In 1971, Ford’s entry into the subcompact market was the Pinto. Previously, it had been dominated by imports like the VW Beetle. Chevrolet also rolled out the Vega at the same time, but the Pinto would outlast it (1980 vs. 1977). A wagon version was added to the Pinto roster in 1972, and it could be ordered with “Squire” trim like its bigger brothers (LTD Country Squire, for example). This survivor was a one-owner wagon for 50 years, has a lot of new parts, and could be one of the nicest examples left. Located near San Diego, California, this pint-size transport is available here on craigslist for $23,777.
Over its 10-year run, more than three million copies of the Pinto were built and sold. And it was largely the same car from start to finish except for some rather bulky bumpers that were added later to satisfy federal safety standards. Besides the 2-door wagon, a coupe and hatchback were also offered and – over time – the trio split sales in roughly equal numbers. When you ordered a Pinto Squire like this one, you got faux wood paneling on the sides and back (and probably some upgrades to the interior).
The first owner no doubt babied this thing for five decades, as all the key elements are said to be original – (most of) the paint, interior, inline-4 engine, and 4-speed manual transmission. When logging its 99,000 miles, the Ford spent its downtime inside the garage. We assume the seller bought this wagon off the original owner and has added a bevy of new parts: brakes, clutch, tires, front shocks, and an alternator. The carburetor has been rebuilt, and the engine tuned up.
The wagon looks solid from all the photos provided, better than you would expect a 100,000-mile Pinto to resemble. Chances are this wagon will turn some heads at Cars & Coffee, but you will be paying top dollar for an early Pinto at the seller’s ask. Another tip from yesteryear brought to us by Tony Primo.
Just what the world needs. A 24 G Pinto. Price aside this is a beauty. I just love the engine bay. The instrument console is a nice touch.
It will turn some heads alright when you say you paid 24 grand for it. 😆
They’ll spit their mocha’s out their nose, if you casually mention what you paid, on a quiet Saturday Cars and Coffee. This sounds like a dealer price.
Small bumper Squires are top dog in value followed by Cruising Wagons(all with 4spd) But for the price he’s asking it would have to be absolute mint..which it is not.About 6k too much of an ask.The colour combo which i wouldnt normally look at.looks amazing here though.
Nice little wagon but no matter how hard I squint I’m just not seeing $24,000 here.
Nice and clean but still a “Honey, I tried to sell it, honest, I swear!” price.
Nice Pinto. What caught my eye is the shade of brown for the ”woodgrain.” I remember a darker shade, which seems to be what the 1972 brochure portrays. Surely it didn’t uniformly fade to this color, and surely there wasn’t more than one factory shade?
That aside, finding an early Pinto this clean is rare.
There is a very good chance the wood grain is a sticker. I have a friend that has a shop at the local racetrack that makes vinyl signs and wraps for race cars. They can make nearly any size a customer wants. When they do race cars they put the dimensions of the car into the computer include whatever graphics or manufacturer “contingency stickers” then print it out. That’s how all of the cars running the three major NASCAR series are done.
Steve R
Well its been lowered so was it professional or just torch the springs? Either way it was to much money to spend on a pinto, that decimal point needs to move left
Just when you thought a regular pinto couldn’t look any worse, they make a wagon. I don’t remember the car selection back in the 70’s being that bad that Ford could actually get someone to buy one of these. And i guess if you bought a pinto, you might as well get a mustang II.
Well looks like we have another Pinto hater in the form of Joe. What the hey, I guess 3 million sales doesnt mean much. Ive had my 74 wagon since high school, its been reliable, economical and fun to drive. Never fails to turn heads, start conversations, or get thumbs up. I dont see 24 large for any Pinto but this wagon is pretty cool in my book.
AI tells me there were 101,483 Pinto wagons sold in its inaugural year 1972. Ask any automotive exec if they would be interested in selling this volume of cars, in just one model line, just by adding a body style.
I am extremely sorry that you drove a pinto wagon in high school. I drove a 1969 Dodge Charger with a 440 and a 4 speed.
Just go back to reviving your Vega. We’ll handle the Ford Pinto stuff from here.
I will sleep better tonight knowing that.
Joe, you continue to display your usual “expertise” when discussing Pintos here. Perhaps if you became a member, and at the same time opened your mind up a little, it might be a more worthwhile experience.
So you think if i became a member that would change my opinion on a Ford Pinto. I didn’t realize i would upset so many women on making some comments on a car.
Joe
Im willing to bet I had more fun with the ladies in my 74 Wagon with the fold down rear seat than you had in your stodgy Dodge that you no longer have. No need to feel sorry for me
Its okay Joe. You probably wouldn’t amount to much of a member, anyway.
And as for your response to “Big C” regarding Pintos being classics, yes go ahead and try to understand. just try. .
Did you own a Pinto? Or are you just sucking on sour grapes? I have owned two Pinto wagons. They were fun to drive, handled well, were very economical- and the storage in the back was very handy. Oh, and I also owned a Mustang II Stallion. Guess there’s no hope for me. 🤷🏼♂️
I’d say plenty of hope for you, based on your vehicle choices. I still have my high school ride, 74 Pinto wagon, mine since August 1981 & I too enjoyed it’s economy, utility, & fun to drive traits. I still own it but it’s been awaiting a heart transplant (engine) for a few years now. Mine has the 2000 cc 4 cylinder, borrowed from the ultra cool early 70’s Mercury Capri, when the Ford Lima plant went on strike in late 73. Motor redone & waiting to go back in, but torn whether to keep all original, or go with 5 speed update. In addition I purchased a 1977 Ford Mustang II hatchback w/302 small block (unfortunately auto trans) Mustang also had T-tops, silver with nice red interior. Car only had 140 hp, but had no problem keeping up with almost any other vehicle from that era.
So I laud you on your vehicle choices, plus I’m hoping that further comments cause some irritation & irksome response from our friend & fellow Pinto enthusiast Joe
Neat, not $24K neat, unless there was a bunch of cash stashed somewhere inside the thing.
Maybe stashed alongside the missing timing belt cover. ;)
Wow people completely lost it. This is exactly what is wrong with the “classic” market. It’s maybe an $8000 car and that’s being super generous.
Check out what the “classic” car dealers are asking for clean Pinto wagons, and you’ll understand.
Let me try to understand this, are you saying in 2026 that a ford pinto is considered a classic ???
Ask the dealers that have them listed on their sites. Stay Frosty!
Sure, but how many are getting sold at those prices? Perhaps they are relying upon people with more money than brains?
Imagine telling someone in 1972 that someday they’ll be able to get $24k for their Pinto… They’d probably still be laughing… …and BTW the MSRP in ’72 was less than one tenth that number…
I think we paid about $2,300 for ours in 1976 in the Chicago area … I ground them down to changing the radial tires for bias ply and the sales manager almost fell off his crutches when I drove up in a Corvette to pick it up … took them to Action Line in Chicago Today when they wouldn’t give me my Green Stamps for the purchase – it was great until the cam went flat at 36,035 miles – just out of warranty … my ‘ex got in it the divorce because it was paid for, but I got the Mark V – kept it until 2005 …
Nicer Pinto!! Quite stiff on the ask for it!!
Aftermarket gages must add a lot of value to this one…
$24K!!??? for a 100K mile Pinto and It’s not even the more desirable 2.3 Lima motor. GLWA – you might be sitting on this awhile
I like it ,I had a 80′ Pinto.
Oh this Pinto is 4k more than I paid for my fully restored 66’Mustang 289,4-barrel auto, factory air, repaint of original Springtime Yellow. 2 years ago.
Change the 2 in the price to a 1 and it would still be very optimistic pricing. Might find a buyer willing to make a close offer. Otherwise expect it to be a hard sell.
That things so new , its still in the crate.
HOW MUCH?! In this very same issue of Barn Finds there is a ’73 Corvette for sale for only $19,000. Anyone who buys the Corvette would have more fun and still have cash in his pocket. Resale value holds better with a Corvette, too.
Very clean wagon even at close to 100k miles, the seller must really mean $2377 I can’t imagine anyone paying 24k for any pinto in any condition
how about a t belt cover and drop that price to 5k. you might sell it.
Ok, this is my final comment on the bs pinto issue, directed mostly to 370zcandya**, I spent 30 years in the military, do you really think I give a f*** about being a member of barn finds.
Is the military where you learned to hurl shallow insults like “candyass” and make snap judgements? Mine is not sweet as candy but your own appears to have your head stuck deep in it.