1976 Ford Pinto

The 1976 Ford Pinto is a subcompact car available in three distinct body styles: a two-door fastback sedan, a three-door hatchback (Runabout), and a two-door station wagon. Engine options include an Inline-4 (2.3L), producing 92 HP at 5,000 RPM and 121 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM, and a V6 (2.8L) with 103 HP at 4,400 RPM and 149 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 RPM. The standard transmission is a 4-speed manual, with an automatic option also available. Design updates for 1976 feature an egg-crate grille and chrome headlamp bezels, alongside the introduction of two new option packages: the sporty Stallion appearance package and the Runabout Squire with wood-grain vinyl bodysides. Notably, with 290,132 units produced, the Pinto faced significant safety concerns related to its fuel tank design, which could pose risks in rear-end collisions.