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How much horsepower did the 1974 Ford Pinto have?

The 1974 Ford Pinto had a standard engine that produced 85 horsepower. This compact car, known for its controversial safety issues, was a popular choice for many American drivers in the 1970s.


Exploring the 1974 Ford Pinto's Engine Specifications


The 1974 Ford Pinto was equipped with a 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder engine as its standard powertrain. This engine, known as the Ford Pinto engine, was capable of producing 85 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 114 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm.


The Pinto's engine was paired with a standard three-speed manual transmission, although a four-speed manual and a three-speed automatic transmission were also available as options.


Comparing the Pinto's Horsepower to Other Compact Cars of the Era


In comparison to other compact cars of the 1970s, the 1974 Ford Pinto's 85 horsepower was on the lower end of the spectrum. For example, the 1974 Volkswagen Beetle had a 1.6-liter flat-four engine that produced 60 horsepower, while the 1974 Toyota Corolla had a 1.6-liter inline-four engine that generated 102 horsepower.p>

However, the Pinto's horsepower was still sufficient for its intended use as a basic, affordable transportation vehicle. The car's lightweight design and compact size helped to compensate for the relatively low horsepower output, providing a decent driving experience for its target market.


The Pinto's Legacy and Safety Concerns


While the 1974 Ford Pinto's horsepower was not particularly impressive, the car's legacy is more closely associated with its controversial safety issues. The Pinto was known for a design flaw that made the fuel tank vulnerable to rupture and fire in the event of a rear-end collision, leading to several high-profile lawsuits and a significant impact on the public's perception of the vehicle.


Despite these safety concerns, the Pinto remained a popular choice for many American drivers in the 1970s, with over 3 million units sold during its production run from 1971 to 1980. The car's affordability and compact size made it a practical option for many consumers, even as its safety issues came to light.

How many miles per gallon did a 1974 Honda Civic get?


41 Miles Per Gallon in 1974
The Civic's four-cylinder engine displaced just 1.2 liters. But let's compare its efficiency to the Chevy Monte Carlo, one of the most popular new cars in 1973.



What was the biggest engine in a Ford Pinto?


The Pinto engine was available in five displacements: 1.3 L (1,294 cc), earlier 1.6 L (1,593 cc), later 1.6 L (1,598 cc), 1.8 L (1,796 cc) and the 2.0 L (1,993 cc).



Are Mustang 2 and Pinto the same?


With the Pinto being considered a basic economy vehicle like the Falcon, the Mustang II was more upscale with luxury and performance upgrades because “… Ford wanted an American designed and built car with European qualities”.



How much is a Ford Pinto worth today?


Q: What is the lowest sale price of a Ford Pinto? A: The lowest recorded sale price was $2,000 for a 1980 Ford Pinto Pony Wagon on Oct 5 2023. Q: What is the average sale price of a Ford Pinto? A: The average price of a Ford Pinto is $10,373.



How much horsepower did the 1974 Ford Mustang have?


According to Edmunds, the 1974 base engine's 88 hp (66 kW; 89 PS) was "truly pathetic" and the optional V6's 105 hp (78 kW; 106 PS) was "underwhelming" (with the addition of mandatory catalytic converters in 1975 these outputs fell to 83 and 97 hp (72 kW) respectively).



How much did a 1974 Ford Pinto cost new?


By 1974, as the OPEC oil crisis helped vault the Pinto to its best sales year, prices were up to $2,527 for the sedan ($15,300 in 2024), $2,631 ($16,500) for the hatchback, and $2,771 ($17,500) for the three-door wagon, which was introduced for the 1972 model year.



How much horsepower does a 1974 Ford Pinto have?


Engine & Transmission

Inline 4
Displacement :2294 cc | 140.0 cu in. | 2.3 L.
Power :90 HP (66.24 KW)



What went wrong with the Ford Pinto?


The NHTSA concluded: 1971–1976 Ford Pintos have experienced moderate speed, rear-end collisions that have resulted in fuel tank damage, fuel leakage, and fire occurrences that have resulted in fatalities and non-fatal burn injuries ...



What went wrong with Ford Pinto?


The Ford Pinto, a popular compact car introduced by Ford Motor Company in 1970, faced a major controversy due to its fuel tank design. The positioning of the fuel tank made the vehicle susceptible to rupture and explosion upon rear-end collisions.



How much horsepower does a 1974 Ford 302 have?


Ford 302 Engine History
It was equipped with a standard two-barrel carburetor and was rated at 145 horsepower at 4400 RPMs and 216 lb-ft of torque at 2200 RPMs.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.