Ford’s Pinto was a major player in the U.S. subcompact wars of the 1970s. Introduced in 1971, the little car would last 10 years and see a production of nearly 3.2 million units. The ’74 model year would be Pinto’s most popular, including the seller’s station wagon that comprised 43% of sales. This one is the Squire or “Woodie” edition and looks like a solid survivor. From Thomson, Georgia, this small Ford is available here on craigslist for $8,500. Tony Primo another solid tip!
U.S. automakers started building smaller, more efficient autos in the early 1970s, which would prove fortuitous since fuel prices spiked after the OPEC oil embargo in late 1973. Buyers began dumping their gas guzzlers and Ford alone sold more than a half-million Pintos the next model year. Noteworthy is that the Pinto wagon would outsell both the 2-door sedan and hatchback, which included the Squire which was a tiny version of the Country Squire (based on the larger LTD).
The seller offers few details of the history of this nearly 50-year-old vehicle. At 84,000 miles, it looks original, including the body and interior, though we can’t be sure. From all indications, it’s rust-free and the paint is more than passable. We assume there’s a 122 cubic inch inline-4 under the hood and it’s backed up by an automatic transmission. No speed demon here.
This is the second Pinto wagon we’ve seen of late with a surfboard on the roof. So, we wonder if it and the ice chest stored up top come with the car or are they there as window dressing? If you’re in the market for an older car and have $8,500 to spend, would you go after a Pinto “Woodie” or look elsewhere?
Isn’t this a 1973?
I do see a lake near Thomson, GA…..
It’s bumpers say ’73. My ’74 had those giant ugly 5mph things hanging off the front and rear.
Yes 73 was the last year for small bumpers but the 73’s stuck out farther than the earlier years. 74 started the park benches hanging of both ends.
It only needs to have the bumpers pulled a bit further in, like the 71-72’s Add a set of vintage aluminum slotted wheels, fun little cruiser!
Yes, that is a ’73, Had a banana yellow 1973, Thats a 1973, not a 1974.
$8500 seems a bit strong for this one. It seems it’s just too much effort to take more pictures of a car you are trying to sell for top dollar. We assume it has the Lima 2.3 and it would be nice to know if it has factory A/C to cope with sticky summers in the south. Maybe some power steering as these do take some effort with radial tires.
My grandma had a squire wagon automatic but no A/C or P/S. It was her town car and only had 24K on the odometer when she passed. Always parked in the garage.
Pinto’s got a bad rap but during the dark days of the first OPEC embargo this car was a revelation to Americans need for a car to ease the pain of fuel rations. The 2.3 proved to be a reliable engine that saw duty all the way to the Ranger with a twin plug cylinder head. Definitely a feat that Chevrolet couldn’t manage with the Vega. Let’s all raise a toast to Fords trusty steed.
Looks to have a/c by the one picture showing the climate panel, but I bet it does not work as it is not listed in the ad, no engine pictures is also pretty poor way to sell a vehicle. Looks to have rust on bottom of drivers door, cracked dash.I had a 73 with the 2.0 during college, needed a valve job, one cylinder had lower compression at the end before I sold it.
And, if it’s a ’73, it’s got the 2000cc engine. Which was less strangled than the 2.3. With that slushbox, you’ll need those couple extra ponies.
My buddy and I modified a 72 2 litre hatchback with an Offenhauser 4 barrel intake, Holley 390 CFM carb, Racer Walsh camshaft, header, Mallory Uni Lite, Koni shocks, front and rear aftermarket sway bars, that car was a riot, until you hit 3rd gear… the ratio’s were economy oriented and rpms dropped off a cliff…
We had one identical to this new in 1973. No guts in the mountains of Colorado, but adequate. Ours had a factory installed 8 track and A/C. Liked that car. This one feels a big expensive though.
Sure would be a conversation piece here in the rust belt where none have been seen in a couple decades
Too much money. But its all there.
Wonder if the hood release cable is broken???
No inside hood release cable. Latch was outside.
It’s curious, though, how he wouldn’t know the year. It would be plain both on the door tag and on the emissions sticker on the air cleaner.
One shot of the engine bay would clear up the mystery of what it has. The 1.6 liter Kent, the Cologne two-liter, and the Lima 2.3, all had distinctive valve covers.
That, and the price…DYODD.
“Country Squirt”!
Had a ’72 wagon and a ’74 after the first one got hit. Had it fixed but since it was my first brand new car, chose to replace with another new wagon. The ’72 had dog-dish plus beauty ring wheel trim and looked pretty sharp. Replaced the vac advance with a mechanical set up and rejetted the carb. It went quite well (4 SP) and was fun to drive plus quite a nice looker in BRG with tan interior. The ’74 was an auto with no mods. Nice dependable, economical ride, but far less fun. This is a nice copy, but ‘been there, done that” applies.
I agree with most everyone else. This is a 73 with a 2000 motor, and the last year for that motor.
74 had the 2.3 which was the 1st metric engine made in the US.
It really seems to me that the basics of any listing is to get the year right.
Pint size woodie. Sounds like the car for a guy I know named Rod Stubbs.
Wasn’t he friends with Richard Smalls?
Definitely a 73 everybody .Bumpers tell the story. 74 had bigger ones. You could get 1600, 2000, or 2300 in 74. No smog pump so all 3 breathed easier. 75 saw 2,3 standard all models with 2.8 V-6 as an option. V-6 handled A/C better and had good pick-up
I don’t think anything but the 2.3 was available in 74. I know the 1600 was long gone. That was from the Cortina originally.
Wouldn’t most of that junk on the roof rack fit
inside?
And then there’s the surfboard…..
Don’t get me started on the surfboard…
There’s a guy who runs an 80s Chevy wagon around here with cragars and I assume a hot motor. His prop surfboard is actually screwed to the roof rack.
eco boost
Never seen a dash cover fit that good!