I have a 1976 wagon, marked as an MPG model. I am just curious what this package involves as far as options, etc.
Anybody have that information, please??
Hey Mike,
By summer 1974, the national fuel emergency had come to an end. Oil was being transported to the United States at full volume, and gas prices came back down a few pennies, so Americans once again felt they were getting a bargain. Still, fuel mileage remained very important to a large number of drivers. To entice them, Ford cooked up MPG versions of the Pinto and Mustang II.
Equipped with the four-cylinder engine, manual transmission, the new catalytic converter emissions device (which allowed engines to be retuned for better efficiency), and a 3.18:1 axle ratio in place of the 3.40 gears standard in other Pintos, the MPG had a government rating of 34 mpg on the highway, 23 mpg in the city. (Swapping the four-speed stick for an automatic earned a 30/21 highway/city rating.)
Advertising for the late-arriving MPG models used huge print to tout their highway-mileage and base-price figures, both of which compared favorably -- of course -- with a list of foreign and domestic rivals. All three Pinto body styles were offered with MPG equipment.
found here ~~> http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1971-1980-ford-pinto6.htm (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1971-1980-ford-pinto6.htm)
Now, if I remember correctly, an MPG Pinto is a "low end" base model pinto. That being....
Manual rack and pinion steering, manual brakes, high geared 4 speed transmission, high geared rear axle, smallest motor (no V6), full wheel covers (hub caps), no A/C, and no protection package (door guards).
My 78 Sedan is a PONY model, I have pictures that show the PONY decal on the fender. From the sales brochure, here is what a "Pinto Pony 2-Door Sedan" was equipped with:
FUNCTIONAL
2.3 litre OHC 4-cylinder engine with DuraSpark Ignition
Floor-mounted, fully synchronized, 4-speed manual transmission
Rack and pinion steering
Front disc brakes
Hand-operated parking brake
Inside hood release
Aluminum bumpers
Bias ply 13" BSW tires
Ford Motor Company Lifeguard Design Safety Features
Heavy-Duty 45 amp Battery
APPEARANCE AND COMFORT
All-vinyl or cloth-and-vinyl high-back front bucket seats
Color-keyed carpeting
Black instrument panel, steering wheel and column
DirectAire Ventilation
Mini-console
Glove box with door
Bright windshield molding
Slotted black wheels with four bright hub caps
The only things that I can see that would make it a PONY or MPG car, is that it did not have an automatic transmission, A/C, power steering, power brakes, flipper windows, roof rack, slotted aluminum wheels, V6 engine, protection package (door guards), or the leather wrapped steering wheel.
I am also interested in exactly what makes a Pinto an MPG or PONY, and why certain cars got that title. Anymore info out there you guys and gals?
Quote from: dave1987 on March 21, 2010, 10:16:25 PM
exactly what makes a Pinto an MPG or PONY
manual transmission, the new catalytic converter emissions device (which allowed engines to be retuned for better efficiency), and a 3.18:1 axle ratio in place of the 3.40 gears standard in other Pintos, the MPG had a government rating of 34 mpg on the highway, 23 mpg in the city.
as for auto's...Swapping the four-speed stick for an automatic earned a 30/21 highway/city rating.
Dave, it was all about better gas savings... from all I have ever seen the above was all there was to it. MPG was used as a sales pitch, effective during the gas crisis.
Thank you! At least we have a good idea of the "definition" now!
How about PONY, was that the "revised" MPG title?
I'm pretty sure "Pony" was just another name for base model/no frills...
I concur with the general description. My '76 MPG wagon ha(d):
No factory A/C (was dealer installed)
Manual 4 speed
small rear end with 3.08 gears
Manual brakes and steering
2.3l with catalytic and duraspark ignition
full wheel covers
...basic, no frills stuff.
Chris
I also found....
From the marketing standpoint, there were a few more alternatives for buyers of Ford's subcompact. Dealers started to promote the Pinto as an "import fighter."
For those looking to really drive on the cheap, there was a new Pony MPG sedan. By shaving $130 off the standard four-cylinder sedan's $3,025 base price, the Pony buyer received about as bare-bones of a car as the government would allow to be sold. Inexpensive cloth seats, black rubber floor mats, and a more economical 3.00:1 axle came standard. (The 3.18 axle was now standard on all other four-cylinder Pintos, all of which were known as MPGs).
here~~> http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1971-1980-ford-pinto7.htm (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1971-1980-ford-pinto7.htm)
...like a dog w/a bone, here's some more info...
NEW MODEL: PONY MPG (nicknamed "import fighter")
Minimal chrome
Plain hubcaps
3.00 gears
Slip-clutch cooling fan
calibrated 2.3 liter
found here ~~> http://pintopage.fordpinto.com/Options76.htm (http://pintopage.fordpinto.com/Options76.htm)
then for 1975?
(http://www.adclassix.com/images/75fordpinto.jpg)
and for 1976
(http://images.ola.com/auctions/23632/nmpc-484417-1.jpg)
WOW!
Thanks for all of this info. I really do appreciate just knowing what it all means.
happy to help Mike, enjoy ;D