I grew up as a Chevrolet guy and, while I respect Fords, have never felt the desire to own one. With the exception of a Pinto or their big brother the Maverick. How weirdo am I? This is the reason that I love Joe Escobar’s little orange Pinto so much. They hold a special place in my heart for some reason. I even wanted to put a Pinto body over my Corvette chassis that they ended up building on Road Kill. So when I saw this little bastard while cruising Craigslist, I about lost it. The stance is awesome, the touches are great, and with few more this could be a Camaro killer like none other! Raise your hands if you too think this is one cool 1974 Pro-Touring Turbo Ford Pinto!
There is an assload of stuff going on in this little car that may not be realized with just one glance. Check out all the info the seller has provided. I have to say, I think the asking price of $5800 is great. Sure it needs some more work to finish it, but this is a great start. Someone get it and have a riot with it for me!
Here is what the seller posted on Craigslist.
Engine and Turbo:1974 Ford Pinto trunk model. 2.3L turbo swap. Engine completely gone through, new bearings, seals, gaskets, water pump, high volume oil pump, new cam bearings in head, stock forged pistons. Tubular turbo manifold, Garret T3/T4 turbo rebuilt, 2 1/2 down pipe and exhaust all the way back. Converted to external wastegate with manual boost controller, and BOV. LA3 computer with SVO vane air meter on draw through. A/C and power steering deleted, but have brackets for both. Summit Racing Aluminum radiator and electric fan. FMIC. All new belts, hoses, etc. MSD coil and fuel pump.
Trans: 5speed manual trans, new flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, throw out and pilot bearings. converted to hydraulic clutch with Wilwood master cylinder mounted under the dash, CNC slave cylinder on a custom bracket, with braided stainless steel line. New seals. Ford Racing T5 yoke on shortened 97 Cobra driveshaft with new u-joints.
Chassis: Out back is a 97 Cobra disc brake rear end with what I believe are 4:10 gears brand new brakes. Mounted on stock leaf springs. Up front are Wilwood Pro-Spindles with brand new steel hubs, ARP 3″ wheel studs, Baer billet wheel spacers (not adapters), 13″ Disc brakes with dual piston Cobra Calipers, new brake hoses, and all new brake lines. Manual brakes with Wilwood proportioning valve, works great. New tubular upper and lower control arms, new KYB monotube shocks all around. New radius rod bushings. Used HP mesh wheels 18×8 up front with 255/40/18’s and 18×9 rear with 285/35/18’s. New manual steering rack, with new tie rod ends, and billet borgeson joint. Manual rack turns the 255 tires easily even when sitting, takes very little effort. Even the parking brakes work.
Interior: Tiburon manual black bucket seats, plain black vinyl door panels, new black cut pile carpet, extra jute padding with heat insulation under carpet. 4 point roll bar, new 4 point street harnesses. 97 Mustang Cobra gauges that work. Completely rewired front to rear with 21 circuit kit, many extra unused circuits. All lights work. Rebuilt steering column. Custom fiberglass dash. NO A/C or Heater at this point.
Other: Fuel lines refurbished, fuel tank was cleaned repaired, resealed inside and painted outside. Looks brand new. Converted to small bumpers (big ugly bumpers are gone). Rolled rear wheel wells, front fender openings were moved upward appx 3″ and flared more to make room for the 18″ wheels and tires, now there is no issue with scrubbing. All rust has been cut out and welded in new panels. custom power bulge style hood.
All the major hard work is completed!
What is needs:
Car runs and drives although I would trailer it until it is broken in and tuned. I have extra parts to go with this car. What the car needs is the interior to be finished and paint and body work, front and rear valances. Only thing currently not working is the wipers, not sure what it is, they never really worked before but I have an extra wiper motor and the wiring and switch are new, I just can’t get under the dash at the moment. This would be an easy car to finish for a father and son and you will have a really unique car when finished. You can drive it as it is or finish it. Only reason I’m selling is because I was just involved in accident a few months ago and I injured my back and neck and can no longer put the time and money into it to finish it the way I want.
I’ve spent a ton of money and time on this car and have receipts to prove it. $7000 obo. I mainly am looking to sell but I may entertain interesting trades like a nice Chevy C10, 1950-1970 Model F100, other driveable family friendly hot rods, text, call, or email me trade offers with pics, let me know what you have worst I can say is no. Or maybe we can work out a deal with trade plus cash on your end. Best way to reach me during the day is by email as I have no cell reception at work. Put “Pro-Touring Pinto” in subject line. I AM negotiable on price but I will not give it away, so no lowballers.
Thanks
Update: Seems turbo has blown a seal. Needs a rebuild, not building much boost. Engine is running great however and can still be driven just down on power. Rebuild kit is less than $100 bucks. I don’t have the time to fool with it so I dropped the price to $5800.00 o.b.o.
Car is located in Florida. Contact Travis 863-451-2251
Or click here for the original Craigslist Ad
God dam I feel bad for this guy. It’s one thing to feel sympathy for an injured dude, but a dude with the kind of taste and skill to make a lame ass Pinto in the “Balls” takes it to a whole other level. If I win the lotto on friday I will buy it, finish it, grow a Jan-Michael Vincent feathered hairdo and a handle bar mustache, put on some Sex Panther and get my fill of 70’s skanks in tight jeans and then give it back.