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Cruising Wagon: 1979 Ford Pinto

1979 Ford Cruising Wagon

If yesterday’s Pinto wagon just wasn’t psychedelic enough for your tastes or you’re on the other side of the pond and want a Pinto that’s already on your side of the globe, this 1979 Pinto Cruising Wagon might just be the car for you! It isn’t in as fantastic condition as the previous wagon, but it is possibly the only one ever imported into the UK. It is going to need a lot of work, but if you’re up for the challenge, you can find it here on eBay in Stirling, United Kingdom. Special thanks to Ricky M for this tip!

Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

The seller’s listing is a bit confusing and a little deceiving. The first picture they present is of a pristine Pinto Cruiser, but then they reveal the car that’s actually for sale. Once you get past that bit of questionable marketing, they seem to present the car honestly. It has lots of issues, with plenty of rust and body work needed. Finding all the parts for it shouldn’t be an issue in the States, but it might be another story in the UK.

Cruising Wagon Interior

One thing this wagon does have going for it, is that it is quite complete. It might be missing a few bits here and there, but all the major components are still here. The interior needs a good cleaning, but for the most part could be used as is. The red vinyl adds to the ’70s flair, but I think this one deserves the plaid interior found in our previous Pinto Wagon. As a nice added bonus, the seller already has the few replacement parts for the missing pieces, which are being included in the sale.

1979 Ford Cruising Wagon Motor

This one is powered by Ford’s 2.3 liter inline 4, which should offer decent performance. The seller claims the motor runs, but that the fuel tank is rusted and will need to be replaced or repaired. They originally had plans of dropping a 429 V8 in it, but never got around to doing the swap. If you’re interested in tackling the job of shoehorning a V8 into this car, the seller is offering a complete 429 and matching gearbox separately

Ford Cruising Wagon

This wagon is quite the fascinating machine, complete with multi-tone paint and port hole windows. Getting it back on the road in all of its ’70s glory is going to take a lot of work, but being the only Pinto Cruising Wagon at the local car shows would feel great and make all the work worthwhile. So if this were your wagon, would you try fitting the 429 V8 under the hood?

Comments

  1. Avatar 1998redwagon

    no. the 429 goes in a cougar. this stays as is.

    Like 1
    • Avatar MikeW

      Or a Mustang.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Brian

    Saying that the carbed 2.3 Ford four cylinder offers decent performance shows that your a “glass is half full” kinda guy! A more accurate statement is that the 2.3 engine make the car mobile…

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    Wait…is the English measure of the foot shorter than the American version? Somehow I just can’t believe this car is 17 feet long.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Tirefriar

    I’m not a fan of Ford Pinto by a long shot, but I do like these style of Pinto wagons. This one is too ratty to really bother with, very good examples can be found in the $5k range (well, may be not in UK). Manual trans adds to the overall value. If the restoration will not bankrupt you, running a 429 under the hood with a price of petrol in UK certainly will.

    Even if this was a local to me car, I wouldn’t consider swapping in a larger engine. Instead I’d rebuild the 2.3L and install a turbo or source a complete running gear out of a wrecked SVO.

    Like 0
    • Avatar MikeW

      I like the SVO idea, but it’s much better in my friends 65 Mustang, puts out 300 rwhp and gets 30 mpg USA

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Dave

    A 429 in a pinto wagon!!!!!hahahahaha!!!!! the only thing funnier is the guy’s in the UK where the only V8’s available come from the grocer in a juice can!!!

    Like 0
  6. Avatar MikeW

    I’ll wait for a Mustang II, maybe a fastback with a souped up V8. but we do have one around here with a big engine in the back. A hellof a good wheelie machine. oh wait a minute maybe it was vega wagon.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar MikeW

    Pinto’s make good gassers and wheelie machines, but a cruiser, NO.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar jim s

    with the amount of rust i see i think this is a parts car. nice find

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Desi

    Needs a bumper sticker…

    “Gas, Grass or Ass… No-one rides free”

    Perfect car for the discriminating hippie

    Like 0

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