Pint-Size Country Squire: 1973 Ford Pinto Wagon
When I was a kid growing up in the early 60’s, seeing wood – and fake wood at that – attached to the sides and tailgate of a station wagon was a head scratcher. It looked kinda cool, but just seemed like an odd thing to do. It wasn’t until years later that I found out that several cars and station wagons a decade or so before had used actual wood. Beautiful to look at and to admire the craftsmanship, but, what’s the word I’m looking for? Impractical. I guess Detroit thought some families wanted to get out of the city and remember those outdoor camping and fishing experience year round, and Ford’s Country Squire was the most popular station wagon choice for years. Even the name reminds you that you’re in the country, not the city or suburbs. Well, here’s a pint-sized pony version of Ford’s full-size Country Squire that has survived 50 years. It’s currently corralled just north of Charleston, South Carolina in the Goose Creek area, and is for sale here on craigslist for $17,000. (No, that’s not a typo.)
No history or details are shared about this pony or what it’s been up to the past 50 years. Based on the limited number of photos, it looks like a pretty solid driver-quality survivor. The original brown paint (I believe it’s Medium Brown Ginger) is presentable and the faux wood paneling looks good and compliments the color well. There’s an area on the lower driver’s door that could be repair work and various small bumps and paint chips are visible. It’s hard to assess the body condition of the passenger side or rear of the wagon since no photos are supplied. The chrome bumpers, luggage rack, trim, and glass look good, but since the Squire option was the top-of-the-line, it really should be dressed up with whitewall tires.
The brown theme continues inside (the Squire option added a few more faux wood appliqué touches inside the cabin) and the Pinto’s interior is what I’d describe as in good survivor condition, but not perfect. There’s a noticeable seam split in the driver’s bucket seat, the dash probably has some cracks, hence the dash cover, and the rear seat vinyl is discolored in places. Pintos were basic, value-positioned subcompacts, and even the top-of-the-line Squires didn’t offer a ton of luxury and convenience options. This one did come from the factory with A/C (that is not working) and a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission.
The carpet appears to be in good condition for its age and although there are some stain spots on the carpet and rear seat back, the rear cargo area looks very good. It hasn’t been abused or hauled a lot of stuff that would scratch and mar the plastic rear panels. (I had a ’75 Pinto Wagon and the cargo area never looked this good.)
How somebody could list a vehicle for sale and not think to cover the basic bases (like showing the engine and engine compartment) is beyond me. Oh well. Pintos had inline 4-cylinder engines that ranged from 1.6 liters to 2.3 liters and delivered 75 horsepower and 100 horsepower. The seller claims the 83,542 on the odometer is the original mileage and that the little pony “Runs great!” New service listed includes a new carburetor, distributor, brakes and calipers, and fuel sending unit. Ford’s first subcompact was a sales success (over 3 million 1971-80 Pintos were sold) with over 480,000 sold in 1973 alone. The Wagon was the most popular body style with buyers with over 217,000 leaving the factory, so this wagon’s not rare, but the survivor rate would put it in the rare category. I’ve seen time capsule examples much nicer than this one fetch $13,000 or so at auction. I’d be curious to see how much wiggle room is in the current $17,000 asking price.
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Comments
The first 3 years of the Pinto the base engine was a pushrod 1.6 litre engine with optional 2.0 litre engine sourced from the British Ford Corrine. This engine was so good they created an open wheel racing car series with this engine. I believe it was called the Formula Ford 2000 series. This engine was bullet proof. In 74 the bumpers got huge and the 2.3 four cylinder engine replaced the 2.0 engine and the Pinto was now a piece of crap as far as I am concerned. I still love the first three years of the Pinto, but a wagon without the 4 speed ( wagon came standard with the 2.0 engine) is just to high at $17000. Maybe it is the owner that is too high.
Cortina, not Corrine.
$17,000 for a Pinto?
I’ll pass.
If you get real friendly with a Cortina she’ll let you call her Corrine. 😂
The 1.6L pushrod engine was sourced from the Cortina. The 2.0L OHC engine came from Ford of Germany.
As they said in Used Cars….”That’s just too damn High!!”.
Maybe the seller accidently stuck an extra zero on the end of the selling price?
The only way this Pinto is worth 17K is if there’s $15,500 stashed in the glove box. Ridiculous.
Way too high price. Yes, motor info needed as well as more interior details.
73 wagons are very rare. Only were made last part of the year. Mostly wagons started in 74.
Price is way too high! They are cool cars and I would not mind owning a pinto wagon.. that being said 17K will buy a nice Mustang or Corvette from that same era
I’m a major fan of the Pinto, having owned over 8 myself, but I’m seeing maybe 7k tops, or maybe even less because I ding it for having the autobox.
These guys are looking at the dealers on Fee Bay, and thinking they can get the same exorbitant prices. Wonder if they notice that the dealer’s cars have been listed for 6 months or longer?
Once you told your friends you paid 17k for a pinto, the men in white suits show up and haul you away
Barrett-Jackson and Mecum are also a major factor behind every seller figuring their own vehicles will bring extra $$$.
Looks like a fairly nice Pinto wagon. It would be more fun with a manual transmission. I agree, I think it would look better with whitewalls, but are they even available?
Once you told your friends you paid 17k for a pinto, the men in white suits show up and haul you away
You can say that again:-)
My first car in 1984. Mine was green/green with a 4 spd. It was a ’75. I lost my innocence in the back of it. Good times.
Some people name their kids after their place of conception. That means I may have a kid somewhere named Ambassador. ;)
Well, I didn’t name mine Pinto!
I hope there isn’t a kid out there named Squareback.
Ford Probe
Club Chateau. We call him CC.
$17,000 would be a fair price if a garage was included.
Well I had it all wrong. I sold my 75 wagon in 1980 for $ 300. Should have asked for more because of the chicken wire holding the muffler system together upgrade.
17k for a pinto wagon no engine info and an auto too boot? Man im way to old. I always liked the simplicity of these pintos. Had a hatch loved it, body rusted away put the engine in a less rusty cj2 drove that for years. Ill pass but i sure do miss the days of cheap beaters.
In 1973 somebody probably traded in a muscle car on this.
Gran Prix or Pontiac?
My ex turned in a 69, 396 (?) Chevelle SS black on black on black, for 4-$500 off on a MONZA !!
I can see why he/she’s your ex! 🤣
*She. Read the comment too fast before I hit reply. 😔
I had a ‘73 Pinto and memory tells me the engine was of German origin.
Anyone knowledgeable about this?
Paul, the 2.0 liter OHC engine was built in Cologne Germany. It was a 2-3 year engine only. The 1.6 liter Kent engine was the first engine used for 2 years and it was built in the UK and I’m pretty sure that it was used in the Ford Cortina.
The 2.3 Lima engine was built in Ohio and it was used in 1974-1980 Pintos and Mercury Bobcats. That engine lived on in Mustangs and Turbocharged in the SVO Mustang, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and Merkur XR4Ti.
The two latter engines were nearly indestructible and the 2.0 block had the most nickel in the iron alloy to survive autobahn use.
I built and raced the 2.0 in Formula Ford a long time ago and we bought a lot of engine components from Esslinger Engineering in San Leandro CA. Esslinger is still in business today.
We also were stuffing 2.0 and 2.3 engines into VW Buses way before the WRX was built and we also were installing them in Karmann Ghias with the radiators in the spare tire well and a Alfa Romeo esq grill designed just for Karmann Ghias that Warshawsky’s Auto Parts in Chicago was selling in the 1970’s.
Thanks for all the great info.
I always thought that Pinto was a blast to drive , it had a four speed manual transmission as well. I felt it was underrated what with Nader and all.
There was 2.8 L V6 motor made in Cologne Germany for the Capri which I’ve never heard it being put in a Pinto but probably be done with some adapted parts.
The 2.8 V6 was used in the Pinto and Mustang II. They were same platform. I had a 1974 M II with that engine. They were a German engine. Aluminum heads, cast iron block, mechanical lifters. The Bronco II used a version of it the 2.9 V6
The Bronco II and started out with the carbureted 2.8L, the 2.9L was fuel injected, and later evolved into the 4.0L
“Country Squirt”
I’ve got a great opportunity to leave this comment alone, so I think I’ll take it. Hahaha 😁
The 2.8 V6 was such a durable design that Ford built the 4.0 OHV and eventually the 4.0 OHC on that block and internals… it was used in the Windstar van and forever in the Gen 1&2 Explorers.
It was the reason why you’d see a clapped out, rust bucket junkyard refugee Windstar or Explorer cruising around with the seats dragging on the ground but running great.
It was originally designed for the German Ford Taunus.
And…
In 2.8 form it was in the first years of the Capri as well and eventually was increased in displacement.
$17K?
Ah yes… the “I don’t care if I sell it” price.
My wife told me I had to sell the car, price. “Honey I tried to sell it, we’ve got more in it, I set the price at break even…..markets down, we’ll try again when it picks up. Have some wine. “
I’m still wondering how he put new brakes on it when calipers and pads are out of stock everywhere I looked. Maybe he got lucky and found some, or just said he did to sell it. Buddy of mine is in the same shape, 70-73 stuff is different than 74 up, so he’s looking at swapping 74 spindles and brakes on his 73.
Rock Auto shows Raybestos front pads available for $15.87.
Ha haha 17,000 for a pinto wagon. Somebody is off their rocker
Got the same exact car for a commuter in 77, paid $750 for it with 23k on it. Was a great car and good on gas. Left the 69 428 scj parked and put away winters. Drove the wheels off it for 4 years till my brother totaled it. Still have the mach 1 now for 51 years.
I almost bought a new ’72 Pinto Wagon back in the day.
Agree, this one is WAY overpriced, but otherwise wouldn’t be a bad vintage wagon with some updates. I like it.
Someone is dreaming with their eyes wide open if they’re thinking they’ll get $17K for that. GLWTS, But I hope they’re not holding their breath.
I sure traded my RoadRunner big block, pistol grip four-speed for a new Pinto Wagon . Single dad , 2 and 4 year old in the service. The fuel was killing me.
I have a 69 Road Runner that I bought in 1974 that was traded in on a new Pinto. I worked at the Ford dealership while in high school and they traded it off because the wife was a school teacher and they wanted something economical for her to drive to work.