In the late seventies, custom vans were hot! Even the manufacturers got in on the action by outfitting their vans with some of the most popular aftermarket parts. Porthole windows and five slot mags were a common sight. Heck, Ford even stuck them on the Pinto and it a “mini van” or “cruising wagon”. The concept may seem strange today, but the more I look at this odd econo car, the more I want it! Find this porthole pony here on eBay where bidding starts at $5,500.
Checkout how the clean the interior is! The bright red is a little much, but could be totally bearable when it’s this clean. Finding any Pinto in nice condition is hard, but it’s unheard of to find one optioned like this. The seller claims that it’s all original and that the fuel and brake systems have been gone through.
Here’s a shot of with the back seat folding down. These little wagons actually look very functional for a small family. You can throw the kids in the back or lay the seat down and haul some furniture. The carpeted walls continue the van inspired theme.
The portholes look custom, but those and the alloy rims were actually a factory installed items that were part of the Cruising Wagon package. This one is even more special because it has the Squire’s wood paneling. It would be fun to take a look at the Marti Report and read about all the options. Only 383 Pintos were built with the same options, so it’s not likely you will see another one coming down the road anytime soon.
I didn’t think you could combine the Cruising Wagon window with the Squire paneling. Now that I know you could, I’m reduced to wondering why anyone would.
This was a secret Ford COPO Pinto wagon in order to combine wood paneling and port hole windows.
The interior seals the deal…fun wagon to knock around in!
This is really quite cool, and I have no doubt that it’d be a fun little cruiser. The only down side that I can possibly see is that you wouldn’t want rear passengers who were claustrophobic!
Another down side is that………………it is a Pinto.
That’s never a down side unless you don’t have the shield & other recall items.,,,
All it needs is a 351 Windsor and side pipes, 14″ wheels would also be good.
Crusin Wagons had the sport steering wheel, 3 gauges in the middle of the dash, and a tachometer.
like da H/W 5200 carb, motor’n tranny,
w a g o n even more.
Wish it was more affordable (to me).
still pretty cool one this nice is still around….remember when they were new….sure beat the hell out of those old Econolines….
This car did not come from the factory with the porthole and the wood grain.
The buyer admits that the Marti report does not have the cruising wagon option on it.
There were aftermarket panels that could be installed on Pintos to make them look like a cruiser. Somebody obviously did that here.
That’s because it looked like a blood clot prior to those modifications.
Steve R
It actually had less red before the conversion. The windows would not have been red.
My Mom had a 73 Pinto , big back glass, folding rear seat. It had a 2000 cc, auto, am, Carolina Blue, factory mags . It would top out at 125mph, and handle like it was on rails. The Pinto, aka (ole blue) was one of the best cars, most dependable, reliable that I have ever drove. And I’ve driven a number of cars, from a 69 383 Road Runner, a 68 Mustang coupe 289, a 71ChevelleSS454, a 70 Road Runner Hemi auto, to my current ride a 69 Dodge Charger 383 auto. The Pinto is as good as it gets, for an economy ride and a Great looking car.230,000 + miles before a cracked block in a hard winter did it in. R I P , ole blue. Mark wishes he had a Pinto.😎
I worked with a guy in the early 80’s that had one of these, and cruise we did. ( including all the shenanigan’s that go with cruisin’,,,aw, don’t look so shocked, we all did it) Just shows what car makers would do to lure in customers. This was nothing more than a sedan delivery,( one of the last?) normally, one of the cheapest models made, and add some period correct gee-gaws, and there you have it. Cost? An extra $416 dollars(or $1,740 today) Must have worked, as some sites claim, this is the most sought after Pinto made. Great find.
I almost bought a Cruising Wagon once. Guy only wanted 300 Bucks for it. Still had its original paint and decals. He also converted it to a V6 with a 4-Speed manual. Wasn’t in bad shape and it ran good. Had I not planned on leaving the country for good, I would have bought it.
I love it but what is up with the back bumper. I don’t think the stock bumper extended that far.
That is in case you wanted to go camping in it. They extended it out so you would have a back patio/kitchen table.
It seems even auto designers were doing drugs back in the 70s. . .
Not really a Ford driveway at my house and I have never been one to consider a Pinto but I want this. I really do. Am I going to be alright? Should I seek professional help very soon?
I like it but have a issue with the back panel with the porthole in it right behind the drivers door looks to be not lined up properly with the back edge of the door. This is in the first pic.
But it’ll go 125 mph !
I’ve never seen one of these with fake-wood trim instead of the groovy stripes package, and I’m still not convinced it’s factory. And I don’t care – it’s awesome anyway.