50th anniversary of the Ford Econoline van. Was talking to a friend of mine about Carlisle and the Pinto stampede (he used to own a '71 & '80 Pinto's) and he asked about the date. Turns out they are having the Econoline 50th B-day at the same time! He is into custom vans big time and has an awesome '78 E-150 that is beyond custom. He and some of his Ford van buddies are thinking of going. The problem is, their national event is the very next month so it makes it a little tough to do both. Anyway, he thought the Pinto Stampede was way cool and wanted to know if we would mind some customized Ford vans bringing up the rear if they decide to go. I told him I would see what kind of response I got from everyone.
Now, these are not spray painted hippie vans from yesteryear, these vans take customizing to another level. I used to be into the van scene and still have my van, it is a '66 GMC flat nose cab-over style, (engine sits between the front seats). It has fiberglass gull-wing doors all around (think DeLorean), '77 Trans-Am front end, molded flares, scoops, visors, wings and all kinds of stuff like that!! I honestly haven't seen anything about the vans at Carlisle but hopefully they will be there as well.
If any of you want to check out the vans, go to http://www.vannin.com (http://www.vannin.com/) and take a look. My friends screen name is "Wizard78". He may have started a thread about Carlisle.
I think it would be FAROUT MAN!
Sorry, I'm an old hippie.
I have recieved these invitations by many different Ford enthusiasts, so I have given this alot of thought. So, here is how I feel about it. If we allow alot of other cars, vans and trucks to come along we will no longer be a Pinto event. Also I have worked very hard to secure low rates and reserve blocks of rooms for Stampede members. If we open these up to other cars we may not have rooms for last minute Pinto drivers or for those who haven't reserved their rooms yet. Then their is the support vehicle issue, who gets priority in the event of an emergency, do i kick a Van off the trailer and leave it for dead if a Pinto breaks down? I like custom vans and i don't want to turn people away, but this takes alot of planning, time and money which I have put alot of each into, not to mention my sanity. I look forward to your responses, but it doesn't look feasible at this time.
I agree with Norm.... "including" them would be tough and The Pinto Community / Pinto Stampede needs to be somewhat seperate and stick to the plan. It's very difficuly and time consuming to plan something like this let alone including a bunch of different clubs. We all owe a lot to Norm! for his work in organizing something like the Stampede and throwing this on his already loaded shoulders is a bit much to ask of anyone.
However.... if they organized for themselves and didn't rely on Norm and the pinto community for support, just wanted to tag along, join the convoy, etc.... something could be considered? but I do understand Norm's concern, adding them/letting them tag along could get "messy" in a lot of ways and that should be considered.
I also agree with Norm.This is a Pinto event that we are organizing.We have been working on this for almost two years ,I have nothing against custom vans.They will be welcome at Carlisle with open arms,This is just my two cents.
I'm in agreement with the group on this point,if they wish to "tag" along they are welcome. But as for being tied to the stampede,this is the Pinto communities gig. Norm and Louise(A BIG THANK YOU HERE) have put alot of time and effort into the effort,and it looks like it will be a huge success. Let's have our time in the sun,the other clubs can join the route,but they need to support themselves. JMO
at the same time it is a open road and if hey happen to fallow a group of pinto who is going to stop them?
Quote from: phils toys on January 09, 2011, 09:54:30 PM
at the same time it is a open road and if hey happen to fallow a group of pinto who is going to stop them?
We could always slam on the brakes! :lol:
Quote from: STREETREBEL on January 10, 2011, 10:59:02 AM
We could always slam on the brakes! :lol:
now... wouldn't that be... a blast? :lol:
Quote from: Cookieboystoys on January 10, 2011, 11:26:04 AM
now... wouldn't that be... a blast? :lol:
More like a CAR-B-QUE :devil: I'll bring the weenies...smores anyone :lol:
71HANTO
(http://:) :2fast4u:
I agree 100% that they would not be part of the stampede! That is a Pinto deal only and the time and effort has been put in by the Pinto gang! I haven't heard anything about the vanners doing anything for their 50th, my friend was more or less thinking out loud thad he thought it would be cool for them to drop in at the rear and watch the stampede roll in.
I don't think they are excited at all about the 50th for them at Carlisle,they have shows and events all year long, and as I said before their national event is in July.
Norm has done a fantastic job with the stampede and this all about Pinto's!!