Just thought I would share my ride. I just joined this site, as I wanted to get in touch with other owners of these fine little cars.

Little history first. The car is a 1980 Ford Pinto ESS, 2.3L 4 banger, 4 speed manual, red on red. My dad bought the car with ~3k on the odometer in late 1980. He replaced the red interior with black parts from his '76 stallion that bit the dust. Also did a few engine mods, suspension mods, and exterior mods, noteably a Rallye front air dam, and spoiler, and he also added the louvers from his stallion as well.

He drove the car until '85, when my brother was born. Put over 100k on the car in that 5 year stretch. He tried to sell the car in '85 to help fund a brand new Thunderbird, but nobody wanted it. He decided to stash it away and save it for his kids.

Fast forward to summer of 2010. After years of nagging, my dad finally decided to pull it out and get it going again. every year I would ask about it, as I loved the car so much. The deal was that if I paid for the parts to get it going, and helped work on the car every night, my dad would give the car to me. I was happier then ever before.

After long hours in the summer heat, she was finally done. We replaced the rear end with a 8" from a Mustang II, did some engine mods, cleaned her up, new seats (old ones were pretty worn), new wheels, full custom exhaust, and some other minor things. I am so happy that the car is now "mine", but the time spent with dad was the true part I loved. The car still has the 2.3L in it and the 4 speed. I even learned how to drive stick in the car.

Anyways, that was last summer. This summer, I drive the car whenever I can, and even go out crusin on the weekend, just to drive, no destination in mind. I love the car more then any other material item I own. I take it to shows, and yes, it will be making the trip to the Carlisle 40th Anniversary.

So here are a few pics of my baby. Enjoy, and thanks for looking!











The last pic was from the Adarondac Nationals 2010 in Lake George NY. We finished the car 2 weeks before the show, and I had to learn to drive it in that 2 weeks so I could bring it up. Everything went well and the car was a big hit. The red Falcon beside the Pinto in the last pic is my dad's car. It's a '64 Falcon Futura.

Also, it is worth noting, that the paint and exterior coloring is all fatory. There is some hand-done pinstriping that doesnt show up in the pics, and that was done in '81 or '82. Obviously the spoiler, louvers & front air dam is aftermarket, but the rest is factory.

That is one very wickedly cool car there! Drop dead gorgious! WOW!  :hypno: Also want to say  :welcome: to the group! Where abouts are you from in NY?  You car makes me want ot find a hatch and give up on the wagon! LOL.

Car really looks GREAT!!! What size are the wheels and tires? 5 Lug? Keep up the great work and post any new changes.

Thank you all for the kind words. She is my baby, my pride and joy, and yes, I do hope to hand her down to my kids some day.

Scott, it was a pleasure meeting you as well. You and all the other guys welcomed me with open arms, and it was very heart-wraming. Thank you.

Very nice car. It was nice to see it at Carlisle. I'm sure I prolly met you there but can't recall lol.

Hi  am new here too - about two weeks. This is a great site and club! You will really enjoy it. I have a 78 3-door Runabout with the all-glass hatch. Can I ask where you found the louver cover?  I would love to have one of those for mine. Any info you can give me would be appreciated. I'm in PA - Stoneboro, Mercer County. Thanks, Jeannie G. - pintogenie