Pinto Car Club of America

Well, for those of you that are looking to gain a little bit more space in the trunk of your Pinto sedan, or would like to have the look of a flat floor in your wagon or hatchback, then I have the solution you've been looking for.

A 'donut' or compact spare out of a early 90s Ford Escort fits the bill quite nicely, as does one out of a fox body Mustang.  The Escort spare fits well with lower profile tires (it is almost exactly the same height as my 195/60R14 on my 77 M2 coupe.)  It is approximately 21 inches in diameter.  See picture below.

For those running the stock height 80 series tires, the spare from a fox mustang is a decent fit.  It is approximately 24 inches in diameter.  I do not have any 80 series tires on any of my cars, but the tire calculator on MustangII.org says a 175/80R13 is just over 24" (24.02)

These tires are much thinner than the stock full size spare, but a word of caution:  Before you put your old cardboard back down, make sure it will clear the hold down bolt and nut.  Personally, I dont have mine bolted down, but I also have a trunk model, so I don't have to worry about it coming out and hitting me in the head if I get in (God forbid) an accident. 

Take it easy, and have a Merry Christmas!
--Doug

I run a spare from a Fox body LTD that had 14" wheels. as I run 14's on my horse the height is close, it fits below the well, but I have built a "trunk/speaker box" in my car. I don't worry about the spare flying out, it's under about 40lbs of tools & hydraulic jack! Besides, the way I drive, the last thing I hafta worry about is being hit from behind! My plans call for mounting the spare on top of the folded rear seat. As soon as I find a 5th mag wheel.