A very much-maligned model from the annals of Blue Oval history, the Ford Pinto was still a massive hit in its heyday, as well as a vehicle that’s enjoying a small bit of a resurgence today. Over the past few months, we’ve seen a few of these compact cars pop up for sale at auction, including an unrestored 1978 model, a 1979 Squire wagon, and another ’79 wagon with just over 50k original miles on the clock, to name just a few. Now, that list continues to grow with this 1978 Ford Pinto wagon, which is currently up for grabs at Bring a Trailer.
This 1978 Ford Pinto wagon has just 23k miles showing on the odometer, but it also remained in storage for an extended period of time before it resurfaced in 2018. Since then, it has been treated to a fresh Bright Red paint job, as well as other cosmetic and mechanical updates. On the outside, the wagon sports all of its original chrome trim, along with a set of 13-inch steel wheels with polished trim rings.
The also-red interior of this economical family hauler presents nicely as well, with features including front bucket seats that have been partially reupholstered, a two-spoke steering wheel, a push-button radio, a rear window defroster, crank windows, rubber floor mats, and front and rear lap belts.
Underneath, the previous owner equipped this 1978 Ford Pinto wagon with a set of KYB shocks in the front and Koni units in the rear, while the power-assisted front disc brakes and rear drums have been replaced along with the leaf springs, spring perches, and steering rack. The same goes for the original naturally-aspirated 2.3L I-4 engine, which has been repainted and resealed, along with the three-speed automatic transmission, while the rear end was reportedly replaced with an 8-inch Traction-Lok unit sporting 3.25:1 gears.
Though it’s been partially refurbished, this 1978 Ford Pinto wagon presents very nicely, and as such, should attract some interest at auction. It may not be the most original model out there, but it’s safe to say that there aren’t many nicer Pintos running around, regardless.
We’ll have more cool auction finds like this to share soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Pinto news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Pinto and Vega station wagons were and remain inferior to the Japanese wagons that were available in the same era. My 79 Corolla wagon had a 5-speed manual, 4 doors, factory air and got over 35 mpg. In every way superior to the Pinto or Vega wagons and cost less. Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Honda all made great little wagons. The only reason to buy this Pinto wagon is someone has a thing for Pintos and does not intend to have any adult back seat passengers. Even for kids the back seat of these pinto wagons is claustrophobic.
I had a 1975 Chevy Vega Kammbach Wagon and it was superior to the Japanese junk clogging our roads. My wife had a 1972 Mazda 808 wagon while she was single, and it was so cheaply made that it was dented by a Rambler American, yet my Dad and I removed the dent with out fists. She traded it for a 1980 Ford Mustang.
In 1989 I sold my Vega to a Camaro racer who needed a new body. He transplanted the V8 engine and the full drive train into the wagon and won many races. I doubt your weak Corolla could handle that same deal at all. Don’t betray American brands unless you are a foreigner.
I had a 74 with a 4-speed. The auto made them very slow. It hauled stuff around for me until sold with very few problems. The much maligned fuel tank problem was actually worse in the Vega, and not applied to wagons. The handling was very crisp for that time. One brother had a Toyota Corolla wagon, and it had less interior space even with 4 doors. It was not as fast as the Pinto, and even less so at altitude.
If I could put the 2.3/5-speed from my 85 Ranger into the Pinto, it likely would get better fuel mileage and cruise happily at 70+. I think I got 27mpg once, and the Ranger does that without much effort on my part, better on the highway. Kinda wish I’d kept it, but sold to a co-worker as her first car with about 70k on the odo.
Yah I can’t say the Japanese wagons were superior back then…