Clean Survivor: 1976 Ford Pinto Station Wagon
Oscar Wilde was famously quoted as saying, “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” If you were Ford during the 1970s and people were talking about the Pinto, that may not always have seemed the case. As with Chevrolet’s Corvair, the humble Pinto was a daring design that was warmly welcomed but subsequently suffered significant bad press due to a perceived safety flaw. Hindsight shows that the Pinto was no more or less unsafe than its competition, and thanks to some running production changes and later recalls, a good Pinto can make an accomplished daily driver. This 1976 Pinto Station Wagon is a wonderful survivor that is ready to find a new home. Its overall condition is impressive, and with a genuine 80,000 miles on its odometer, it should offer years of faithful service to its next owner. Located in Wooster, Ohio, the seller has listed it for sale here on craigslist. They have set a sale price of $5,200, although they may entertain trades for the right vehicle. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for referring this gem to us.
Ford’s decision to “green light” the Pinto’s development was considered by many as a strange move. Lee Iacocca was passionate about the Pinto concept and strongly advocated for the program. Many motoring historians rightly point out that the company’s North American arm had no experience developing a genuine sub-compact and that they may have been better served to restyle an offering from Ford of Europe like their Escort. That model would have brought the European long-term engineering expertise to the table, reducing product lead times, development costs, and the potential for the company to stumble disastrously due to inexperience with such a vehicle platform. Iacocca already had experienced success draping new panels over an existing platform with the Mustang, and an Escort/Pinto offered a similar opportunity. However, the illustrious Mr. Iacocca had little experience developing a new model from scratch. Many believe that his determination to succeed with a clean-sheet model was part of a strategic game to eventually succeed Henry Ford II as the company’s CEO. Whatever the truth, the Pinto came to market in 1971 and remained on sale until 1980. Our feature car rolled off the production line in 1976 and is 1-of-105,328 Station Wagons produced in that model year. It wears Code 6E Bright Yellow paint, and it appears that it may be completely original and unrestored. It presents well for its age, with no significant flaws in the panels or paint. It spends its downtime stored in a heated garage, allowing it to remain completely rust-free. There are no visible issues in the panels, and the underside shot reveals spotless and solid floors. The glass and chrome are excellent, and the first impression made by this Wagon appears positive.
Lifting the hood reveals that this Pinto’s drivetrain configuration is unlikely to cause many muscle cars a sleepless night. The engine bay houses the 2.3-liter OHC four-cylinder engine, backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. With 92hp available to the driver, the Pinto would wander through the ¼ mile in a leisurely 20 seconds. If they kept the pedal to the metal, the speedometer needle would eventually nudge 92mph. The seller indicates they replaced the timing belt around three years ago, which is good news for potential buyers. They also claim the Wagon has 80,000 genuine miles on the clock, although they don’t mention supporting evidence. It runs and drives well and is a turnkey classic ready for a new home.
The poor photo quality makes it difficult to assess the Pinto’s interior accurately, but what can be seen looks pretty positive. There may be a seam separation on the driver’s seat backrest, but the remaining Black vinyl upholstery looks okay. Aftermarket floor mats protect the carpet, but the dash, pad, and headliner condition remain a mystery. The seller doesn’t indicate whether the Wagon features a radio or other luxury appointments, but I can confirm it isn’t equipped with air conditioning. The seller seems approachable, so they may entertain the idea of an in-person inspection.
I am nothing if not a realist. I am aware that we will have readers questioning whether a 1976 Ford Pinto Station Wagon is a genuine classic, and that’s a fair question to ask. When it was new, the Pinto was considered by many to be a consumable item. People bought them, drove them for a few years, and their final journey was often to a scrapyard as the high production totals meant that they weren’t particularly rare or valuable. Times change, and it isn’t clear how many of the 290,132 Pintos that rolled out of the factory in 1976 still exist. Their very nature suggests that we are probably looking at a five-figure total. Of those that remain, how many would be as nicely preserved as our feature Wagon? It will almost certainly never be a mega-bucks collectible, but any car that survives for forty-six years and continues to present this well is worthy of respect. If you are an enthusiast seeking to dip their toe into the water of classic car ownership with an affordable option, this Pinto could be a vehicle to consider.
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Comments
$5,200 doesn’t buy much in 2022. This looks like a good deal.
That is what I paid for my new 1979 Pinto wagon.
To Frank M: and what would that be in today’s dollars?
About $20,600 in today’s dollars…
$5,200 in 1979 equals $21,414.63 in 2022. About the price of a economy car today.
Thanks Adam for the good write-up, including info on what might have been happening among senior Ford management back in the day. This looks like a pretty decent Pinto. The undercarriage has been refurbished and/or repainted. The price is right for what could be some cheap, simple fun; you could even use it for your Home Depot runs.
I agree, Bob, that is a great write-up. Thanks, Adam, I learned a fair amount about Ford and Mr. Iacocca regarding the Pintos.
My first car was a mid 70’s Pinto and it served me quite well for many years until I rear-ended an older Torino. Totaled the Pinto, but barely a scratch on the Torino,
Adams reference to the Pinto being unsafe, surely means the gas tank baloney, and if I remember, the wagon was not part of that. The merits and downfalls of the Pinto can be argued forever, but when all said and done, we may just go back to “Pinto wagons”. It was a good car and I’ll defend that to the end. We, as a country, have gotten caught up in the “cheap fuel” game, couple that to “more is better”, and look what clogs our highways today. Just showed how much we depended on cheap Ruskie oil, and look what happened, and it’s ( prices) here to stay. Will we go back to ’76 Pinto wagons? I doubt it, but I do believe, just like in the 70’s, the big 4×4 diesel dually’s going to Walmart, are history.
Howard A., we were energy independent, and a net exporter of oil and natural gas. I’ll ask the obvious question; why aren’t we now?
And, I’m case you didn’t know, my Dodge diesel dually gets 20mpg. I’m not sure the Pinto wagon does much better than that.
My wife’s cousin was immolated when the Pinto she was riding in was rear ended at a toll booth.
Take your baloney and shove it.
Richard we mourn all of the victims of every car accident. Apparently a rear end collision in some cases could ignite the Pinto fuel tank, the fix was a plastic barrier. Almost every car and truck has a built in defect that could prove deadly, if only the designer’s had crystal ball’s to see into the future, I’m sure they’d correct the problem. Here’s a remarkable contrast. The Corvair was one of the safest cars of all time. Why? In front end collisions, (the most deadly), the empty Corvair trunk serves as a crush zone and absorbs the impact, even the gas tanks don’t explode. Usually the passenger compartment is untouched. And yet Nader went after the Corvair as a unsafe car!
Howard A
My wife’s cousin was immolated when the Pinto she was riding in was rear ended at a toll booth.
Take your baloney and shove it.
Howard A. There’s not a car made that would not explode if hit just right. So for your loss. But even Chevy pickups with the side saddle tanks they were claiming to blown up. That proved to be false on the ad anyway. Amy spark on Amy spill’t has could ignite. You don’t want to see one of the new electric cars crash ! They can burn for days !
Russian oil accounted for roughly 3% of our oil imports, hardly a reason for prices to spike the way they have. And let’s not forget gas prices had gone up significantly before the Ukraine-Russian war began.
Nothing wrong with Pinto wagons…except the ugly bumpers…Had a 1979 and never any issues.This one is missing the T-belt cover and that is not a good thing.
TO Adam Clarke,
Regarding: 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII with 898 ORIGINAL MILES
Hi Adam
Sorry for my late response as you published on 27 March 2022…I’m the owner of this Mark VIII
You do a GREAT JOB for Barn Finds and you’re a pretty good writer explaining the Mark’s description and details, but you missed 1 important item, which I list in my for-sale ads
“Should go to a private collector or be in a Lincoln Dealership show room”
If you know an owner of a Lincoln Dealer, please forward to me
You actually said,
“If you wish to park it in your driveway ” he-he
Just Saying… Robert in Napa, CA
898 Original Miles ” ” 898 Original Miles ” ” 898 Original Miles ”
1998 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC ” Collector’s Edition” #0424
LSC means Lincoln Sport Coupe
THAT’S Original and documented MILES … IT’s a bran-new car
Google Collector’s Edition 1998 Lincoln for production details
Should go to a private collector or be in a Lincoln Dealership show room
If you know an owner of a Lincoln Dealer, please forward to me
Yes, the price is $105,000
White Pearlescent Tri-coat Metallic
Prairie tan interior
this is 1 of 32 built in 1998 with Ca Emission specification
Vin 1LNFM92V6WY729699
CA License 8XNT337 ,
detailed documentation of original owner and history
CA Smog / car fax/ marti report
etc.etc.
Going to post sumpin about a pinto ,then everything turned into A Lincoln,got confused,went to make another cocktail.
I seem to remember a lot of conversations about the Chevy Vega and the Chevette as well, back in the day.
The only problem with these Ford 4 bangers is they are not efficient with an automatic. My diesel truck will get close to the same mileage. Throw the auto away and now you’re taking some mileage up to close to 30 mpg my friend got. We had the car and were hard pressed to get 19 and my sons range 2.0 liter didn’t have enough power to push it down the highway in 5th gear. Over all this looks like a nice car and a classic ! Block out the side widows and put some moon windows in, shag carpet on the ceiling 👍👍 oh. BTW this car will you between $20-25,000 today at least.
Back in the day with the sub-compacts, the only transmission that would give decent performance & mpg was the 4 speed manual. All automatics with 4 bangers was like having an “on/off” switch.
Nothing comes up for me, its gone?
I would love to own this car, I can’t find it on Craigslist, but if Ii have the chance this would be mine. Somebody help me contact the owner and see if he is serious about selling this Please.
Jim W.
James, Dennis has the correct link posted below,
We use to love the pinto’s wagon or sedan. Knock the windows out of them put a full cage in it and go racing on the dirt tracks. Had the fastest 1 at our local track 16 sec around a 1/3 oval track in the Dirt.GO FAST TURN LEFT.!!!!!!
https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/ctd/d/wooster-76-pinto/7479846172.html
Unfortunately nobody in their right mind is going to pay that much for a pinto wagon. Unless it has a V8 or its a race car.
Then Val why is it gone?
I see now that Dennis has the correct link posted.
I once owned an awesome Ford Pinto hatchback 4 speed. I won it in a card game. I wanted to be sure it was solid so that first night I yanked on it pretty hard without any problem. Next day I checked the oil only to find out it was 3 1/2 quarts low. ( only holds 4 total). I drove for H -R block hauling suitcases as my first job and with the rack and pinion steering it was like driving a go cart. I eventually took a screwdriver and hammer and cut the roof off as well as the fenders, hood and doors. Had to reattach the doors as both bumpers hit the ground as soon as I removed them😎. I eventually drove it off a cliff after about 3 years of service free driving.That was in 1978. Only the block remains at the bottom of the cliff today. True Story😜.