Hello everyone. A little background. I have been wanting a pinto basically ever since I started lurking around this site a couple years ago. I finally found a really decent one in Western NY and scooped it up and brought it home today.
It is a 1976 MPG, and the best part about it is that it is all there. The interior is in great shape, and was repainted a couple years ago. Underneath has some rust, but nothing that can't be repaired fairly easily. Not 100% sure what I'm going to do with it over the next few years, but I have parts from an 87 turbocoupe that I had to junk a few years ago (engine, transmission, ecu, etc etc) that I have been holding on to in hopes of finding a suitable place to put them. Still not sure if this is the one, but we'll see how things go.
Anyway, here's some pics.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/lawnmower70/Picture182.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/lawnmower70/Picture097.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/lawnmower70/Picture213.jpg)
And here are the other 2 "projects" I have stuck in my driveway/garage at the moment.
Too many projects not enough time.
1989 Merkur XR4Ti which (because I got the pinto) is now for sale.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/lawnmower70/HPIM0219.jpg)
And my nearly Daily Driver 1988 Thunderbird Turbocoupe.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/lawnmower70/HPIM0216.jpg)
Very nice car man. You could do the 2.3t Swap into it. theres a wealth of info here if you need help
:welcome: to the Pinto world!! ;D Super clean looking car you picked up, very nice. Ya know how good the Merkur and the T-bird run? Now imagine loosing about 1000+ pounds when you do a swap into the Pinto!! :fastcar:
Gorgeous little '76 you got there Stugots. It's rare to see such a clean Pinto. ;D
Thanks! Yeah it's clean, and I cant believe I found it in buffalo. It's originally from Michigan, which isnt much better with salt and things. Theres a bit of mud in the quarters, and underneath can use some freshening up, but all in all I'm happy with my purchase.
I've already started amassing the info for the 2.3t swap, lots more to do. Hoping to do it all over the winter. (I want to put it on the road and drive it for the rest of the summer).
looks good i saw that one listed on craigs list. and the price seamed fair. there is another pinto guy ( Phil pinto1600) in your area he is from tonawanda area. and i am from the erie area. so welcome phil keeps inviting me to your area for a show sometime i just might make it.
phils toys
Looks like a great score! Enjoy!
Dwayne :smile:
hey, I live in Amherst, and own an pizzeria in Tonawanda! It's called TNT pizza on main street, should tell him to stop by sometime :)
for local shows and events check out
www.rodandpiston.com (http://www.rodandpiston.com)
:welcome: :amazed: sweet looking pinto looks like a awesome find.
Been driving it for a couple days now. And one thing I have noticed. I have had a LOT of cars. But none have gotten me more thumbs up and compliments from other drivers than this one has. Except for a huge dead spot in the steering, it runs decent and drives excellent. I am really happy I bought this car.
Quote from: Stugots on August 15, 2009, 10:57:02 PM...Except for a huge dead spot in the steering, it runs decent and drives excellent...
My first Pinto had this problem, and I believe many people here have had this as well. Check the rag-joint on the steering shaft. It is located just above where the shaft connects to the rack. Replacements can be found in the 'Help!' section of your local parts store. They can be a real pain to replace, but makes a WORLD of difference in how the car handles the road. Good luck with a really nice little car. (My favorite color too ;D )
Outstanding little red car you got there!!! I agree on the rag joint problem. I replaced that part on my wagon a few years ago and couldn't believe the difference it made.
Your pony is in such great original shape I think you should keep it stock, especially the Red & Black combination. However, that is just my opinion. Its a great car, enjoy it, drive it and welcome to the "club" John
Yep the problem was the Rag Joint...or rather...lack of. I replaced it on Monday, drives much better now, tune up this week.
I've been thinking of keeping it stock, it will defenitly be stock looking if I go the turbo route. Problem is, that there are some worry spots under the car. Will probably need some welding done to the jacking points (one is really weak). There is no holes in the floors, but I suspect it really does have what the odometer says (22500ish miles) and really has sat for a long time.
The guy I bought it from tells this story: It was originally a Michigan car. An elderly couple bought it new, he drove, she didn't. He passed away, and it sat. Her neighbor took care of her, and he was a car guy, always fixing up something. So, she left it to him when she passed. And it sat in his yard until the gentleman I bought it from bought it a few years ago, trailered it from Michigan, painted it, and drove it a bit. He said he didn't want to drive it because if he ever got in an accident he'd never be able to fix it. He didn't seem to be much of a mechanic. So it sat all last summer, and this year I bought it.
I wasn't sure what to think about it. I have been looking and watching pinto's for a few years, hoping to find my one. And I figured if the mileage was correct, that it would be MUCH more expensive than he was asking. Small things are leading me to believe that it may be correct and not 22500 plus 100k.
After driving it a bit, it sure drives nice, straight and tight. The motor could run a bit better (hence the tuneup this week) and has a slight knock. But all in all I think I really got a great deal on this car.
And I love the hubcaps.
I'm a big fan of the dog dish hub caps with beauty rings too - that's what my '74 had on it new, and it's what my '72 has now. Looks particularly nice with whitewalls.
Dwayne :smile: