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Author Topic: Pony option?  (Read 4414 times)

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Offline dennll

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Pony option?
« on: February 25, 2012, 05:20:47 PM »
if you read my thread on "red interior", you know I'm trying to identify my first car. I'm pretty sure it was a "Pony" (had decals with the pony on it), but I can't find anywhere that explains what the "Pony option" is/are/were. My guess is it was limited to certain years, so this might help me narrow it down?

Offline dave1987

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2012, 05:53:53 PM »
Not sure of the exact year but pony replaced the mpg models. Stallion cars had the backed ot Chrome with a majority of the hood black, black rocker panels and taillight panel, sport package and snorting stalion decals on the fender and horn button. Mpg and pony cars were in the mid to late 80s cars and stallion was 76 only
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline JonzWagon

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2012, 08:03:42 PM »
The pony designation was used from 1977 thru 1980.  1977 and 1978 it was a 2-door sedan only. 1979 & 1980 there was a pony wagon also.  It was the base car as far as prices go. You can tell by the interior, they all had a black dash, steering wheel and column regardless of the color of the rest of the inside. Also no brite backlite, drip or belt moldings. They had a "Pony" decal on front fenders. The standard Pintos cost a littler more, but were completely color coded inside and had brite moldings around the windows and belt line.  :) :)

Offline dennll

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2012, 05:49:19 AM »
Ok, this is beginning to make sense. My wife tells me the pony decals were on the beams between the back side windows and the rear window, not on the front fender, so must have been an owner addition. However, the black dash and steering wheel with color matched carpet (red) and color matched drip moldings (no chrome) sounds like my car. I've seen pictures of MPG cars with the "MPG" decal; is it possible to have an MPG w/o the decals? My guess is this was earlier than a '77 w/o the true pony decals.

Offline JonzWagon

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2012, 12:08:44 PM »
Hey dennll. 
   After going thru all the dealer advertising I have, the only mention of "mpg" is on the 1976 Pinto and Mustang II's. They heavily promoted this, even with separate advertising. It shows 5 different choices: MPG 2 door sedan, MPG 3 door Runabout, MPG 3 door Sguire Runabout, MPG 3 door Stallion Runabout and MPG wagons including Squire. Seems "MPG" was on most their cars. There is mention of the "Pony" model as a less expensive car. But it is not mentioned in their regular Dealer brochures. They dont show where MPG decal was. I think it was on the sides by the rear window.
   The Pinto Pony MPG was equipped with a 2.3L engine, 3.00 axle ratio. All other options were available EXCEPT Air, Automatic Trans, Power Steering and optional axle ratios.  38 mpg highway, 24 mpg city was the EPA estimates.
   I have an extra copy of this brochure you can have. let me know if you want.  Hope this helps :D :D ......... .......John

Offline dave1987

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2012, 01:23:56 PM »
I have seen MPG on the fenders before. I have only seen the runabout emblem or the Sprint decal on the back side between the rear and side Windows.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dennll

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2012, 04:08:00 PM »
Thanks John, Dave! Here's a pic I found of a '76 that confirms that assertion.

John, you have a soft copy of that brochure? I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks,
Dennis

Offline JonzWagon

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2012, 06:29:31 PM »
Dennis, send me a pm with an address and i will mail you a copy of the MPG brochure...... .............. .......John old1980@verizon.net

Offline dave1987

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2012, 09:11:12 PM »
My 78 was a pony model and came in the famous bright yellow with black interior, and pony decqls on the fenders where a Pinto emblem would be.

When it was new it had the 2.73:1 geared axle, 4spd transmission, 2.3l engine, "tinted" Windows, and stock steel wheels with full wheel covers.

Drivinging on the freeway was great with the stock axle, but i now have 3.00 gears in an 8" and its got more get up and go for city driving.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dennll

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2012, 04:46:13 AM »
Dave, that's great intel. I think that tells me that mine was NOT a true pony - I'm almost certain it had the regular Pinto badges on the fenders. The pony decals on the back must have thrown the used car dealer or my parents into thinking it was.

John, PM forthcoming. Thanks!

Offline Cookieboystoys

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2012, 07:45:38 AM »
I'm almost certain it had the regular Pinto badges on the fenders. John

if this is true your car was a 76 or older, the 77 and newer models didn't have "Pinto" emblems on the fenders.
It's all about the Pintos! Baby!

Offline dennll

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2012, 11:57:36 PM »
Wow. I finally found some information about my first car, the bright red Pinto "Pony" sedan. Turns out it was actually a '78 - which means I was wrong about the fender badges. Must have been thinking about the trunk badge. I'm almost certain now that it was truly a Pony, with color-keyed carpet but black dash and steering wheel. And I had air conditioning! Must not have worked all that well, 'cause I don't remember it! Also, less chrome on the moldings. Now, I'll be able to sleep tonight...

Anyone know how to track down an old Pinto by the VIN? All the online tools seem to start at 1980...

Offline dave1987

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2012, 12:29:50 AM »
Not sure about how to track a car earlier than 1980 by VIN, always wondered if it was possible though...

Your car sounds a lot like mine! :D Mine had chrome drip moldings on it when it was new, but they were plastic snap on things in the late model Pintos. I did manage to find a prestine set of '74 metal chrome moldings for it though, which fit just fine and look great!. The only real "chrome" on the 78 other than that is the badges, wheel covers, window mold (front and back), and the bumpers (but they are polished aluminum).
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dennll

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2012, 04:44:11 PM »
Dave, I took a look at your gallery pix - I sure like that blue. But if I get one, I want to stay true to my original, the bright red (2R) that was offered in 78. Let me know if you see any up for sale! In the meantime, I'm going to see if I can track down my actual car now that I have the VIN...

As for chrome, how about the rocker panel chrome that was available as an option? Real or plastic?

Offline dave1987

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Re: Pony option?
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2012, 06:56:36 PM »
Yes bright wheel moldings were an option then, and i believe it was the wide trim on pater years and narrow trim on early years. I personally like the narrow trim more. Both ate metal trim, not plastic.

Red is actually the color I want to paint mine when i drop the V8 in! :) I will keep my eyes peeled for you!
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!