I'm new to Pinto's. Well actually, my uncle had one which he loaned to costumers to his car repair shop. it was blue and backfired in third.
But I have come across a 1980 Pinto. Looks pretty clean but I haven't seen it in person. Bottom line is a need a car for the winter, so I don't ruin my 1967 Volkswagen Bug. (thats what I'm into... Bugs) I wanted an older car, but still good on fuel. The Pinto seems to be a good choice.
Obviously there is a safety problem. But hey! what am I worried about, I drive a BUG! But seriously, I know these cars have a reputation and this car seems to be pretty stock. Is there anything i should do the the car/gas tank/bumpers?
Where are the problems areas? like the bugs have floors that rust... how about the Pintos'? where do they rust? And finally, is this a good idea? are they good in the snow or am I out of my mind and should keep looking? and hows the heat? (if you have owned a bug you would understand this question)
Thankyou!
Hi there Herbie! :welcome: to our crazy little world!
#1- The fuel tank issue dealt with '71-'76 sedans/Runabouts. The tank was situated where if there were a rear-ender to the Pinto the tank could a) hit the differential and/or bolts and rupture, and/or b) the filler neck could pull out, both resulting in leaking fuel- bad news in a crash. I believe most of those years Pintos were recalled and a plastic shield fitted between the gas tank and differential housing. An '80 Pinto already has a reconfigured tank so it should be ok.
#2- Ahh rust. I believe in the snow areas the combination of water and road salt is what does floorboards, trunks and other underside areas in. There are a lot of folks here who know how to fabricate new floorboards and other stuff. I guess it depends on the extent of rust. You're in luck if the car spent most of its life in Cali or the desert. My '73 wagon spent a heap of time in the mountains near here so she also has some rust issues on the roof (where the luggage rack slats are) and possibly on both doors (they're primered, but the window sweeps are in real bad shape).
#3- Heat- in the engine or the heater? The engine depends on your radiator's overall health- no leaks, clogs, messed up jackets; the thermostat; the fluid (right kind, right mix, right amount, not too rusty, etc.); no air pockets in the cooling system; hoses and clamps in good shape,... did I forget something? I don't think Pintos were especially known to have overheating problems historically.
I'm sure I missed something but my fellow Pintoholics can correct me and/or add to this. Good luck with your (hopefully) "new" baby! You might just catch the Pinto "bug" like you have the Bug "bug"! ;D
weclome
blue covered it very well gas tank recall fixed the early ones and factory fixed the later ones
rust floor boards and rear quarters
heat great my 76 wagon does as well if not better than my 96
i have not driven mine in the snow but there are a few that use them as daily drivers even in the snow. alot if time it is juat as much a tire problem for snow so i would recomend good winter tires for the snow.
phil
The car is alot more solid than most, especially the newer cars. The explosion reputation is highly overated, if you do the research you will find the story broadcast by 60 minutes was doctored, they used an external ignition source to create the explosion, this came out years later but the damage had been done. Economy cars in the 70's had to contend with very heavy cars of the 50's 60's and 70's, so in the size to weight ratio the statistics of any accidents between an economy car and a family car or wagon were not pretty. What was not broadcast was that the mid sized Japanese cars of the day had a much higher fatality rate than the American three (Vega, Pinto, Gremlin) all of which were very close in numbers in terms of deaths per million cars sold. What they didn't tell you were the fatality rates of the Japanese economy cars, these I still cannot find because as I understand it, they were not talied because the numbers were so high. In a head on collision, I would take my Pinot over a Prelude any day of the week. Do not be surprised if you Pinto becomes your favorite car, they are highly addictive, alot of these guys have more than just one.
Quote from: rear ended on July 21, 2009, 02:20:23 PMthey are highly addictive, alot of these guys have more than just one.
Nah not addicting at all! I only have 5 right now, 6 in 4 more days!!!! LOL ;D
Yes, the explosion problem was over-rated and sensationalized. There were less than 30 documented accidental explosions out of 3.5 million Pintos. There is a 75 in the classifieds here with rear-damage and no explosion (with photos) to help ease your mind. The wagon was never part of the threat, as the gas tank was in a slightly different spot under the car. Your chances of surviving a head-on or rear-ender with a loaded 80,000 pound semi are about the same whether it is your bug, a Pinto, or a newer Hyundai. Wear your seatbelt and watch where you and everyone else are on the road. My rule of thumb: Whoever is bigger has the right-of-way!
As far as heat, that's what brought me to a Pinto from a 72 Super Beetle. It is important to make sure the cooling system is up to snuff though, as the antifreeze runs through the heater core to provide heat.
Gas mileage will be about the same as your Bug.
Traction in snow: use good Mud+Snow rated tires (or if you live in a part of the country that allows it, Studded snow tires). You may also want to add a few bags of sand to the trunk to add some weight for traction. That's what I did when I lived in PA.
Hoping you'll join the Pinto ranks! :welcome:
Chuck :afro:
Hey guys!
Well I never did end up buying the Pinto. I had to fox the Bug first. But the Pinto is for sale again. and its pretty tempting. Here are some pictures of the car. It looks like rust is not en issue. And its been on a 2 hour drive to Maine and back with no problems. New steering rack, ball joints, master cylinder, carpet, plugs, wires, rotor, cap. Looks like a lot of work has been done to the Pinto. I think this would be a great daily driver.
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rhp353/SANY0063.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rhp353/SANY0938.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rhp353/SANY0939.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rhp353/SANY0940.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rhp353/SANY0941.jpg)
Anyways, hopefully I will go look at it later this week and hopefully purchase it!
aww man, if it were up to me, I'd never let that pinto see snow. Looks like its cherry from the pics. but hey, it's not up to me. Just voicing my opinion. Anyways nice find!
Hey '80! My favorite year! And square headlights! May favorite style!
This thread probably influenced me dreaming that I bought a red two-door square headlight Pinto last night..... ::)
That is a beautiful car. If you're still feeling the Pinto bug (no pun intended), I would jump on this one. It sounds like she's mechanically sound, she looks to be in excellent shape, and good-running Pintos make great and interesting daily drivers. ;D
WARNING:::::::Pinto are addictive....I have one and possibly another soon.
don't say we didn't warn you. :hypno: :lol:
Quote from: hellfirejim on September 29, 2009, 06:14:23 AM
WARNING:::::::Pinto are addictive....I have one and possibly another soon.
don't say we didn't warn you. :hypno: :lol:
I second that!!!! I wanted 1, currently I own 5 but had 8 all together!!! :hypno: ;D
About the coolest thing about the VW bug is that you get to drive around watching everyone in the oncoming lane punch each other. :lol: PunchBuggy!!!!!!!! :accident: Might be a pretty good reaosn to own one.
Quote from: rear ended on September 29, 2009, 05:07:21 PM
About the coolest thing about the VW bug is that you get to drive around watching everyone in the oncoming lane punch each other. :lol: PunchBuggy!!!!!!!! :accident: Might be a pretty good reaosn to own one.
LOL we call it Slug Bug!! ;D
Hey Herbie,
If you are still toying with the idea of a Pinto, two things I didn't see expressed enough. Heat: every Pinto I have owned, about 20 over the years, I have about 12 (about? I don't even know how many I have) now, will cook you out on a winter day. I like my sun roofs so you can get some fresh air too. Snow: Pinto's have been the only car I will drive in the snow. I have an 80 mile a day commute and I never miss a day of work when it snows. They are also great for four wheelin' in the mud 'n' stuff.
P
Back again guys,
Well, winter is here for sure. I'm making some money (working my butt off), But first I have to pay off my car insurance. Then I owe my mom 200$. after I get though the 700$ I owe, I plan to go pick up the Pinto, hopefully before the end of December. My largest fear is that someone will purchase it before me. :hypno:
The first think I want to do with it is put some racing/better rims on it.
Tell me, What looks good?
BTW, do you think this model is carbureor or FI?
Chat soon,
Ryley
Unless there has been an engine swap, they are all carb. The Holley (built under license from Weber) 5200. You'll have no problems. That Pinto looks great. I'm jealous! My 76 Wagon with 100,000 miles got 19mpg in town and 25 on the HWY. Yours will do better.
Yea, I get about the same with my Bug. It looks like a really nice car too, I'm hoping I can get my $$ together soon..