1975 Pinto Station Wagon in So Cal

I bought this little Pinto Wagon about 6 months ago as a project/play car. The guy I got it from told me he was the second owner. The original owners were an older couple who had bought it new. They drove it until they got to old to drive and then parked in a barn. It sat there for about 17 years in storage. Their son (or maybe grandson) pulled it out to sell it. The guy I got it from bought it as a father son project. They had the entire interior redone, seat, carpet, dash pad, etc. Said that cost him about $2500.00. He also had it repainted the original baby blue and the roof white (which wasn't original). To be honest it wasn't a very good paint job, but probably did protect the thing from rust. He also had some mechanical work done including a Valve Job, New Alternator and regulator, New Starter, New Radiator, New Steering Rack, New Brakes, New Clutch, a Tune Up and the carb rebuilt. He did not produce any receipts, but most of this was very obvious by the new parts on it. I can also tell the head had been off, so the valve job story was probably true as well. Unfortunately who ever did the carb work didn't know what they were doing and the carb was screwed up and all the smog vacuum hoses were missing. It ran like crap. The son got heavy into sports and lost interest in the car, and is now off to college, so dad decided to sell it after 10 years of having it.

 I drove it on my trailer and brought it home. The first thing I did was get rid of the carb. I found a rare Canon Two Barrel non smog manifold and ordered a Brand New Weber 32/36 Progressive carb. Now she was running a bit right. All 4 tires were of different brands and barely holding air. I bought a nice set of Aluminum Wheels and tires from a late model Mustang. Not only do they look a 1000 times better, but being taller makes it happier on the highway.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the car had No Rust underneath, just a little typical surface corrosion. Under the hood was very nice as well, other than where a battery had splattered some acid on the bottom of the hood and there is some light surface rust now. Being a 1975 No Smog checks are required in California

The Good - This is a very solid little Pinto Wagon with a lot of potential. It drives straight and smooth and doesn't do anything silly. The 2300 runs much better now, but won't exactly scare you with power. The body is pretty straight, but could use some help and a new better quality paint job. All the glass is good. Doors open a close solid.

The BAD - The door rubbers and window seals need replacing from the 27 years of sitting, but they are available new. The original AM radio is still there and the dash was never cut up for a modern radio, but it doesn't seem to want to work, I haven't looked but would bet its a fuse issue. The gas gauge is intermittent, and I think it's a loose connection, as sometimes wiggling the key brings it back on. It was originally an A/C car but the compressor was gone when I got it. The heater is also disconnected. The guy I got it from said the core was leaking slightly, so they disconnected it when they did the interior so it wouldn't ruin the floors or the new carpet. It also needs a new battery hold down.

If you are looking for a very clean early Pinto Wagon to play with or just drive around in, this could be the one for you. As I said, I was planning on fixing it up and playing with it, but I lost my storage garage where I kept it and don't have garage space at home. I hate to see it just sit, especially outside, so I have have decided to sell it. I have pretty close to 3 grand in it and don't want to take a beating, but I will listen to offers.

Feel free to ask questions or let me know if you want to come see it. It is in the City of Orange.


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