I have a friend who has a (likely) rare Pinto that must find a new home.
His car is a big-bumper model as I recall, a V6, with a floor shifted automatic and factory dual-outlet exhaust. It also has a vinyl roof and factory alloy wheels. It is a dark green (still has original paint) with an interesting green-plad upholstery (of which he has enough NOS material to recover all seats. It has a number of other rare factory items according to my friend as well.
The car has been sitting behind his house for the last 15 or 20 years, but ran when it was parked. Several years ago, I took 4 or 5 pictures of the car and just went back and reviewed them (I haven't seen the car since then). It is all there and definitely restorable.
Any idea of the rarity of such a car, and what the best way to find it a home with someone who will restore it -- rather than part it out?
Thanks.
I have a V6 Pinto Runabout a lot like the one you described. It sat for 25 years in a garage, though, and looks almost new. Regarding restoring a Pinto that has been outside for 15 - 20 years, it depends on the condition. There are many folks on this site who can help. Fred Morgan can help you with parts....he's great.
Here's what I'd keep in mind:
* There are very few parts still being made for Pintos. While some "universal" parts can work, you'll have to find many other parts by networking with the great folks on this website.
* Do this for fun, not money. A completely restored Pinto might be worth $7 - $8K. More typically, the good ones are worth $3 - $4K, and with serious rust, a lot less than that. At the top end, a perfect, like new Pinto Squire station wagen recently sold for $12K. But that's an extremely rare car. It goes without saying that you can easily spend WAY more than you will ever get back. Again, do this for fun, not money (and FUN it is!).
* Pay attention to the radiator on the V6. I am told that other than the radiator, which needs thorough cleaning, this car is very reliable (mine has been so far).
These are the big items I've learned in my 6 months at this. I also have an old Karmann Ghia. Of the two cars, I have a much easier time getting service and parts for the Ghia.
But I have just as much fun, if not more, in my Pinto. No car I've ever driven gets as much attention. Hope that helps! Enjoy!
Extremely hard to value a car or say the rarity of one without detailed pictures. Can you please post up some, to give the more knowledgable people in here something to work from? and to let others see what your friend might be selling? and one other thing, a location would help for maybe someone on this site lives close to the car.
thanks
I appreciate the comments about the difficulty in finding parts, etc., for the car. I've restored several "non-mainstream" collector cars over the years and found that one has to be creative if you need stuff like body and trim parts that were discontinued (and not reproduced) decades ago.
Happy to post the pictures I have...How does one do it here? The pictures are on my hard drive -- Don't have anything like a photobucket account. Will this site host them directly or do you have to link to a 3rd party site.
Sorry for all of the questions. Car is in NE Colorado.
mrgem you can host them here if they are less then 100kb per pic and 400kb total per upload (4 pics). or you can keep the pics Original and host them on a photobucket or flickr account, then post a link to them here on the Forum.