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Author Topic: Cruising Wagon  (Read 811 times)

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Offline BeeEl

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Cruising Wagon
« on: December 13, 2018, 09:34:42 AM »
Newbie. First post here. Let me start by saying I'm Pinto stupid. I know absolutely nothing about them except they're popular for builds for various reasons. I recently acquired a '77 Cruising Wagon. It's pretty much all there. Some rust in the floor pans and a busted front windshield, but other than that it looks pretty good and straight. The guy I got it from said it had a few things in it that were kinda rare and could be worth something (I remember him mentioning the three gauge cluster over in the middle of the car). Anyway, the point to my post: I am wanting to put this on the strip, but before I get started I wanted to be sure I'm not cutting up a rare unicorn or something like that. If so, I'll sell it and move onto something else. I can't stand it when people ruin rare setups. I simply don't know if this is or not.
I got it up in the air last night and was shocked at the minimal "frame" that is under there! Will need some serious beefing up just to withstand 500hp. Would I be better off getting a truck frame or something and setting this body on it?

Thanks in advance
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Offline Wittsend

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Re: Cruising Wagon
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2018, 03:18:25 PM »
The cruise wagons are unique. In the collector car world they probably aren't considered rare or valuable. But in the Pinto world any version of the Pinto that is unique is likely seen at a higher level. Some people are very VIN specific while othrs have no issue with Cruise piece place on a generic wagon. So, I'm thinking you will get many "opinions."

 The three gage cluster piece is somewhat rare but removable so no harm done. A truck frame would likely not sit low enough and also not ideal for the dragstrip.  Most would probably weld in a cage/frame reenforcement structure. Hopefully others will better advise.  Ford changed the windshield from a gasket type to a glue in. I think the change was in 79-80. But be aware there are two types.
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Offline russosborne

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Re: Cruising Wagon
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2018, 01:00:39 AM »
Subframe connectors and a decent cage should get you where you want to be for handling the horsepower on the strip.

Cruising Wagons are kind of the rare/desired Pinto, but it is your car. No Pinto is really worth huge bucks compared to Mustangs or other more collectable cars at this point. Someday maybe.
I owned and sold both a 69 Mustang and a 70 GTO just a few years before the price skyrocketed for those. Could happen with these.
Welcome to the club.
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In Glendale, Arizona

RIP Casey, Mallory, Abby, and Sadie. We miss you.

79 Pinto ESS fully caged fun car. In progress. 8inch 4.10 gears. 351C and a T5 waiting to go in.
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