Author Topic: Does any car get more attention than a Pinto? (Read 5476 times)

beicholz · « **on:** July 10, 2010, 09:40:03 AM »

Yesterday, I did my usual shopping chores in my Runabout in Hollywood, CA. In one hour, no fewer than 7 people stopped me to ask about the car. They ranged from a big thumbs up to detailed questions about the year and mileage.

The one thing I've noticed: More than any other car I've driven, the Pinto makes people smile. For younger folks, it's a cool looking retro car. For folks my age (50 something), it brings back great memories.

What could be more fun than that?

blupinto · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2010, 10:20:56 AM »

You said it! It makes my day to see people looking at my '71 with interest or hearing them say, "I love your car!"

RSM · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2010, 11:38:06 AM »

I always get looks and thumbs up when I haul my car to the drag strip. I always have at least one or two people come over and talk to me about it...and a lot of looks and smiles when they see whats under the hood. :fastcar:

71pintoracer · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2010, 12:43:23 PM »

At my job I drive a lot of different kinds of cool cars, Cobra Mustangs, Roush Mustangs, Lincolns, supercharged Harley Davidson trucks, King Ranch trucks and just this week a '69 MachI Mustang. No one bats an eye. But EVERY time I drive my Pinto, people wave, look, give thumbs up, take pictures, ect. Whenever I stop for gas or run in a store someone comments. Many times when I've come out of walmart or lowes or someplace like that there will be people standing around it!

71pintoracer · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2010, 12:48:56 PM »

Quote from: beicholz on July 10, 2010, 09:40:03 AM

Yesterday, I did my usual shopping chores in my Runabout in Hollywood, CA.

The neat thing is, with you living in Hollywood, I would think there are all kinds of high-end sports cars and such, but what gets attention? A Pinto!!

Hey, you're stealing all the thunder! :lol:

Bigtimmay · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2010, 12:49:30 PM »

im still betting that my bobcats not gunna get the attention my 85 chevy 4X4 got but it was sittin on 40 inch tires and would roll all 4 of them and the exhaust was just god afful loud and it was full exhaust.

dga57 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2010, 03:28:01 PM »

Quote from: 71pintoracer on July 10, 2010, 12:43:23 PM

At my job I drive a lot of different kinds of cool cars, Cobra Mustangs, Roush Mustangs, Lincolns, supercharged Harley Davidson trucks, King Ranch trucks and just this week a '69 MachI Mustang. No one bats an eye. But EVERY time I drive my Pinto, people wave, look, give thumbs up, take pictures, ect. Whenever I stop for gas or run in a store someone comments. Many times when I've come out of walmart or lowes or someplace like that there will be people standing around it!

I have to agree with you! I've driven Lincolns, Cadillacs, Jaguars... even a Rolls Royce, and the most attention I have ever received driving ANYTHING was when I drove my Pinto home from Hagerstown MD on I-81! People honked and waved and gave me the "thumbs up" all the way, in spite of my dented hood, rusty quarters, and fugly brown paint!

Dwayne :smile:

blupinto · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2010, 06:16:25 PM »

lol I have to share this! I went to Ocean Beach (Fred Morgan knows where this is! Brad probably does too!) to do some antique store shopping. I had arrived early, and if you know OB it's a very laid-back beach neighborhood. While I was standing in front of the largest antique store on Newport Avenue I noticed a woman who runs a pet store taking pictures of Ruby, who was parked in front of the woman's store across the street. She was getting different angles but she must've sensed me being amused because she looked across the way and called out, "is that your Pinto?" When I answered in the affirmative she went on to tell me her first car was a Pinto and she got it when she was 18. People just love these little cars now! Remember when everybody (well, ALMOST everybody! lol) hated them!?

dga57 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2010, 07:44:59 PM »

Quote from: blupinto on July 10, 2010, 06:16:25 PM

lol I have to share this! I went to Ocean Beach (Fred Morgan knows where this is! Brad probably does too!) to do some antique store shopping. I had arrived early, and if you know OB it's a very laid-back beach neighborhood. While I was standing in front of the largest antique store on Newport Avenue I noticed a woman who runs a pet store taking pictures of Ruby, who was parked in front of the woman's store across the street. She was getting different angles but she must've sensed me being amused because she looked across the way and called out, "is that your Pinto?" When I answered in the affirmative she went on to tell me her first car was a Pinto and she got it when she was 18. People just love these little cars now! Remember when everybody (well, ALMOST everybody! lol) hated them!?

I was sixteen when I got my first one! Some of my friends had more expensive cars (Toyota Celica, Corvette) or a cooler car ('55 Bel Aire), but I don't think any of them actually hated my Pinto! We spent many a happy, carefree day cruising around in our machines and my Pinto was always just as jampacked full of teenagers as any of the other cars! I loved my Pinto!

Dwayne :smile:

blupinto · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2010, 08:12:53 PM »

I've always loved Pintos and I know several of us do too. That's why I said ALMOST everyone. My parents hated them, particularily Mom because the '75 wagon she had to drive while her crappy Renault LeCar was crapped out stalled in an intersection on the way home from picking us kids up from jr. high. I think we had to be pushed to the other side but that sealed the Pinto's fate as far as she was concerned. Some of the kids I grew up with didn't care for them and would say nasty things about them. I guess it depends on the people around you where you get the "hate Pintos" perspective. That's just my perspective.

OhSix9 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2010, 03:18:49 PM »

The short answer would be "NO" LOL

I have a collection of many eclectic vehicles. The '69 while very cool in its own right can't hold a candle to this thing. lots of people stop and admire that one and i get a ton of thumbs up while rollin it. however it seems to be intimidating. I think people have a bit of a stereotype going as to the attitude of "muscle car owners"

The '65 falcon 4 slammer i have gets reaction similar to the pinto. it's a cute and friendly looking little machine that always gets a lot of "my grandma used to have one just like it" people to stop and chat with you.

The pinto... Well yesterday was her maiden voyage. We took a short jaunt into town for some more parts, a tank of fuel and a wheel alignment. Total attention magnet. Heads on swivels in passing cars. everywhere I stopped by the time i got it parked someone was standing there to comment on it or ask wow it was. When i stopped at the local auto supply these two kids in their teens came running over quite excitedly and proclaiming "that thing is totally cool...... " there was a brief pause and then one asks "Is it a pinto?"... From out behind a pickup pops a gentleman about 10 years older than myself who says "yup it is. Us old timers don't have to ask that question. But i have never seen one like this before." While i was off in the subway having lunch she gathered a group of about 5 and got her picture taken.

The only negative on the day was the whiners at the local tire shop who wouldn't do the alignment cause the suspension isn't stock. Oh well. just gotta wait till monday and take it to my guy in the city. serious old timer who knows his stuff. He set up the '69 and its 4 bar and coil over and never even batted an eye. these clowns yesterday saw camber caster adjustment and got all weepy cause it wasn't gonna be a 5 minute toe and go job. tried to tell me that their equipment couldn't handle the job. I smiled.... calmly explained that i could put an alignment in the car with 2 pieces of string a tape measure a square and an iPhone and the only equipment in the place that could not handle the job was their technician. Made it clear they would never see my business again and left.

So as for a maiden voyage. All in all A smashing success

OhSix'

dga57 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:36:04 PM »

Quote from: OhSix9 on July 11, 2010, 03:18:49 PM

The short answer would be "NO" LOL

I have a collection of many eclectic vehicles. The '69 while very cool in its own right can't hold a candle to this thing. lots of people stop and admire that one and i get a ton of thumbs up while rollin it. however it seems to be intimidating. I think people have a bit of a stereotype going as to the attitude of "muscle car owners"

The '65 falcon 4 slammer i have gets reaction similar to the pinto. it's a cute and friendly looking little machine that always gets a lot of "my grandma used to have one just like it" people to stop and chat with you.

The pinto... Well yesterday was her maiden voyage. We took a short jaunt into town for some more parts, a tank of fuel and a wheel alignment. Total attention magnet. Heads on swivels in passing cars. everywhere I stopped by the time i got it parked someone was standing there to comment on it or ask wow it was. When i stopped at the local auto supply these two kids in their teens came running over quite excitedly and proclaiming "that thing is totally cool...... " there was a brief pause and then one asks "Is it a pinto?"... From out behind a pickup pops a gentleman about 10 years older than myself who says "yup it is. Us old timers don't have to ask that question. But i have never seen one like this before." While i was off in the subway having lunch she gathered a group of about 5 and got her picture taken.

The only negative on the day was the whiners at the local tire shop who wouldn't do the alignment cause the suspension isn't stock. Oh well. just gotta wait till monday and take it to my guy in the city. serious old timer who knows his stuff. He set up the '69 and its 4 bar and coil over and never even batted an eye. these clowns yesterday saw camber caster adjustment and got all weepy cause it wasn't gonna be a 5 minute toe and go job. tried to tell me that their equipment couldn't handle the job. I smiled.... calmly explained that i could put an alignment in the car with 2 pieces of string a tape measure a square and an iPhone and the only equipment in the place that could not handle the job was their technician. Made it clear they would never see my business again and left.

So as for a maiden voyage. All in all A smashing success

OhSix'

Sounds like a day well spent!!!

Dwayne :smile:

dholvrsn · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:50:26 PM »

Mine only gets a modest amount of attention in Omaha and parts north. Maybe all that attention is a West Coast thing.

Fred Morgan · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:53:24 PM »

My 64 Galaxie got more. Fred

dga57 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:17:16 PM »

Quote from: dholvrsn on July 11, 2010, 08:50:26 PM

Mine only gets a modest amount of attention in Omaha and parts north. Maybe all that attention is a West Coast thing.

I'm on the east coast and get the same reaction. It probably has to do with how many Pintos are in your area. Here there are nearly none. Other than 71pintoracer, I have spotted one running/driving Pinto on the road in the past ten years, and that was 50 miles from home! They are pretty rare in this part of the country, and therefore garner lots of attention, regardless of their condition.

Dwayne :smile:

blupinto · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:36:45 PM »

In the past 10 years I've seen no less than 7 running Pintos (excluding mine and the ones at FabFords. I think it's on account of the nostalgia factor. Perhaps Midwesterners aren't as fond of them... :look:

dga57 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:44:39 PM »

Much as I love them, they make REALLY lousy snow cars!

Dwayne :smile:

beicholz · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2010, 02:32:02 PM »

Yes...71pintor acer...isn't it interesting that this car gets more thumbs up than the $100,000 cars many folks drive? I live near many movie stars and work in the film business, where many of my colleagues drive these cars. A few of them think I've gone totally nuts, but most others totally get it.

I predict that the interest will continue to grow in Pintos.

At least half of the people who stopped me have super-expensive cars. The Pinto brings a smile to their faces.

Wait until I post my new Window Sticker (Marti Report....it's taking FOREVER).

By the way, it's not common knowledge that there was a recall to reduce (but not eliminate) the chance of a Pinto rear-end explosion. All of us should help publicize this to help increase the interest in and values of our cars. No one I've talked to outside this club knows that many of our Pintos were modified to be safer.

Pintosopher · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2010, 03:38:06 PM »

Quote from: beicholz on July 12, 2010, 02:32:02 PM

Yes...71pintoracer...isn't it interesting that this car gets more thumbs up than the $100,000 cars many folks drive? I live near many movie stars and work in the film business, where many of my colleagues drive these cars. A few of them think I've gone totally nuts, but most others totally get it.

I predict that the interest will continue to grow in Pintos.

I do agree, My fondest driving memories during the "80"s (before I went race car only) were driving my sinister "dark Horse" around the Napa Valley while hunting German cars with witless drivers. Oh how the mirth would flow with a 4 wheel drift at 6500 rpm and the terrified look in the mirror of the German sedan about to get a close look at my grill.
Ahem , well my exploits were enough to get some complaints, and I was tired of a police cruiser or Airplane stalking my every move as I rolled out into the traffic. Sanity prevailed, and my luck didn't get to run out... I'm still here nearly 25 years later, but I've got the itch again, and there's no smog check to deal with on my '72. I've got the pieces... Stammpeede! :fastcar:

At least half of the people who stopped me have super-expensive cars. The Pinto brings a smile to their faces.

Wait until I post my new Window Sticker (Marti Report....it's taking FOREVER).

By the way, it's not common knowledge that there was a recall to reduce (but not eliminate) the chance of a Pinto rear-end explosion. All of us should help publicize this to help increase the interest in and values of our cars. No one I've talked to outside this club knows that many of our Pintos were modified to be safer.

beegle55 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2010, 10:16:45 PM »

I watch people as I drive by and notice 98% of them turn their heads...not to mention the dozens that confront me about the car everytime I drive. Just imagine when I get the V8 drag car legal for the street.
....

Including the guy at Kroger's one time that told me that I should absolutely not drive that car because it belonged on the trailer at car shows. He hadn't seen one since the 70's, especially not in mint condition.
Others just recall their Pinto stories as almost everyone over 45 has one.

-beegle55

beegle55 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2010, 10:19:08 PM »

Oh and besides the Pinto's that I've seen and bought (all of them I've ever seen), I know of two other Pintos in the area... my uncles '80 Cruising Wagon (I convinced him to buy) and a later model that is highly optioned like my '76 that is dark green that I want to own because it is also a low mile, one owner. On the east coast as forementioned. ..they are scarce. Junkyards haven't seen one in 20 years. Spectators can't remember the last time they saw one. They will be valuable one day...as if they aren't priceless to us already!

-beegle55

lugnut · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2010, 09:36:33 PM »

A couple of years ago I took my wife to Target in the '79 Cruising Wagon, and parked near Baskin-Robins. When we came back to the car, i found the note in the attached pic on a paper napkin under the wiper arm. At first I thought they were being sarcastic, but now I believe they really thought the car is cool.
mike

Norman Bagi · « **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2010, 09:49:32 PM »

Just last Saturday i took 2nd place at a Mustang Car show. I should have gotten first, but I think the mustang guys were gealous of all the attention my car was getting. Not any other car had the crowd around it all day like mine had. And if you guys think that driving one Pinto gets alot of attention, it is going to be great when we are driving that caravan next year. I don't want to sound too pushy, but, man you are gonna miss it if you aint in it.
Stampede it baby!

popbumper · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2010, 09:55:19 PM »

When I bought my wagon two years ago it sat in the driveway for a while, before it went off to covered parking and restoration.

One morning, I found a note under the windshield wiper that read:

Want to sell? Fred....and a phone number.

I don't think is was "our" Fred, but you never know :lol:.

Chris

Pinto1600 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 19, 2010, 02:19:39 PM »

How cool is it....
To own a Pinto?
Yesterday I took the yellow '71 to Dunkin' D's for the weekly cruise. Parked next to me was a killer Chevy hotrod(and you know who you are),he told me that more people stopped to look at the Pinto than at his car. We talked about how you've got to have something really differant to stand out in a crowd. Made me feel pretty good! And then on the way to Mighty Taco on Niagara Falls Blvd with Crankyhick,just past the 290 underpass on Twin Cities Highway a VERY nice lady shouted out her window asking me what year the Pinto was. I told her it was a '71,and she told me that she loved the car and she thought it was really cute! Oh please stop my beating heart,how really cool was that?

? Just goes to show you....you don't need flashy paint,tons o' bling or a killer motor.

dga57 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 19, 2010, 11:18:08 PM »

Quote from: Pinto1600 on July 19, 2010, 02:19:39 PM

How cool is it....
To own a Pinto?
Yesterday I took the yellow '71 to Dunkin' D's for the weekly cruise. Parked next to me was a killer Chevy hotrod(and you know who you are),he told me that more people stopped to look at the Pinto than at his car. We talked about how you've got to have something really differant to stand out in a crowd. Made me feel pretty good! And then on the way to Mighty Taco on Niagara Falls Blvd with Crankyhick,just past the 290 underpass on Twin Cities Highway a VERY nice lady shouted out her window asking me what year the Pinto was. I told her it was a '71,and she told me that she loved the car and she thought it was really cute! Oh please stop my beating heart,how really cool was that?? Just goes to show you....you don't need flashy paint,tons o' bling or a killer motor.

That's for sure! My Pinto has an ugly old brown repaint, a dent in the hood, and rusty quarter panels and I still got more attention driving it down the Interstate to bring it home than with any other car I've owned... and that includes some very nice vintage Lincolns and a Rolls-Royce!!!

Dwayne :smile:

hellfirejim · « **Reply #26 on:** July 20, 2010, 06:39:24 AM »

As some of you know mine is still under construction. At the last car show my Pinto attracted more attention than the $150,000 hot rod across from me. While that was cool, the most important part was that all the people had smiles and a story. fun day.

69GT · « **Reply #27 on:** July 24, 2010, 06:44:24 AM »

Both my Fords get attention but the Maverick often gets weird attention. Mostly in the form of "That's F#$@ing cool man.....What is it?" type remarks or the more frustrating "Dude that's an awesome Camaro" or Nova, or (yes I heard this) Pinto.

My Pinto however is always recognized as a Pinto. Although one drunk guy swore it was the car from Waynes World. :rolleye:

dholvrsn · « **Reply #28 on:** July 24, 2010, 08:16:44 AM »

The car from Wayne's World was a Pacer, which has been sometimes called a "Pregnant Pinto".

78squirewagon · « **Reply #29 on:** July 24, 2010, 02:57:42 PM »

I was driving home from a cruise night on Wednesday when I heard a horn honking. It was a couple with a young lady hanging out of the passenger side window taking a picture of my wagon. Mind you we were doing 60 mph at the time. I just had to wave and keep going LOL!!!

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Author Topic: Does any car get more attention than a Pinto? (Read 5476 times)

RSM