In response to the inroads that small, imported cars were making in the U.S. market, both Chevrolet and Ford rolled out sub-compacts of their own in 1971. While Chevy had the Vega, Ford went with the Pinto which was more conventional than the Vega in a technical sense. The car would enjoy a 10-year run seeing more than 3.15 million copies built, but the Pinto suffered from image problems as did the Chevy. This 1975 Pinto wagon, the most popular body style sold that year, has just 57,000 miles and looks be a nice survivor overall. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the seller says he wouldn’t hesitate to drive it anywhere. Available here on eBay, the bidding has reached $4,257, the reserve is unmet but the Buy It Now is only a little more at $5,000.
The Pinto would be the smallest American car that Ford had built since the Model T. Sales were brisk and the OPEC oil embargo of 1973-74 prompted Mercury to clone the car for 1975. Ford’s Pinto would go on to become one of the company’s overall best-selling automobiles in its history and it knocked the stuffing out of Vega and AMC Gremlin in deliveries. Whereas the Vega’s negative image resulted from poor quality, the Pinto’s came from a questionable fuel-tank design that attracted media and government scrutiny after several deadly fires occurred in rear-end collisions. While Ford was largely vindicated later, the Pinto and the company’s response to the issue have become fodder in business reform case studies.
Changes to the little car over time would be minimal, as the addition of cow-catcher bumpers because of government safety regulations. The sedan came first and was quickly followed by a hatchback and then a mini-station wagon, which is what the seller is offering. It looks to be in overall good condition with a few minor dents, according to the seller. Unfortunately, most of the photos provided show everything but the car itself, so it’s hard to gauge what’s going on. It has either 53,000 or 57,000 miles depending on where you read in the listing, retains its original exhausts system, but the brakes have recently been replaced. We’re told it’s a turn-key car that’s ready to go. But what do these badges in the grille mean?
This Pinto is powered by a 2.3-liter inline-4 with an automatic transmission, so it’s not going to generate any excitement accelerating from 0-60 mph. Despite the demand for small cars in 1975, the Pinto had an off-year, selling 223,763 cars of which 90,763 would be wagons like this one. These aren’t cars that collectors are flocking to in droves, but NADA says a top example (if one exists) could be worth $16,000. Given what we see here, it doesn’t look like the seller has overpriced his wares.
From what we can tell, it looks like a fairly good Pinto for a reasonable price. Better pics and a better description would be helpful. I’ve seen those badges before but I don’t know their significance.
Obviously muscle car fans aren’t interested, for that matter most people aren’t either. But for those who now find the Pinto a good example of economy cars of their day, and who would enjoy the attention they get at their local show, why not.
Inexplicably true. These cars are not easy to sell. If you buy one, don’t think you are going to make money. It took me awhile to sell my 78 Mercury Bobcat, rebuilt 2.3L, 4spd. Even the famous Foxbody Mustang, like I have, with a TC turbo swap in it, is not an easy sell because they all want the 5.0.
In fact, I was just at the local UPull&Pay. Saw a early yellow 70s Pinto there. Looked like somebody tried to keep up the engine and the body was straight. The only thing was it had a lot of rust around the bottome edges and under the doors.
The wagon always seemed to be the best looking model of tge Pinto. I would think the added lenght helped with the initial gas tank issue. Always wondered why tge Pinto got maligned when so many cars had the gas tank either under the trunk or as the trunk floor. Mustang/Cougar had this design for years. An SVO or Thunderbird Turbo Coupe engine swap would be fun for this car!
The fuel tank issue was addressed with a longer inlet tube that extended farther into the tank. Early Pintos had a possibility of this tube disconnecting from the tank in severe impacts.
It wasn’t until 1977 MY that Ford finally fixed the exploding problem. The fix? They added a very inexpensive shield to keep the drive shaft from piercing the gas tank in a rear ender. I’m not sure if the added length (as Ray mentioned) fixed the problem, but I do know I would not like to be the guinea pig to find out. BTW, my first vehicle was a new 1977 2-door sedan. It was the four-speed, so it would have been relatively quicker (har dee har har) than this station wagon.
My buddy had a V8 Vega wagon I always liked. This could be a cool version of that if you swapped in a small V8, and did the interior like a van in the back.
I had a ‘78 wagon made into a panel wagon by removing the back windows and welding in Sheet Metal. But the best part was the Chevy 327 engine swap…man that car could go! Had to sell it going into the military. Been looking for a Pinto Cruzing Wagon to convert since…
Ah, the Pinto cruising wagon. I bought a white one new in 1979. It was a colorful wagon. It had a/c and a 4 speed. Drove it two years. I traded it in on a white used ’79 Thunderbird. My Mom bought the bird from me. She drove that car for the next 25 years. God Bless America! Happy 4th everyone.
Artie Johnson in a brown shirt uniform falling to Earth.
I love the internet:
https://youtu.be/ZIUKbz1cj7o
Cool vintage JCPenney CB radio
Someone show this guy how to use a camera!
Back then car companies(including VW!) must have been reasoned that small cars(even small wagons!!) are for single people only. And/or 2 door ONLY style took precendent.
Compare that with today(4 door only small cars), where all young people would rather look at their phone than a car, much less own, take car of, or even drive one – or even have a driver’s license.
The ONLY 4 door only small car back then in the early 70’s was the import http://www.hagerty.com/media/buying-and-selling/the-1971-plymouth-cricket-was-an-epic-failure
Ironically, i think it looks MUCH better than ANY 4 door small car made today its size. But back then, it should have been 2 door ONLY. & it would have sold!!
Big mistake!
Having owned a 78 Mercury Bobcat and a 76 Chevy Chevette, I would take a Cricket now. The only problem is finding one that still exists! lol It actually fits in with today’s small 4 door cars.
The Cricket(named instead after the popular British game?) could not be more different than today’s small cars – it’s rear wheel drive & has a real trunk! & infinitely easier to work on.
Ironically, front wheel drive did not seem to offer more legroom inside – in fact less – than rear wheel drive small cars – compare the legroom front & back of an early tiny pinto with a civic. I’ve been in the back seat of many pintos – no problems.
Also, i am not sure if any other car this size had a horizontal speedo like the Cricket.
I’d rather buy a new small REAR wheel driver car today for handling & balance, but there are none avail, let alone affordable ones like back in the day.
The Cricket was just another “cute” name like the Gremlin . There was a cartoon like Cricket used. Some of the cars ads even showed the car in cartoon like gardens with mushrooms and flowers ; even the dot in the Cricket’s “i” was a flower. Unfortunately it was no where near as reliable or sturdy as a Gremlin or Pinto , and rusted away at least as fast as the Vega .
If you zoom in on the badges , they are simply .. … badges. One says 2.3 litter. The other Ford Motor Company Pinto. Don’t mean a thing other than to perhaps add a touch of continental class. I guess
lima is a great motor esp if swap in the later D shaped (ranger) port head, the weber progressive great too (32/36).
I luv me a wagon & auto DD so this is one 4 me. Just wanna lill bigger (the ’78 – ’86 fox). Just call me:
wagon man
I bought a 1975 pinto MPG 4 speed wagon brand new for 3200.00 . It delivered 30 MPG at the legal speed limits of the time and ran well.
The Cricket was just another “cute” name like the Gremlin . There was a cartoon like Cricket used. Some of the cars ads even showed the car in cartoon like gardens with mushrooms and flowers ; even the dot in the Cricket’s “i” was a flower. Unfortunately it was no where near as reliable or sturdy as a Gremlin or Pinto , and rusted away at least as fast as the Vega .
Never heard if the cricket , by whom and when ?