One of the best things about the Pinto was the rack an pinion steering. Big improvement over the worm and sector steering found in the '60's cars.

FWIW, a somewhat better car of that era that also used the 2.0 was the original Mercury Capri, made in Germany. Aka the 'Sexy European' in the ad campaign. Not a hatchback like the Pinto Runabout and a tiny rear seat, but more stylish, better interior and better handling. More expensive, too. I think they may have had 5 speeds instead of the Pinto 4 speed manual, but not sure about that.

That English 1.6 which was the original base motor in the Pinto was around forever in Europe, especially in the Cortina. Later it was in the Fiesta, which was imported to the USA and not a bad little car (I think the car was made in Germany).

 

I was never much for the way the Pinto hatchbacks looked, but I always thought the wagons were pretty sporty looking little cars -- I'd like to have a nice clean one in "baby blue" just to tool around in today for grins!

 

I remember when my dad came home with a '72 Pinto wagon, it was brown with wood grain and had plaid seats.

My mom wanted him to take it back where he got it.
He said, "Hon, if you think you hate it now wait til you drive it."

 

IF I drove a Pinto it would be painted like this one.

 

FWIW, a somewhat better car of that era that also used the 2.0 was the original Mercury Capri, made in Germany. Aka the 'Sexy European' in the ad campaign. Not a hatchback like the Pinto Runabout and a tiny rear seat, but more stylish, better interior and better handling. More expensive, too. I think they may have had 5 speeds instead of the Pinto 4 speed manual, but not sure about that.

My brother had one of those in the middle 70's That was the same engine we had in the Baby Blue Pinto wagon. I think his was the 4 spd. and we had the auto. Wish I knew how to scan and post because the way I fixed it up it was really a cute little wagon. The mags, fancy interior and all.

 

The Porthole Wagon ... it just doesn't get any cooler than that

 

I don't think I ever seen a pinto in person, nor do I care to see one. lol

 

Back in the mid and late 80s, when I lived in Abilene, TX, I owned a little wrecking yard where I worked on my toys. I restored 65-67 Mustangs, and built my 54 truck there. When I bought the place, it came with a bunch of cars in the back yard, one of which was a 1970 light blue pinto. There was a young guy, not long out of tech school that worked at the Olds dealer and helped me when I took my truck to the drag races. He had a 1950 Ford truck with a 428 CJ in it. He needed to tear down his truck to do some work and one day he asked what I would take for the Pinto if he could piddle with it and get it running. I told him he could have it if he could get it running. It was straight, faded, most of the interior gutted and I knew no one had attepted to start it in 5 years. He drug it inside the shop and started messing with it and after a couple of nights, fired it up. He made some adjustments, and it ran like a top. Noisy top, that is. He drove that car for about a year, even taking trips to San Antonio in it with it never breaking down. I could not believe it. Finally, some woman ran a red light and put that little Pinto down. It was a tough little car, for sure.

 

too funny, i like the flammable sign too

 

Yep -- nothing says "1970's Cheesey" like a porthole window in an automobile! Keep on Vannin' (preferably with a red crushed-velvet interior).......