1978 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon Four-Speed

Description

The rising popularity of compact imports in the late 1960s prompted American manufacturers to introduce their own small, affordable models at the dawn of a new decade. Ford North America responded by unveiling the Pinto in September 1970 – a completely new platform powered by an inline-four and weighing just over 2,000 pounds. The Pinto went on sale in one body style, a two-door Sedan, but was soon joined by the Runabout hatchback (1971), and finally the Pinto Wagon (1972). For the 1977 model year, the Pinto received its most significant styling update yet with new, slanted-back urethane headlamp buckets, parking lamps, and grille. That model year also saw the introduction of a new option on the Pinto Wagon dubbed the Cruising Package, which gave the Wagon a distinctive “sedan delivery” appearance, complete with bubble-glass porthole windows in the upper quarter panels. A choice of stylish graphics was also offered, making the Pinto Cruising Wagon one of the most unique and cheerful vehicles of the seventies. 

Highlights

• Finished in Tangerine (85) with yellow side graphics, with recent paintwork said to have been performed on the hood, left fender, and driver’s door

• Matching Tangerine luxury plaid cloth and vinyl upholstery

• Powered by a 2.3-liter inline-four 

• Fully synchronized four-speed manual transmission

• Optioned from the factory with the following equipment:

  • SelectAire Conditioner

  • Variable ratio power rack-and-pinion steering

  • Interior Decor Group (deluxe steering wheel, woodtone appliques on the instrument panel, shift knob area, and parking brake handle, color-keyed deluxe seat belts, day/night inside rearview mirror, passenger door courtesy light switch, deluxe door trim, rear seat ashtray, deluxe Sound Insulation Package, cigarette lighter, color-keyed parking brake boot, and load floor carpeting)

  • Convenience Light Group (map light, cargo area light, lights in the engine compartment, glove box, ashtray, and trunk; passenger side courtesy light switch and “headlights on” warning buzzer)

  • Deluxe Bumper Group

  • Roof luggage rack

• Service in March 2023 reportedly included the replacement of the wheel cylinders, fuel pump, battery, drive belts, and spark plugs, as well as an oil and filter change 

• 13-inch wheels are shod with Milestar Touring SLE thin-whitewall tires that were reportedly mounted in March 2023 

• Headliner was recently replaced as per the consignor

• Accompanied by digital copies of its original window sticker, build sheet, and a 1977 registration document

• This Pinto Cruising Wagon is offered with the five-digit odometer currently showing just over 58,900 miles at the time of listing; however, the true mileage is unknown 

Features

• Porthole windows

• Chrome bumpers with over-riders, front and rear

• Color-keyed side mirrors

• Black bodyside moldings

• Counterbalanced, full-length liftgate with fixed window

• Liftgate “open” warning light

• Pivoting quarter windows

• Fuel level, alternator charging status, and engine temperature gauges

• AM/FM/cassette stereo with a graphic equalizer

• Front bucket seats

• Fold-down rear seat with one-hand latch

• Color-keyed cut pile carpeting

• Floor mats

• Electric rear window defroster

• Front stabilizer bar

• Front disc brakes

 Known Imperfections

• Air conditioning system is inoperative – needs a compressor for use with the new R134a refrigerant

• Crazing present on the side graphics

Included

• Digital copy of original window sticker

• Digital copy of original build sheet

• Digital copy of 1977 registration document

Ownership History

According to a digital copy of its original window sticker, this Pinto Cruising Wagon was originally delivered to Griswold & Wright Ford of Modesto, California. It is said to have spent multiple years in storage before it was acquired by the previous owner in 2022. The consignor acquired the car in 2023.

Optional vehicle service contract available for $1,000. Learn more about the program here. *Sales tax may be applicable.