There is a cruise night coming up on Wednesday June 21st on the green in Colchester, CT starting at 5 PM. I will be bringing my orange car and my husband Bill (77turbopinto) will have his turbo pinto there as well. We've hooked up with Steve from CPR who is planning to bring his wife Diane and kids and '73 squire wagon. We've been trying to reach Glen and George both from New London but no luck yet. Please join us with your pinto (no matter what condition) all are welcome and appreciated. Post here if you can make it or if you need more details. People from surrounding states are welcome as well. Let's show our Pinto spirit!
Connie
Here's the web site of the sponsoring organization, "Good Times Motoring Club" - http://www.goodtimesmotoringclub.com/
Here's GTMC's Cruise Dates page (which shows the June 21st date) - http://www.goodtimesmotoringclub.com/Cruise_Dates.htm
And here's their directions to the Colchester Green (cruise location) page - http://www.goodtimesmotoringclub.com/directions.htm
Sure would be cool to see a few other Pintos show up! We've tried contacting Glen & George (the Pinto Guys from New London), but so far no response--if anyone knows how to get in touch with them, please pass the word.
And like Connie says, please pass the word to *any & all* other Pinto People!
Hey, Connie and Steve...wish I could be there with my '77, but I've got a way to go before it's road worthy (see Steve's CPR web site...scroll about halfway down). Might be able to get there to see yours, though. Tom
That'd be cool, Tom! Hope you can make it by! Speaking for my own family, with the travel time & "family inertia" considerations, our *earliest* ETA would be around 6:30 or so (even though the event is listed to start at 5pm). Even longer drive for you, though? Anyway, hope you can make it out there, or even if not, we appreciate the check-in, and best wishes for continuing progress with your '77!
Steve
Pintoman71, where are you located? Maybe we can hook you up with an escort. (a companion, not the Ford)
Connie
I know the feeling of trepidation if your car's not "tested" yet. I can only say that I was up in Torrington a couple of weekends ago--and drove my 1960 VW (not the world's greatest specimen, but I have a reasonable confidence level with it) all the way up there and back (I live in Stony Creek, which is down on the shoreline a couple of towns east of New Haven): http://members.aol.com/cgearannex/OWTS27May06CarShow.html
So, it is possible. And speaking for myself, my "AAA-Plus" also gives me a little additional confidence level...
Good luck and hope you can make it, pintoman.
Steve from CPR
P.S. to Connie: Bill the gray '62 VW Convertible guy saw your car at the Glastonbury AACA car show this past weekend--did you win any awards?
Shoot, I'm sorry I missed you!
I looked at your profile to see Torrington listed, by the way.
Here's a 6/11 e-mail message from Glen (half of The New London Pinto Guys):
"Hello steve, glad to hear from you again and the other pinto guys!!! It's a big YES we'll be at the show on the 21th. Looking forword to meeting the other pinto guys too! Looks like they got nice cars. We should be bringing two but maybe four cars. Sure sounds like fun,I hope all shows up. See ya Glen"
COOL!!!
Steve,
I got a second place trophy. Thanks for asking. It's not as great as it sounds, there were only two in my class, 1974 through 81 production. The other car was a pristine 1980 Chrysler Lebaron 5th Ave limited (654) edition. It's interior was nicer than our living room.
I'm glad to see that we will have a whole herd of Pintos next week. Bill and I are looking forward to it!
A plug for AAA-plus for the uninitiated, they will tow your car anywhere up to 100 miles up to 4 times in a year as long as it is legally registered. You can usually get a flat bed if you ask for one. It's a little pricier than the standard coverage but worth it to not have to go to the specified garage.
Connie, glad you didn't take offense at Glen's use of the word "guys!" I had the good fortune to meet both Glen and George last year, and I can vouch that they're good people. And they sure know how to build cars (their V-8 Pinto really looked "factory," and I recall their explanations about the lengths they went to, so as not to have to use any sort of externally-visible hood scoop or "bulge").
I think I know of the Lebaron--it's owned by a license plate enthusiast, isn't it? (and he runs "YOM" blue plates on it)? I've never seen it in real life--only pictures.
Well, I saw my second well-preserved Mustang II at a Connecticut cruise night so far this season, when my daughter and I drove our modern car out to the "Dino's" of North Haven cruise that's run by the F.O.R.D. club, this past Sunday night (this one was a black Cobra II). I also saw one about a month or so ago at the Blood Sweat & Gears Friday night cruise in Milford (a notchback with vinyl "half roof"). But, NO PINTOS so far...though thankfully it sounds like Colchester will break that string for me in style!
Hey guys...and gals...wish I could join the Pinto stampede that night..but I'm obligated to rise at 4am the next morning. Too old to Pinto party and get to work on time the next day. Maybe next time. I'll look forward to some posts about the meet. Hey, New London...wondering you had a chance to check out a part we talked about a while back...passenger side plastic fender well piece that butts up against the door jamb. Thanks!
Just got back fron Colchester; WOW, SEVEN Pintos. I forgot my camera, but Paul L. from turboford.org was there to lend a hand.
It was great to finally meet a bunch of 'us'.
Thanks to all that made it (and to those that wanted to but could not, we will see you next time).
Sorry Al, I heard you were looking for me (I was in the food line quite a bit), I am sure we can hook up another time.
Bill
Absolutely ditto Bill's comments!
Colchester was really a lot of fun last night. Huge turnout of cars--filling their entire Town Green. We had a lot of fun visiting with all the Pinto folks, and even managed eventually to get ours parked in the line-up with the other six (we arrived last--long drive getting there), for a real "visual spectacle" (I'll try to attach a "teaser" photo here if I can).
Special tip of the Pinto cap to Glen & George (Team Pinto from New London) for turning out no less than FOUR of their fantastic cars!
About the time it was getting dark, we drove our Pinto down the hill to "Harry's" famous drive-in (which had been recommended to us by some friends) and enjoyed fantastic hot dogs, fries, onion rings, and ice creams for dessert.
It was a little after 11pm by the time we finally got home to Stony Creek, and the little Pinto thrummed along faithfully the whole way, never missing a beat. Summertime evenings don't get much better than this!
Special thanks Connie for all her work in setting up this very special Historic Pinto Gathering in Connecticut!
Here's one more shot for now--this one's sighting down from the other end, with Glen & George's V8 Pinto in the foreground. I kinda held the camera up over my head to get this shot. A little bit of the amazing overall "scene" of the Colchester Cruise is also visible in this view.
Positively Memorable!
Found one more good shot to share at this time--this one gives even a little more of a "feel" for the overall active scene last night on the Colchester Green. We were all parked, I guess (judging by the sun direction) on the western edge of the Green--in all, a very nice spot (thanks, I believe, to Bill for "staking out" the original spot--and also for asking his Mustang buddy to temporarily move his car so that we could move our Pinto over into the line up).
I can't believe what nice Pintos there are in Connecticut and that we've never seen them before last night. 7 altogether and a great variety too. We had a squire sedan, a squire wagon, a cruising wagon, one trunk car, an all-glass hatch car, a V8, a turbo conversion. Also no two were the same color. Thanks to all for coming out, Steve for organizing the details and directions. I heard people talking in other areas of the green "hey did you see all those pintos on the other side?" We really made an impression. Watch this spot for the next CT Pinto Stampede!
Connie
Hi Bill,
Will get to ask the "tons of turbo questions" on one of these meets.
I brought my sister and brother in law and they brought the grandkids who quickly got bored so I had to leave early. Too bad as I took the night off of work
I saw that line and know how long it took to get your burger. We wound up eating at Family Pizza down the road.
Can imagine now what my XR7 turbo will look like in my 71 sedan.
Great job on your install!
As Glen and George probably told you, I'm up to my neck with projects, but I got my 72 Runabout back from their caring hands with a primered outside finish and a completed engine compartment finish. They will get it back when I'm finished with the install and will paint it the same red as the Cruising Wagon.
What a great job they have done!
Will get to work on it when done with my truck transplant project, most likely towards the end of the summer.
Sorry I didn't have the time to meet everybody, but the season isn't over yet.
Al
Here's a 6/25 input I received from Glen of "Team Pinto from New London":
"Hello Steve, I just wanted to tell you what a good time we had getting together with all the pinto guys!! That was cool and I hope we can do it again. I'd also like to have some pictures you took if I could. Keep in touch. Thanks GLEN"
Hey Torrington Pintoman:
Please send me a photo or two of your car some time, along with perhaps a few descriptive sentences about it--I'd love to add it to the CPR page some time: http://members.aol.com/cgearannex/CPR.html
You can e-mail to me directly at: CommonGear@aol.com
And don't give up on the concept of building up a "confidence curve" with your Pinto--I do the same with my old cars--after a number of successful local trips, I start to feel it's reasonable to try a longer one here and there--and usually, if you're doing a reasonably good job of maintaining your car, you'll be surprised at what you and your old car may accomplish...
Thanks and best regards,
Steve
Aloha--Here are a couple of new Colchester-Pintos-related pages to check out...
First, CPR's own report with photos: http://members.aol.com/cgextras/ColchesterPintosJune2006.html
Secondly, noted Connecticut-based automotive historian Kit Foster's latest installment (dated July 13, 2006) at his own site: http://www.kitfoster.com/
Best regards and Happy Pinto-ing,
Steve from CPR
Stony Creek, CT
I snapped a picture of Mr. Foster posing with our Pinto back when we displayed it at the AACA National Fall Meet at Hershey, PA two Falls ago: http://photos.aaca.org/showphoto.php?photo=4316&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=3
Being a wagon pervert I am drooling over that little white job. Anymore pictures of it available?
Jake
Thanks for all the work to put that site up; KOOL.
Bill
Jake: Are there any certain angles or views you are looking for?
Bill: Thanks--and thanks again to you and Connie for all your most instrumental work in making it happen!
I would love some engine compartment and interior shots. I would take just about anything from a car that nice.
Jake
I'll try to get you some pix Jake, next chance I get.
Wanted to mention here, though, that Creamsicle Connie has expressed some interest in attending the Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival's Antique Auto Parade & Display, upcoming on Sunday, July 30th, 2006, at the Sunrise Resort , in Moodus, CT.
It's very possible that I may bring our '73 Squire out also. And I've just e-mailed a heads-up to Glen & George--the Pinto Guys from New London.
Any & all other Connecticut Pinto People are Most Certainly Encouraged to attend also!!!
Here is the info page for Jazz Festival Antique Automobile Participation: http://members.aol.com/cgextras/JzzFstFlyer.html
So anyway, maybe see a few Pintos in Moodus on Sunday, July 30th (and don't forget to bring your bathing suit if it's really hot out--the Sunrise Resort pool is fantastic, and it's open all day).
Thanks I look forward to seeing anything more on that or any other squire wagon.
Jake
:afro: here some pics of my pinto at the car show in torrington on july 14
Way to represent, Pintoman!!!
Please tell us some more about your car!
Is it a '71 model (as your handle suggests)? Manual or auto trans? Miles? Any other notable features? Original Connecticut car or from somewhere else originally?
Oh fudge--I just noticed a small blurb in today's Connecticut Post newspaper that there's going to be an all-Ford car show this Sunday (7/23/2006) in Guilford--which I then found more info about online:
http://www.lmmc-ct.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18483
Fantastic--but I'm going to be tied up all day in Durham, at "Time Machines 2006!"
http://www.geocities.com/tbirdsofconn/timemach.html
Ah well, just figured I'd pass the info along...
Wow--an original, low-miles early Pinto--very cool--good for you, Pintoman!
I'll certainly look forward to seeing it "in person" one of these days.
Wow--how come, Pintoman?
And for anyone's interest, it's looking like our '73 Squire will make it out to the Jazz Festival Antique Auto Parade & Display in Moodus this coming Sunday, July 30th (though I think my wife's in-law's will be doing the driving--I'll also be there, but will be driving I think one of our old VWs). Anyone considering attending the event, please be sure to READ CAREFULLY the info page: http://members.aol.com/cgextras/JzzFstFlyer.html
Happy Friday!
Steve from CPR
:coolafro: i have been bit by the pinto bug once again. now i am in so deep with pintos.. ;D well to come clean. i have bought another pinto.. this one is a 1972 pinto it is the same color outside as my 71 and the int is white and brown. my kids think i am the best for getting once again another pinto. my son told me i should get one from each year "71-80" this pinto has 68k unlike my other with only 25k. it needs a few parts i have to go out and find but other then that it is nice. once i get it into my hands i will snap a few pics and post them. then in spring maybe i'll do a side by side of the two pintos.. :afro:
Good deal, and congrats on the new car.
If you are looking to do that 10 year collection idea, I can help with the 1979:
http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php?topic=5849.0
Bill
:afro: wow. i ouwld have to say right now i am all set. i just happened to get this one unplanned. i would love to do the 10 year thing but, there are a few problems. 1 is i don't own any property or a house. 2 i don't have the space now for all my cars as it is for winter which i have to get a move on so that i can park so i don't get winter parking tickets. 2 pintos in one year is good for this year. next year we shall see what i can do. my 71 is in a storage unit the 72 might have to spend the winter outside. i don't want that but it just may happen. anyways thanks for the offer! :afro:
No problem.
BTW: In case you did not see my signature, I can help you get a house too; if you are interested, just let me know.
Bill
:hypno: do you do any homes up here in the torrington area?
Yes, I was working there a few weeks ago, and I get over there from time to time.
I grew-up in Wolcott.
Drop me a PM if you would like more info.
Bill
Pintoman, have you posted any pictures of your new Pinto anywhere yet?
>:( no i haven't gotten it yet... after i get it..:)
>:( no i haven't gotten it yet... after i get it..:)
Hi everyone! I just got a 1979 Pinto off eBay all the way from Iowa (I'm right here in Connecticut). I'd love to meet up with people whenever the Pinto people get together!
Congrats on the new car!
Where in CT are you?
Bill
I'm in Thomaston, which is in Litchfield County, between Waterbury and Torrington.
:swirl: Torrington? torrington? did someone say torrington? where are the picks of your pinto from iowa? show it off. i am from torrington! :) :afro:
Hey Roger, congrats and please post a picture some time of your '79! And/or please e-mail me a photo that I can add to the CPR page: http://members.aol.com/cgearannex/CPR.html
Thanks to Bill & Connie's inspiration, we had a fun Pinto gathering in Colchester this past June, ref: http://members.aol.com/cgextras/ColchesterPintosJune2006.html
Maybe we should start thinking ahead to '07 for the next opportunity...
Steve from CPR
Stony Creek, CT