I'm looking for a pinto with low miles, something to preserve and take to car shows locally in central FL. My more recent "find" is a 1971 with 17k miles..... it's very base model with 4spd and 1.6 engine. It got me to wondering "what's the most desirable Pinto" for pinto fanatics?
Thanks,
Dennis
Anything 74 to 80. 71 is pretty different as far as suspension and stuff goes. It will be a lot harder to find parts for too.
My personal "Holy Grail" was an early build 71 with a small window hatch. I finally found a decent one last year that needs some work but it's pretty clean.
My 80 hatch was a special order 42 black/gold edition that may be the only surviving example. My others (72, 73 sedans & 74,76 wagons) are nothing special.
I've always wanted a Cruising Wagon (orange/orange) & a 77 Sport (black/white) with the matching interior.
This is one of those questions where if you ask 100 people, you'll get 100 different answers! I'd say maybe a 1972 Sprint - one year only and relatively rare.
Dwayne :)
As stated there are many opinions. Looks wise I'd say '71-'73. Unless the later years have their bumpers pulled in they look pretty bad. I'm also less partial to the squared off front of the last years. Honestly, to the general populous I don't think any Pinto is seen as significant. Within Pintodom I'd agree on the Sprint - or Cruise Wagon for their uniqueness. OK, 99 opinions to go.
The most desirable Pinto? One with low miles, garage kept and no rust.
I'd grab that 71 you've got your eye on.
For me a 1978 wagon red with the original red paint and grill. Even the non wagon 1978 in that red make my heart race. I just like that color. Fred had two he was talking to me about selling as a set, but my boyfriend wouldnt drive a Pinto too stuck up.
I'm a wagon guy. 72-73. Liked the 77 crusin wagon except for the bumpers. My kids (in there 30's and 40's now) swear that's where they "got there start". Couldn't say that in a sedan....and won't admit or deny it.
I agree with 71 to 73 wagons with the pencil bumpers. That's me though. If I had another alternative it would be a 72 wagon because the rear windows look cooler :-)
Personally? My '80 ESS. Was my fathers and is now mine after a summer father-son project. Just finished dropping a 2.5 stroker into it.
Other than that one, my next top Pinto would be a Silver & Black '76 Pinto Stallion.
(http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/1971-1980-ford-pinto-1976.jpg)
Sprint first of course, Stallion second.
Has to be a 71-2 car trunk or hatch big or small hatch they just have that look that is pure pinto 73 is close but even the different bumper guards hurt the look, the later cars just all look to heavy and the very late cars look so wrong with the square headlights, most all the manufactures the models got worse looking not better through out there production,
you could argue the early bumpers no bump rubbers or overiders look the best, but also the big overiders really suit the cars,,,,,,,, so 71-2 for me,,,,,,
Pangra ??
72 Group 2 Pinto. Only seen two in the last 42 years and I owned one of them.
Any early one with a factory sunroof. I have got a 1973 with a sunroof, and I have only seen one other car with that option.
A later model with sunroof, or a 76 Stallion. I like the blacked out trim on it. I'm partial to the 79 and 80's, but I have a 76. I wanted a 74 and up just because they were more "modern" with their duraspark ignition systems. Also easier to find parts that interchange, and I have a 76 Wagon that was my grandfather's I used some parts from as a donor car. I also wanted one with power steering, power brakes and A/C. Had to settle for just P/S, but the power brakes I don't think will be too hard to add. I have the booster and M/C, and I have an aftermarket A/C system I was going to install in a '66 Mustang I sold. As someone noted, you'll get a bunch of different answers from a bunch of different people, but that's what makes it cool. Everyone adds their own flair to their car.