Bright Red is the color of this Pinto Wagon, and this was the first year of the restyled front end with the slanting grille and urethane headlight housings. This 1977 Ford Pinto Wagon can be found listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Clintonville, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $4,250. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for the tip!
A tip of the hat to the seller for providing such good photos of this Pinto wagon. Waiting for a sunny day, moving the car to get photos of it with the sun on different parts of the car, showing it inside and out, including a few detailed photos. About the only thing we don’t see is inside the rear cargo compartment, and an underside photo or two. Those are easy to overlook with so many other good photos.
Speaking of the rear end of a Pinto, we all know that the wagons didn’t have the gas tank issues that the early non-wagons had. Make mine a wagon every time, and not just for that reason, but they’re much more unusual to see and much more useful for hauling things. That sequoia-sized rear bumper looks great, condition-wise, as does the rest of the car, at least overall. The seller does show a few areas where rust is starting to rear its ugly head, as it usually does on vehicles with body panels made out of sheet metal. This 1977 Pinto brochure refers to the Pinto Wagon as the “World’s best-selling wagon.”
The interior looks pretty nice. Actually, it looks really nice. The first thing most of us noticed is that this car doesn’t have a four-speed manual, bummer. An automatic isn’t a deal-killer, but a four-speed would sure make for a more fun and peppy (peppy Pinto?) driving experience. The dash and front seats look good from what we can see, and the back seat still looks like it’s 1977. I’m on the fence about going back to 1977. Part of me would love to relive that era as a kid again with what I know now, and without security cameras every 12 feet everywhere inside and out watching us. Not that I’d do anything bad, but it just seemed like such a simple and easy existence back then compared to now.
The engine needs a little cosmetic work, but overall, it looks good to me. Is that a power steering pump? Yes, this car has both power steering and power brakes, making it an easy driver, especially with the three-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels. The engine is a 2.3-liter OHC inline-four with 89 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque. The seller says you can drive it home, and acknowledges some “lower body damage from winter road salt,” and that’s a shame, but it looks great otherwise. Any thoughts on this Pinto wagon at $4,250?
Looks like the red Pinto wagon in the Blues Brothers movie. I believe that was also a ’77 model.
That was the first thing I thought of!!!
“I hate Illinois Nazis!”
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It was orange. At least the one that was dropped was orange.
I have certain fondness for the movie “The Blues Brothers”.They shot alot of the movie in and around the little town I lived in at the time. The movie even opened in our town. (Not Hollywood, New York or Chicago) For a week or so, the “Blues mobile” was parked at the side of the highway waiting for traffic to thin out and Akoroid (sp?) and I would flash our lights at each other when I was heading to work. And I hate the Illinois Nazis also!
What’s really surprising is that the one that was dropped isn’t the MPC 1/25 scale model kit.
Hey, a little body work, updated stereo system and a turbo charged six cylinder drive train. Then you will have a really nice, versatile and interesting zip around town ride!
Either a turbo six from a T-Bird Turbo Coupe, the 2.3L four from an SVO Mustang, or an Ecoboost 2.3L four cylinder turbo would work. Since the 2.3L SVO Mustang used the same block and heads as the 2.3L Pinto mill, that would be the easiest swap, the Ecoboost with over 300 hp the lightest, fastest and unfortunately, the most expensive swap!
Even with that minor or at least appears to be minor rust, its very solid overall. The automatic is a bit of a bummer, but, power steering and brakes, this is one effortless cruiser. My preference is the Cruiser wagons with the little round window in the back, but truth be told, I’m liking this one. I’m with SG, I lean towards the wagons myself.
The then GF in college ( now wife of 40 yrs) had a blue one with the manual. It had the chrome headlight housings so not sure of the year of the car. She came out of work and they were stolen off the lights. Had to go to the junk yard and found a pair for $20.
I can still recall driving on the Garden State Parkway and seeing a Pinto in USPS livery with the added decal proclaiming it as ‘Postal Safety Inspector’
Think that’s weird? I saw a “man in brown” in Europe back in the day. Yep, UPS delivery man and his wheels. Oh, the weird part? His set of wheels was a Vespa scooter replete with all relevant UPS markings, including the gold pinstripes!
Sweet ride and a set of wheels would really pick this up. My pops had a red 75 with the 2.8 v-6 and a slushbox. Fun little wagon…..
Super practical and useful vehicle. These were solid citizens back in the day.
Very nice- but the automatic kills it.
Buy this and a roached out Turbo Coupe and perform a drive train swap. THEN you would have a cool little wagon. Some cool wheels and you could be the talk at C&C!
Almost perfect, except it’s missing the Sports Instrument Package, that included a tachometer, oil pressure, water temperature and voltmeter gages! Maybe that was only available on the Cruisin’ Wagon, I don’t know. I’m with the other comments that suggest an engine swap with either an SVO Mustang or a T-Bird Turbo Coupe, would be nice, LOL! GLWTS.
Price has been reduced to $3,500.
Scotty, props again for the brochure link. Great to see the optional sport wheels, and a pic of the cool Cruising Wagon.
These are absolutely miserable vehicles to drive! I had to run one from CT to VT and back in one trip. Less than 400 miles. I am only 6 foot tall, the seat wouldn’t go back enough for any semblance of comfort! The tiny footwell made for no stretching at all and a stop every 50 miles was required to keep from severe body cramps! That and absolute zero power when loaded made for a trip from hell! The Vega was a better road car, and that speaks volumes!
I didn’t have that problem, but then again, I’m only 4′, 11-1/4″ (59.25 inches) tall, LOL! I carpooled in one for college with one of my classmates, when I was 1/2″ taller, and I couldn’t see over the dashboard (no height adjustment on the seats), LOL! To be perfectly frank, I’d rather have your problem!
I get where you’re coming from but don’t really think you want to be too tall. Being 6’5″ means that everything is an issue. Your legs, hips, shoulders and head aren’t happy. Then you need a place to put your shoes, on your big feet. Ever since working in vehicle testing I’ve asked others, how is that for you? My customers are usually surprised that I can identify with the needs of smaller drivers. Everyone needs something different.
Body height is because of leg length and body height. I’m 5’10” and my racecar partner is 6’5″. All his height comes from his legs. And my body is considerably taller than his. Which is why we raced a “Spec Racer”. It had adjustable pedal and steering column length. He would run the morning sessions (track days) and I would run the afternoon sessions. (Or vise versa) after moving the pedals and steering wheel which was about a 5 minute job when each were working on each side. He definitely sat lower in the car than I did. Just ask the seat belts harnesses!
I’ve got a 26″ inseam, so I don’t have any height in either my legs or my torso, LOL! Frankly I’d settle for being 5′ 2″, and kill to make 5′ 7″ (my brother’s height)! Even an extra 2-3/4″ inches would make a huge difference! But it’s not going to happen, so I make the best of it!
Loved my brillant blue 72 Pinto. Miss it too much. With back seat down plenty of room when I picked up a chick for the night.
Post of the day!!
Nice wagon. As noted above, too bad about the automatic. Also as noted a turbo’d 4 would be a great upgrade, especially with a 5spd.
bought one new in 1977 except it was dark brown and a 4 speed stick great snow car made it 40 miles home in blizzard of 78