Scott, Dwayne, thank you for the kind words. I keep having, not really second thoughts, but just hoping I am doing the right thing with Jade. I do realize that 'the right thing' is whatever I choose to do with her, but I keep thinking about is it selfish to take the lowest mileage Pinto known, and start driving it. Jade will soon become just another low mileage Pinto, as there are many out there, but I am OK with that. I had my fun holding off from driving her until I found out all the history on the car, and if I had never put her up on eBay, I never would have met the fellow who saw the car in a barn in 1999 with 100 miles on it.
I think I am good with closing that chapter of Jade's life, and opening a new one, one I do with pride. If you had told me in 1974 when I bought my first new Pinto that I would be able to get my hands on a brand new Pinto in 2012, I would not have believed you. I am almost 55 years old. If I drive this car when I want to, enjoy her, even in 10 years I doubt I would put 10,000 miles on her. Just think of this, she will only sit in the sun at an outdoor car show; probably never be washed with a hose and water, just wiped down; never driven in the rain; never hitting a wet road; never hitting sanded and salted winter roads. This is how I can treat this car for the rest of my life, and I know she will appreciate it.
One thing I want to do, hit my local Ford dealer and see if they have any interest in using Jade in advertising in any way. Maybe just park her on the showroom floor and let her draw interest to the dealership. Maybe just a dream, but there are a few folks out there with blue blood, if you know what I mean.
To Reddog and Alpine615, there are pics all over this site of this car. As I personalize her, I will post more pics. My dream is the American Racing aluminum mags, a hotpants kit in a shade of gold that will contrast well with Jade green, and some type of spoiler off the lip of the trunk. I also want some kind of stripe, not sure which, but I always liked the stripe that comes down the side, up around the back window over the top, such a classic Pinto stripe from the day. I also am thinking about vintage air, but I just might not drive her in the heat. Oklahoma heat was brutal on my Pinto's in the 70's and early 80's.
Well, this post is too long, don't want to bore anyone, more to come.
Dave