There’s little love for the Ford Pinto, the most maligned Malaise Era American car this side of the AMC Pacer. Dodge the cliché rear-end jokes and other disparaging remarks and you’ll find the Pinot was quite middle-of-the-road among economy cars of the era. However, the 1980 Ford Pinto hatchback that we have chosen as our Pick of the Day has overcome its genetic deficiencies and become a much more interesting vehicle. It is listed on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Oklahoma City. (Click the link to view the listing)
When Ford introduced the compact Falcon for the 1960 model year, it was in response to the Volkswagen Beetle. So why was the subcompact Pinto necessary? Due to the influx of Japanese subcompacts that were becoming popular on American roads, especially on both coasts. Debuting in September 1970, the Pinto initially was available only as a two-door sedan, with a Runabout hatchback being introduced in February 1971.
In those early years, the Pinto was powered by the Kent 1.6- and SOHC 2.0-liter inline-fours, with the former from the UK and the latter from Germany. A 2.3-liter SOHC four appeared in 1974 that would eventually replace the European pair, and the Cologne 2.8-liter V6 appeared from 1975-79. A wagon also appeared for 1972.
There were several styling updates throughout the years. For 1973, the federalized front bumper augmented the Pinto’s looks; for 1974, the same at the rear. For 1976, an egg-crate grille and new parking lights distinguished the Pinto and, for 1977-78, the Pinto featured a slightly sloped front end with new grille and parking lights.
The Pinto for 1979-80 received its heaviest facelift yet, being folded in the world of halogen headlamps and more aerodynamics. The taillights also were updated with new lenses. The 2.3 four was all that was left, but the late Martin Brown decided to do something about it and install a 2.3-liter turbo four from the Mustang SVO. Who’s Marty? One half of the duo who created Quick Fuel Technology (currently owned by Holley), Martin started with a clean 1980 Pinto sedan and added the SVO engine, five-speed transmission, and 8.8-inch rear with 4.10 gears. A custom 2.5-inch exhaust system extracts even more horsepower. Wheels and tires come from a 1990 Mustang GT (195/60/15 front, 225/60/15 rear).
“The interior has new, matched gray cloth seats front and back,” says the seller. “A tach is mounted on the dash, and under there are amp, oil, Water and boost gauges.” This is a new-era hot rod for its time and, for $17,700, you can play with it and figure out how to embarrass more substantial machinery.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
Source: www.classiccars.com