Photo from the CC Cohort by canadiancatgreen.
Related CC reading:
Vintage R&T Road Test: 1975 Mercury Bobcat – More Like Fat House Cat
Curbside Recycling: 1976 Mercury Bobcat Villager – The Premium Compact Wagon Way Ahead Of Its Time
Cohort Find: 1979-80 Mercury Bobcat Runabout – Not Quite Ready To Pounce
– Posted on July 18, 2024
That Bobcat looks like it’d be good to go after a good cleaning… maybe tires and a tuneup. Wonder what sidelined it?
My brother had an ‘80 Pinto non-hatchback with a 4-speed that he bought with 3,000 miles at one year old. He got many years of good service out of it, but the engine had to be rebuilt once due to a broken piston skirt. It drove pretty well, but the driver’s seating position felt low and the interior a little claustrophobic. If a late model manual shift Pinto or Bobcat in nice condition came my way and I was looking for a car to run errands, I’d consider it.
The vertical bar grille design, offered a preview of the similar 1981 Mercury Lynx.
Long time since I’ve seen on of these.
The peeling lower passenger door skin gives me pause but it’d be a fun and different hobby car .
-Nate
I had a 1980 Pinto Pony with the 4 speed manual, it was the first car I bought new. Drove it for almost 150K with no problems, a good reliable car. Not fancy or cool but very functional and practical.
My Dad bought a new ’75 Bobcat as a commuter vehicle. He drove the wheels off that thing and a couple of years later gave it to my brother to drive to college. He had the engine rebuilt once and kept it around for years as the “spare car” that everyone used at one time or another except for me. My Mom’s favorite story about it was that Dad hauled a knocked down dining room table and 4 chairs home from the furniture store 60 miles away in it. After the Bobcat, Dad owned two Pintos, a ’77 and an ’80. They all gave great service.
That household must like Ford products in white with red striping.