This week, 78TXPony and I had planned a trip South of here this weekend to look at a '75 wagon posted on Craigslist. We headed out at 9AM this morning and arrived about 10:30 at a poorly marked and "not so obvious" junkyard where all the cars were hidden carefully behind some buildings and tall grass/trees. On arrival, the owner was not there, so we called him to find out he was about an hour behind, having picked up another car (I later learned he owned a towing service, and this was the "dump"). Knowing we'd have to wait, Rob and I amused ourselves up the road about 1/2 mile at a very nice rest stop (we were right beside the interstate) that had a really well stocked store and a barbeque joint/Sonic.
We returned about 11:20 and the guy and partner drove up in a truck, with another vehicle on the flatbed. They opened the gate and he told me to drive in. They continued on, we stopped beside the Pinto(s) and got out. The '75 wagon was metallic brown - like my '76. My heart sank. Both fenders were beat up. The driver's door was creased. The car was FULL of junk, and there were large holes in the floor. While the drivers window was open, we tried to open the hood - with NO success. It was locked tight. We banged on it a bit without luck. Did I mention the car was on four flat tires, and two pairs of different rims? We walked around it, took a few quick shots (that were ineffective in showing the damage), and that was it. A very short perusal of the early sedan next to us (orange) also proved disinteresting, since it was another real piece of work. :-\
On the phone, the guy had told me (about the wagon, when I asked), that he had "not tried to go out and start it yet". Not tried? Good grief, this thing was an absolute nightmare. After literally 10 minutes, the other guys were still away from us, unloading that other car. I looked at Rob, and said "let's get outta here". We popped in the truck, and drove away. Having made us wait an extra hour to get to the yard, and the fact that the car was so bad, just turned me off. Oh, and the fact that he quoted me $400 for it. Ya, sure. :lol:
The lesson learned? Seems like there are only a few Pintos out there nowadays. Most are horrible. I actually had a new appreciation for my own car when I got home; I paid a LOT for it, but you know, I drove it before I bought it, and considering what I find out there, I'm happy I have it.
We're spoiled now. Rob and I were truly fortunate to find and strip that '78 sedan a few months back - that was worthwhile. Sadly, it was in a junkyard, and in Texas, once a car goes there, it can never be sold again, so it HAD to be dismantled. On the other hand, I imagine other Texas hillsides are full of hidden Pintos, that are all as abused, sun damaged, and unloved as those we saw today. It really makes me sad that these cars were left behind, and will rust into the ground or be crushed. Oh to have 30 acres to pile them all in!!
Sorry no pics this time. They aren't worth posting. Happy hunting, folks!!
Chris