The seller calls this 1978 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon the “…original hippy wagon.” I don’t mean to split hairs, but I’m pretty sure that title belongs to the original VW Bus. Still, the Cruising Wagons are pretty cool in their own right, with awesome period graphics and a porthole window in the side. This example looks like it’s been in the sun for way too long, and it’s listed here on eBay with a $3,500 Buy-It-Now.
The era of the Cruising Wagon’s production was marked by vanning becoming a very big thing. Shag carpets, loud graphics, swivel seats and porthole windows were all the rage. While the Cruising Wagon may not be the most comfortable environment for a fold-out sofa, the porthole window and flashy body graphics were both shout-outs to the vanning culture taking over America.
This example still bears its trademark stripes and porthole window, but it is missing an engine and transmission. Not that it would have been all that exciting – most Pintos came with 2.0L or 2.3L four-cylinders – so this Cruising Wagon offers buyers the opportunity to drop in the V8 of their choice, or perhaps the Cologne V6 for a more OEM-correct restoration.
The seller says the Cruising Wagon is not rusty, so perhaps you can justify the money needed to sort out a replacement engine by knowing its bodywork needs will be fairly minimal. I’d be tempted to leave the paint as-is, although I would want to restore the optional vinyl graphics that the original owner chose to accentuate the van’s lines. Would you go with a bigger V8 engine swap, or look for something slightly more unique, like the Cologne conversion?
How about a 2.3 turbo from an SVT?
Dean, that was my thought as I read the question above… you could turn this from Cruising Wagon to Cruise Missile without much effort.
My thought is the ecoboost 2.3 and 6-speed tranny from the current mustang!
Got one sitting in the corner, waiting for a project just like this…
Another seller who couldn’t be bothered to take a few more photos. :(
You certainly don’t see many of these around.
Junk…..
$3,500 without a engine and faded paint, no pictures of the interior or empty engine bay. NO THANKS. Had a friend in the 80’s that had one in much better shape in his back yard that ran but wouldn’t sell it, wanted to drop a 302 in it.
I agree with the lack of pictures comment . Lot of money for something you really can’t see. Would be kinda neat to cram a big block into it though! LOL
Pass.
Hippy Wagon? Not too many people identified as hippies in 1978, let alone buying new cars. These were geared towards people wanting something during the custom van phase that didn’t want a van. Way overpriced for what’s there.
Ecoboost…..either the 2.3 or the 3.5. I have a 77 cruising wagon sitting in my garage right now and I’m torn between which motor to put in mine. The 3.5 is all aluminum and weighs less than the iron block 2.3. Not to mention that it puts out more power…..$7k for a brand new crate motor, 3k for new trans, another 2k for brakes and chassis improvements. 8k for a sweet interior and paint and for $20k you’d have a 450hp, 30mpg, 12 second toy that can actually haul groceries or a dog in back……
I’m a financial planner by trade, we need to talk.
Seriously? As it sits, $1k, at BEST.
I have stopped and looked st this car. Floor panned r rotted put with holes big enough to see ground and put foot through. It has no interior ,nor motor and transmission. It is a rotted out pos. 3500 is way too much for this. At best maybe 500 and even then that’s pushing it. It is repairable but going to cost 30 plus to do it right. Don’t waste your money or time.
Launch wagon. Ala Thelma and Louise.
same ol, same ol:
‘Test Listing’,
just like haulin it out to road side to display/rot.
schoolguy –
I’d use the (lima u mention) 2.5 w/the D shaped intakes, may B a turbo…
I went from a 68 Galaxie 500 to a new Pinto the year they came out. I thought with gas prices rising every day it was a smart move. I think that 1971. 4 speed std 2.0 Lt engine. Driving in the City I was constantly changing between 2 gears. Just as I got enough speed to go into 4th it was back into 3rd.This drove me nuts and after 6 months I sold it. I went straight to a full size car. I could pick up a Cadillac or Lincoln for a song. From that day to today I buy them 3-4 years old and never looked back.