By the late 1960s, all the U.S. automakers were cooking up ideas on how to compete with the surge of small, imported cars coming from Japan and Europe. Chevy was working on the Vega, AMC was planning to chop up its upcoming new Hornet, and Chrysler would start by just rebadging existing Japanese subcompacts. That left Ford to create the Pinto, a small U.S. car that would enjoy (?) a 10-year run from 1971-80. This example from 1974 is a hatchback model and hails from Hull, Georgia where the bidding holds at $3,500 here on eBay.
Ford ended up building more than three million Pinto’s during the 1970s, so from a sales standpoint. the car was a success. Just as the Chevy Vega got some bad press for build quality, the Pinto earned some as well but for safety issues. Too many of them were catching fire during rear-end collisions. So that helped stymie demand for the machines as the decade wore on and the Pinto would eventually be replaced by the Escort. But during its lifetime, the Pinto would spawn a clone at Mercury called the Bobcat (1974-80) and the Mustang II (1974-78), a downsized version of the famous pony car.
The 1974 model year, which the seller’s car represents, was the auto’s most popular with 544,000 units produced. Of those, 175,000 would be the hatchback, dubbed the Runabout, like the one we see here. From the seller’s description, it sounds like he/she could be the fourth owner, with one party using the car for 30 years, mostly as a tow-behind on an RV. So, the 114,000 miles on the odometer reflect the revolutions made by the driveshaft, not how often the motor was run. Thus, we’re told it’s in good mechanical condition with no noises or leaks to account for.
This is an unrestored vehicle that presents well, which is good because these cars were never intended to become cherished collectibles. You’d go broke fixing up a 50-year-old Pinto which would still only be worth a few thousand dollars. The body and paint appear to be fine with the usual scratches and dings after five decades. The passenger compartment is especially nice with only a small crack in the dash to detract. This was a factory A/C car that needs a shot of freon to properly do its job.
Some new parts are present, such as a replacement fuel tank and tires. The fuel system was flushed out, likely needed after the car was sitting for a time. This Ford is registered in Georgia without a title, which we’re told was not a Peach State requirement until 1986. So, if you have your heart set on this Pinto, check with your own DMV to be sure they’re cool with a Georgia bill of sale and transferable registration.
Ron, good write-up except for this nitpick… if you are using the word “spawn” in the way I think you are using it, the Pinto did not “spawn” the Mustang II. They are completely different cars underneath. It’s a common misconception. Obviously the Bobcat was “spawned”, since it was just trim differences. Now if you said “inspired” or “influenced” I might agree, in that they were both small, economical, basic cars appropriate for their time.
I wonder how much the gas tank issue actually “stymied” sales. Probably only Ford has estimated data on that. They sold well throughout their life, with sales declining as the years wore on as would be expected.
Not a bad example. White with blue interior, a common combination. The big bumpers really ruined its look. The four-speed would make it kind of sporty to drive. Maybe the a/c could be made to work, just beware when climbing hills with it on.
I had a ’74, that I got in ’77. Someone double check me, but I believe it had a cut out on the a/c that engaged on long uphill pulls.
Mine was the 2.3 liter, with a 4 speed. The gear spacing between 3rd & 4th was kind of maddening. I got in a lot of need to pass situations where I was going a little fast to downshift to 3rd, but too slow to have any power at all in 4th.
I’m betting this one needs something more than just a charge to get the air to blow cold. If it was that cheap and easy, why wasn’t it done?
With the cost of R12 it might be cheaper to convert it.
Sounds like the “MPG” model.
Sorry Bob but I must respectfully disagree. I was working at Ford Motor Company during the Mustang II era and toward the end of the Pinto. The Mustang II was indeed a Pinto with different sheet metal and slightly different front suspension; these items did not make it a different car.
Completely different sheet metal , completely different interior , different front suspension and a different rear differential with larger power plants available than a Pinto had ,and you still think its a Pinto ? Its probable the basic platform was based on a Pinto, but that’s like calling a Fox body Mustang a Fairmont
Sorry Russ, I wrote “Ron”.
I do appreciate your work, and all the writers here at Barn Finds. It’s my favorite automotive-related site.
This one has the same shift knob as my 71. (No surprise)
I hung onto mine for years after getting rid of the car and later repurposed it as the door handle to open the cabinet of my old but still functioning hot tub.
This one went quick. Pinto is no longer available.
Just love the “just needs a shot of Freon to make it work” quotes. Know how hard that is to get these days? Plus, once it starts to leak, it will soon leak again, and keep replacing Freon to help you find and fix that leak is going to be a problem.
“know how hard that is to get these days?”
Not too tough- I bought 6 cans of R12 from a gentleman in Albuquerque about 2 weeks ago. He advertised them on Craigslist and sold them for a very reasonable $20 per can. At the time he had another 20 to 30 cans sitting in his garage.
I have a case of it still sitting in my garage…although I have no cars with r12 AC anymore
Assuming the bumper hardware is not rusted, can you simply unbolt these VERY heavy bumpers on ’74 & newer pintos & put on ’71-72 bumpers without much fabrication? – free “horsepower”.
‘Too many of them were catching fire during rear-end collisions.’
No more than another other subcompact on the market.
That hysterical story was generated to increase Mother Jones subs and circulation.
The things they had to do before the internet was invented . .
Freon is a generic term. It’s refrigerant. They have drop in charges such as r134 etc. Best bet is to change out compressor and condenser.
R12 has been banned world wide for 15 years. This CFC refrigerant is totally ozone depletion material. Just saying.