1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

1977 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

Holy shit, you like Kei trucks! (Muscle cars with inexplicable truck beds are my second favorite truck) they're pretty much my dream car since they're so sturdy and useful. Pretty much either them or a Ford Pinto cruising wagon is what I long to have one day.

Wow yes these are great... I love wagons. Underrated weirdos

I may never acquire the racing-striped ford pinto cruising wagon of my dreams (and for my safety I really Ought not to) but at least I can have the fine replacement that is a Part-time Share in Other People's Bicycles

Publicité USA 1977 - Ford Econoline Cruising Van & Pinto Cruising Wagon. - source Heikki Siponen.

Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon, 1977. A special edition version of the Pinto estate with portholes

station wagons are so sexy I don’t know what to tell you

Detail from Ford ad, May 1977.

Is it a station wagon? Is it a van?

Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

WOW! Posted less than 24 hours ago and already has 142 notes! Who knew Pintos were so popular!?

Ford’s 1979 “Pinto Cruising Wagon” & Van

My dream car is a 1978 Ford pinto cruising wagon. They are like a pinto had a horrible baby with a herse and I imagine they drive like a brick on a rollerskate. Or an AMC Gremlin. I, for some reason, only want cars that crave death.

i love cars of this Shape. flat asses. and i only have love for any car dared to be called a Gremlin

Zelena’s Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon - Bridge Studio set tour

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2018 Woodward Dream Cruise: Cruising With Ford/SVT’s Hermann Salenbauch

When you cruise Woodward in a brand new Wimbledon White Mustang GT convertible with “10,000,000th Mustang” emblazoned on the doors, everyone leaps from their curbside lawn chairs or swivels in their passenger seats to grab a snap of this milestone-mobile. Not too many vehicles hit eight-digit production figures, and those that do tend to be workhorses or commodity cars, not iconic sporty cars. One driver yelled “who do you have to know to get to drive that?!” The answer: Hermann Salenbauch. He’s at the wheel—literally and figuratively. The German-born BMW engineer was lured to Ford in 2001 by the irresistible prospect of serving as chief engineer of the fifth-gen (S-197) Mustang. The pony car was well known even in Germany, having made a big impression on young Hermann ever since it first appeared in Goldfinger. These days he serves as Director of Ford’s Advanced Product Creation and Global Performance Vehicles—a title sufficiently lofty to get him the keys to the 10M Mustang with 41 miles on the odometer. We’ll add 8.6 more idling up and down the curb lane of Woodward Avenue in an hour-and-a-half-long photo op during which we also snapped some shots of cars that piqued Hermann’s interest.

More 2018 Woodward Dream Cruise coverage:

Cruising with Fiat-Chrysler/SRT’s Mark Trostle

Camaros, Mustangs, Mopar, and More: 2018 Woodward Dream Cruise PHOTOS

1965 Volkswagen Beetle

Hermann’s family actually drove lots of Fords growing up, but they were all German Fords so we had no luck finding a 17M Taunus, Euro Granada, or Consul convertible, but the first car he owned was a 1967 Beetle convertible. It came in that light yellowy beige, which he garage-painted violet. It was a little rusty and he wasn’t a welder, but he was pretty facile with fiberglass, so he managed to thwart the TUV safety agent’s rust-probing pick with a few well-placed and well laid-up layers of plastic to keep it on the road beyond what the safety commission probably would have permitted. His handiwork also managed to net him double his money when it came time to sell a few years later!

1986-1990 BMW E30 Convertible

Hermann’s career started at BMW, where one of his more proud achievements was the slick convertible top mechanism on the E30 3 Series. It was the first to use an over-centering mechanism to press the rear of the top to the rigid tonneau cover, negating the need for a rear latch. The setup also had the effect of keeping the fabric very tight along the top of the roof where others frequently bowed in the wind. During that model run an electric top would be offered, but it was a snap to raise and lower manually as well. Another cool BMW-era story Hermann shared: While developing the E32 7 Series, quite late in the program the decision was made to widen the car 30mm right down the center so as to better accommodate BMW’s first V-12 engine. Indeed the car ended up 45mm wider than its predecessor.

1994-1998 Ford Mustang (SN-95)

This “Fox 4” Mustang is the one that Hermann emigrated to Ford North America in order to replace. By the time he arrived, meeting crash safety standards had stretched the nose enough to give the car an almost front-drive appearance. His primary objective in the redesign was returning that iconic sense of long-hood/short-deck, big dash-to-axle pony proportion to the car. This gave it the proportional look of the ‘60s Mustangs that made an impression on Hermann in Germany, where so many military folks left them behind. It’s only natural then that the designers seized the opportunity to paint a mildly retro design on this better proportioned canvas.

2011-2012 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500

As the driver of this GT500 convertible rolled past, snapping shots of our 10M ‘Stang, Hermann complimented him on his choice of a great engine. Salenbauch has fond memories of working with Carroll Shelby while bringing back the Shelby Cobra name. This later model GT500 version of the S-197 Mustang he came here to oversee was powered by a brand new all-aluminum 5.4-liter engine that shared some DNA with the one in the mighty Ford GT. It featured plasma-transferred wire-arc sprayed cylinder liners, which won a design innovation award. The engine was lighter, more powerful (550 hp/510-lb-ft), and efficient enough to drop the gas-guzzler tax levied on its predecessor. Hermann long advocated to officially sell the Mustang in Europe, but it wasn’t until the current model that this wish came true.

1978 Ford Bronco XLT

Broncos are hot on the Avenue this year as the world awaits a highly anticipated new Ford Bronco. Seeing this one all hiked up on big knobby tires got us talking about Raptors. Hermann recounted the genesis of the current Raptor. “Mark Fields told me we could do two high-performance vehicles—one car [the Shelby GT500] and one truck.” The team considered another rear-drive, lowered, high-performance Lightning model, but aimed instead for whitespace with an ultra-high-performance off-roader. “What about that Ranger Raptor?” We asked. “Oh, I’ve got one in Dearborn if you want to come have a look at it.” But basically he explained that the Ranger Raptor was conceived to give markets that don’t get any F-150s (most of the world) a halo performance truck. “Don’t you want to compete with the Colorado ZR2?” Not necessarily. His team is not yet convinced the U.S. market needs two Raptors. He did indicate that, despite Ford’s close relationship with Multimatic, that company’s slick spool-valve shocks used on the ZR2 have yet to win him over. “I wouldn’t trade our Fox shocks for those.”

1954 Dodge M37

This pristine, vastly-better-than-new example of the type of military trucks that were prevalent in post-war Germany caught Hermann’s eye. Built from ’51-’68 these post-war workhorses were based on the WC series trucks Dodge built during WWII. Power usually came from an inline six-cylinder side-valve engine.

1946-1948 Lincoln Continental

“Now THAT’S a luxury car,” Hermann exclaimed as we passed this very rare (on Woodward) example of a bona fide “Full Classic” car, as recognized by the Classic Car Club of America. It also ranks as the last car produced and sold by a major American automaker with a V-12 engine. The 4.8-liter flathead Lincoln Zephyr V-12 provided whisper-quiet, turbine-smooth power to this elegant, stately design penned by Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie.

1962 Ford Galaxie 500 Police Cruiser

If Andy Griffith had gone bald and lived to cruise Woodward this year in his trusty old squad car from the second season of his eponymous TV show, he’d have surely been pointing at the 10,000,000th Mustang just as enthusiastically as this guy is.

1977-78 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon

What better vehicle for the Woodward Dream Cruise than a Pinto Cruising Wagon!? That is indeed the nomenclature Ford used for this “sedan delivery” panel-wagon-with-portholes. The design was meant to draw a coolness connection between the somewhat unloved Pinto and the custom van craze that was sweeping the market in those days. Period ads showed the Cruising Wagon and an Econoline van in matching striped livery with the porthole windows in back and a tag line “Two Much!” That this would-be shaggin’ wag’n was parked under the Bra-vo intimates sign was icing on the cake…

1968-1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Veloce

Hermann’s eyes lit up when we passed this sleek, spare, Italian beauty nicely enhanced by the removal of its bumpers and fitment of Minilite or Panasport wheels. A friend of his in California has an earlier example of this car.

 The post 2018 Woodward Dream Cruise: Cruising With Ford/SVT’s Hermann Salenbauch appeared first on Motor Trend.

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Woodward Dream Cruise: Riding With Ford Mustang Expert John Clor

John Clor lives for Mustangs and is their champion, especially the oft-misunderstood second generation some dismissed for sharing aspects of the Pinto platform and for being underpowered. He has had a full career in journalism, public relations, and working with car clubs, and he has written two books on the Mustang. Currently he is the Enthusiast Communications Manager for FordPerformance.com. “I’m the Mustang guy. I’m a student of the history of the car,” Clor says as we head out for some Woodward Dream Cruising. Who better to point out some of his favorites on the packed boulevard—with or without Mustang badging? “There’s a different beast that lurks in the heart of a Detroiter,” Clor says as we buckle up. “There are emotional liberties when you pilot your own car with the wind blowing in your face.” And we’re off. 1977 Ford Mustang Cobra II We are cruising in Clor’s 1977 Ford Mustang Cobra II, license plate: Snake77. Clor is a fierce defender of his white Cobra II fastback with red stripes and interior and the newly offered T-top for the fastback with twin removable tinted glass panels. He has a stock 302 V-8, and he added dual exhausts. The California car has a real hood scoop, but it isn’t functional. Just don’t call it a Pinto: Clor has spent a lot of time and energy debunking the idea the smaller second-gen Mustang is based on the subcompact Pinto, saying not much was shared beyond some brake parts. Defending the Mustang II has become a calling for him. “I like things that were disrespected.” You don’t see many Mustang IIs around, so Clor has made it his personal mission to raise its status. “I’m a Mustang guy. I picked Mustang II because no one else is. I will be the champion. Mustang history deserves it.” 1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II Clor ordered a Cobra in 1977, but changes for the ’78 model got pulled ahead. When he went to take delivery, he was shocked to see the dual stripes replaced with a single one, and the decal was changed so that it had Cobra written in giant letters across the door. He was disappointed but kept the car for 13 years. He sold it and then bought it back in 1999—the owner’s card was still in his name. He is storing it as he looks for parts. It could take years, but Clor is determined to restore it—but with ’77 stripes—so he will have a Cobra to leave to each of his sons. As he tells the story, he spots one cruising on the other side of Woodward and pulls some quick maneuvers to chase it down. “That’s my car!” he yells to the young driver. “When you gonna sell it to me?” 1977 Chevrolet Monza Spyder This was the head-to-head competitor with the Mustang II. Monzas had rust issues, as this one shows. But the car with its small-block V-8 was popular in the day as people were turning away from the larger Camaro with its big-block V-8. Clor tells the smiling Monza driver to take care of the car and never sell it. The roads are better when shared with a nemesis. 1966 Ford Fairlane /1964 Ford Fairlane 500 427 Tired of seeing so many Chevys, “I would love to see a ’66 Fairlane with a 427 big-block,” Clor said before we head out. Bingo: We pull out onto Woodward, and there she is, looking spectacular in red. And nearby: Thunderbolt, a white 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 427. 1961 Ford Galaxie /1962 Ford Galaxie 500 Gotta love the big taillights and nice, clean body on this 1961 Ford Galaxie. One body fin adds to the clean design. We also see a nice 1962 Galaxie 500, which has us thinking of Andy Griffith’s police car even though it is a few model years too early. 1971 Ford Torino GT This was also on the Easter egg hunt when we set out to cruise. Yellow, imposing, fabulous. They don’t make coupes like this anymore. It was considered an upscale variation of the Fairlane, a Detroit exotic given that it was named after the city of Turin. It was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1970. 2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra “That’s a seriously nasty terminator with a big honking blower,” Clor notes as we pass the 2004 SVT Cobra. The snake is about all it bears in common with our cruising Cobra. This was the last model year for the SVT Cobra, which was succeeded by the 2007 Shelby GT500. It was a short model year for the 2004 Terminator Cobra as Ford planned to stop making Mustangs at the Dearborn Assembly Plant; the 2005 would be built in Flat Rock. 1958 Ford convertible  This hot rod takes Clor down memory lane: a scale model of this car was his first toy, bought at Sears. “Wow, where else can you see your first toy car but riding down Woodward?” 1959 Chevrolet Impala wagon This rusted wagon is why people like the Woodward Dream Cruise. Detroit iron in patina state, rusted flat fins and all, is celebrated in the Motor City. There is an underground market for cars like this, Clor says. 1977 Mercury Cougar Villager  This immaculate wagon was a treat for the eyes. The woody wagons had a comeback after the Chevy Chase Vacation movie. The Griswold family would be lucky to ride in a wagon this clean. 1968 Ford Mustang GT “That’s why I fell in love with Mustang,” Clor says of this black beauty. The fastback GT was intoxicating. “Man, you don’t see that,” he says admiringly of the car that Steve McQueen drove in Bullitt. 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I  This is the car Clor thought he was buying. He fell in love with the ’69 but couldn’t afford one until 1970. He saved up his money to get a four-speed in red with a shaker on it. He gave the money to his dad to make the purchase, but his dad, a Detroit cop, pulled a parental fast one and used the money to buy a more sedate red Pinto. He borrowed a ’69 Mustang fastback from his brother and used it to drag race his future wife. Her ’70 Camaro with a 350 four-barrel smoked him. They got married, and first thing he did was sell the Camaro. 1978 King Cobra It was only available for one model year as a limited edition. Clor snagged one and held onto it for 15 years. It was box stock with a 5.0L V-8 and four-speed manual. This was Ford’s answer to the Pontiac Trans Am. 1954 Kaiser Darrin “How cool is that?” A 1954 Kaiser Darrin is cruising alongside us, door open. Owner Terry Trasatti tells me later it was too hot to keep the door closed and it slides easily on a track. This car is not a trailer queen, and although it might look more at home at Pebble, in Detroit it gets driven a lot. He has even taken it to Tennessee and North Carolina to do the Tail of the Dragon, and the Willys 161 six-cylinder engine was up to the task. 1963 Mercury Comet This convertible is the Falcon’s luxury sister. The 1963 had a redesigned chassis and suspension for the optional 260-cubic-inch V-8 engine. Convertible and coupe models were also added that year.    The post Woodward Dream Cruise: Riding With Ford Mustang Expert John Clor appeared first on Motor Trend.

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Through the Round Window: Part 4 Ford Econoline Cruising Van, 1975, the “sister” model to the similarly porthole-equiped Pinto Cruising Wagon 

Woodward Dream Cruise: Riding With Ford Mustang Expert John Clor

John Clor lives for Mustangs and is their champion, especially the oft-misunderstood second generation some dismissed for sharing aspects of the Pinto platform and for being underpowered. He has had a full career in journalism, public relations, and working with car clubs, and he has written two books on the Mustang. Currently he is the Enthusiast Communications Manager for FordPerformance.com.

“I’m the Mustang guy. I’m a student of the history of the car,” Clor says as we head out for some Woodward Dream Cruising. Who better to point out some of his favorites on the packed boulevard—with or without Mustang badging?

“There’s a different beast that lurks in the heart of a Detroiter,” Clor says as we buckle up. “There are emotional liberties when you pilot your own car with the wind blowing in your face.” And we’re off.

1977 Ford Mustang Cobra II

We are cruising in Clor’s 1977 Ford Mustang Cobra II, license plate: Snake77. Clor is a fierce defender of his white Cobra II fastback with red stripes and interior and the newly offered T-top for the fastback with twin removable tinted glass panels. He has a stock 302 V-8, and he added dual exhausts. The California car has a real hood scoop, but it isn’t functional. Just don’t call it a Pinto: Clor has spent a lot of time and energy debunking the idea the smaller second-gen Mustang is based on the subcompact Pinto, saying not much was shared beyond some brake parts. Defending the Mustang II has become a calling for him. “I like things that were disrespected.” You don’t see many Mustang IIs around, so Clor has made it his personal mission to raise its status. “I’m a Mustang guy. I picked Mustang II because no one else is. I will be the champion. Mustang history deserves it.”

1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II

Clor ordered a Cobra in 1977, but changes for the ’78 model got pulled ahead. When he went to take delivery, he was shocked to see the dual stripes replaced with a single one, and the decal was changed so that it had Cobra written in giant letters across the door. He was disappointed but kept the car for 13 years. He sold it and then bought it back in 1999—the owner’s card was still in his name. He is storing it as he looks for parts. It could take years, but Clor is determined to restore it—but with ’77 stripes—so he will have a Cobra to leave to each of his sons. As he tells the story, he spots one cruising on the other side of Woodward and pulls some quick maneuvers to chase it down. “That’s my car!” he yells to the young driver. “When you gonna sell it to me?”

1977 Chevrolet Monza Spyder

This was the head-to-head competitor with the Mustang II. Monzas had rust issues, as this one shows. But the car with its small-block V-8 was popular in the day as people were turning away from the larger Camaro with its big-block V-8. Clor tells the smiling Monza driver to take care of the car and never sell it. The roads are better when shared with a nemesis.

1966 Ford Fairlane /1964 Ford Fairlane 500 427

Tired of seeing so many Chevys, “I would love to see a ’66 Fairlane with a 427 big-block,” Clor said before we head out. Bingo: We pull out onto Woodward, and there she is, looking spectacular in red. And nearby: Thunderbolt, a white 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 427.

1961 Ford Galaxie /1962 Ford Galaxie 500

Gotta love the big taillights and nice, clean body on this 1961 Ford Galaxie. One body fin adds to the clean design. We also see a nice 1962 Galaxie 500, which has us thinking of Andy Griffith’s police car even though it is a few model years too early.

1971 Ford Torino GT

This was also on the Easter egg hunt when we set out to cruise. Yellow, imposing, fabulous. They don’t make coupes like this anymore. It was considered an upscale variation of the Fairlane, a Detroit exotic given that it was named after the city of Turin. It was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1970.

2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

“That’s a seriously nasty terminator with a big honking blower,” Clor notes as we pass the 2004 SVT Cobra. The snake is about all it bears in common with our cruising Cobra. This was the last model year for the SVT Cobra, which was succeeded by the 2007 Shelby GT500. It was a short model year for the 2004 Terminator Cobra as Ford planned to stop making Mustangs at the Dearborn Assembly Plant; the 2005 would be built in Flat Rock.

1958 Ford convertible 

This hot rod takes Clor down memory lane: a scale model of this car was his first toy, bought at Sears. “Wow, where else can you see your first toy car but riding down Woodward?”

1959 Chevrolet Impala wagon

This rusted wagon is why people like the Woodward Dream Cruise. Detroit iron in patina state, rusted flat fins and all, is celebrated in the Motor City. There is an underground market for cars like this, Clor says.

1977 Mercury Cougar Villager 

This immaculate wagon was a treat for the eyes. The woody wagons had a comeback after the Chevy Chase Vacation movie. The Griswold family would be lucky to ride in a wagon this clean.

1968 Ford Mustang GT

“That’s why I fell in love with Mustang,” Clor says of this black beauty. The fastback GT was intoxicating. “Man, you don’t see that,” he says admiringly of the car that Steve McQueen drove in Bullitt.

1970 Ford Mustang Mach I 

This is the car Clor thought he was buying. He fell in love with the ’69 but couldn’t afford one until 1970. He saved up his money to get a four-speed in red with a shaker on it. He gave the money to his dad to make the purchase, but his dad, a Detroit cop, pulled a parental fast one and used the money to buy a more sedate red Pinto. He borrowed a ’69 Mustang fastback from his brother and used it to drag race his future wife. Her ’70 Camaro with a 350 four-barrel smoked him. They got married, and first thing he did was sell the Camaro.

1978 King Cobra

It was only available for one model year as a limited edition. Clor snagged one and held onto it for 15 years. It was box stock with a 5.0L V-8 and four-speed manual. This was Ford’s answer to the Pontiac Trans Am.

1954 Kaiser Darrin

“How cool is that?” A 1954 Kaiser Darrin is cruising alongside us, door open. Owner Terry Trasatti tells me later it was too hot to keep the door closed and it slides easily on a track. This car is not a trailer queen, and although it might look more at home at Pebble, in Detroit it gets driven a lot. He has even taken it to Tennessee and North Carolina to do the Tail of the Dragon, and the Willys 161 six-cylinder engine was up to the task.

1963 Mercury Comet

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