OK.....I don't even know where to start. First off, I am fairly excited, because I have waited literally YEARS for a forum like this - and forgive me for not looking sooner. I have always been a Pinto fan and always will, and this site is, well, "driving" me towards picking up one of these cars and really doing it right!
"The story" if I may. My first car was a 1966 Mercury Comet 4 door - a beater, but when you are 16, you don't really care. I drove it for a year until it fell apart, at which time my Grandmother bought me a brand new 1977 Pinto hatchback...the color was best described as "fleshtone" - I can't remember the actual name. This car was of course greatly loved, washed, waxed, fitted with nice hubcaps, pinstriped, and fitted with 2 coax speakers and an 8 track. Wow - a new car. It was a neat vehicle. Eventually, my mother took it over once I went to college. since I really did not "need" a car, and she drove it for a few years.
In 1981, I had to move for school, and I needed a car. This time, my Grandfather offered me his 1977 Pinto Wagon, and I gladly accepted. Now folks, I LOVED this vehicle - it was always spanking clean. I drove it on 8 hour jaunts across state regularly, and never let it go downhill. I fitted it with a header, 13" Cragars on front, 14" Cragars on back, a Supertrapp muffler, and foglamps. For three years, that car kept me good company - heck, I even used to go camping in it. I remember the guys at the Midas shop laughing about my miffler, but hey - I was "ahead of my time.
Years go by, I work jobs with a company van, and the Pinto wagon sits unloved at home. I buy a 1957 Chevy 2 door hardtop in California - running - for $800 - and start a frame off restoration. Meanwhile, my younger brother gets the wagon, beats it up, cracks one of the rims, and generally uses it without any care. In 1990, I decide to go back to college for a second degree, and I need a "go to school car" - the wagon that had been sitting idle between my parents and the neighbors house for two years!! I retrieve it, and it still runs - so I do general maintenance, wax it out, change the tires, and use it daily. Sadly, the rust is starting to peek through more than I'd like.
SO - I meet a guy in a local Chevrolet club, who has a body shop. OK- this is where I go nuts - and where my wife cringes when I recant the story. >:( After two and one half years in school, I tear the Pinto down, while the Chevy (not completely restored yet) sits idle. The fenders come off; we french the antenna, add side panels (found in a local junk yard), weld in a gas door, shave the handles, remove the roof rack, shave the emblems, and paint the whole thing BRIGHT WHITE. But wait - how about some beautiful, lustrous red-pink-purple tipped flames!!! This thing was COOL!! I wanted to put a V8 or an Esllinger motor in it! I wanted to drive it everywhere!~!
But - I buy a car cover, park it outside (I wanted to do more, but after paint, had no more money), and I needed another driver - so I buy a 1980 hatchback that is near DEAD - an orange, faded relic with door/fender damage, and holes in the floor so I could enjoy the exhaust. It ran - and it was in bad shape - it finally died ONE WEEK before graduation, on the highway (starter motor began turning over while the car was running - and removing the key did NOT stop it)!
The rest of the story? I got a job in Texas, and the wife said "only one car is going". Of course, the 1957 was the choice, and I left the wagon and the title at the guy's body shop, never to see the car again. It was a day I will always remember.....
Here it is, 2007. I recall a day when I told my wife "you know, I'll bet that people collect PIntos one day". She laughed. The Midas guys laughed. Everyone laughed. And now, here's a web site and fan base dedicated to it. I sold the Chevy in 1995 - a regretful move, but a choice I had to make. I can't tell you how excited I am about finding this group, it really makes me want to go get another wagon and build it up. And to think there are other guys out there who are just as interested? Wow - you'll probably see me at a meet one day.
Thanks for listening, sorry if I rambled - I am just pretty pumped about this. Pinto has been in my blood a long time - and I think I just found a reason to start up the enthusiasm again!
Chris
:welcome: Nice story Chris. There are still a bunch of nice cars out there. My buddie Dave's neighbor picked up a decent 80 wagon pony for $200. The car is loaded, PS, PB, At, AC and has only 80K on the clock. The car has current tags. I have yet to see it but it sounds like it is in decent shape.
:welcome: popbumper,
With 2 degrees U should be able to afford to Buy-Build the Pinto of your dreams,
I hope I do see you at a Pinto meet 2008
Maybe I missed where U live now but there is a NICE 1976ish Pinto wagon on craigslist for 1500.00
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/car/448894134.html
From Pintony
Thanks guys, I appreciate the well wishes.
Pintony - I am near Dallas, Texas - certainly there are some clean rust free bodies around here, this is a huge metroplex and I should not jave to want for a decent builder. It will definitely be a wagon, or cruising wagon, without doubt.
Tigger - $200 for a nice wagon with low mileage is GREAT - especially with AC, Hope I can find a deal like that!
Guys - May I ask - where are the meets in 2008? Have dates/locations been established?
Chris
popbumper,
Welcome to FordPinto.com. Home of the third degree. Find a good one, we are rooting for ya!!!!!
High_Horse
Thanks for rooting - gotta start the hunt!! BTW, I have been looking over more of the forum and realize I posted in the "wrong" area - sorry, guys. I guess it shows how green I am :D
Green to forum boards but it sounds like youve got plenty of experience with some nice pintos :P :welcome:
There is a guy in Tulsa with a fleshtone hatchback.
High_Horse
popbumper,
Wow, what a great story, reminds me of mine!
You will find an exceptional group of Guys and Gals (yes the numbers have been rising!) here ready to help you in your project.
The Regional meets have not been voted on for 08 but from the concensus and the success of last years it will most likely be in the very same 3 places. The closest for you would be the Oklahoma meet run by Dave and Frank... (excellent folks)... Stay tuned.
Welcome & enjoy!!
:welcome: Popbumper,
these guys who run this site are great, the'll answer most of you questions and if the can't th'ell give ya a line of bull ya cant forget :hypno:
I have been warned - deservedly so.... ::) You guys are all crazy. So happy to be part of the madness, my wife thinks I'm nuts.
Chris
PopBumber,
She may be jealous. ;D You know women...that is their way of saying.."I wanna go too"
High_Horse
I dropped off some parts to my buddy the other day. Here is a pic of the $200 wagon. I did not go look at it up close as I do not know his neighbor. It looks like it is in good shape.
And it's Mustard yellow. Where is this car??????????/ Tigger I don't see your pin in the map.
High_Horse
I live in Aloha, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. The car is in North Portland. I updated my profile so my pin is now on the map.
It will be interesting to see how long this guy keeps it. I imagine my buddy Dave will end up with the car before long.