PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Shiny is Good! => General Pinto Talk => Topic started by: fast64ranchero on May 03, 2012, 09:21:01 AM
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I watch ebay like a hawk, hoping to find that part, (whatever it may be) and i've noticed over the last few month the price of Pinto's are on the rise, I'd say almost double from a year ago. Some of them I think are way over priced, and don't sell, (I wonder if the person selling is not just bidding up his/her own car, and stop right below the reserve price) There seems to be a bigger demand for the cars now, Why?
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For what it's worth, the Ford Pinto has been the recipient of some major media attention over the past year, much of it associated with the Pinto Stampede and the subsequent 40th anniversary celebration at Carlisle. Good PR has come from other sources too and even when the PR isn't quite so good, it still focuses attention on a car that truly captured America's heart 41 years ago. I can't help but believe that this has contributed the increase in prices. After all, a car (or anything else, for that matter) is only worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. They aren't making any more of them, so as more folks enter the buying market the prices are bound to increase.
Dwayne :)
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I've noticed the same thing here lately on eBay.. Prices are high and the pickings are getting slim. Probably a good thing being my garage has turned into a cardboard box ( Pinto parts ) collection point from all over the US and UK. Do you think maybe I bought everything? ::)
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Sadly I think all car prices are going up. Periodically I troll a whole boatload of different cars on Ebay (window shopping). There always seemed to be a commonality to prices regardless of looking at Pinto's, Falcon's, Comets, Mavericks, Darts, Valiants AMC Americans, etc. etc..
There was always a sub $1,000 car, the decent $2,500-$4,000 cars and the sky is the limit exceptional cars. Now it seems cars only fall in the $4,000-$12,000 range. You would think with the economy they would be getting cheaper.
Tom
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I believe Pinto prices are going up simply due to the laws of supply and demand. If you look at the recent influx of people here on this site, it is a good barometer of how interest continues to swell towards the Pinto.
Then, add in the fact that most people (unlike several of us crazy folks :P ) have neither the time, facilities, or fortitude to rebuild a Pinto from the ground up, the search for complete cars drives demand - and prices, because there are not a LOT to choose from, unlike the plethora of Camaros, Cudas, Mustangs, Corvettes, and other "has-ran" vehicles available.
In the meantime, until the Pinto collector market grows and is satiated, and demand rises beyond availability, those Pintos sitting in fields, barns, and junkyards SHOULD remain inexpensive to those wanting to build. Case in point - I bought a running 1957 two door hardtop, solid, a builder, back in 1983 out of California, driving it out of the guy's driveway - for $800. No joke. Today, with MANY THOUSANDS restored, those wanting to build similar cars that are sitting in fields are likely to pay $5k - even without motors and trannys - because the supply has dried up.
Moral? Get 'em now - "Be like Fred". As demand grows, supplies fall, and with so few out there, you'll continue to see prices go up. What I am looking forward to is the point where demand allows for an economical aftermarket need, so repro parts can be built. Back in 1983, 1857 Chevy repro parts were available - today you can buy a WHOLE BODY. This of course will never happen with the Pinto, but there is definitely room for repro parts as parts cars are depleted.
Chris
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I sold my 73 Pinto 1600 for $1250 about 4 weeks ago. It sold in 3 hours after listing it. I told the new owner to join this site. His name is Shaun. Shaun drives it 50 miles a day. I drove it 110 miles a day. So please welcome Shaun if he heads on over this way.
I also sold wifey's 79 Pinto to make room for her Mustang II. I sold it to a friend of the family. So I will still see it.
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So many Pintos were hacked into dirt and oval track cars as well as V8 dragsters. It's pretty damned hard to find one that hasn't either been completely modified, scrapped, or rotted away. I'm glad I got mine when I could and I hope I can find somewhere to put a couple parts cars in the next few years.