PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Shiny is Good! => General Pinto Talk => Topic started by: 71pintoracer on June 12, 2019, 12:09:02 PM

Title: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 71pintoracer on June 12, 2019, 12:09:02 PM
:-[ Yes it's true, sadly enough. I haven't been on here for quite a while, just due to a very busy life. So to recap, l blew the 5.0 (after ripping on it 8 years) about 2 years ago. In that time l built a 347 roller cam stroker with Dart heads, and finally got it put in and running. On my 3rd test run l hit a damp spot in the road (in third gear with the hammer down) and it hazed the tires and got sideways. I tried to correct but l really think when l let off the gas it locked the rear tires (it's a 5 speed) and it spun back the other way and slammed the passenger side into 3 trees. So anyway, once the car is released from the insurance company l plan to strip it and start building my 77 Cruising Wagon. It's a nice solid car but l'm going to strip it as well and start from the beginning, so it will be a long process.
l have a few things on the 71 that l thought maybe someone would be interested in, if l could get some feedback and maybe what things are worth? Thought l would offer them to the Pinto people first instead of e-bay.
1. Early swap headers. (71-73) l don't know the actual condition of the right header yet but hopefully it can be salvaged because l don't think they're available anymore.
2. 1/4 glass louvers. They survived.
3. Decklid spoiler.
4. Steering column. It has the cable shaft instead of the u-joint style.
5. Summit steering rack. The right tie rod is bent but l think the rack is ok. l'll have to check further when l get the car back.
6. Disc brakes. (front)
lf anyone is looking for other 71 specific items let me know. Thanks!! l don't have any pics at the moment sorry, just tying to get some feedback.
                                                              Sadly Yours, Jimbo & The Pintoracer

                                                                   Sadly Yours, Jimbo & the Pintoracer
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: russosborne on June 12, 2019, 06:22:27 PM
Wow, that sucks.
Glad to hear that you are going to build another Pinto.
Russ
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: dga57 on June 13, 2019, 12:08:42 AM
Wow, Jimmy!  So sorry to hear of the demise of your beautiful Pinto!  When did that happen and are YOU alright?  I'm glad you have the Cruising Wagon to invest your time and talent into and I'll be anxious to see it when you're done.  I hope you'll choose to document your progress here - I know everybody will be interested.

Dwayne :)
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: Reeves1 on June 13, 2019, 06:38:51 AM
Interested in some parts you listed......bu t wrong time. Out of spare cash right now.....
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 71pintoracer on June 13, 2019, 07:45:19 AM
Thanks everyone. Dwayne it happened Saturday around 6:00. Reeves1 it will be a while I'm sure. I'll try to get some pics soon. I'm still mourning the loss. :(  I've owned her for 30 years......
Title: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: Scott Hamilton on June 18, 2019, 09:37:43 PM
Jim,

Your pinto was an icon in our community. There is a small subset of our pintos I can remember the owners, yours was one of the first I remember when we all started this site so long ago... wow... what a loss...

:( Dude, no!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 71v8Pinto on July 10, 2019, 03:49:38 AM
Sir,
I am very sorry to hear about the wreck and your loss, it was a beautiful car, I hope mine can be as nice someday.

I saw a pair of the headers on the Facebook Pinto group for $300 I believe, kinda hard to believe it took so long for them to sell because they are not available anymore.

I almost hate to ask because as you said you are still morning the loss but you said if there is anything we want to ask, is there a possibility of getting the dash pad if it's in nice shape? Rear bumper? Grille? I have a few spare grilles and wouldn't mind someone else getting a crack at it if they really need it, but I would be interested at the right price. If you want to email me with pics and what you need for them let me know please, m14brian@hotmail.com Thanks.
71v8Pinto
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 71pintoracer on July 10, 2019, 08:22:11 AM
Thanks for the kind words Scott. I really enjoyed those early days on the site!
71v8, I plan on using the dash pad and possibly the bumpers on the wagon. The grill didn't survive. I haven't had the heart to look at the car yet, (stupid I know, it's just a car). While l was at the hospital my brother put her in the back corner of the garage and covered her up so I've really only seen pictures that he took. I'm not home much these days so I'm busy with household chores mostly. I'll get to it one of these days, I'm sure there are some good parts, and l have another '71 parts car that I'm going to scrap so I'll have some things to sell and some to give away.
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: blupinto on July 10, 2019, 08:36:34 PM
Hi Jimmy!

I'm glad you weren't hurt too badly. I am so sorry about your racer.  I hear you when you say you dread to see the car. To me, a car is never "just a car".  Memories are made in them. Sometimes babies are made in them. lol. The old ones have so much character that the modern cookie-cutter cars lack.  Of course, when some of us think of you, we see your Pinto Racer in our heads automatically. To know it's no more must be heartbreaking.  

If I had money right now, I would like to buy a few of the parts offered.
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 71pintoracer on July 11, 2019, 09:12:27 AM
Hi Becky!! So good to hear from you, l hope all is well with you!
Send me an email about what parts you need and we'll work something out. l would love for you to have some of the things that survived. Hugs
www.pintoracer 12@aol.com
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 72pair on July 12, 2019, 04:41:17 PM
Sorry for the loss of your 71. I would be willing to wager that cable steering shaft contributed to the demise. I twice put my 72 in the ditch with only a hopped up 2.0 and 4 speed. Both times on slightly wet pavement, the rear kicked around and I knew I had it controlled when it took a veer off the road. After 30 years of retrospect, I believe the cable twists and winds up under a hard load from both the rack and steering wheel then unwinds and surprise the wheels are going in a different direction. I'm seriously thinking about putting a shaft and u-joints in my 72 before it hits the road again. Glad your okay; you can build another car!
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 71pintoracer on July 16, 2019, 09:24:38 AM
You know what? l never thought about that but you might be on to something. That's exactly what happened, it just felt like it snapped around. And after l felt like it was fully under control. And with the added weight of the V8 well you can really feel the difference in the steering. Something to ponder.....tha nks for the input!
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 71v8Pinto on July 16, 2019, 02:35:40 PM
Cool sounds good Sir, best of luck with the new project. I don’t think it’s stupid either, we’re car guys and they all mean something to us, when we got them, the things we did, friends we made because of them, the feelings attached, etc. you will evaluate it when ready, and hopefully avenge yourself and make the new one better, if it were possible. Take care and best wishes from SoCal.
71v8Pinto
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: Reeves1 on November 03, 2019, 06:34:23 AM
You know what? l never thought about that but you might be on to something. That's exactly what happened, it just felt like it snapped around. And after l felt like it was fully under control. And with the added weight of the V8 well you can really feel the difference in the steering. Something to ponder.....tha nks for the input!

Thought of this several days ago & meant to post....... I have a 2014 (?) NHRA rules printed out. I'm sure in it, it says no cable steering. I'll check if I have time : very busy day today.
This may be the reason why.... ?
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: 71pintoracer on November 03, 2019, 12:43:30 PM
I would be really interested to know!!
Title: Re: The 71 Pintoracer......Totalled!!!!
Post by: Reeves1 on November 04, 2019, 05:23:35 PM
2014 NHRA Gen. Regs.

In the section : Brakes & Suspension : 3
Sub section 3:3 page 16/17

flexible steering shafts prohibited


Since you are likely removing most parts , maybe remove the lower steering shaft (un-bolt rag joint) and pull that lower section out of the upper.
Put one end in a vice & twist the other end with something like a pipe wrench. It should give you an idea on how much, if any, wrap it will do.

Got me worried now.
I have the U-Joints required to change this out though....