What are your thoughts on the Ford Pinto?

Historically, it was one of Detroit's early "import fighter" attempts. Kinda like the Vega was for Chevy. Toyota, Datsun (what Nissan was before it was Nissan), Volkwagen ...these were fuel conscious cars that were built soo much better than what Detroit was putting out at the time.

Unfortunately, like the Vega and many other Detroit small cars of the day, they left a *lot* to be desired.

The early Pintos (before they put the 5mph bumpers on them) were relatively attractive cars. The little 2-door "woodie" wagon was actually kinda cool. Unfortunately they, especially the 2-door hatchbacks, had a nasty habit of bursting into flames because the fuel tank would rupture in a rear end collision ...not good.

The 4cyl OHC engines were of English origin ...they where engines put in the likes of the Ford Cortina. Unfortunately England didn't have a great reputation for building high performance or even spritely 4cyl engines; the one in the Pinto was best used as a boat anchor. Even with a 5-speed tranny the thing was a stone.

Now time has a way of obscuring our memories and if you've found a Pinto ...especially one of the early ones ...then it would certainly be at least an interesting find. Like Vegas, you don't see many of them around anymore. With old classics beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

Not sure there is a "up" down the down is they can blow up when rear ended by another car. That is a pretty serious down side.

As long as you don't get rear ended I guess they are ok.

JUNK!