PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Shiny is Good! => General Pinto Talk => Topic started by: popbumper on December 02, 2013, 10:21:43 PM
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Can someone in the know please explain to me if the bumpers with rubber strips were an option, and if so, on what year vehicles? I am thinking about going from a stripless bumper to one with the rubber strips - would that be appropriate, inappropriate, or indifferent? I have made several changes to my stock vehicle anyway as I am restoring it, so changing something like this I don't think is a big deal.
Can anyone shed light on this? My builder is a '76 wagon (MPG model). Thanks.
Chris
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Hi Chris!
The MPG was pretty much the first rung on the Pinto wagon ladder, with the Squire being at the top. I'm pretty sure the strips were standard once you got to the Squire, but do not know whether they were available as an option on the MPG model or not. The way I figure it, it's your car and if you like the rubber strips, go for it! I'm not into radical modification (nothing against it, mind you... just not my cup of tea) but you're talking about a simple upgrade and I see absolutely nothing inappropriate about that!
Dwayne :)
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Dwayne:
Now you have me very curious, because if the MPG was on the "lowest rung", why would my wagon have also had wheel well and rocker panel moldings, a luggage rack, and dual mirrors? These were not an afterthought, these were definitely factory installed..... .
Not questioning you at all, I'm just surprised now that I would have had these items....unles s the car was ordered with them (customer request) or the car was fitted with them as added options to make it more attractive to the buying public. Thanks!!
Chris
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I may be wrong but I believe the MPG models had a higher axle ratio to get better miles per gallon (MPG).It did not mean it was low rung. The Pinto "Pony" was a stripped down model. Maybe you are confusing the two?
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I may be wrong but I believe the MPG models had a higher axle ratio to get better miles per gallon (MPG).It did not mean it was low rung. The Pinto "Pony" was a stripped down model. Maybe you are confusing the two?
Could be... my memory isn't what it used to be! I was selling those things new back in the day, but on the Lincoln-Mercury end with the Bobcats. The cars all came with a fair number of available options regardless of their starting point, price-wise. My main point is that if you like the bumpers with the rubber strips, then by all means I can think of no reason you shouldn't have them; it's your car. Sorry if I added to the confusion.
Dwayne :)
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No, no, no apology required at all, it's interesting to understand some of the differences. In fact it IS the Pony that's the stripped down version, my friend Rob has one (a trunk model - 78) that has been in his family since bought brand new back in the day. It's very plain, and has a "PONY" decal on it, much like I have the MPG decal on mine. :).
Thanks guys!
Chris
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Dwayne:
Now you have me very curious, because if the MPG was on the "lowest rung", why would my wagon have also had wheel well and rocker panel moldings, a luggage rack, and dual mirrors? These were not an afterthought, these were definitely factory installed..... .
Not questioning you at all, I'm just surprised now that I would have had these items....unles s the car was ordered with them (customer request) or the car was fitted with them as added options to make it more attractive to the buying public. Thanks!!
Chris
Because all those things were available options. The Pony was the one that couldn't have many options put on, for example AC was not available on the Pony except in California. Bumper rub strips did not become standard until 79. Before that you had to buy either the Protection Group or the Deluxe Bumper Group to get rub strips. You couldn't get just the rub strips either. Both the previous options also came with Bumper Guards. You could however buy only bumper guards. Halfway thru the 78 model year, Ford made a lot of optional equipment standard to compete with the Corolla's and B210's. In fact in 78 Power Brakes became standard with the switch. However in 79, they dropped standard power brakes (they were still an option) and put the Deluxe Bumper Group on instead.
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Bumper rub strips did not become standard until 79.
Just thought I would add to the discussion.... I have had both 79 and 80 cars with and without the rub strips. All had the bumper guards though.
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I didn't know there were 79-80 models without the rub strips. Learn something new every day.
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My sedandelivery does not have rub strips, but I am looking for a new rear bumper. I have a really good one with rub strips I would trade for a good non rub strip one. 1980...
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Well I'll be darned. Learn something new every day.