Ford’s first U.S.-built entry into the subcompact market in the 1970s was the Pinto. It had a 10-year run and saw more than three million copies produced. Though it got a bad rap for gas tank issues (boom!), Ford still managed to sell a boatload of them. 1980 was the last model year and that’s where this Squire version of the Pinto wagon fits in – but it’s nothing now like what rolled off the assembly line. Looking all ready for action out at the drag strip, this restomod is in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is available here on craigslist for $19,900. Another wild tip brought to us by Rocco B.!
U.S. automakers finally caved to the impact that imports were having on their market share and started introducing subcompacts of their own. Ford brought out the Pinto and Chevy the Vega in 1971, while Chrysler went with captive imports for the near term. Most Pinto’s came with an inline-4 but a V6 was an option so there were no factory-built Pintos with a 302 cubic inch V8 like the seller’s hot rod.
As the story goes, the seller was searching for two years for the right Pinto wagon to undertake this transformation. Then it took another three years to build what you see here. The seller uses few words to describe this finished product. Besides the 302, it has a C4 automatic transmission with headers, two aluminum radiators, and more items that are not listed. This thing is probably a screamer at the track, but the seller does not go into how well it performs.
We assume the auto was restored cosmetically. Aftermarket wheels with wide tires have been added and a cage of sorts is present in the back half of the interior. Things look nice and comfortable inside for cruising down the strip a quarter of a mile at a time. Assuming this build was done as well as it looks, would you want to add this hot rod wagon to your stable?
Who doesn’t like a hopped up wagon?
But, if you are going to run it on the street a little restraint might be helpful in my opinion. Maybe it’s just me being a little older & wiser? Way to much carburation, with a heavy hand of the “hey look at me!” theory popping through the hood.
I guess boys will be boys.
Good luck on a sale.
Yep lose the tunnel ram,add a nice hood scoop, other than that I like it
Russ… can’t prove it from pictures but I’d bet with an engine like this one that “second radiator” is an oil cooler. This looks like fun.
Why too much carburation?
If you don’t stomp it then the extra barrels can sleep till you wake them up.
Because you’ll run rich all of the time, wasting gas and fouling spark plugs. It’s all about right sizing the carburetor to the engine size. For a Ford 302 (5.0L), anything over 750 cubic feet per minute (cfm) is probably overkill, particularly for a normally aspirated engine. The fact that this puppy is “blown” helps, but the blower isn’t a substitute for properly matching the carburetor size to the application.
It’s a rookie mistake, thinking more is better, when too much can be just as bad as too little carburetion. Too much carburetion can cause hesitation and stalling, as well as wasting gas and fouling plugs, because there’s not enough engine vacuum to draw fuel into the engine at low rpm, just off of idle.
This is a reply to Robert Atkinson JR.. this engine is NOT blown. ITs a tunnel rem with two carbs. But mistaking a a tunnel ram for a blower is generally a “ROOKIE” mistake.
BTW.. I had a 78 Mustang with a built 302 and it had two 500 cfm Carter 4bbls. It had progressive linkage that only provided the amount of fuel that the engine could use by way of vacuum provided.
Nice, makes me wonder if they put a bigger fuel tank in or are you stopping for fuel every 20 miles? Would be a fun toy to have but where I live we don’t really have a place to open her up and I think the Idaho State police would be chasing me, or I could take it to Washington where they aren’t allowed to pursue you and see how that goes.
Heh.. guess what? That not allowed to pursue rule has been removed.. better head to Montana 😉
Bough a used 80′ Pinto with 12 k miles in early 81’and used as a commuter car to Atlantic City ,ran it up to 96 k trouble free miles and traded in on a 86′ Ranger.
Built for show, probably never saw the track. The roll bar wouldn’t pass tech, as far as a track is concerned it’s equivalent to not having one.
I’d lose the tunnel ram, it’s gaudy and screams, look at me. A single 4bbl would also help drivability. I’d also lose the Centerlines, though I like them in general they look out of place on a wagon with wood paneling, this car would work better if it’s appearance more attuned with that of a sleeper.
Steve R
The wagon probably runs too slow to require a cage. Fairground cruiser at best.
Hold up a sec, Troy…you live in Idaho and can’t find a place to open it up lol?
I want to see underside pics. Mostly, I like it.
Russ, to answer your very last question, just one word: NO Thanks!
Lipstick on a pig. Period.
love the Lima, weber 32/36 it came with. Also more inta scca than strip. Called “Wagionman” round here leave the Di-noc’n mig in some panels over rear windows (al la ‘sedan dee’), lower, efi’n turbo? Already has R&P, add a lill to stock wheel (& 21st century canyon carver tire), suspention’n break. Remove rear seat, ‘harden-up’ interior back there for haulin. AOD rather than C4 (build monster 2nd gear/0 to 70 mph). Use ranger’s ‘D’ -shaped-port head.-
What he said!
Will you please clarify WHAT he said? As usual.. he types like he has a mouth full of marbles..
I think he said he likes it … maybe not.
It appears that for the youth of America today, punctuation is optional, LOL!
The Centerline wheels and all that wood grain just looks really funky.The carb and intake setup is way too much for the street,while it may look cool it takes a really big cam and stall converter to accomodate it.
Yeah for the price Is not bad for whats there you could sell the carburetion & go fuel injection & get a hood make it more streetable & have fun.
Uh, no. I’d rather go the sports wagon route, with an Eco-boost 2.3L under the hood, and either an aftermarket frame or subframe connectors under it, to stiffen the unibody, with either a four-link rear end, or if the budget can stand it, a full IRS setup in the back.
While this one will go fast in a straight line, I’d prefer something that can also turn, LOL! BTW, the “custom” dash isn’t getting it done for me, either!
The tunnel rams gotta go. So have the Centerlines. Put on a dual plane Edelbrock aluminum intake with a 600 or 650 4bbl carb. Edelbrock or Holley. This set up will make it streetable. Get rid of the hood with a big honking hole in it and find a nice low rise hood with a cowl induction hump. Oh and I’d probably lose that shifter console and get a B&M hooked to a Ford C-4 tranny. Have a good night y’all.
Polished Turd !
Nicely done car, though I agree that the tunnel ram is overkill- but I suspect that’s the point.
Dismissive toilet language reflects badly on you- not the car.
And you creating an issue over someone’s opinion reflects badly on you !
gearhead, he is not creating an issue over your opinion. He is simply addressing your dubious choice of words.
Cool little car I wonder if there is enough going on inside that 302 to be able to make use of all that carburetion no way in this world is it 20g worth.
i built a 302 for my Mustang II and had a tunnel ram with 2 carter 500 4v. It was a fairly mild build and made 450 hp. This was in the early 80’s. It ran 12.9 @ 109mph and on the street still got 18mpg. The Carters only gave the engine what it could handle at any RPM. The two Holley 600’s i had previously always ran rich. This setup will depend highly on the gearing and what rpm range its set to operate in.
Finally someone who understands how multiple carbs work! 😊
So could you explain to “Eric in NC” why your car ran better with the two (2) 500 cfm carbs compared to the 600 cfm carbs you used originally? Thanks.
Where I live I couldn’t pull it out of the garage without 20 cops pulling up with pepper spray Handcuffs and guns drawed Hollering if you start it up boy we will arrest you for disturbing the peace. Then give me a ticket for trying to be a teenager. LOL Love that ROD.
Montana pursues and have turbos on Durangos and Chargers.