"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
02/04/2020 at 12:54 • Filed to: None
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"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
02/04/2020 at 12:54 • Filed to: None | 7
| 9 |
When I was in LA a few months ago for the auto show I had a chance to drive a mint condition Ford Pinto. A “minto” if you will. The exact car I drove was a 1974 model powered by the 2.2L “Lima” I4 that was in its very first year of production then. NOTE: I re-posted because I think the first one was borked.
The Pinto hails from Detroit’s first real foray into “import fighters” and I found it interesting to drive what they thought buyers wanted from an American sub-compact. The car feels much larger than it is. And that can be good and bad. It rides very well; far better than a car of its size has any right to. The (manual) steering is very light, and the seats are large and cushy. Of course the downside of all this is that despite its size, it wallows around in corners and is otherwise hardly sporty. That said, it was still fun to drive a freaking Pinto around in LA.
Any questions about what it was like to drive?
Jim Spanfeller
> cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
02/04/2020 at 13:07 |
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On a scale of hummingbird to whale on roller skates, what was the handling like? But yeah, that’s a cool wagon. And the Pinto wagons didn’t do the whole fiery ball of death thing!
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cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
> Jim Spanfeller
02/04/2020 at 13:12 |
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Pretty close to whale, honestly. Only car I’ve driven this small that handled worse was a Nash Metropolitan. That said, it was SUPER comfy.
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Jim Spanfeller
> cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
02/04/2020 at 13:19 |
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Lol, makes sense.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
02/04/2020 at 13:23 |
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Try a Model T. Really.
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cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
02/04/2020 at 13:37 |
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I’ve drive n a Model A but never a T
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
02/04/2020 at 13:58 |
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Model Ts are not only smaller than a Pinto, but on driving one, Bilbo Baggins will add you to the official list of “Barrel Riders”. Roll center like DAYUM, and unnerving because the usual “this car is unstable” impulse of backing off the gas... doesn’t work. Because column throttle.
Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
02/04/2020 at 15:22 |
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Your description of the Pinto reminds me in every way of my Cruze. A small car designed to appeal to people who wanted a bigger car. It’s not about the driving dynamics, or even the (quite large and upscale ) interior room. It is just about feeling as nice as possible until you can afford a larger car.
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cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
02/04/2020 at 20:10 |
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Yes! I’ve driven a Cruze too and that pretty much sums it up
sn4cktimes
> cletus44 aka Clayton Seams
02/05/2020 at 12:20 |
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Nice!
If I can just swap a manual into my Eagle I’ll have achieved the unicorn. Brown, manual, RWD/4WD. This Pinto has nicer paint and interior though.