This 1979 Ford Pinto is a real-deal Cruising Wagon, complete with its iconic porthole window and jazzy stripe kit up and down the sides. The color-matched wheels make this already out-there wagon even sweeter, and the icing on the cake is the fact that it still runs and drives and is equipped with the preferred manual transmission. The seller has listed it here on craigslist as a “drivable project” for what seems like a reasonable $2,200.
By the side of a rainy freeway is probably one of the worst places I can think of to take pictures, but hey – at least it proves it’s a runner. The seller notes he bought the Cruising Wagon a year ago and promptly drove it from Oakland to Vallejo. That means freeway driving, and he notes it didn’t seem to have any trouble with the drive. That said, it could still benefit from a proper tuneup, and if you live in California, you’ll need to get it to pass the state’s stringent smog test. The seller says it comes with a bill of sale and title from the owner prior to the one he bought it from.
The interior is complete but tired. As you can see, the carpet is tattered, the driver’s seat (at least) needs a re-skin, and the dash is cracked. However, you can live with all of this for quite some time if you just throw on some seat beads, a dash mat, some funky Coco-style floor mats, and perhaps a new emergency brake handle. With those pieces in place, provided water isn’t getting in, you can live with these cosmetic flaws almost indefinitely. It does look like a previous owner installed aftermarket speakers in the door panels, however.
The period details on this one really set it over the top for me, like this old-school Sea World sticker from the venue in San Diego. Another sticker clearly celebrates a visit to Disney Land. Overall, this Cruising Wagon has the vibes of a California cruiser that enabled lots of good times over the years, and its gently aged condition seems to indicate ongoing care in the hands of attentive owners. Cruising Wagons are a sleeper on the marketplace today, in my opinion, and are the kind of vehicle that triggers the waves of nostalgia required to purchase a car you don’t need.
It won’t last long at that price.
The seller doesn’t mention it, but going by the controls on the console bin & the dash vents, this car may have A/C. No shots of the engine bay, but seller says it’s a 2300. Good dependable motor. Tune it up, replace the rubber band & she’ll be good for another 100K. You can’t find a decent late model for that kind of cash.
Likely next to impossible to license in California – between the smog requirements and the lack of proper title transfers, there will be big time non-op fees.
Regarding the smog requirements, the car seems to be getting driven around California as is these days w/o problems. Or has the owner gotten a ticket? – i don’t see any inspection sticker.
I would not drive it on DAMP roads(let alone in the rain) – to make this very susceptible to rust 70s car body last indefinietly as is, barring a catastophic accident.
The car is in Vallejo, a city without traffic laws. Ask me how I know. It’s common to see vehicles without plates altogether
The write up says the previous owner just paid $450.00 last January, so a smog and the fee for the new year might be all that is required.
Again, without switching title at the same time
If only I had a wrecked SVO Mustang…that Pinto could be one cool wolf in sheep’s clothing.
There are NO inspection stickers on cars here in California.
With me being a sort of car nerd who loves odd-ball vehicles, I always wanted one of these. This one appears really solid, although I question the drivers side floorboard. The carpet there looks a little bit cone shaped there, as if falling through a hole in the floor.
I looked at this car because it might have been my car.
It isn’t.
The side is missing the black that should be there.
These are great cars and I will have another one.
I loved passing the Ford plant in Edison NJ and the lot filled with hundreds of these wagons. They were so cool for the era of custom vans.
I hope the car finds a buyer who will spend money to bring it closer to its original “1970’s goodness.” It may not be all that hard to do and perhaps not particularly expensive. These are a very cool representation of their era, and you aren’t going to see yourself coming or going.
I’ll give the seller credit for a decent Craigslist ad. Yes, it could include more pics and more hard info, but the seller has done a good job of painting the picture of what the car is, and injects some humor in the process.
“Iconic porthole window.” Classic T-bird owners would disagree that it’s identifiable first to a Pinto.
The bubble porthole is what you would see on these as well as vans of the era, but they not even close to the T-bird portholes. Definitely have a cool look.
Ha! A Cruisin Wagon, by gar, that takes me back. In the mid 80’s, I worked with a guy that had a silver one, and cruise we did. The interior on this doesn’t do it justice, as my friends was really nice, like a mini “shaggin wagon”. He was kind off a doofus, and I doubt he ever used it for that, but you never know. Seems the nerds get all the luck. I’d love to have this just to have a Pinto wagon. BTW, it’s a little known fact ( in my best Cliff Klaven voice) this, and the Vega panel wagon were the last of the sedan delivery types ever made. “The more you know”***
I would be prepared on this one. The important thing is to get the registration/smog issue resolved in the neurotic state of California. I can say that. I live there.
SBC, lowered all to hell, lose the graphics. Just kidding. Love this as is. Want.
Lets see, I have a complete turbo 2.3 in stock, processor & big VAM. Bulletproof 5 speed. Time to see if I can clear out some shop space….
SOLD! If you still have I will buy it!!!
It was my first car in high school
Please call me, Julie @707)815-8877
I’m in Napa!