Topic: Motoring Memories: Ford Pinto, 1971-1979

[Autos_Editor]

The Pinto was another attempt by Ford to counter rising sales of imported small cars. The Pinto was a success until a well publicized 1972 collision in which a Pinto’s exploding fuel tank caused a fatality and resulting lawsuits.

Read More...

[Canada Stig]

It just makes me think of the movie "Top Secret" where the dump truck skids into the back of the Pinto, but just barely touches the bumper with a little "ping", only to have the car blow up.

From a friend that had one of these, however, I do know that they were virtually unstoppable in the snow (and, if you back into something, would help melt the snow too).

[johngenx]

It was a joke then, now, and forever.

[Jackmac]

The Pinto was actually made through the 1980 model year, not 1979.  Its fuel tank design was no better or worse than competing models - it was media coverage of what were in reality a few isolated incidents, and the release of Ford's internal documents that saddled the Pinto with a reputation that others avoided.  It was once described as "a car nobody loved, but everybody bought", and was a success long after the 1972 incident - in fact sales really never suffered at all.  You may think of it as a joke today, but Ford sold millions of them and they were absolutely everywhere in their day.

[Erik]

The Pinto was actually made through the 1980 model year, not 1979.  Its fuel tank design was no better or worse than competing models - it was media coverage of what were in reality a few isolated incidents, and the release of Ford's internal documents that saddled the Pinto with a reputation that others avoided.  It was once described as "a car nobody loved, but everybody bought", and was a success long after the 1972 incident - in fact sales really never suffered at all.  You may think of it as a joke today, but Ford sold millions of them and they were absolutely everywhere in their day.

Good post.
About as good. or bad, as other small cars of the day.

[Winklovic]

In January 1986, I rear-ended a Mercury Bobcat (nee Pinto) with my 1975 Beetle.  She was Car 2, I was Car 3 in a four-car, chain collision.  Neither of us blew up.   

[ovr50]

My sister had a Pinto - she rolled it - bad driving, not the car.

It was a so-so small car. About par for that time compared to other small cars.

I do recall (??) that some internal documents of Ford's that were leaked to the press, indicated that Ford was aware of a small/inexpensive fix to the gas tank problem, but Ford chose to ignore it for that sake of a few dollars per car. Am I wrong in this recollection?

[safristi]

 ....... ....is that U and Sis going fer a pedal....................... ...and Artic watching Ov'r ya.......

[articsteve]

The Pinto got about 12 mpg.  My sister bought a brand new one.     Then it fell apart in 5 years and her new hubby got her into a Mustang II which was a fancy re-skinned Pinto. 

[Winklovic]

The Pinto got about 12 mpg.  My sister bought a brand new one.     Then it fell apart in 5 years and her new hubby got her into a Mustang II which was a fancy re-skinned Pinto. 

How long did the marriage last? 

[Eric Green]

Horrid, ghastly cars, but having the great Ford Yurp OHC engines.

[TopGun]

The Pinto was actually made through the 1980 model year, not 1979.

I recalled a 2.3 L engine in use...and Wiki states that it was installed in the Pinto in 1974.

That same engine went on 'till 1997!!! It ended up in the T-Bird Turbo Coupe and the cool Mustang SVO.

[johngenx]

The Pinto was a victim of the media, true.  And sure, it sold, but only because of Ford loyalists.  What the Pinto (and Vega and Chevette over at GM) did was allow Honda and Toyota to establish themselves with the Civic and Corolla.

[safristi]

..hello RUSTY...ya knew! here................. ...wot happens in a VEGA stays in a VEGA..............................so maybe CRUSTY is more apropos..................the Pinto why U santa Maria......................nina noona noo...........

[Arthur Dent]

The Pinto was actually made through the 1980 model year, not 1979.

I recalled a 2.3 L engine in use...and Wiki states that it was installed in the Pinto in 1974.

That same engine went on 'till 1997!!! It ended up in the T-Bird Turbo Coupe and the cool Mustang SVO.

The Ranger used a 2.5L version of that motor until recently.

[Seafoam]

It was a joke then, now, and forever.

 But the Vega was even worse.  Did you ever see a Vega  4 cylinder at idle? It would rock back in forth. They would burn oil after 10000 miles and belch blue smoke  like a Trabant.

[safristi]

...aaaahhh the true FARTSTART of GLOWBALLS SHWARMA'ing..............

[Seafoam]

...aaaahhh the true FARTSTART of GLOWBALLS SHWARMA'ing..............

 Yes 

[dirtyjeffer]

my mother had a Pinto for several years...it never caused any problems...someone ended up smacking into her and wrote the car off, but everyone was OK.

[articsteve]

The Pinto got about 12 mpg.  My sister bought a brand new one.     Then it fell apart in 5 years and her new hubby got her into a Mustang II which was a fancy re-skinned Pinto. 

How long did the marriage last? 

Which one?    The Mustang II husband lasted 5 years I think.