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ProfessorGAC

(74,062 posts)

18. 1973 Ford Pinto

Thu Jun 26, 2025, 11:14 AM

Jun 26

I drove my dad's 1970 Maverick before that.
I was about to go to college and, being a commuter, needed my own car.
I had a bit over a thousand bucks saved up and was going to buy a relatively new Super Beetle.
My dad hated that idea. Thought the bugs were too dangerous.
So, he says "Give me the money, and I'll add what I have to to get you something better." I balk, but I trusted him, so ok.
One day my friends & I are playing pool and my mom says "Can you come outside, your dad needs some help."
I go outside & there's a brand new Pinto in the driveway.
Now, I'm thinking this means my dad has a new work car & I'm buying his Maverick.
Nope. The Pinto is mine. My parents made up the $1,000 difference.
Now the funny part: I got the Pinto (with Firestone 500 tires) because the VW was unsafe.
Pintos caught fire in rear end collisions & Firestone 500s had sidewalls being cut through by the belts. But the VW was unsafe!
I never let my dad hear the end of how he tried to get me killed.

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Do you remember your first car? Either bought or given to you. Mine was a 1965 Aqua Chevy Impala that was my father"s [View all] debm55 Jun 26 OP

1972 VW Super Beetle that I got in 1987. Basso8vb Jun 26 #1

Great post , Basso8vb. We had a Beetle too, I couldn't get the system of the stick together . The Impala was not stick . debm55 Jun 26 #5

My high school parking lot in the late 80s was half full of hand-me-down VWs. Basso8vb Jun 26 #20

Thank you very much, Basso8vb. debm55 Jun 27 #112

We had the same car. greatauntoftriplets Jun 26 #2

Thank you very much , greatauntoftriplets. debm55 Jun 26 #6

You're welcome. greatauntoftriplets Jun 26 #10

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Thank you very much SheltieLover. Sharp car. debm55 Jun 26 #8

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Wow. Lime Gold. :Never see that price again. Thank you Fla Dem. debm55 Jun 26 #11

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Thank you very much Silent Type. Great car. debm55 Jun 26 #17

white '65 bel aire rampartd Jun 26 #13

Thank you very much, rampartd.. My dad would buy a car every three years needed or not.Would trade in the 3 year car.on debm55 Jun 26 #19

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Thank you very much ,Ritabert. I always wanted a Beetle. But I couldn't get used to a stick. debm55 Jun 26 #28

My husband taught me in one day and I did well Ritabert Jun 26 #47

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Thank you very much chicoscuela. I remember looking for change on the floor boards to pay for gas. debm55 Jun 26 #22

A red 1965 Plymouth Valiant surfered Jun 26 #16

Thank you very much surfered. Nice car. debm55 Jun 26 #23

1973 Ford Pinto ProfessorGAC Jun 26 #18

I remember those Pinto's. ---very dangerous. How long did you drive it ? debm55 Jun 26 #24

3 Years Of Undergrad ProfessorGAC Jun 26 #39

Thank you very much, It lasted quite long. debm55 Jun 26 #41

Yep, Pintos were very unsafe. brush Jun 26 #85

I bought a plain vanilla 1960 Ford Falcon in 1966. patphil Jun 26 #21

Thank you very much patphil, Rich, tried to do the same after his brother was drafted. AF said his eyesight was too bad. debm55 Jun 26 #25

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Thank you very much Duncanpup. debm55 Jun 26 #30

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Thank you very much MiButterfly. In PA I took Driver's Ed at 15, They would cut the insurance cost it you took it. debm55 Jun 26 #42

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What a great post Oeditpus Rex. It sounds great. What happened to it? debm55 Jun 26 #46

I was driving down Romie Lane one day Oeditpus Rex Jun 26 #72

Thank you very much, Oeditpus Rex debm55 Jun 26 #73

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HAHAHHAHAH. Thank you very much msongs. That is very. debm55 Jun 26 #51

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Thank you elleng. They came and went pretty quickly, didn't they? debm55 Jun 26 #54

Yes they did, and next got family and JETTA!!! elleng Jun 26 #57

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Thank you very much CanonRay. I have had cars that are money pits. debm55 Jun 27 #100

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HAHAHAHAHHA. Thank you very much Hassler. That is funny. debm55 Jun 27 #101

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Thank you Emile. debm55 Jun 27 #105

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HAHHAHAH, Thank you MIHale. debm55 Jun 27 #142

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HAHAHHAHAHA Thank you MuseRider, I remember those air conditions you would put in cars. debm55 Jun 27 #146

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Thank you for sharing with us. Remember, Mad_Dem_X You are loved, and you are a strong woman. debm55 Jun 27 #147

Aww, thanks so much, Deb! Mad_Dem_X Jun 27 #149

No worries I have been there myself debm55 Jun 28 #151

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