Sporting a convenient hatchback, reliable motor, and affordable price point, the Ford Pinto was a pretty decent little car in the '70s and early '80s. But it had one very literal fatal flaw.
You probably know the Ford Pinto for its tendency to explode when hit in the rear end, thanks to some truly brainless fuel tank placement, and the coverup and lawsuits that followed.
But we're not here to talk about that, we're here to show you that when they weren't exploding, Pintos were actually kind of cool.
Here are 20 vintage photos of people and their Pintos, before any explosions.
1
Yellow Pinto, Yellow Dress
A car and flowers, 1970s.
2
Patty Range
And her painted Pinto in 1976.
3
Cool Dudes
Posing in front of their ‘72 Pinto.
4
A Pinto Wagon
Looking cool in 1986.
5
Icing Down the Cooler
The back of the Pinto, 1970s.
6
Daytona Beach
A perfect place for a Pinto.
7
Racing a Pinto
In the 1980s.
8
“My Mom”
“Her first trip to Daytona Beach, Florida.” The ‘70s.
9
In Trouble
After crashing the Pinto into a ditch, 1981.
10
Henry Smolinski and His Flying Pinto
Stunts in 1973.
11
“Me and My 1979 Pinto in 1981”
“I was proud.”
12
Blue Pinto
Looking cool in 1978.
13
Leaving Home
A Pinto in 1978.
14
“Grandpa”
“Posing next to his luxurious Ford Pinto. Late 1970s.”
15
A '72 Pinto Station Wagon
Keansburg, NJ.
16
A 1980 Pinto
Parked at an autocross meet.
17
A Young Woman
And her baby blue Pinto, 1977.
18
“My Mom”
“Helping my dad pick out his first drag racing car. The ‘80s.”
19
Budget Motoring
The family Pinto in 1972.
20
“My Dad in the ‘70s”
“On top of his Pinto.”
