Somebody help me!! I have a 1976 pinto runabout. Â On the RIGHT F/Fender, it says MPG. what does this mean? the engine is a 2.3L w/ a 3 speed auto/ blue exterior and blue interior. i cant find another one like this. is this car worth restoring?
The Pinto MPG was a not quite lowest line car. Remember in the late 70's there was a BIG push for fuel mileage, so the Pinto & Mustang both sprouted MPG models. I'm pretty sure, but, not absolutely certain, that they were mechanically identical to every other car produced that year. Is it worth restoring? That's up to you. Are you willing to fork over the cash necessary to fix it up? That being said, I'm working on a base model '74 Runabout.
Quote from: crazyhorse on June 13, 2005, 12:17:48 PM
I'm pretty sure, but, not absolutely certain, that they were mechanically identical to every other car produced that year.
I've *heard* that the "MPG" models had higher rear end ratios (relative to "non-MPG" models), to try & boost up highway miles per gallon.
My 76 MPG wagon came with a 2.3L, auto, pwr steering, pwr brakes and A/C. It didnt have a roof rack. It did have remote side mirrors.
Well, my wife and I have a 76 MPG. Origional burnt orange paint, white vinyl roof, base tan interior on a sedan body. I think all MPG's are sedans due to the lower weight, but I can't be sure. Manual brakes & steering. 2.3L, three speed auto and I believe 3.40 gears in back. When my wife got the car with 25,000 miles on it (1998), she was getting in excess of 30 mpg in it. This is true. On our last road trip (2003) we could only get about 20 mpg. Not sure what went wrong as I am a mechanic and try to keep the car in fine tune. Hell it runs fine, so I'm not sure whats up with it.
We are stationed in Germany right now and the "prized Pinto" is in California for storage til we get back in prolly 08. Then I'll sort it out.