The Ford Pinto has a somewhat colorful history, and despite a reputation for exploding on impact due to the unfortunate placement of the fuel tank, Ford still managed to sell over 500,000 units in 1974. Still, like all automotive products, consumers’ attention can quickly wane and Ford saw an opportunity to jump-start sales while also providing a slick package to appeal to anyone who wanted to part of the shaggin’ wagon craze but didn’t feel like blowing their gas money on a full-size van. Enter the Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon, and check out this modified example listed here on craigslist for $17,500.
The Pinto Cruising Wagon was a bold idea when Ford needed to find a way to move inventory. From a culture standpoint, van customization was a driving force in the automotive landscape, and whether you were installing a couch or painting a mural on the side, a van was the ultimate expression of yourself on four wheels. But if you didn’t like to party at van rallys or didn’t have a bunch of people wanting to be carted around, a van didn’t make a ton of sense. However, the desire to be cool knows no bounds, and Ford decided the Pinto was the platform of choice to introduce a smaller, more fuel-efficient version of a boogie van. This example is in clean condition inside and out, and it sports the rarely seen 5-speed manual.
The 5-speed was only available with the standard 4-cylinder engine, which produced 89 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. The V6 was rarely ordered in the Cruising Wagon, and if you do happen to find one with the bigger motor, it’s a rare bird. Personally, I believe the manual transmission fits the personality of the CW better than the automatic, owing to the variety of trim and features Ford threw at this little breadvan: porthole windows with solid side panels, a front air dam, stylish alloy wheels, a carpeted trunk / lounge area, and the desirable Sports Rallye equipment package.
The decals were also an essential part of the package, but this car has been resprayed and updated with a different decal set. It doesn’t look bad but it’s not nearly as groovy as the factory stripes. The turbine-style wheels are pretty killer and very period-correct; they fit the Cruising Wagon perfectly. The runabout sits fairly low, and I wonder if someone has cut the springs or found an aftermarket source for performance suspension for a Pinto. As cool as it is, close to $18,000 is a lot for a Pinto, and I do wonder if the seller will find anyone who loves the Cruising Wagon concept as much as he does. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
As most of you know,the gas tank problem didn’t apply
to the wagons.
Nor to the sedans from 1975 on.
Cool Cruising Wagon. Looks to be in good shape. The turbine wheels look great. Would be a fun and attention-grabbing vehicle.
We have seen it before, in 2023, I suspect from the same seller.
Two notes:
These stripes are noted in the 1978 Pinto brochure, perhaps they were also available in 1977.
I don’t recall a 5-speed transmission being available in the Pinto?
Thanks Jeff.
To go along with what Bob said, that 5 speed shifter kind of looks like its from a Fox Body Mustang. But I could be totally wrong. If its an upgrade its a nicely executed one.
Stripes were available in 77. I bought a black one new with stripes and only kept it for a year. Had automatic with 4 cylinder. Underpowered. Biggest issue was if my 6 yo daughter rode in back seat she couldn’t see outside. Not a good family car.
These pinto had 5 speeds. I owned one.
V8 Swap Candidate?
Nah…2.3 EFI Turbo… ;-)
Yeah, I’d like to see a new Ecoboost in one of these. Maybe the 3.7l from the F150?
Or an Ecoboost 2.3L crate motor instead! 300 hp and 300 lb-ft. of torque, aluminum to keep the weight on the front end down, and modern electronic engine controls, for good gas mileage (if you keep your foot out of it, LOL) and easy starting! Couple it to a Tremec five or six speed gearbox, then stand back! Whee!
P.S. The Cruisin’ Wagon included the optional gage package that should have been standard equipment from the start of production, which included a tach, oil pressure,coolant temperature, and voltmeter gages.
Too expensive to justify as a starting point for an engine swap. If it was a roller for 1/3rd the price it would be perfect for that.
Steve R
A friend of mine had a 77 model with the v6 and automatic at the time I had a 79 sedan with the 4cyl 4spd. His felt like you were driving a bigger car. His was dark blue. I really liked it.
Man, this really catches the eyes! Very attractive imo! The 4 cylinder may not be that powerful but may be good enough to cruise around. I like all that room with the rear seat folded down! Would be cool to go for a long road trip and take a nap in back!
I just take a nap at home and save money on the fuel.😆😂😆
Ford never put a 5 speed in any Pinto. This was a swap. Their first 4 cylinder 5 speed in an American spec car was the Escort.
I think a 4 cylinder and 5 speed was available in the Monza. If you search “Monza 4 cylinder 5 speed” it shows that combination was available in the late-1970’s.
Steve R
Ford didn’t manufacture the Monza. The first Ford was the Escort.
Back in the early 70’s, a friend purchased a 57 Pontiac Hearse from a garage band that had used it to transport their equipment. As their amps got bigger, they needed a van, so the hearse became available. We could get quite a crowd of long hair hippies and hippie chicks in it. But it drew the attention of frowning fathers and policemen. I expect this Pinto may had suffered the same frowns from disapproving fathers.
I had a 77 hatch back that I put a 5.0 V-8 and a c-4 trans and a drop out diff from a Bob Cat. The stuff I needed for installation were from a Mustang II. Very little modifying. It was a fun ride.
No pictures of the underside or the dash (to show the mileage) are in the ad. The seat covers look like they came from a Sprint Edition, so they’re not original to the car, but they look like they are fairly new and in good shape, but the blue inserts and white trim really don’t go well with copper metallic exterior paint, IMHO. The seats themselves look like they are just touch bigger than stock Pinto seats, possibly from a Mustang.
The Sprint edition was a one-year only trim package, for the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, featuring a red, white and blue exterior paint and interior trim scheme. There were Sprint editions of the Pinto, Maverick and Mustang, IIRC.
The Verdict: A little overpriced, but given the condition, it might be worth the extra coin, if you can overlook the colors. At $12k, it wold be a steal, but at $17.5k, not so much, but someone will buy it. GLWTS!
P.S. Here’s a link to a previos Barm Finds article about a Sprint Edition Pinto:
https://barnfinds.com/sprint-decor-option-1972-ford-pinto-runabout/