The builder of this 1975 Pinchero, recently sold on eBay, chopped the car and fit it with a truck bed to resemble the Ranchero - opens in new window or tab., Ford’s larger car-based truck.
The Ford Pinto was immensely popular upon its release in 1971. Millions of Pintos and related cars were built over a decade. But the model was tainted in the eyes of the public after a series of controversial accidents later in the decade.
Nonetheless, a cadre of enthusiasts enjoy keeping their Pintos alive. They shrug off the bad press and focus instead on the curiosity of younger fans who didn’t experience the car back in the day.
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These Pinto fans enjoy modifying the subcompact, transforming it into an entirely different animal. Thus the Pinchero was born.
Comfort and Utility
Today’s luxury pickup trucks give a touch of car-style driving comfort to a vehicle with a bed. That’s not new. Ford’s Ranchero and Chevrolet’s El Camino - opens in new window or tab. added open-air cargo hauling to traditional cars since the 1950s.
The goal is to be able to toss something filthy in the back and hose it out later. Unfortunately, many old-school trucks drive more like farm implements.
It’s ironic that Ford now sells a compact pickup truck called the Maverick - opens in new window or tab., named after Ford’s other compact of the 1970s. It reveals the staying power of the idea—a do-it-all comfortable vehicle that is affordable and economical.
Quality Craftsmanship
Whoever built this Pinto-based truck did a great job. The B-pillars and rear bulkhead are the biggest part of fabrication, and it looks almost as if it could have been completed in the factory. The pickup bed floor has minimal change from what would have been on the Pinto when new.
The outline for the spare tire is evident. But it looks to be functional and well-made. It’s a shame a tailgate wasn’t fitted. Perhaps the buyer can fabricate one from the gate of a discarded Pinto wagon, which would finish off the traditional pickup truck look.
The interior was well kept. The builder even maintained a small cargo area behind the rear seats perfect for a few bags of groceries. Too many compact trucks have no space back there.
The engine bay shows the venerable Ford 2.3-liter inline-four - opens in new window or tab., which was produced into the late 1990s. It’s a solid powerplant with plenty of potential performance tricks that could be added if the next owner wants more power.
Trouble Brewing
The Pinto, one of the first subcompact cars from Ford, arrived shortly before the first oil crisis - opens in new window or tab.. It was well positioned to combat the small, efficient subcompacts from Japan. The Pinto was comfortable, lightweight, efficient, inexpensive, and drove decently.
But a number of suspicious fires from rear impacts led to a media uproar, and lawsuits followed. Later investigations concluded that the Pinto was no less safe than other subcompacts of the time. But a leaked internal Ford memo indicated that the company could have spent another 11 dollars per Pinto built to make it much safer. Bad press doomed the Pinto.
Nonetheless, this 1975 Pinchero is a fun little pickup that can pull double duty as a workhorse or a show vehicle. Trucks don’t have to be huge to get the job done. A compact truck like this one is perfect for hauling lighter loads that are bulky or filthy. Just be prepared to talk to everyone about it when you park at the home center.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.