1k: Hot Tip: 1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon
This next feature comes from tipper Zach Z who writes:
I don’t know why, but I saw this and said, forget the new DTM5 – they needs this!
You really can’t argue with that kind of logic, especially because this Pinto panel wagon has factory stock porthole style “bubble” windows in the back. They just don’t make ’em like they used to, that’s for sure. Find this 1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon offered for $2000 in Lakewood, CO via craigslist.
The Cruising Wagon was first offered in the Pinto lineup in 1977 and lasted until the final Pintos disappeared in 1980. The Pinto was the last of the compact rear-drive machines from Ford (and maybe any US OE…what am I missing?). It would be easy to jump on the Pinto hatin’ bandwagon, but remember that what replaced the Pinto (the Escort) was a transverse engine front drive understeering pile of junk that is really hard to shove a carburetted Chevy V8 into.
The 2.3 liter single overhead cam inline-4 from the Pinto was later used by Ford in Mustangs, Rangers, Aerostars, Capris, Bobcats and Merkurs, but it was also shoved into sand rails and VW Beetles by crazy people. However, the original use of the 2.3 was in the Pinto and it put out a miserable 89 horsepower in 1977, but this one isn’t installed in this Pinto, so you could put anything into it…say a new 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 from an F-150 pickup.
It is hard to tell with the single over-exposed photo, but it looks like the inside of this Cruising Wagon is ready for a demolition derby, but could be good for cruising once you add back in some carpet and give it a good descuzzification.
Got your own recommendation for a proper DTPC? tips@dailyturismo.com
I'd wait until the next owner puts everything together, turns it into a project-car for his/her web blog, realizes it is a total turd and then sells it for the same price. How about it DT?
I have always wanted a pre '73 Pinto panel wagon (I have seen a couple with the bubble, but they must have been homemade), and although originally I wanted to put a V8 up front, I later decided that a 2.3 turbo would be better (especially the l85.5 Mustang SVO which put out over 200 HP, and 248 ft lbs), and be stealthy too. Find a set of dish mags, and everyone would laugh until you blew them away, and it could be set up right to handle as well.
My wife has threatened to leave me if I bring one home, but now I know I will never find one in the wild, and I'm not sure I want to do the body work…
Oh no no no! The Pinto Cruising Wagon came that way from the factory! It even had a groovy paint job to boot: curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/pinto_cruisesilver-1978.jpg-courtesy-loevofords.org_.jpg
James C is talking about the pre-'73 models, the ones with the small bumpers. The Cruising Wagon didn't come along until '77, well into the Pinto's lifespan.