PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Farid on July 09, 2012, 09:59:54 AM
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Hello folks:
I recently bought a kit car that has been built on Ford Pintos’ chassis (so I was told!), and has a Buick engine (a true quilt of a car!).
I now need parts for the brakes and suspension, but I cannot determine what year the donor car is. Can anyone tell me how I could possibly pin down the year of (and possible the make) of the donor car?
Thank you in advance.
Farid
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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V6 Buick?
Probably a 3.8,fairly common.
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Chassis wise, 71-73 then 74-80.
Car carbed or fi?
Auto or std?
4 or 5 lug wheels?
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The car is a Jag XK120 replica. It has a Buick V6-3.8 lit (with carb.). It is also equiped with a 5-speed manual Borg Warner T-50 greabox (great gearbox).
Would there be a satmp anywhere on the chassis that could tell me the exact year (or years) based on which I can buy parts for the car?
Cheers,
Farid
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Since the Pinto is a unibody car, the kit probably just used the Pinto suspension. The 74-80 Pinto front suspension is very popular with the street rod crowd. To determine the year used, look at how the rack is mounted to the chassis cross member. The 74-80 use large horizontal bolts, one on each side. The 71-73 use a strap with two vertical bolts on the passenger side, the driver side mounting varied. Have fun with the kit. Would like to see photos.
In the mid 70's, there was a company in North Miami making kit cars using the Pinto suspension, drive trains, etc. They would buy new white Pinto's for the parts (guess cheaper than buying new components). Never tracked down where the bodies went but did see a car hauler load of them heading north on I-95 one day.
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Many thanks oldkayaker!
I will gop under the car tonight and check the details out.
Here is the pcitures of the kit car (of course, I have specnt months to get it to this stage!).
Cheers,
Farid
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sharp!!!
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That is sharp. What engine does it have in it?
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All your hard work shows. That is the nicest looking kit car I have seen.
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Dear oldkayaker:
Thanks for the complements.
Last night I got a picture of the front part of the chassis of the car. Here it is.
According to your comment, I am assuming the chassis is 74-80; do ou agree?
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I agree, it sure looks like a 74-80 Pinto front suspension. That sheet metal crossmember also looks like it is out of a Pinto. The frame rails do not look to be Pinto. Yep, that suspension could use some refurbishment.
Just a note of caution when looking for parts. The 74-80 Pinto front suspension is mostly the same as the 74-78 Mustang II. I believe the lower strut rods, rack width, and brake hose may be different if you need them. For these parts, suggest taking yours to the store for match up. The after market makes unique lower strut rods for street rods which you may have (can not see).
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Dear oldkayaker:
Many thanks for your help - much apprercated!