What years did Ford make the Pinto station wagon?
The Pinto station wagon was produced for model years 1971 through 1980, aligning with the overall Pinto lineup in North America. This wagon variant offered a practical cargo option during the car’s production run and complemented the other body styles Ford offered in the Pinto family.
Overview of the Pinto lineup
The Ford Pinto, launched in the early 1970s, was Ford Motor Company’s response to rising demand for compact, fuel-efficient cars. It was offered in several body styles to broaden appeal, including a two-door coupe, a three- or five-door hatchback, a four-door sedan, and a wagon variant designed to maximize cargo space for families and small businesses.
Model years of the Pinto station wagon
The following list specifies the model years during which Ford marketed the Pinto wagon in North America. Availability could vary by market and trim, but the wagon was part of the Pinto lineup across the core production period.
- 1971
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
In summary, the Pinto station wagon spanned the model years from 1971 through 1980, reflecting the duration of the Pinto’s production cycle in the North American market and providing a family-oriented wagon option throughout most of that era.
Context and impact
While the Pinto is often remembered for safety controversy in the late 1970s, its wagon variant played a role in illustrating Ford’s attempt to offer a complete, budget-conscious family car in a compact size. The wagon provided additional cargo capacity and versatility, aligning with consumer preferences for practical vehicles during that period.
Summary
The Pinto station wagon was produced for model years 1971 through 1980. As part of the Pinto family, the wagon complemented other body styles and gave buyers a roomy, economical option in Ford’s compact lineup during the decade.
What year did they make the Ford Pinto wagon?
| Ford Pinto | |
|---|---|
| Model years | 1971–1980 (Pinto) 1974–1980 (Bobcat) |
| Assembly | United States: Edison, New Jersey (Edison Assembly) Milpitas, California (San Jose Assembly) Canada: Southwold, Ontario (St. Thomas Assembly) |
| Designer | Robert Eidschun (1968) |
| Body and chassis |
What was the design flaw of the Ford Pinto?
The main design flaw of the Ford Pinto was its rear-end vulnerability to fuel tank rupture and ignition in collisions. The fuel tank was thin, poorly protected, and placed behind the rear axle, where protruding bolts from the rear differential could easily puncture it during crashes above 25 mph. Despite knowing about this flaw, Ford was reluctant to fix it due to production time constraints and a cost-benefit analysis that prioritized profit over safety, a decision that led to numerous fiery accidents and lawsuits.
The design flaw
- Placement of the fuel tank: The fuel tank was positioned between the rear bumper and the rear axle.
- Thin tank walls: Due to cost-cutting measures, the fuel tank was made with exceptionally thin metal.
- Protruding bolts: Four poorly placed bolts on the rear differential assembly could puncture the tank.
- Lack of protection: There was no protective shield or support structure to prevent the bolts from puncturing the tank.
The consequences
- In rear-end collisions at speeds over 25 mph, the bumper would buckle, the differential bolts would puncture the fuel tank, and the fuel would leak, leading to a high risk of fire and explosion.
- The car was particularly dangerous in highway rear-end collisions.
- This design flaw resulted in numerous accidents, with reports of hundreds of burn deaths.
Ford's response
- Awareness: Engineers discovered the flaw during pre-production testing but were pressured to stick to a tight production schedule.
- Cost-benefit analysis: Ford conducted a cost-benefit analysis that concluded it was cheaper to pay for accident lawsuits than to recall and fix the vehicles.
- Correction: Ford eventually implemented a fix in the 1977 models by adding a plastic baffle between the tank and differential, a small improvement to prevent fuel leakage.
How much did a Ford Pinto cost in 1980?
Ford Pinto and Mercury Bobcat: Prices and Sales
| FORD PINTO | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 202,549 | $3,098 |
| 1978 | 188,899 | $3,139 |
| 1979 | 199,018 | $3,434 |
| 1980 | 185,054 | $4,117 |
Is Ford bringing back the Pinto in 2025?
Not just as a car but as a statement of technological advancement. And design proess. Let's take a closer look at what the new Pinto has to. Offer.
