Editing Ford Pinto (section)

===1974–1978===
In 1974, to meet federal regulations, [[5 mph bumper]]s were added to both the front and rear. Unlike most 1970s cars, the addition of larger bumpers to the Pinto did not necessitate major changes to the bodywork. While the underpowered Kent engine was dropped, the optional OHC engine was expanded to 2.3&nbsp;L; in various forms, this engine powered a variety of Ford vehicles for 23 years. In 1974, Mercury began selling a rebadged version of the Pinto called Bobcat as a Canada-only model. 544,209 units sold; 1974 became the most popular model year for the Pinto.<ref name="Ford 2007"/> Steel-belted tires, an anti-theft alarm system, and metallic glow paint were optional.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://oldcarbrochures.org/index.php/New-Brochures---March/1974-Ford-Pinto-Brochure-Rev/1974-Ford-Pinto-Rev--10-11 |title=1974 Ford Pinto brochure (Rev 10-11) brochure |access-date=2018-03-25 |archive-date=2019-11-16 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191116233749/http://oldcarbrochures.org/index.php/New-Brochures---March/1974-Ford-Pinto-Brochure-Rev/1974-Ford-Pinto-Rev--10-11 }}</ref>

In 1975, in a move to better compete with the AMC Gremlin, Ford introduced the 2.8&nbsp;L V6; while far less powerful than the Gremlin's standard {{convert|232|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} I6, the V6 gave the Pinto a feature unavailable in the Chevrolet Vega. Sales of the Mercury Bobcat were expanded to Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the United States; it was sold as a hatchback and station wagon.{{sfn|Lewis|2003|pp=286–290}}

As a minor styling update for 1976, the Pinto received the egg-crate grille and chrome headlamp bezels recycled from the Canada-only 1974 Mercury Bobcat. For one model year only, two new option packages were offered. One was the sporty new Stallion appearance package with blackout trim and black two-tone accent paint offered in red, yellow, silver, and white body colors.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Peters |first1=Eric |title=Automotive Atrocities! - The Cars We Love To Hate |date=2004 |publisher=Motorbooks International |location=St Paul United States |isbn=0-7603-1787-9 |page=128}}</ref> This option package was shared with the Mustang II and Maverick. The other new option package was the Runabout Squire which featured wood-grain vinyl bodysides like the Squire wagon. The interior received the optional Luxury Decor Group which featured new low-back vinyl or plaid cloth bucket seats with matching door trim.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/brochuredisplay.cgi?year=1976&manuf=Ford&model=Pinto&smod=&page=1&scan=1|title=1976 Ford Pinto brochure |website=Paintref.com |access-date=2018-01-02 |archive-date=2021-01-24 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210124211332/http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/brochuredisplay.cgi?year=1976&manuf=Ford&model=Pinto&smod=&page=1&scan=1|url-status=live}}</ref> A new basic low-cost model was introduced known as the Pinto Pony with less standard equipment and cheaper interior trim. A wagon version of the Pony would later arrive for the 1979 model year.

For the 1977 model year, the Pinto received its first significant styling updates with slanted back urethane headlamp buckets, parking lamps, and grille. The tail lamps were revised except for the wagons. Runabouts offered an optional all-glass rear hatch for the first time. Pinto wagons were given a new option package. Dubbed the ''Pinto Cruising Wagon'', it was the [[sedan delivery]] version of the Pinto styled to resemble a small [[conversion van]], complete with round side panel "bubble windows" and a choice of optional vinyl graphics.{{sfn|Lewis|2003|pp=289–303}}

Ford offered new sporty appearance packages similar to those found on the Chevrolet Vega and AMC Gremlin but were strictly cosmetic upgrades that added nothing to vehicle performance.{{sfn|Lewis|2003|pp=289–303}}

In 1978, the Pinto was no longer the smallest Ford sold in the U.S., as the company introduced the [[Ford Fiesta|Fiesta]]. Nearly two feet shorter than the Pinto, the German-designed Fiesta was the first front-wheel-drive car sold by Ford in the United States.{{sfn|Lewis|2003|pp=304–309}}

<gallery widths="170" heights="120">
File:1974 Ford Pinto two-door wagon, rear left.jpg|1974 Ford Pinto station wagon
File:1976 Ford Pinto (9912822385).jpg|1976 Ford Pinto Runabout
File:1978 Ford Pinto hatchback at 2015 Rockville Show 2of5.jpg|1977–1978 Ford Pinto Runabout
File:Turbo Pinto (14430994634).jpg|1977–1978 Ford Pinto Runabout with optional all-glass hatch
File:1978 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon, front left.jpg|1977–1978 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon
File:2022 Downtown West Allis Classic Car Show 085 (1978 Ford Pinto Squire Wagon).jpg|1978 Ford Pinto Squire Wagon
</gallery>