Oldsmobile joins Plymouth: RIP

Oh yeah, Ford sure had a "better idea", and those idiots in this thread
who've claimed the Pinto was no worse than any other car are sure
right...not.

-Stern

 

Daniel J. Stern wrote:

Go back to your light bulbs boy.

 

It's funny. Everyone keeps quoting the 'rear-facing bolts'. You say on the
suspension, I'm thinking you mean on the diff. There are NO, repeat NO,
rear-facing bolts anywhere on the suspension. The spring mount bolts are
sideways and too far out/forward/back to interfere. The only bolts on the
diff are head out, with the threads in the housing! The 6.5" diffs have
sharp corners that would tear open the tank. That is ALL that would
interfere. Hit hard enough, yes I could see where the doors might get
jammed shut. Rear wheel wells split? Can't see it. Even on my early
models, there was a pretty solid frame under there.

 

I remember reading that it was the bolts that hold the bottom of
the seat back to the car body. The bolts they used were surplus LTD
bolts and were too long sticking out. When replaced, the puncture
hazard went away with the old bolts. The problem of the filler neck
ripping off was one I remember being associated with early 60's
Mustangs that had the drop in gas tank.

 

People! Please DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS! It detracts from the informative
nature of this ng and totally messes up my fengshui!

 

Longer seat bolts would make more sense, ripping the top of the tank as it
'slid'.

For those who say my '79 is unsafe, I give you this: In a rear-end
collision, I have proper seat mount bolts, No Rearward-facing suspension
bolts(!), and the plastic guard so the tank will proceed over the diff. If
my doors are wedged shut and I happen to be unable to roll down the window,
I simply climb out the factory sunroof! In most cases, I would then be
allowed to kick your ass because you were following too closely
(tailgating)...

 

The whole pinto gas tank issue was a year and a half two year problem.
Long corrected by the 1979 year model. ALL effected year models were
recalled and Retro-fitted.

As for doors not opening, if Pinto's are soo weak, then why are they
used for Compact Derby Cars? That's a sport where the weak never survive
more then the first love tap.
Charles

 

That's what I'm trying to get at. Someone mentions something about a faulty
car, someone else brings up the Pinto and how the entire car line seems to
be the worst disaster of all time, yet have no clue of what they're talking
about!

Daniel, this started with your post dated 14 May 2004 @ 9:18pm and others
got maligned the info more and more. I do respect your lighting work. Lots
of good info there.

 

I've been bitten hard enough, enough times, by enough different Ford
products made over a wide enough span of years that I am quite comfortable
saying I think the company engineers, builds and sells consistently shoddy
products in North America and has done for decades. There's a fair good
bit of evidence to support my position. Others may disagree, and that's
fine.

-Stern

 

Try having Corvair desires and mentioning them to most people. I have
been looking for a Yenko Stinger Corvair to restore for 10 years now. I
really want a Stage V, yet at this point would settle for a Stage I or II.

It's a lot rougher time then posting about Pinto's.
Charles

 

Can you imagine explaining this to your friends/co-workers/relatives?

"So, Bobby, what were ya up to this weekend?"

"I was doing a Compact Derby. It's a demolition derby using small cars."

"Uh-huh.... So, whaddya drive?"

"A Pinto."

"Say, Bobby, can I borrow some yard tools and a little cash from you?
I'll give it back to you... after the next 'Compact Derby'."

 

My Friends & Co-works need little explined to them. My Family might,
but they would understand. Most of them would ask me how my bum ankle
held up during the derby. Knowing that is what has kept me from running them
or Tuff Truck compititions.

My family even understood as I basically disapeared for a week in 2002
to help a good friend build a Derby car for D.E.N.T. 2002. One week a 85
Pontiac full size Station Wagon went from a running driving Street Car to a
Feature making Derby car in one of the hardest derby's around.

That was before Monster Garage was on TV. There were 2 main builders,
and 3 people who helped one day each. In that week we even painted the car,
at 6 am the day of the derby. It was lettered 2 hours before the Derby.

Sunday night, of this year, I went stright from dropping off my Cars &
Parts swap meet stuff to Wardens Towing. Meet my business partner there,
picked up the 93 Chevy 3500HD wrecker (9301), picked up another friend and
headed stright for Kil-Kare speedway where the 2004 D.E.N.T. Derby was about
to start. I spent the better part of the night operating the boom, and
hooking with the Kil-Kare Speedway Wrecker.

I even towed off Cindy that was on Monster Garage, the episode where
they built a Derby Car.

It really takes alot to phase, or make my friends and family ask "why".
They normially just ask where I have been, and what I did.
Charles