Hi guys:
Calling in LATE tonite traveling in Alabama. I flew into Nashville from Dallas earlier today to hook up with my Dad in Tennessee and take a road trip to - you guessed it - look for old cars.
So we arrive here at >location unnamed<, around 5 PM, and check into the hotel. Dad is upstairs sleeping right now, and snoring the whole time. i am on the internet, about to end this session and go sleep in another room where I can, well get some peace and quiet - for another $78.
Enough about my nocturnal inadequacies. Once checked in, we decide to immediately take a quick jaunt up the road before the sun sets. The first stop (lierally 2 miles away) contains 5 cars - a beat up old Merc, a 1983 Monte Carlo, an old Volvo Wagon, a '63 Plymouth Valiant, and YUP - you may have guessed it - a 1977 Cruising Wagon - in rough shape, but complete. I >kid you not< - I was totally amazed. It's paint was peeling, the interior was rough, and the rear passenger quarter panel behind the wheel well was pushed in. The front windshield had silicone around most of it, but hey - diamonds are often found in the rough. Who says these things are impossible to find? Oh yeah - I could see the oil pan, but had no way to open the hood. Appears the 2.3 is intact. I'll share a pic once I get home.
For those keeping score, and who had read my introduction, you'll perhaps get a kick out of the next visit. Another mile up the road, we see about 5 acres of land that has, literally, 300+ cars of all vintages, sitting rusting in the open. And there, there in the FRONT ROW is a NICE '66 Mercury Comet Caliente 2 door with a decent body and 289 motor. Remember my story? That was my first car, in 1976 - and then my Grandmother bought me a 1977 Pinto, a year later.
I'm flippin. Maybe that's why I can't sleep (well, then there's Dad :nocool:). Jeeze, to see the two cars I first owned one right after the other on an obscure Alabama road has me - um - "overstimulated". Was this like a star crossed occurence, or what? Can't wait for tomorrow - if i have more stories of Pintos to share, you'll hear from me. In the meantime, hope your night is more restful than mine. Cheers!
Chris
Hello Chris,
My experience is that to go look for a Pinto is counter-productive.
All you do is burn fuel and time.
If you have some patience the right Pinto will show up sooner or later.
The internet is the best way to search for a Pinto.
Craigs list Ebay and right here on fordpinto.com
Good luck in your search...
From Pintony
I Live in Hunstville/Madison, AL & Have 3 very Nice Pintos...
Sounds like you are VERY close...
I sent my cell number to you in a Personal Message..
PIntony - thanks for the well wishes, but going on a "car hunt" was not a waste of time - it's a long story, but it was more of an opportunity to visit with my Dad, who I had been estranged from for 23 years up until two years ago. WE had a LOT of fun finding old cars of all types!!
Scott - now that I know where to "find you", I will look you up when I get in the area again. I would love to see your cars!!
Glad to be back in Texas, guys!!
Chris
Hey popbumper,
Good to hear you made it back safe to Texas....
OK, I C the real reason for the trip so U R Correct! It was not a waste!!!!!
My Dad just turned 70 and we R as close as ever...
From Pintony
Hey Chris,
Where in Dallas? I live in Tulsa OK but make it to DFW for work occasionally. I stay just south of DF Airport on Trinity Blvd. just east of 360. If you are close, it would be nice to look you up on a visit.
Dave
Original74....I think I am going to have to change my name here.....something lke LastNew79 or something like that...Tony will laugh.
Quote from: Original74 on October 31, 2007, 08:57:37 PM
Hey Chris,
Where in Dallas? I live in Tulsa OK but make it to DFW for work occasionally. I stay just south of DF Airport on Trinity Blvd. just east of 360. If you are close, it would be nice to look you up on a visit.
Dave
Original74....I think I am going to have to change my name here.....something lke LastNew79 or something like that...Tony will laugh.
Original74 Dave
Dave:
I am in Richardson, which is about 1/2 hour East of that location. If you get here, gimme a day heads up and we can get together. Certainly Pintos would be the main topic, but if you have any interest at all in old (1980's vintage) pinball machines, I have a nice lineup of restored games - my "other hobby". Stay in touch!
Chris
I know where there is a 1964 Fairlane in an obscure part of northern Calif. and it appears to be a Thunderbolt model. From what I could see at the time, its got the teardrop hood, and big headers under the car. It looks like its been sitting in the weeds for 30 years, and there is some lettering on the sides, but I could'nt make it out. The whole thing is faded and oxidized, but looks like its all there.
Dont ask me where....as I've got my hopes up that its a real 427 Thunderbolt!!
I would not do that, hope it works out for you! So, where is it....? :D
Chris
Hey Dave! I just finished replying to your message in the thread I started last week, when I noticed in this thread that you say you're from Tulsa. I have relatives in Siloam Springs, Arkansas which really isn't all that far away... we generally get out there once every couple of years... last visit was in 2006. Also have friends in Plano, just outside of Dallas and try to visit there whenever we're out that way. Maybe if we make the trip again next summer, we could arrange a meeting... I'd love to see Geraldine up close!
Dwayne
Dwayne:
Let me impose, and count me in 8), Plano is a stone's throw from where I'm at and we could all get together sometime. Man, gotta love the internet!
Chris
No imposition, man! In fact, it was thanks to the internet that I met my friend in Plano! We've known each other online for close to ten years - met on a Yahoo! Britcom group - found out about three years ago that she used to live in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and I have relatives there. Siloam is a very small town so she asked who my relatives were and I told her - her response was to send me a photo of my aunt and uncle at her daughter's wedding!!! Like you said, you've got to love the internet! Anyway, finally met face-to-face about a year ago. Actually, there are a couple of other folks in Dallas that I'd like to look up: a James Simmons and a Matt Bobula. Both are Lincoln collectors and both are previous owners of my 1979 Continental Collector's Series sedan. James bought it from the original owners and then sold it to Matt two years later. I bought it from Matt. Have had contact with both but have never actually met either of them in person. I'm always up for making new friends, though, so when I get back out to that area I'd be more than happy to meet you, Dave, and/or anyone else from this site.
Dwayne