There hasn’t been a lot in the way of new vehicles that has prodded my interest in the last couple of years. If I like it, it’s overpriced. If it’s affordable, it sucks and I don’t want it. “Meh” on both sides of that coin. But one vehicle that I am actually, honestly intrigued by and curious to actually drive is a new Ford Maverick. I’ve been up-close with Ford’s latest little truck, and outside of the kind of odd lighting arrangement up front, I dig it. It’s bigger than I was expecting, small enough to be useful, and it doesn’t come off as a complete penalty box inside. I’ll reserve full judgement for after I drive one, but so far, so good. And the price is well within reason in my eyes as well.
I’m a proponent of smaller trucks and coupe-utilities. If I had the funds, I’d import an Aussie ride over here, don’t really care which one. Ford, Holden, Chrysler, they all look great to me. Well, except maybe the AU Falcon. Even I can’t get fully on-board with that one. But El Caminos, Rancheros, GM S-trucks, Dakotas…all great, all reasonably sized. You don’t feel like you’re a small step away from needing a CDL to drive one, you can park it without accidentally nudging some grandmother’s Buick Encore, and don’t need a built-in “man step” to get in the back to unload it. And that’s why I dig this little Pinto so much.
This Pinto has quite a bit going for it. For starters, as a 1980 model, the whole exploding joke doesn’t qualify…this is a post-recall Pinto. It was also a wagon when it left the assembly line, but in this day an age, changing things up with a bit of surgery is barely anything to blink at. And the little mini-Ranchero look works well here, with a clean conversion, a wood-detailed bed and storage box, and even some thought given to the interior space behind the front seats. Someone really went out of their way to build this car right.
Speaking of built right, go under the hood. No 2.3L four here…per the description, that’s a 302, a C6 automatic, and a rear axle filled with Richmond 3.55 gears. You want a small truck for just over twenty grand? Take your pick…you could have a brand-new Maverick. Or, you could score this custom Pinto. Your call!
Get rid of the decals and stripes, paint the headlight doors and the tailgate center black and it is perfect.
Put a 70-72 front clip on it, too. Beyond that, that’s actually a pretty nicely done piece of iron!
Put a 70-72 front clip on it, too. Beyond that, that’s actually a pretty nicely done piece of iron!
I’d run the hell outta that as is. Even has a spot behind the seats for my Labweiler.