Current Classifieds

Bell housing
Date: 08/23/2017 05:41 am
parting out 1975 & 80 pintos
Date: 08/24/2018 02:50 pm
1974 Wiring diagram free
Date: 10/27/2019 06:56 pm
Needed:73 Pinto center console/change tray
Date: 12/09/2018 11:35 pm
Pinto Fiber Glass Body Parts
Date: 01/06/2019 06:53 pm
2 liter blocks and heads
Date: 03/28/2018 09:58 am
1973 Pinto Wagon

Date: 05/06/2022 05:13 pm
76 station wagon parts needed.
Date: 03/14/2020 01:52 pm
Ford 2.3 Bellhousing C4/C5 & Torque Converter

Date: 07/08/2022 11:51 pm
wanted a 1979 Pinto or Bobcat front valance
Date: 03/17/2019 10:15 pm
Cruiser Dash Gauges
Date: 12/04/2016 11:50 am
Ford Speedometer Hall-Effect sensor with 6 foot speedometer cable

Date: 12/30/2022 01:30 pm

Author Topic: Amazing Year!  (Read 5724 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline flash041

  • PCCA VIP
  • Pinto Master
  • ***
  • Posts: 902
  • FeedBack: +88/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 8
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User Linux User Mobile User Fifth year Anniversary
Amazing Year!
« on: November 01, 2011, 03:50:28 PM »
Well just about time for the Pinto to be put away for the winter. What an AMAZING YEAR it has been!!  January rebuild my transmission .February rebuild my engine.  March, put it all back together and running like new again. April, start of attending a dozen car shows and about twice as many cruise nights. May, Monona Memorial Day Parade, four radio interviews to promote the Pinto Stampede /Wounded Warrior Project. 31st leave with six other Pintos to Join the Pinto Stampede! June, lap at the Brickyard, Flight 93 Memorial and on to building T at the Carlisle Ford Nationals along with 1St  Ford Parade downtown Carlisle. July, made another long  trip to the Adirondack Mountains in upstate NY for a weeklong camping trip. Along the way visited the dealer I bought my Pinto from new, Don’s Ford Utica NY for a photo op and $1,000 donation to Wounded Warrior Project. August, drove the Pinto to a couple of Milwaukee Brewers baseball games cheering them on the the NL Central Division Crown. Gave it one weekend off while attending the Open Air Classic Convertible Tour. September ,attended the 911 Stampede hosted by Jim and Doreen Madison in Rockford IL .October, attended final car show of the year in Batavia Il VFW on Oct 30th. It has been an  Amazing 14,000 miles. Yes I have driven my Pinto 14,000 miles this summer!!!!! Along the way I have gotten tons of smiles waves and thumbs up traveling down the road and at shows. I have also met  the NICEST people .you ever want to meet! The list is way to long , but you know who you are. I want to say it been truly a pleasure and hope to see most of you again next year! 
1978 Pinto Cruising wagon (I am the original owner ! ) Built Aug 15th 1977 in NJ
1993 Mustang LX 2.3 convertible

Offline 78squirewagon

  • WEBmaster loserscarclub.com
  • PCCA VIP
  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 734
  • FeedBack: +7/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • LONG LIVE THE LITTLE PONIES!!!

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Tenth year Anniversary Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2011, 05:58:00 AM »
It was a fun summer. Didn't get to do as much as I wanted but still had fun
1978 Squire wagon,red, 69000 and counting original miles

1978 Hatchback, red (built four days after  the Squire)

Offline Norman Bagi

  • Founder PintoStampede.com
  • PCCA Management Board
  • Pinto Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 904
  • FeedBack: +51/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Trail Boss "Pinto Stampede"
    • The Pinto Stampede

  • Total Badges: 10
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User Apple User Mobile User Webmaster Fifth year Anniversary Photographer
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2011, 10:34:41 AM »
Yes it was.  From Knott's to Carlisle and beyond, the 40th was a very special event. Many memories and many freindships made along the way.  I for one have made at least 50 new friends, aquaintances made over the iternet and solidified in person. Happy 40th Pinto!!

Offline Starliner

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 409
  • FeedBack: +16/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Tenth year Anniversary Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2011, 09:39:21 AM »
Hey Flash, it is great that you are truly enjoying your hobby and promoted the Wounded Warrior project at the same time. 
 
Isn't it great to:
Dream & vision - have an achieveble goal
Do it -  You rebuilt your car
Experience it - The satisfaction that it all came together and you had a memorable experience. 
 
Rinse & repeat! 
I think a few doctors need to prescribe that instead of anti-depression drugs.   ;D   
1973 Pinto 1600 - Sold!  
1979 Pinto 2300 - Sold!
1984 Audi 5000 Avant - 60,000 original miles
1987 Audi 5000 S Quattro - The snowmobile
1973 Volvo 1800 ES wagon -  my project car
1976 Mustang II - Wifey's new toy

Offline flash041

  • PCCA VIP
  • Pinto Master
  • ***
  • Posts: 902
  • FeedBack: +88/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 8
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User Linux User Mobile User Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2011, 04:02:46 PM »
Yes on both counts Starliner. And just when I thought events for the year were over, Jim Madison calls and says Rock River Ford wants the Pintos in Rockford Il on December 2nd to welcome back , Phil Szpicki , who is doing a solo 1,000 mile walk visiting the three 911 sites To raise Money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. http://911vetswalk.com/
1978 Pinto Cruising wagon (I am the original owner ! ) Built Aug 15th 1977 in NJ
1993 Mustang LX 2.3 convertible

Offline 78squirewagon

  • WEBmaster loserscarclub.com
  • PCCA VIP
  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 734
  • FeedBack: +7/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • LONG LIVE THE LITTLE PONIES!!!

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Tenth year Anniversary Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2011, 06:19:09 AM »
I wish I could make the trip to Rockford in December but there is no way of getting off from work because of the holiday rush. But keep up the good work and maybe we will see you soon
 
 
M
1978 Squire wagon,red, 69000 and counting original miles

1978 Hatchback, red (built four days after  the Squire)

Offline JohnW

  • Pinto Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 229
  • FeedBack: +5/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • 1980 Runabout

  • Total Badges: 4
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Fifth year Anniversary Poll Voter
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2011, 06:00:01 AM »
I got my Pinto at the beginning of the summer and put over 7000 miles on it before putting it away for the winter.
-

75bobcatv6

  • Guest
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2011, 11:58:17 PM »
we bought ours almost 2 years ago now and im lucky if we put like 1k miles on it


Offline Starliner

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 409
  • FeedBack: +16/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Tenth year Anniversary Poll Voter Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2011, 10:22:35 AM »
I put over 500 miles a week on my 1973 1600 just going back & forth to work.  Probably around 30,000 miles a year with other driving included.     Even driving in the winter. 
I'm not having the fun that "flash041" is having, but it makes for an engaging drive to work.  Keeps you alert. 
I like having a "no power nothing" kinda car.   The manual rack & pinion steering really gives you good feedback of the road and the car. 
Now everyone passes me on the freeway since I hang about 66 miles per hour.   60 on my speedometer since I have almost exactly 10% over-drive with the 15" tires.  The engine seems to have a sweet spot at 3300 RPM's. 
Being so close to the ground it sure feels like you are going faster.   If I was in the Audi I would be bored to tears at that speed.   
I may only be doing 66 on the X-way, but they can't catch me on the freeway ramps!
1973 Pinto 1600 - Sold!  
1979 Pinto 2300 - Sold!
1984 Audi 5000 Avant - 60,000 original miles
1987 Audi 5000 S Quattro - The snowmobile
1973 Volvo 1800 ES wagon -  my project car
1976 Mustang II - Wifey's new toy

Offline JohnW

  • Pinto Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 229
  • FeedBack: +5/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • 1980 Runabout

  • Total Badges: 4
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Fifth year Anniversary Poll Voter
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2011, 02:04:24 PM »
Being so close to the ground it sure feels like you are going faster.   If I was in the Audi I would be bored to tears at that speed.   
I hear that a lot from people riding in my car.  There's been numerous times when I've seen a cop car, panicked and looked down, only to see I was doing the speed limit or only a little over.  Doing 75 in my Ranger feels slower than doing 60 in the Pinto.
-

Offline Cookieboystoys

  • Eater of Cookies
  • PCCA Management Board
  • Pinto Master
  • ******
  • Posts: 2253
  • FeedBack: +59/-1
  • Gender: Male
  • It's All About The Pinto's! Baby!
    • Cookieboy's Toys on Facebook

  • Total Badges: 9
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Signature Topic Starter Poll Voter Photographer Windows User 1000 Posts Webmaster Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2011, 08:50:43 AM »
It certainly has been an Amazing Year! Dave...
 
2 new cars to add to my collection of crazy! The V8 Pinto some friends said I should own and something quite special along with the non-Pinto car I have been looking high and low for more than a year, harder to find than a nice Pinto.
 
My little project with the Wounded Pinto this year, taking a rusty beater and dressing it up a bit plus dedicating it to the Wounded Warriors.
 
The resortation of my 1965 Apache Camper and more than 5000 miles with it in tow behind my 1977 Pinto to support the Pinto Stampede.
 
A long overdue trip to see someone never forgotton and always remembered with the resulting story told by Boyd Huppert of KARE11 TV
http://www.kare11.com/Land_of_10000_stories/article/929630/57/Land-of-10000-Stories-Ford-Pinto-40th-anniversary-stirs-emotions
 
and for Norm... to play even a small roll in the Pinto Stampede and the 40th Anniversary, quite a few Mini-Stampedes here at home, The Memorial Day Parade in Monona Wisconsin with Dave and the rest of the Pintos, and joining Jim Madison in Rockford Illinois for his September 11th Pinto Stampede... Thanks Norm, if it wasn't for you and your vision... this year for me would have been quite different and likely not nearly as memorable.
 
and finally to see the Ford Pinto receive just a little touch of the respect our little cars deserve and long overdue.
 
all I can say.... What An Amazing Year!
 
http://racing.ford.com/enthusiasts/newsroom/pintos-and-a-parade-punctuate-the-2011-carlisle-ford-nationals-1286196023556/
 
PINTOS AND A PARADE PUNCTUATE THE 2011 CARLISLE FORD NATIONALS
excerpt By John M. Clor / Ford Performance Group
 
Early arrivals took aim at the swap meet and car corral for bargain shopping on Thursday, while others witnessed the arrival of The Pinto Stampede following its 1,600-plus mile journey from Denver, CO, to Carlisle, PA. Some two dozen of the infamous little ponies came onto the grounds at about 6:30 p.m. to cap their cross-country drive, and were joined over the course of the weekend by nearly 40 more Pintos, pushing the on-site Pinto count to nearly 70 as they raised $7,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Enthusiasts involved in The Pinto Stampede, organized by Norm and Louise Bagi, and the 40th gathering put together by the Pinto Car Club of America (PCAA), believed that they'd be overlooked by corporate Ford, given the car's checkered past. But Ford Racing and our Ford Performance Group enthusiast outreach program was there to support Pinto loyalists! We awarded Ford "Certificates of Appreciation" and a special commemorative hatpin for those who participated in the Pinto's 40th Anniversary Celebration (with the most Pintos in one place since the last cars left the factory). Plus we even threw a "Pinto Pizza Party" for owners after a Saturday parade downtown and ensuing street festival.

So why all this for the Pinto, you ask? Well, first, to show that we support all Ford enthusiasts! And second, because few people – even Ford people – really know enough facts about the little car to put it into proper historical context. So, perhaps a little Ford Pinto history is in order here:

Ford fans shouldn't discount the contribution that the Pinto had made in Detroit's early battles against the imports. Forty years ago that sales war was being waged mostly on the ever-growing subcompact front, with VW’s Beetle the champ among an expanding number of imported models. After Ford’s first two “import fighters,” the compact Falcon and Maverick, successfully began and ended their runs mostly in the ‘60s, they were considered more by buyers of American cars than buyers of imports, which had grown to 16 percent of total U.S. car sales and nearly 40 percent of the trend-setting Southern California market by 1970. It was apparent that if the Big Three were to stem the import tide, true subcompacts were needed.

Detroit’s first shot across the import bow was fired by the now-defunct American Motors, which introduced its little Gremlin on April Fool’s Day, 1970. For the 1971 model year, GM had the Chevrolet Vega, and Chrysler could counter only with the Dodge Colt, built in Japan by Mitsubishi, and the Plymouth Cricket, built in England by Austin. Ford’s answer was the Pinto, a chunky two-door fastback introduced on Sept. 11, 1970. Developed as Project Phoenix, it began life in the mid-‘60s codenamed the "G-Car," with a transverse inline four mounted in the rear. In part to speed development, that chassis layout was discarded for a conventional front-engine, live rear-axle design, but the overall bodystyle was retained.

The result was a Euro-American blend in a Beetle-sized package using engines from Ford of Europe subsidiaries. Pinto came with the 1.6-liter (98 cid) 75-hp inline four from the British Cortina; optional was the 2.0-liter (122 cid) SOHC 100-hp four from the German Taunus. Both cast-iron motors came mated to European four-speed manuals, with Ford’s three-speed Cruise-O-Matic optional only with the 2.0-liter.

Pinto was offered initially as a two-door sedan, but Ford responded to concerns over miniscule trunk space with a hatchback “Runabout” in mid-’71, sporting a fold-down rear seat. In '72, a two-door station wagon was added, a version which proved very popular. But as in its previous responses to an import threat, Ford’s biggest competition came from Chevrolet, and Pinto’s came from Vega.

Though smaller (94.2-in wheelbase vs. 97), lighter (1,949 lbs vs. 2,146) and less technically daring than Vega, Pinto had a mechanical advantage that rested in its well-proven European powerplants and rack-and-pinion steering. It also carried classic Ford styling cues in a more American-looking package, while the Vega had a more foreign look similar to a Fiat 124. Vega and Pinto sparked inevitable comparisons, and the press tended to be more impressed with the Vega. Yet Road & Track wrote that while Vega is “by far the more interesting design… Pinto happens to be the more pleasant car to drive in everyday use.” It also said that while a standard Pinto may not be as quick as a standard Vega, "thanks to a quieter and smoother engine, a superior gearbox, somewhat greater comfort for the driver, and better finish throughout, it is subjectively the nicer car.” And the magazine editors liked the 2.0-liter (for $82 extra) model Pinto with front disc brakes ($32 more) even better.

Ford's new Pinto drew more than 350,000 buyers in its very first year. It then went on to outsell the trouble-plagued Vega in every single model year afterward. Continually refined with mechanical upgrades and better trim, Pinto saw just two face-lifts – in ’77 to a “soft” slant-nose look, and in ’79 with a "shovel-nose" to incorporate the new, square headlights. When stricter, power-sapping emissions laws hit, Pinto received a new, U.S.-built 140 cid 2.3-liter four (in ’74) which served it until the end, and lived on in later Fords. Pinto even offered V6s – a 2.6 liter (for ’75) and 2.8 liter (1975-79).

The Pinto, however, is all-too-often remembered by a few highly publicized fuel-tank fires from rear-end collisions involving some early models and subsequent fatalities. While Chevy's Corvair was the first car killed by safety critics, Pinto was the first to be killed by the media, who had a veritable field day with sensationalist crash reports after Ford became involved in criminal litigation – despite the undeniable fact that most any of the compact cars from that era were subject to the same laws of physics as the Pinto, and some even had a higher incidence of fires in rear-end collisions!

Sanity prevailed and Ford was eventually acquitted, but the media hounds had already wreaked havoc on the car's reputation. Although Ford recalled about 1.5 million 1971-75 Pintos to revamp the filler-neck design and shield the gas tank from impacting against the differential in a severe rear-end collision, there was no stopping the bad press. Worse still, a Ford actuarial table leaked to a self-proclaimed consumer protectionist publication sparked an ethics debate on the cost of large-scale auto recalls vs. that of settling wrongful death lawsuits. That prompted some would-be do-gooders to paint Ford as the epitome of what's wrong with corporate America – while completely ignoring the fact that such cost analysis is an everyday, ongoing part of big business, especially in the health care and insurance industries, to this day.

Pinto's sales sagged during the years it faced legal troubles, but rebounded again in 1979-80 thanks to the oil crisis increasing demand for inexpensive, fuel-efficient cars – all while opening the door for a wave of new front-drivers. For enthusiasts, Pinto’s 2.0- and 2.3-liter engines were the basis for SCCA racing series, and hot-rodders soon popularized swapping V-8s into Pintos for both the street and strip.

When it was finally replaced by the Ford Escort for 1981, Pinto was labeled by one auto journalist as a car “nobody loved, but everybody bought.” Love it or not, more than 3.1 million people liked it enough to buy it – and Pinto galloped off as the decade’s only true domestic subcompact sales success story. (To put that in perspective, Toyota recently celebrated its "success" for reaching 1 million sales of its Prius Hybrid over the last 10 years, yet Pinto sales more than tripled that in the car's own 10-year run!)
It's all about the Pintos! Baby!

Offline flash041

  • PCCA VIP
  • Pinto Master
  • ***
  • Posts: 902
  • FeedBack: +88/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 8
    Badges: (View All)
    Tenth year Anniversary Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User Linux User Mobile User Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Amazing Year!
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2011, 06:09:32 PM »
the end of the season. Car in garage for a long winter's nap .And some TLC (LR spring,doorseals,brake booster,windshield) after Christmas.
1978 Pinto Cruising wagon (I am the original owner ! ) Built Aug 15th 1977 in NJ
1993 Mustang LX 2.3 convertible