Advertised as Ford’s lowest-priced Pinto, the Pony was arguably more “luxurious” than Chevy’s Chevette in its lowest trim level. And, you can’t beat those bumpers. This 1980 Ford Pinto Pony is eye-catching in Bright Blue and it’s all original, according to the seller, who has it posted here on craigslist. It’s located in Madisonville, Louisiana and they’re asking $6,800. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Pat L. for sending in this tip!
There is quite a bit of faded paint on this Pinto but the seller isn’t messing around with offers. I’m not sure if they’ll get their asking price given the paint quality and needy interior, but sellers can ask whatever they want. Ford introduced the Pinto in the fall of 1970 for the 1971 model year and this was the last year they were offered, 1980. With no right-hand side-view mirror, you know this is a base model.
Those bumpers really sprouted in 1974 and by then, well, I’ll leave the infamous Pinto stories for the comments section. The 1979 and 1980 Pintos received their last update with rectangular headlights, slanted grilles, and a few other features. It would be followed up by the Ford Escort, a hands-down, all-around better car than the Pinto ever was. But there will only be one Pinto… some will say, “Thankfully” to that and some miss the days when manufacturers made cars like this.
The interior looks fairly rough in some areas, but in others, it looks good. The dash pad appears to be in nice shape. The four-speed manual shifter is nice to see here, but the bottom rung Pony wasn’t offered with an automatic transmission so if a buyer wanted the lowest-priced Pinto, they had better want to shift for him or herself. The seats need help but that’s a relatively simple fix for any upholstery shop, or just get seat covers. Is that electrical tape on the steering wheel?
The engine could use a bath but it has AC! In a Pony?! This is Ford’s 2.3-liter OHC inline-four, which would have been factory-rated at 88 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque when new. The seller says that it runs and drives well. How much would you pay for this Bright Blue Pony?
If one set out to preserve a Pinto, something like a Squire Wagon would seem most appropriate. Maybe that’s why we do see them from time to time. But this illustrates that there are mundane cars out there which have survived for decades, even unlikely examples such as this (very) basic Pinto.
A mere ten minutes to de-clutter and vacuum the interior would have been time well spent. Overall doesn’t look terrible. Be the talk of the Kroger parking lot when you pull in.
Thanks Scotty.
My last pinto needed a tire behind the seat to hold the seat upright & a bungee cord hooked to both front doors on the inside to keep the doors from opening when you went around the corner. Think I paid 50 or a hundred bucks for it & I think it was late 70’s or early eighty’s. Oh, the good ol’ day’s
I do believe the wheelchairs are from an older pinto. I miss simple cars like this and the early 80s escort.
Mount a tire in the center of the rear bumper to complete the continental kit look!
With air conditioning and a 4 speed! Worth saving. Looks solid for the most part.
Drove one of these for 4 years in college, between hauling 4 people for breaks along with all the junk, concerts in Detroit and Chicago, spring break in Florida, and back and forth to a beautiful girlfriend’s house every weekend in the summer, it was a terrific car. I put 180 k on it, and if people would have stopped running into it, I could have gone farther. I ruined the rear Differential by not checking it, and it bunny hopped down the expressway. It never cost me a penny besides regular maintenance, and was one of the most dependable cars a young man could have. 800 miles roundtrip to see the girlfriend, and yes it was worth every mile.
That’s not an A/C compressor, it’s an engine brake! (Aftermarket, btw.)
Any way to shoehorn a Coyote and 9 inch in this? LOL
I would look to create the spirit of the European Escort with this car.
Brake, suspension, and engine upgrades and pretend I’m driving a Mk1 Mexico or Mk2 RS 2000.
Put some round fog lights and maybe mini lite wheels or styled steel wheels.
Then drive it like I stole it.
Only if you want to fold it in half. These were rust buckets.
A little grinder work and some welding and all is well.
A 3.5 ECO would work just fine
Looks like he’s cleared it to save it from the rust. I like it. If it was here in Ohio in that shape I’d take a look at it.
Did they really need two wing nuts to hold the air cleaner on an 88 hp engine?
Well he did say it was more luxurious.
Ha!
My ’79 Pinto Pony was the last true “barn find” I bought. Fresh out of the barn, with enough corn and mouse doo doo to fill a sack with! This was in 1983! I paid $50 for it, drove it home, steam cleaned the interior, hosed it off, tuned it up, and drove it for 3 years as my work car.
I forgot they made these as late as 1980… but then again, I tried to forget a lot about the Pinto…
Those built in front and rear park benches must come in handy…