William Oliver wins the internet today, having found a genuine curbside Pinto Cruising Wagon. Do you all realize just how rare this is? This is a ’70s icon, a living reminder of just how strange that decade could be. What was this supposed to be? It’s not like it was suitable for anything useful, never mind sex, except under the most desperate of circumstances.
But then that applies to a fair number of things that were hot in the ’70s, like the Pet Rock. Come to think of it, the Pinto Cruising Wagon is the automotive Pet Rock: it seemed so cool at the time, despite its obvious shortcomings. And now of course, it’s way beyond cool.
The Pinto Cruising Wagon was the little kid brother to the Ford Cruising Van. Which maybe explains a few things, like its unsuitability for making whoopie in the back. Maybe I’m a bit too focused on that element, but having owned a van in ’70s with a big bed in the back, I can assure you that was a significant factor in their popularity.
According to this brochure shot, our featured PCW has the “special graphics”. I remember seeing a few of these in California, but only the “special graphics” version. The other one looks too tame. And how about the plexiglass porthole? Isn’t that just the shits?
This example looks a bit worse for wear. And it appears the driver’s fender was replaced at some point, as there’s a delightfully primitive attempt at replicating the “special graphics” on it. Yowza!
I’m practically speechless. If you didn’t experience the ’70s, it’s going to be a bit hard to explain certain artifacts of that decade. And this is definitely one of them.
Note: a rerun of an older post.
In the mid 80s, I worked with a guy that had one of these. One must remember, this was from the “Free Wheelin’ Franklin” days, and just about anything went, before laws were enacted to prevent such actions. The Cruisin’Wagon added a whole new dimension to a lowly Pinto, funny how automakers could do that. I don’t recall seeing many, With over 3 million Pintos, it’s suggested only about 15,000 of these were made. It should be noted, this was the last of the sedan delivery wagons made.
Not a Pinto, but I can confidently attest to the fact earlier in the decade before the van craze took hold, a Vega wagon was prominently suitable for making whoopie in the back. I was even able to rent it out for the task as everyone else drove a muscle car coupé.
The original Shaggin’ Wagon?
If they got rid of the graphex package and the porthole the Pinto would make decent utility/surf wagon. But if someone offered me a ride in one I’d tell them I’ll get the bus!
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQT3a3FhY5gazmBlovkHSYYFQ4IHoJJfrvkGg&s
Actually the Cruising Wagon reminds me of the Australian Chrysler Valiant Drifter wagon. They are both just so 1970s.
Early 80’s Los Angeles I worked for a mortuary that had somewhat converted a Pinto panel wagon into a removal vehicle, a vehicle to go to hospitals and the county morgue to bring the deceased to the mortuary. The front passenger seat was removed and a custom-cut wooden platform, the same height as the folded-down back seat of the wagon, was secured. A collapsible stretch/cot carrying the deceased fit perfectly in that space. Understated, basically unrecognizable as a mortuary vehicle, and very economical.
We always took 2 people on removals…seemed like it was always really big folks who were up a steep flight of steps. The joke was the driver got $30 a head, the helper got $15, but what if there was no head? We used a rusty silver Econoline with a wreath on the side for hospital and nursing home calls, our oldest funeral coach for house calls. Ahh, the good old days.
I think that pretty much every Pinto Cruising Van I saw in L.A. back in the day was in this paint scheme. Not common, but they were around.
Yeah ;
I remember these but only wit the silver paint .
Nice to see one has survived .
As Paul so astutely points out the 1970’s were a really different time .
-Nate
Note the guy with the bikes demonstrating the handy bench bolted to the back.
These were available without any tape graphics at all, just a standard Pinto wagon with the rear side windows filled in and a round porthole added. Inside, I recall the window-replacement panel was carpeted, along with the standard (more likely optional) Pinto load floor carpeting. The rear seat folded down and lay flat with the trunk floor, yielding a surprisingly long and flat carpeted floor (Pinto wagons had considerably longer rear overhang than the other body styles). I could easily see myself driving this sort of vehicle for my first car had it been based on something other than a Pinto. When the Chrysler minivans arrived I expected to see many of them converted in ’70s custom van fashion, and was disappointed when hardly any of them were.
If this van’s a rockin’, don’t come a knockin’.