Here’s proof that some people actually do restore cars like a 1974 Ford Pinto. It isn’t always Hemi Cudas, Corvettes, and other muscle cars. For what it’s worth (zero), I’m all for restoring cars like Pintos, Vegas, Gremlins, Pacers, and cars like that. Ones that were supposed to have been used and then put to rest in a field when their time was up. The seller has this nice-looking Pinto posted here on craigslist in the great city of El Paso, Texas and they’re asking $9,500, cash only. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
Speaking of El Paso, one of my favorite cities, I recently went through the Netflix reality car show “Tex Mex Motors” again and although it’s probably as fake as any other “reality” car show, it’s pretty fun at times. Sadly, “Rabbit” (Rob Pitts) passed away at age 45 in August so season two, which is coming at the end of November, will be very different. Enough of that, back to this restored Pinto.
I love that someone restored this Pinto, although I’m wondering why they chose a later model with big bumpers. Maybe it was the best one they could find, or maybe it was a family car so it had a lot of memories tied to it, we don’t know. This model is what Ford called a “3-Door Runabout”, with the hatchback being the third door. There was also a two-door sedan with a trunk. The craigslist ad shows an odometer reading of 1,974,197 miles, which is a bit unusual. The seller didn’t include a photo of the actual odometer so who knows what the mileage really is, but I’m sure it isn’t two million miles.
I know there are different levels of “restoration”, and this car seems really nice overall from looking at the photos. A steering wheel cover always gives me the idea that something is wrong with the original steering wheel, but maybe not. Otherwise, the interior looks nice, doesn’t it? We don’t get to see what the rear storage compartment looks like, but the seller has provided a few underside photos.
This is another case of there being different levels of restoration, the engine compartment looks original to me and it could have used a solid weekend’s worth of help at least. I believe this is Ford’s 2.3-liter OHC inline-four with 82 horsepower and 113 lb-ft of torque. It sends power through a four-speed manual to the rear wheels and it could sure use some cosmetic help to bring it to the level of the rest of the car. All they say is there are a lot of new parts but not a word on how it runs, and is that an air-conditioning compressor? Does it work? We don’t know. Any thoughts on this “restored” Pinto?
Good job Scotty. This Pinto sure looks nice. I usually think of the greens and golds as “period-correct”, but this light blue fits the category too. Sure wish the seller would have explained what was included in the restoration, and when it occurred. Or some of the car’s history.
If it checks out, the asking price isn’t bad. Could be a fun car to own especially with the 4-speed. If nothing else, it will always be a conversation starter.
I agree with you Scotty on the dreaded steering wheel cover. Like dash pad covers, I always figure they are hiding something. Otherwise a really neat Pinto. And I am a huge advocate of restoring cars like this. Do we really want future generations to think everyone drove a muscle car around?
I had two baby-blue Pintos (a ’73 wagon and a ’76 sedan) in the early 1990s, and this was a stock colour. I believe ’74 was the first year for the 2.3; my ’73 had a four speed with the German sourced 2.0 litre engine. It was quick for what it was. The ’76 had that 2.3, which leaked oil out the main seal, had the auto trans and was one gutless pony. I paid less than $600 Canadian for the pair in 1993, and sold them a year later for not much more. Astonished to see these having so much more value today!
It looks in very nice shape for an old less then $2,700 common car in its day. I think seller is loosely describing it as restored with engine compartment having rust on the breather cover. Why not have more pics of rust-prone areas to brag about it being restored? I can think fixed up very good. Can’t imagine anyone restoring this old common car except for very emotional value….Its not an overpriced “rare” or “muscle” car. ( pls note, I guess I’m old & cheap….no way can I afford my pipe dream car with today’s prices…..lol)
@Scotty: If you’ve NOT had any experience driving with one of those skinny plastic steering wheels for an extended period of time, then you’d not know that the covers were an attempt to make the wheel more comfortable. Not all covers were put on to hide flaws in the steering wheels. :-)
You’re probably right, Moparman, thanks for adding that. I like how you think outside the box and I instantly think differently about them now.
Moparman is absolutely right – I had a ‘72 Maverick with that exact wheel and put the same wrap on it – clenching the skinny wheel in traffic made my hands hurt!
Yes! Every Pinto I owned got the steering wheel wrap. A much better feel. And yes, ’74 was the first year for the 2.3, and compared to the 2 liter? It was gutless. My ’74 was the same color as this one, but man, did that cheap steel rot quick. This car does looks amazing for what is is.
Moparman is right. My dad would put a steering wheel cover on every car. Later on, when dash covers became popular, he put them on too.
In the mid-80’s through late-90’s me and a friend made a lot of money selling steering wheels at swapmeets. We learned very quickly that any wheel with a cover needed to be checked, more than a few people ignored those wheels even though it only took a few seconds to cut a cover off.
Steve R
But if you’re trying to sell a car, why hide it if it’s still good? A buyer needs to know!!!! Call me a skeptic, but I want to see what I’m buying!
I must be in the minority – I like the thin steering wheel with the finger grooves.
My ’70 Vette had one with the wrap on it when I bought it – I promptly removed it and was happy. So did my ’73 Barracuda.
My grandpa put one on his wheel of his 66 Impala SS. Mostly the paint wore off but he did it because the wheel was so cold in the winter time. When I see those covers it brings back a lot of memories. Good memories.
See, just like a muscle car, it has four on the floor! I had a sad experience with on of these in high school. I finally had a willing girl in the seat next to me, but we were in my friends Pinto that I had borrowed for the night. Needless to say, just not enough room for what was wanted. Fate can be so cruel.
Triumph GT 6+ fastback. It could have been done. I can’t believe I was that flexible back then.
I wonder how much of a dog it is with the A/C on. I’ve only seen one Pinto in person with factory air.
I had a ’74 green Pinto Squire wagon with AC. I could tell when the AC was on but it wasn’t all that bad. The AC felt good when I was out west and the temp was well over 100 degrees. Easy on gas even with the AC on. I drove it from Indiana to California numerous times and up into Canada and sometimes with my wife’s parents along. It did fine. I finally gave it to my Father-in-law. It had a matching factory leather steering wheel cover and I liked it. It was an easy car to work on and dependable. It never left me stranded.
78 with a 4 speed was my first car, got it for $2,800 in 1979, with 27,000 miles on it (guy worked in Texas, drove ATL-Houston every 2 weeks), White with Orange Vinyl Roof, pin stripes, put the Raised White Letter tires everyone had in 1979 and a big Sun Tach on the Steering Column, Clarion Stereo with Jensen Coax’s in the back, would do 95mph downhill with a good tailwind, the AC did noticably steal quite a few of the 88 advertised ponies, put 100,000 miles on her in 6 years until a head on collision with a drunk did her in, Geared super high, something like 2.7 rear end, would get 28mph highway, 3000rpm at 75mph
Kudos to this owner, or whoever before them, who preserved this little Pinto. They were, after all, a part of automotive history, and a very popular one at that in its day.
In Phoenix the steering wheel covers helped keep your hands from cooking.
I love this Pinto. I owned a ’71 Plymouth Cricket, 1.5 Ltr 4 cylinder, 4 speed manual, and a manual choke. Only option was a am radio. It was gutless. I also owned a ’74 Chevrolet Vega GT, with a 2.3 ltr 4 cylinder, 4 speed manual. Only option was a am radio it was just marginally better than the Cricket. I’d like this Pinto to have the set, 3 of the worst sub compacts. Unfortunately not sure how much longer I will be driving. Reflexes not like they were and eye sight problems.
Actually, the 4-speed was an option for the Vega.
This car was not restored, at best it received a new interior and a paint job, just look at the engine bay! Gonna need a radiator soon…
Older restoration??? Why would anyone restore a pinto. Pull the drivetrain out and scrap it someone with a Shay roadster might need the engine
Why not? At least you can, unlike the Vegas which have all dissolved and been recycled for their valuable aluminum blocks
A friend of mine did a full top to bottom restoration on a 73 Pinto country squire. Why? Because he loved the car. It is perfect, it cost a fortune, and he is very happy.
The most interesting thing about it is that he learned a lot about the structure of the cars and how very little is shared with the Mustang II
Thanks for your comment George. We all have some sort of mental list of “collector cars we’d like to own”; for me, a nice Pinto Squire would be on the list. I’d have more fun with it than a mega-horsepower muscle car. But that’s just me. I’m glad your friend is happy (and likely has thick skin….).
Also, he can provide a first-hand comment on the similarities (or lack thereof) between the Pinto and Mustang II.
It’s as worthy as any car of being restored! People did drive things other than Mustangs and GTOs you know.
Weird bit of arcane info: They were available with two different window sizes in the tailgate. The smaller one was about 22″ from top to bottom nd had a conventional trunk. The larger one – which this car has – was only available on the “Runabout” model and it didn’t have a trunk because was a hatchback.
Where is the tailgate located on this Pinto coupe?
If you look at the rear, you will see that the large window is surrounded by steel framing. That entire lid lifts.
The regular Pinto had a fixed rear window and an opening steel trunk lid just below it
In the last few years of production, the rear hatch was a one piece glass assembly like a Volvo 1800 ES without a separate window and trunk lid portion
Lovely
After reading all the comments I still have to roll my eyes and wonder why, why put time and money in a Pinto. It’d have to be for sort of sentimental reason. And yes, I had the unfortunate experience of owning one. It was an automatic, with a/c, and had the hatchback
My father bought it for me after my Mustang hydroplaned and the front end was demolished. The Pinto was a dog and one of the happier days in my life was when my father decided to get me something different to go to college in. Sorry guys, but it’s just a Pinto.
Listing update: this one has been deleted, did one of you buy it?