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Author Topic: Restoring my 78 Sedan  (Read 114876 times)

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Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #420 on: October 19, 2014, 02:35:00 AM »
Once everything was reassembled, any changes cosmetically were minor and wouldn't be noticed by anyone else but me. The most noticeable is the shifter location is farther forwards in the center console, but it doesn't bother me any....yet....

With the added weight of the bigger flywheel, we also swapped out the steel drive-shaft for the aluminum aerostar drive-shaft I have, which helped to balance out the weight gain of the flywheel and transmission.

With this larger flywheel (Original clutch pack was re-used), the clutch as a newer-car feel to it, almost like a hydraulic clutch, but this is still a cable pull clutch setup. The clutch is lighter, or rather, does not require as much effort to disengage, and engages closer to the center of the pedal travel.

Shifting up through the gears is pretty slick, but downshifting to third and second requires some effort and almost like yanking the shifter into place, otherwise it's like shifting without using the clutch!

It's like driving someone else's car, but in a good way! :)
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dga57

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #421 on: October 19, 2014, 11:31:06 AM »
Hi Dave!


Glad to hear you're still working on that Pinto of yours!  We've missed you!


Dwayne :)
Pinto Car Club of America - Serving the Ford Pinto enthusiast since 1999.

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #422 on: October 19, 2014, 03:02:43 PM »
Hi Dwayne, and thank you!

I have missed hanging out here with "the gang" as well. I drop in and check up on eye catching topics during my smoke breaks at work, but that's about all of the time I have had as of late.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #423 on: October 19, 2014, 07:01:18 PM »
Good to hear you're still at it  8)
'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
'76 Wagon driver
'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
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Offline bbobcat75

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #424 on: October 20, 2014, 03:19:07 PM »
nice post!!
1975 mercury bobcat 2.8 auto
1978 mercury bobcat wagon 2.3l - soon to have a 88 tc drive line - SOLD - 🙁
1975 ford pinto - drag car - 2.3l w/t5 trans - project car

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #425 on: October 21, 2014, 10:20:41 PM »
Modified the shifter knob for the added O/D gear labeled as "5"

1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dianne

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #426 on: January 24, 2015, 08:45:41 PM »
Pretty cool Dave :) Your Brownie, my Milo, is getting painted :D You'll have to stop by when he's done :D
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #427 on: February 06, 2015, 10:45:47 PM »
Can't wait to see it finished, Dianne! I will have to make a special trip out, just to see it in person!


I have been working behind the scenes on a custom Pinto cellphone/GPS mount for my car. All I used was some spare 1/8" thick aluminum strip I had lying around, a spare ashtray from the parts box, and a $15 vent-clip-on phone mount from Walmart, "Schoshe" brand, but BestBuy carries one identical to it for $25, with the only difference being the clips for the vents are "specialized and spring loaded". This didn't matter to me, since I was removing whatever mount it had on the back, to fabricate my own way of mounting it to a Pinto ash tray.

The best part about this bracket, is I can replace the phone mount with absolutely any brand or style phone mount I wish. I just simply have to fabricate an adapter bracket/block, or drill the different phone mount in identical places. Also, if I decide I won't be using it for an extended amount of time, I can always just swap it out for my original ashtray!

Mounted against the outside base of the ashtray, I used a 3/8" bolt against a flat washer, and a rubber washer between that and the bracket, then a nylon washer between the bracket and the ashtray. On the inside of the ashtray where the bolt comes through, there is a metal washer against the floor of the ashtray and finally the securing nut.

I did cut the actual tray metal, itself. I removed the top half of the face of the tray, which goes against the front panel (usually has a dimple for the cigarette lighter knob). I did this to allow room for longer phone/device chargers. For the bracket slot, I used the drill press to remove most of the material, and then used a dremel to finish the cut. All the cuts were done with the front panel removed from the ashtray. The panel was riveted back into place in the original locations with washers on the inside.

It is pretty darn sturdy, and doesn't move around a whole lot. We all know how much Pintos shake and rattle, and it does move around some while driving, but nothing excessive! I have noticed that due to the weight of the phone, the tray tends to slide out little by little when braking off and on in traffic or going uphill. I will work on a solution to that, preferably something that will not be visible.


Pictures are pretty self explanatory. I will post installed pictures tomorrow when I have lighting that doesn't washout everything and mess with the contrast.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dga57

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #428 on: February 07, 2015, 12:05:13 AM »
All in all, that looks like a pretty niftly little gadget!  Good job!
 
Dwayne :)
Pinto Car Club of America - Serving the Ford Pinto enthusiast since 1999.

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #429 on: February 07, 2015, 02:56:25 AM »
Thanks Dwayne! It gets the job done. I can use GPS on my phone, now, without turning my head from the road ahead of me, at least.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dianne

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #430 on: February 07, 2015, 06:35:52 AM »
Looks very cool Dave.

You have to tell them the plans for the car and color!
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #431 on: February 08, 2015, 05:56:28 PM »
Here is the dash/interior now, with the phone mount ash-tray in place. It works great, primarily for GPS, which comes in handy. While it will not be permanently in place, it will come in handy a lot, for directions to places in town I am not familiar with, and for when I am listening to internet radio on the phone while charging.

1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #432 on: February 08, 2015, 06:10:46 PM »
Attached in a picture of my car in it's current condition. While the car is still blue, the clear coast has definitely seen better days. About 70 percent of the clear coat has peeled away from the trunk, roof and hood, the quarters are starting to peel now as well.

Funds haven't been the greatest lately, and painting the car has not been possible. Time wise, I haven't been able to get the body work done, which I can't wait to start doing, honestly! I need to finish the quarter panel and door that were hit in the accident about a year and a half ago. Not bad, but the door is deformed a bit. The quarter is pretty much done, just need to perfect the body line and curvature of the wheel well flare. The cowl vent needs straightened (hood came up on the freeway when my dad used to drive it), and I have to patch the quarter panels behind the rear wheels, about 2"x2" patch is rusting out. Not a lot of work, it all just takes time and patience.


Most if not all of you early members remember who Jeff Fitcher was. He was aided in the founding of this wonderful community, and I owe a great deal to him, not only from the knowledge he shared, but his contributions played a huge role in my knowledge of auto mechanics, and without this community, I don't know where I would be in life. This community has been a part of my life through the ups and downs, right from the beginning of me getting my driver's license at the age of 19. Out of all of the message boards/online communities, this place has been the most consistent, and friendly outgoing of them all. I know that no matter how much time I take off of the forums, I know everyone here will not be rude or unfriendly upon my return. Outside of these forums, I call the members here and this community my family.

As for paint selection, I have decided to go with red. The red paint job will be a memorial to Jeff Fitcher and his V8 powered red 78 Sedan. As a side note, I spoke with his son Brodie on FaceBook and while his father's car was sold after his passing, it remains in the family, left in it's greatness that it was in during Jeff's final days. Jeff, you will not be forgotten!
 
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dianne

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #433 on: February 08, 2015, 07:13:12 PM »
Dave bring it over and I'll help with the body work, I love doing it! I have everything we need also :)

Single stage with a coat of clear. If you bring it all the way down, the Shave Shop here in Nampa is reasonable and they are the ones doing my car. He was impressed with my bodywork also!

Let me know, if the weather keeps up like spring here, we can get a bite into it. I have a ton of self etching high build primer also. You clean the paint gun though LOL
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #434 on: February 08, 2015, 07:30:59 PM »
I may take you up on that dianne!


Just thought about this too. Without this place, you wouldn't have the wagon! If it went for like minded pinto people, I would never have bought that car, much less took a look at it when the previous owner offered it to me
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dianne

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #435 on: February 08, 2015, 07:42:00 PM »
I probably would have it Dave, I found you on Craigslist. When you drove it up, I fell in love with it. I know you knew how much I fell in love with it too ahahahaha You wouldn't come down much in price, I was hooked and it wasn't hard to see ;) I drove it for a year while working on it. It's been awhile, but well worth it. What cracks me up is one of my mechanics was telling me about his neighbor with 2 Pintos a blue one and a brown wagon, then I said was it Dave LOL That was sooooo cool! But I may not have done as much as I have without this site, that's for certain! I probably would have never started the 2.3 conversion without a little push from Pinto_one LOL But my guys wanted to swap motors in it, if I left them, they would have put some hopped up Honda engine in it and make it into a slider ahahahaha All I can say is thanks for selling it to me :D

And whenever, I've been dying to work on that thing. I am taking a welding class next week. And yeah, without this place I probably wouldn't be attempting it ahahaha So seeing the stuff the guys do make me want to. I've been eyeballing that Pinto mini stock on Craigslist, wish I could afford it. But if you see one I can turn into one, PLEASE let me know. I want to run it at Meridian Speedway! nexGarage all over it :P The Jeep club will be using us too!

Dave, whenever you can, and the weather is nice, let's do your car!!! We could use the garage, but I think the guys would kill me if I powdered it bad LOL

I'm ready!!!!
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #436 on: February 08, 2015, 08:06:00 PM »
I would have probably been driving a Honda or something if it wernt for this place. I was driving the Pinto when the guy's brother said his brother had a pinto in a field storage corral and if I were interested.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dianne

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #437 on: February 08, 2015, 08:15:05 PM »
Cool. I didn't know that part of the story of Bumble Bee :D That's the new name of Brownie/Milo :D

That's cool.

If anyone knows of a field Pinto, please let me know. I'll even do the floorpans :) I'm learning to weld!!! Now that's something I probably would have never done without this place Dave! ;D
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline dga57

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #438 on: February 08, 2015, 08:34:20 PM »
You know... this site has over 8000 members.  Obviously, not all of them are active but we do boast a pretty active membership here and I think the two of you have hit on a number of the reasons why.  I belong to other car clubs, some with much higher dues, that I don't enjoy nearly as much as I do this one. Whenever you have a group of people, though, a select few tend to work their way into the hearts of the others.  Dave's dedication and expertise over the years, and Dianne's enthusiasm and willingness to share her experiences, puts them in that select category.  There are many others as well, and I dare not start naming names for I'll surely miss somebody, but we regulars here know who they are and in what ways they have supported and inspired us!  To all those special folks, I'd like to offer my humble thanks for making the Pinto Car Club of America the great place that it is.


Dwayne :)
Pinto Car Club of America - Serving the Ford Pinto enthusiast since 1999.

Offline dianne

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #439 on: February 08, 2015, 08:49:13 PM »
I agree with that Dwayne. I wish it had more Fords and stuff, that's why I started Misfits. I did that 70 Galaxie and a few others I didn't like. But I really don't want any other cars right now. I don't even like my King anymore to be honest. I love the Pinto, I love my Spitfire and want to build a Pinto mini stock. But it's about the love of the car really, how cool they are, how people point and look and talk about their experiences with one. Everyone has a story like Dave said.

So I want to sell off my Sebring and King, then I have what I want besides the mini stock :) I love my Pinto :D
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline dick1172762

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #440 on: February 09, 2015, 07:52:17 AM »
Dianne go to 4m.net and look at the Pinto mini stocks. Most are on the east coast but it will give you an idea of what to look for in a racer. If you get nice car you could use it in the hill climbs in your part of the country. There is a lot of Pinto mini stocks out there because most racers have gone to fox body Mustangs. Go for it!
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline dianne

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #441 on: February 09, 2015, 08:34:11 AM »
Dianne go to 4m.net and look at the Pinto mini stocks. Most are on the east coast but it will give you an idea of what to look for in a racer. If you get nice car you could use it in the hill climbs in your part of the country. There is a lot of Pinto mini stocks out there because most racers have gone to fox body Mustangs. Go for it!

Hey Dick, thanks. I don't want to hijack the thread but there is one here. I would rather find one and build it to be honest.

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/4879467460.html

Fox body might be cheaper too, there are bunches here all the time...
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline dick1172762

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #442 on: February 09, 2015, 08:55:48 AM »
Looks like a nice one! I can tell you from 40+ years of building race car that it will cost 2 times as much to build a racer like the one in that ad. Used race cars don't sell for much unless it has a rich history of wins and championships. And on that car he will take less as he has none or he would say so in the ad.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline dianne

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #443 on: February 09, 2015, 05:37:33 PM »
Looks like a nice one! I can tell you from 40+ years of building race car that it will cost 2 times as much to build a racer like the one in that ad. Used race cars don't sell for much unless it has a rich history of wins and championships. And on that car he will take less as he has none or he would say so in the ad.

I know, but I want to do it myself :D
Vehicles:

- 1972 Plymouth Duster (To be a Pro Street)
- 1973 Ford Pinto wagon (registered ride 195)
- 1976 Mustang II mini-stock
- 1978 Mustang King Cobra II
- 1979 Ford Pinto Runabout
- 1986 Chevy K5 Blazer
- 1997 Suzuki Marauder

FORD: Federal Ownership Respectfully Denied

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #444 on: May 17, 2018, 12:33:45 AM »
Long past due update!


The clear coat was gone on the hood, tops of fenders, trunk lid, top halves of the quarter panels, and top few inches of the doors. Car was starting to rust in the rock chips and develop rust in other areas.


The process of repainting and body work has begun. Sanding down the entire body of the car to remove the blue paint, down to the original yellow and even bare metal in some parts. Just trying to get the body pretty flat again.


Body work done to repair dents, dings, the smashed in cowl body line, and cut out the rust in the quarter panels. Body work is going very well, all but the passenger door. It is really irritating me about the right side door either being twisted or some severe alignment issues. I will know more when I pull the fender off and try some more alignment trickery to check body lines and panel alignment before the primer and paint process.


Currently I have the door handles and all of the locks removed. All but the rear window chrome trim removed, all of the badges off and the tail lights off.


I will be removing the fenders, hood, trunk lid, rock deflectors, etc...to ensure good coverage during the repainting process, and no yellow or blue paint showing through under all of the fresh paint.


Here is the car as it sits.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #445 on: May 17, 2018, 12:34:48 AM »
More Body Work:
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline dave1987

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #446 on: May 17, 2018, 12:43:09 AM »
Here is the tweaked right side door. Any suggestions on straightening it out or getting the panels aligned, outside of replacing the door?


Its sunk in at the bottom of the door at the jam, but too far out at the rear frame of the window. The body line at the bottom front of the door lines up with the fender, but the top door body line doesn't line up with the fender.
1978 Ford Pinto Sedan - Family owned since new

Remembering Jeff Fitcher with every drive in my 78 Sedan.

I am a Pinto Surgeon. Fixing problems and giving Pintos a chance to live again is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

Offline Les

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #447 on: September 06, 2021, 06:00:45 PM »
Dave where are you at with the body repair and new paint?

Offline r4pinto

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Re: Restoring my 78 Sedan
« Reply #448 on: September 06, 2021, 06:03:38 PM »
Dave where are you at with the body repair and new paint?
Dave hasn’t been active on here for a few years.


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Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress