The white walls are throwing me off a bit here, as are the half-missing rear-side graphics. Unless those have just faded into oblivion over the last 49 years. This 1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon is posted here on craigslist in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of Queens, New York, and they’re asking $5,695. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
This is a base model, or standard Cruising Wagon, and they seem to be rarer than the overly showy ones we usually see. I know that white-letter tires are incredibly hard, or even impossible, to find for some sizes anymore. I’ve been looking for some for my 1980 Dodge D-50 Sport pickup and haven’t been able to find any. I guess when most vehicles come with 17- to 21-inch tires these days, companies stop making cool small tires. Not that white-letter tires even show up on new vehicles, come to think about it.
Ford offered the special steel-sided Cruising Wagon for the 1977 and 1978 model years, and they came in three varieties. We’ve seen a few of the fancy ones with heavy-handed graphics, and if you’re going to make a scene, be seen, as the late, great Mr Sound Effects, Wes Harrison, used to say. Ok, I just aged myself there. You could get the full graphics package, the standard graphics as shown here, or no graphics. All came with the round window (“Bubble Portholes”) on each side in the back, though. Here’s a 1977 Ford Wagon brochure.
This car, while somewhat plain on the exterior, comes with, I believe, the optional Interior Decor Group, including these fantastic Alpine plaid seats. Although that package also included woodgrain trim on the dash, and I don’t see that here. They say these are reupholstered seats in the original fabric, so maybe that’s why. We don’t really get to see the back seats other than in this photo, and there are no photos of the rear cargo area or the underside. Being in a rust-prone area, I’d sure want to see underneath this car. The seller has included a couple of detailed photos showing some rust, and they provided nice photos overall.
The engine is Ford’s Cologne 2.8-liter V6, which was rated at 90 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque when new. This one is backed by a three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, making that 90 hp seem even less, or maybe less fun? The seller says it runs well and gets up to speed quickly, but there is a small oil leak from the pan, and they’re including a new gasket. Any thoughts on this Cruising Wagon?
These were nifty little machines. The plaid upholstery almost makes it worth the price of admission. Plus that sporty steering wheel, common to Fords of the time. And it even has the sports instrumentation package.
This example looks like it’s been around nearly 50 years but doesn’t look abused. Maybe the new owner will fix it up some. For sure it would get plenty of smiles around town.
Good job SG.
I’ve always liked these Cruising wagons. These rims with the thin stripe white walls really go good on these. I’d prefer a stick, but thats me. I’m sure the 6 with the automatic makes for a nice ride.
Lots of rust, 100,000+ miles, not sure there is that much demand for project Pinto wagons at that asking price.
Steve R
Yeah, probably not in California. Up here in the rust belt, there is much less to choose from. Someone might bite at it, if the seller takes it around to a few car shows.
Pintos are actually a rare sight in California, especially post 1975 models. For whatever reason, they didn’t survive, there are however, greater numbers of early to mid-1970’s Japanese imports.
Steve R
I don’t know about the left coast. But a classic car that’s under $6000, that runs and drives, and isn’t completely rotted out? Is a rare thing, around my parts.
Coker Tire still sells BF Goodrich RWL tires down to 13″ rim sizes. I put a set on my ’76 Cosworth Vega to replace the 30-year-old Firestones it came to me with.
Now i can go cruising for chicks.
Friend had one around 1980. 4 cyl not a v6. Still remember driving home from camp doing bong hits. It was a different time.
They drove better, then.
neat wagon for sure. i am sure there is hidden rust some where.
I bought 195/75r/14 white wallsfor my 66′ Mustang at Discount Tire,Nexgen brand only $90.00.
This was 2 years ago,it only took a day to get them.
The Good: V6, “Arrest Me!” Red paint, minimal graphics, auxiliary gages, the price. The Bad: Automatic Transmission, lived in a rust prone area, no pictures of the underside. The Ugly: The dreaded tin worm may be lurking, waiting to strike, if it hasn’t already begun to feast on this under appreciated classic! The Verdict: A good daily driver that can go from mild to wild, depending on your tastes and budget. An Ecoboost four or a donor motor from a wrecked SVO Mustang would really wake this bad boy up!
I had a 1976 Runabout with the V6. A terrible engine, lousy gas mileage. And lots of engine noise.Very little power. 4-cylinder only way to go.
My Dad had the same V6 in a 1979 Capri he bought, and it wasn’t bad, so maybe Ford got around to fixing the V6 by then. But I like the 2.3L four for its light weight (less understeer) and the fact that the turbocharged version from an SVO Mustang or T-Bird Turbo Coupe will drop right in! I’m not sure, but I think that the T-Bird Turbo Coupe used a 2.3L four initially, but the Super Coupe version used a turbo V6. I’m sure that if I’m wrong, someone will take great joy in correcting me, LOL!
Supercharged 3.8 V6 in the Super Coupes.
160,000+ miles on our 1974 2.8L V-6. Changed the timing gear at 60,000 miles. After that? Perfect. Remember, These were strangled by the EPA. Nothing had balls.
I know this car and have seen the owner. He is an older man and owns a bunch of oddballs cars that he keeps parked on the block. I’ve looked at this car and would have made an offer if it were a manual. There used to be a number of Pintos, older Mercedes and a Ford Galaxie convertible. I would imagine it has gotten too much to maintain all of them. Price is reasonable for its condition. I hope it goes to a good home