engine swap, but I’d go for an Ecoboost 2.3L instead. Available from Ford as a crate motor, with all of the electronics and wiring harnesses you will need to get it running, 300 hp from a lightweight aluminum four-banger! Whee! There’s no way a 289 or 302 could make 300 hp without spending some serious coin and a Coyote probably wouldn’t fit between the shock towers without some serious surgery!
My 14 year old self was obsessed with this car.
I would love to see one at a show some time. I would bee line straight to it.
The interior looks like it was lifted from a 1972 “Sprint” edition, which had a similar color scheme, white seats with blue inserts and red piping on the seats, to go with the red, white and blue exterior paint colors on the Sprint edition cars, complete with a red, white and blue shield decal on the rear quarter panels. The “Sprint” option was available on Mavericks, Pintos and Mustangs in 1972, in honor of the 1972 Olympics. I’m not a fan of those color choices in a brown car, I think the original brown or tan seats and door cards would look better.
Robert: Coincidentally, this video just came up on my YouTube feed today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9_WVNKS2yQ
Robert, dead on accurate with that engine choice. I have the same in my Bronco and if it can bring great performance fun in a truck, it will be a blast in a Pinto.
And, it mates perfectly to the 10 speed automatic – I keep it in Sport mode all of the time to get the aggressive shift pattern.
Another Pinto that has survived and not rusted away. Nice that it is a manual transmission and the turbine rims set it just right!