Go to Tuesday March 11th. 12:10 PM, I am riding in my 1980 Pinto wagon (it's running the best ever!) enjoying some nice 8-track songs. I am running between shops this day, collecting cash envelopes so I can process payroll at our main office.
As I am approaching a green light, an oncoming car is making a left turn, but sees the enclave of traffic behind me so he slows down. I proceed through the intersection only to have said vehicle speed up real fast. I'm honking my horn, but it's too late as he collides directly into my driver side door! After my car comes to a rest my brain is working overtime. The engine is still going (sputtering, my baby is hurt!), and I hear a trickling sound.. as if some sort of liquid is leaking out of the car! I cut the engine, remove my seatbelt (yes I was wearing one and so should everyone else!), pop open the passenger door, then hop out (it IS a Pinto... explosion hazard anyone?). Turns out the trickling liquid was antifreeze, the radiator is done for... my baby is totalled. As I am standing there, I notice something isn't right with the way my left hip feels. The other driver walks over to me, completely in a daze. I scream "You M-F-er!!! Why did you do that?!?!". He stares at me as if he has no idea where he is. Then the pain hits and my left leg goes out on me. I am on the ground in serious pain. The driver looks at me and goes "Aww no! No, come on!" as if I was faking it? Maybe the reality hits him that he just messed up someone up big time? OH... I know... he is piss drunk at 12:00 in the afternoon! How the fras can someone be drunk that early?! So I pull out my cell phone and start calling everyone I need to.. the northeast shop was closest, so I called them first, then Heather, then my folks. The unbearable pain made it difficult to even focus on making one simple phone call... I thought I would pass out or go into shock, but I kept my shizod together and pulled through. The paramedics arrive and start to take care of me, then they go check him out. He refuses to go to a hospital (because they do toxscreens), as he is refusing this to the paramedic he pisses himself from whatever inebrients are in his system.
So, I'm strapped in and they're ready to take me away, I'm like "Hell no!", I demanded to speak with the head cop in charge then whisper to him the fact that there is thousands of dollars in the Pinto ready for payroll, and that I had JT (a co-worker) coming to pick it up. "I'm not going ANYWHERE until I know that stuff is in the RIGHT hands!"... they take accident cars to local unsecured yards I trust no one. JT shows up (they assume he is my son somehow?) and everythings good... well sort of. I am carted away and spend a week in the hospital with a fractured pelvis. Medical background people will know these terms: fractured assitabula and iliac wing. Lay people: the socket of the hip and the edge of the "elephant ears" of the hips. Bad news, I will not be able to put weight on my left leg for about 6 to 8 weeks. Good news, it could have been worse, EVERYONE HERE, put on your fuckin seatbelts whenever you are in a car I don't want to hear ANY excuses! More bad news, I ain't forging any metal for a while. More good news, I'm getting better every day.
Thanks,
Sage
Here is the glory of my baby, "I Only Have Eyes For You"
http://greatnippulini.com/pinto.html
Here's wishing you a speedy recovery!!!
Dwayne :smile:
Even though hearing of the demise of another Pinto is a tragedy, it's comforting to know that, it gave it's life fo save it's owner.
I'll say a prayer for your recovery, and Godspeed to your beloved Pinto.
sorry to hear about Pinto hope you are better soon
All I can say is WOW! I wish you a speedy recovery. Good to know that you will be alright in time. As for the Pinto, it can be replaced. Was the idiot that hit you arested for drunk driving? I would nail his insurance company (provided he had insurance). All the best to you.
Sorry to hear about that. I can't believe it... a drunk driver at 12 noon. Anythings possible in todays crazy world. Hope you have a speedy recovery and hopefully you can get another Pinto to fill the large void in your heart.
Best wishes and prayers to you.
-beegle55
wish u a speedy recovery and check for about 11 g's to start on the replacement of ur pinto. if u tell them thats the least that ull take for ur car they hafta pay as long as ur car had never been wrecked and u have some of ur reseat u should get it. as its
( "non replaceable")
Glad to hear you are recovering. Similar to how the first Pinto I ever knew died. Saved my mom and my unborn brother from a dumazz drunk in a full size pickup. She got hit in the passenger door. Basically squashed everything up to the trans tunnel according to my dad. My mom was holding the steering wheel so hard that she bent the top over. I wish the :police: would've drug his butt to the slammer, but back in 1980, slaps on the wrist were the standard. (Not much has really changed, but it is getting better.)
Hello Sagenip,
Yes, That stinks!!!
Hope your recovery goes by fast as a NITRO TURBO PINTO!!!!
From Pintony
Get well soon Sage Nip, you are in our thoughts nd Prayers, sorry about your pony
Sorry to hear about it. My best friend who rolled his Dodge pickup three times on the freeway going 75 walk away undamaged, not wearing a seatbelt. Needless to say, it scared him enough to start wearing it!
I for one won't take a chance without a seatbelt and I feel naked in the car without it.
I wish you the best and a quick recovery!
By any chance is the Pinto salvagable, even with extensive body work?
Wow, thanks everybody for your kind words. I'm getting better everyday and will be walking in a few weeks.
In the meantime, I have found a 1972 Pinto Squire Wagon at a local yard! Guy wants $400, the motor and tranny from the wrecked 1980 Pinto is WAY stronger and tuned than whatever is sitting under the 72 Squire so ENGINE SWAP! The theme for the wrecked Pinto was eyeballs, I had 2 dozen eyeballs in and around the car. This 72 woodie will be transfromed into a Pinto Hearse!! Yep, this time around, the theme will be SKULLS!!
I will keep everyone up to date!
Once again,
Thanks
Thats awesome news...To tell you the truth my most Favorite Pinto I ever owned was a 1972 with a 2.3L swapped into it..nothing fancy just a clean swap..
you keep mending...
FrankBoss
www.PintoWorks.com
www.FrankBoss.com