Pinto Car Club of America

Greetings from Northern California!

After quite some time, my powder blue '73 is back on the streets again, after nearly meeting its maker with a blown engine and some other issues (see 'seven months in the shop, but worth the wait,' if you're interested in the backstory).

I have to tell y'all (if you weren't aware of this already) that I believe we're on the crest of a new wave of Pinto popularity which is only now beginning.

My car looks good but isn't perfectly restored...and yet I get so many more positive comments/smiles/thumbs up than I've ever gotten in my somewhat collectable 993 Porsche Carrera! I drove Betsy (the Pinto) to a car show in Hillsborough, which is a super exclusive part of this area, and I couldn't even park her without attracting a crowd. All day, I'd be hearing, 'oooh, look, a PINTO!' when all around us were Bugattis and Delahayes and Cords (not to mention all the usual exotic cars, and even a Henry J).

I'm still not quite sure where this might be going, but I really do believe there's some value in our cars which has not yet been realized. BTW, I'm not in it to make a profit (by any stretch of the imagination).

On my street alone, two of my neighbors have said hello...then launched into their own stories of things Pinto. One guy used to call his 'the Pimple' and the other waxed eloquent about his long lost '76.

Maybe some current world events will help refocus collector car interest away from muscle cars and towards some of the more unique specimens out there. I mean, mid 60's Mustangs are still pretty common out here...but just try to someone who can even remember the last time they've seen a Pinto!

And so many people seem to have fond memories of our cars, too.

Anyhow, just a thought...too much time on my hands at work, I suppose!

As far as I'm concerned, I'm always making sure to drive courteously and I keep the car as sparkling clean as possible. Doing my best to be a rolling advertisement.

--Pinto_Girl

PS: Devil's Advocate Question: Perhaps we DON'T want our cars to appreciate too much in value...? What does that accomplish, really, for those of us in it for personal reasons...other than make parts more expensive?

Hey Pinto_Girl:

Nice story!  Do you have any pics of your powder blue '73 Pinto you can post?

77pintocw

I agree with you totally!
BGP ;D :D ;) :) :) :) :) :)

Just went to a Drive-IN tonight with my Red Wagon & did not even drive it on the show grounds. Parked it in the out field walked the show & drove away. An intresting thing happened when I drove past the show field while leaving, a lot of folks started pointing & one participant event honked his horn at me. Guess next time I will be on the show field.

You are right Pinto Girl...