The Ford Pinto’s infamous reputation as a pipe bomb on wheels really isn’t that justified. When tested, it was determined that the Pinto was really no worse off than any other subcompact car of the 1970s. Whether that’s saying something for the whole class of cars back then or whether that’s the reprieve from the “kaboom” jokes, you can be the judge of that. But even though Ford’s viewpoint of the whole situation was rather suspect, the Pinto in it’s base form wasn’t a bad idea. In fact, the little car sold pretty well during it’s nine-year production run. Arguably, the best of the bunch were the little wagons. Two-door station wagons with a fold-down seat and a pretty decent amount of room for hauling whatever. With the 2.8L V6 from the Ford Capri, that would make for a fun little driver, right?

Dylan McCool might agree, if it wasn’t for the fact that he might have compressed half an inch out of his spine recently driving one home. On a whim while in Indiana for the PRI show, he scooped a 1976 wagon up on the cheap. It’s rough enough to be cheap, decent enough to drive, and it’s suspension is just about non-existent in the rear. Just wait until you see it. I don’t have words to adequately describe the situation besides, “…better you than me, friend.” My spine hurt watching this.

Also, you will see that he is raising money for relief for those who were affected by the December 10-11 tornado outbreak we had out here. Trust me when I say this: the photos do not do justice to what happened. BangShift Mid-West was spared, but Bowling Green was not, and the one that tracked through Mayfield, Kentucky made the Bowling Green tornado look like a warm-up act. There are plenty of people who can use your support, so if you wish to donate, please consider helping Dylan’s cause.