What did you see on the road today?

[deuces wild]

4 hours ago, Tabbysdaddy said:

A Pinto with a flathead. What an odd choice. 

Well, it's real... I kinda chuckled a bit as I was walking away from it...?

[Chuckyg1]

Saw this big old boat where else but by the river in Peekskil, NY. The car was very well kept

[stavanzer]

1 hour ago, Kit Karson said:

I have no words! -KK

Not to my taste, but Cool! Is it still being Driven?

[oldcarfan]

2 hours ago, Kit Karson said:

I have no words! -KK

Beaters rule! Someone once said that there is a sort of freedom in knowing that you are the last owner a car will ever have.

[SSNJim]

29 minutes ago, oldcarfan said:

Beaters rule! Someone once said that there is a sort of freedom in knowing that you are the last owner a car will ever have.

When I was in the Navy, we called them disposa-cars. Buy it for a song (generally from someone being discharged, transferred or in dire need of cash). and drive it until the wheels fall off. When they do, off it goes to the junkyard and acquire the next one.

[A modeler named mike]

4 hours ago, Chuckyg1 said:

Saw this big old boat where else but by the river in Peekskil, NY. The car was very well kept

Looks like Rick from the Pawn Stars show..

[Greg_W124]

On 8/12/2024 at 11:23 PM, PatW said:

Now, weren't these a rear engine V8 and aircooled?

Exactly. The 603-2 model on the picture had a 2,5 litre aircooled V8 with 105 HP. They were usually executive cars in the eastern bloc, especially in Czechoslovakia.

Tatra even produced trucks with aircooled 75 degree V8s, they had a distinctive (and loud) whistling sound when revved up, even though the fan had a hydraulic clutch depending on the oil temperature - indicator of the engine temp.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

14 hours ago, Kit Karson said:

I have no words!

LOL!!! I can think of a few words, but they'd get me kicked off of the forum. Look at those mirrors!!! Can you imagine cruising the beach in this? A total babe magnet car. That cowl induction and wing adds at least 20HP.... -RRR

[Bainford]

21 hours ago, deuces wild said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

A flathead Pinto. Strange, but not the first one. I have Hot Rod annual from around 1974 featuring a Pinto with a flattie four-banger.

[TarheelRick]

1 hour ago, Bainford said:

A flathead Pinto. Strange, but not the first one. I have Hot Rod annual from around 1974 featuring a Pinto with a flattie four-banger.

I have been considering a 3.0 or 4.0 V6 for my Pinto, but never considered a flathead. Of course the cost of a good flathead could be a bit prohibitive.

[Falcon Ranchero]

Blue/teal first gen Datsun 240Z

[Bainford]

33 minutes ago, TarheelRick said:

I have been considering a 3.0 or 4.0 V6 for my Pinto, but never considered a flathead. Of course the cost of a good flathead could be a bit prohibitive.

Yes, I am sure these days a flathead build would be expensive. I have always favoured the Pinto 2.3 engine. It responds extremely well to modification and can make big power, though the V-6 would make for a very cool conversion, too. A 2.3 mod that I find compelling is fitting a 90s era twin-cam, four-valve cylinder head from a turbo Volvo 2.3. Apparently they bolt on, needing primarily mods to the water jackets to make work, though I haven't investigated deeply. I have been mentally planning a 1:1 Pinto build for years, and if I ever actually embark on that project, I will be investigating the Volvo head swap. I starting planning this when Pintos could still be had for cheap, but good project fodder is pricey these days.

Edited August 21, 2024 by Bainford

[Rob Hall]

10 minutes ago, Bainford said:

Yes, I am sure these days a flathead build would be expensive. I have always favoured the Pinto 2.3 engine. It responds extremely well to modification and can make big power, though the V-6 would make for a very cool conversion, too. A 2.3 mod that I find compelling is fitting a 90s era twin-cam, four-valve cylinder head from a turbo Volvo 2.3. Apparently they bolt on, needing primarily mods to the water jackets to make work, though I haven't investigated deeply. I have been mentally planning a 1:1 Pinto build for years, and if I ever actually embark on that project, I will be investigating the Volvo head swap.

 

The modern 2.3 Ecoboost would be a good swap for a Pinto.

[Bainford]

3 minutes ago, Rob Hall said:

 

The modern 2.3 Ecoboost would be a good swap for a Pinto.

The 2.3 Ecoboost would be an awesome Pinto engine, as would a 2.0 Zetec. Being an aging curmudgeon, I personally tend towards old iron with carburetors. Having said that, I have seen a couple Zetecs fitted with Webers. Hhmmm...

 

[TarheelRick]

1 minute ago, Bainford said:

Yes, I am sure these days a flathead build would be expensive. I have always favoured the Pinto 2.3 engine. It responds extremely well to modification and can make big power, though the V-6 would make for a very cool conversion, too.

Will probably stick with the 2.3. I've been trying to source some parts - cam, header, carbs, etc. Right now it is in the upholstery shop getting new front seat covers and a headliner. Once it is out I will try to find a good mechanic who is willing to work on it and see where I can go from there. When I bought my two parts cars they came with some fairly nice looking wheels, one had an extra set in the trunk. Only issue is they are 13" wheels, right now it is running 14's.

[Brian Austin]

22 hours ago, Kit Karson said:

 

 

I have no words! -KK

No words?  Maybe you should try interpretive dance.

[Big_John]

Since you guys are talking about Pintos.  I saw this at a friend's shop last week.  Mercury Bobcat.  When's the last time you saw one of those?  This one is immaculate.  Looks like brand new. 

The turquoise color doesn't really show in the pic as well as it does in person.   

I'm told the owner also has a couple Mustang II's.  I saw one about a month ago at the same shop and it was pretty nice.  The other is supposed to be even better.  

Those cars aren't my taste, but those "malaise era" cars are starting to become popular with some folks.  

[Suburban_Hooligan]

i didn't know there was a Mercury version of the Pinto.  i find it shocking and confusing and i kinda want one so i can build a semi era correct pro stock out of it just to be extra weird.

[Big_John]

11 hours ago, Suburban_Hooligan said:

i didn't know there was a Mercury version of the Pinto.  i find it shocking and confusing and i kinda want one so i can build a semi era correct pro stock out of it just to be extra weird.

I think an even weirder version would be a wagon version of the Bobcat with woodgrain sides. 

You could do a Pangra!

[peter31a]

11 hours ago, Suburban_Hooligan said:

i didn't know there was a Mercury version of the Pinto.  i find it shocking and confusing and i kinda want one so i can build a semi era correct pro stock out of it just to be extra weird.

It may have started as a Canadian thing because our Mercury dealers wanted cars that could go head to head with Ford products to get more people through the doors.

[Rob Hall]

I don’t think I’ve seen a Bobcat in at least 40 years….my sister had a ‘76 Pinto Runabout.  Got it new and it lasted through 4 years of college and a move from Ohio to Arizona and by 1980 was pretty worn out.  

[Rob Hall]

1 minute ago, peter31a said:

It may have started as a Canadian thing because our Mercury dealers wanted cars that could go head to head with Ford products to get more people through the doors.

Canada did get it in ‘74, the US a year later.  

[Falcon Ranchero]

Maroon mid-70s Vette

[sfhess]

On 8/21/2024 at 10:18 AM, TarheelRick said:

Will probably stick with the 2.3. I've been trying to source some parts - cam, header, carbs, etc. Right now it is in the upholstery shop getting new front seat covers and a headliner. Once it is out I will try to find a good mechanic who is willing to work on it and see where I can go from there. When I bought my two parts cars they came with some fairly nice looking wheels, one had an extra set in the trunk. Only issue is they are 13" wheels, right now it is running 14's.

In the early 80s I had a 73 Pinto wagon with a 2.0.  After it broke a connecting rod, I put in a rebuilt 2.3 from a 74.  Not a super easy swap.  Many changes were made to the front of Pintos in 74 to accept the physically larger 2.3 and to reconcile with the changes made to the structure for the Mustang II.  I had to bolt in new engine mounts and put in an electric fan on the front of the radiator, among other changes.  The car drove well with the larger engine.  The extra torque of the 2.3 made a lot of difference.  

The car was white, with a brown interior and had US slot mags with fat tires.  We also had a 72 Montego wagon at the time in the same color combination.

[rattle can man]

Flathead pinto has my weird engine gene kicking in.