MPC 79 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

[satterwhite78]

A compact sedan transformed into a Sedan delivery wagon with a splash of 70's California vibe and nod to the Custom Van craze.....

A Big Blue Oval decision that probably came 2-3 years to late. GM Chevolet Vega Kammback Panel wagon was dropped in 1975 just as the full size Custom Van were coming into their own.

For its 10 year production run starting in 1970, the Pinto was an entry level ( basic), affordable ( Cheap) and a popular icon ( dull transportation) in the subcompact class.

I have had some challenging builds in my modelbuilding tenure. One that comes to mind was the Trumpeter 60 Pontiac Bonneville, 23 pieces to make a radiator.  Another was the Lindbergh Dodge L-700 Cab over Truck with a flatbed trailer and 40 Ford, so much flash that if I'd were able to recycle the flash I would have two extra kits.

But this kit went together as expected for the 1978 issue.  Below average detail,  the body being the only redeeming effort in detail.  It did come with two engine, a 1200cc (2.0L) and a 351W.....

It was the ten times I attempted to paint the body that made me shake my head, throw a can of paint into the backyard (yes I went and retrieved it), purple pond bomb and drown multiple times, sand multiple times, say a profane word or two, buy more white spray paint bc the time tested and trusted paint  brand I have used went South multiple times, a whole heckuva lot of more profanity and some unforgiving uncooperative weather during the time.  Fortunately no model was injured during the building of this kit.....but my patience sure did take a plastic foot to the...as I was saying,  this kit went together.

I would like to mention that it was my daughter who got me this kit along with the 79 Plymouth Volare Roadrunner ( posted) from a Thrift store while out weekend rummaging . Excited about the Volare, I told her to go ahead and get the Pinto....glad I did.

Edited February 28, 2024 by satterwhite78
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[Model Guy]

Looks great!

[shoopdog]

Turned out great, way to stick with it.

[charger74]

Very nice !!!

[Keef]

I like it! ??

[Slotto]

Pretty cool

[skidmark28580]

Awesome job Chuck!  

[Tom99]

Nice work!

[Dave Van]

Nice work....came out great even with challenges.

I learned to drive in our family 73 Pinto wagon. A neat car really. Dad took me to a huge parking lot, handed me the keys and said 'Go drive'. $ speed manual....I did just that. Thx

[ncbuckeye67]

That's beautiful! I bought the reissue of this kit, and wish I would have grabbed two. Of course it's still sealed Lol, so I'm glad to know there's a V-8 in the box!

[ncbuckeye67]

My friend in high school was given a 73 Pinto by his dad, but turned it down because it was a 4-speed. My cousin was given a brand new 78 as a graduation present, by her dad who worked at Ford.

[Classicgas]

Very nice.

[espo]

Great looking box art style finish. To Ford's credit they advertised and promoted this Pinto option and sold a good number in the area I was living in at the time. Chevrolet on the other hand made little mention of the panel van version in the sales catalog and then couldn't figure out why they didn't sell.

[Yeah Nah]

Glad you stuck with it Chuck. Always good to something different.

[karbuildr]

Very nice. Determination wins the day.

[kelson]

Sweet looking pinto!!

[TarheelRick]

Beautiful build. Decal work is excellent.  I had forgotten about this kit. I really need to find one, or at least a front clip so I can modify my Coke Pinto kit to match my 1:1 '80 Pinto.

[SDC]

Nice job!

And you get a second engine with a display stand as a nice bonus!

[Sledsel]

Looks sharp! Nice that you went with the white. It sets it off from all the silver ones I've seen.

[ChrisR]

Nice!

[JJ Deuce]

Nice work!  I remember when they were new, I wanted my folks to get one.  Mom ended up with a Bobcat wagon (the Mercury version) instead.  

[Rattlecan Dan]

Nice job! Actually, pretty nice looking. Unique build and great humor in the story. Thanks for posting.

[PappyD340]

Looks great!

[Duddly01]

Very nice out of box build.

[Speedpro]

Looks good!