Ford Pinto Headlights: Find Your Replacement Pinto Headlight Assembly
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September 1970 marked the birth year of the Ford Pinto. It was Ford’s most recent addition to its line of automobiles. Weighing not more than 2,000 lbs. and costing no more than $2,000, this subcompact vehicle was the first of its kind to be distributed to North American consumers. The Ford Pinto was no extraordinary car. It was, in fact, just like most of its counterpart. But the state of the American economy in that decade offered no room for frills or high-priced rides. Thus the Ford Pinto carried the reputation of what automobile authorities dubbed as “the car that nobody liked, but everybody bought.” As part of the Pinto tradition, yearly model additions always offered two engine types. This is the case throughout Pinto’s career with the exemption of years 1973 and 1980. Potential Pinto buyers will be faced with a choice between an engine of lesser power and then of another one with a more potent performance. The Pinto’s engine was initially offered a 4-cylinder motor, unlike the earlier Maverick which came with a 6-cylinder or a V8 engine. The Pinto changed power ratings annually and all of its engine types were just under the 3L mark. The first engine from the 1971-1973 generation ran with 1.6L I-4 and a 2.0L I-4. The car came with a 3 or 4-speed manual transmission for the 1.6L engine; while a 4-speed MT and a 3-speed AT was offered for the 2.0L motor. Most of the Pinto’s engine from 1971 – 1979 ran with no more than 100hp. Only a 1976 version ran with a 2.8L engine at 102hp. The Pinto’s body style consisted of three distinct designs. It came with either a 2-door coupe, a 3-door hatchback, or a 2-door station wagon. This vehicle’s seating were hoisted lower than most of the cars in its class. Its stylings were reminiscent of a Ford Maverick, but the Pinto was much smaller in stature. This resemblance was exclusively obvious in the look of its tail lights and grille because the rear end feature a smoother profile. The designers at Ford decided to give the Pinto a makeover in 1974. The Pinto’s new look consisted of re-enforced front and rear bumpers which added about an inch in length and a lot of undesired weight. In response to this dilemma, engineers provided a 2.3L I-4 for its larger motor version and the 2.0L as the smaller kind. Both motors generated just below 100hp with 90ho and 86hp, respectively. The change likewise did away with the weak 1.6L motor. This too, would be the 2.0L engine’s last year. Aside from its constantly changing engine specs, this vehicle’s body work was also subjected to a string of minor alterations. Appearances of grilles, fenders, and hoods changed from year to year. No Pinto for a specific model year would be left without a change. Little changes continued on to 1978. The largest change, though, took place on the Pinto’s final year, 1979. This was the year of new fenders, a completely new hood, redesigned grilles and the installation of rectangular headlights. The interiors were not spared from the redesign scheme. The cabin was now decked with an all-new and improved dashboard, seats and linings. However, despite efforts to change the look of the Pinto, time and age finally caught up with the vehicle. This is made obvious in the model’s declining performance in the market. It didn’t help the Pinto too, that fresh new models came rising such as the Dodge Omni and the Dodge Colt. Moreover, safety issues pertaining to the vehicle gave the Pinto its fatal blow. The Pinto caused some controversy in the matter concerning the car’s fuel tank. Complaints included reports of the vulnerability of the tank to a rear-end collision which would likely result in an explosion. All these factors led Ford to put an end to the production of the Pinto in 1980. With the Pinto being just a figment in Ford’s history, it does live on with the legacy as the banner car of its era. The Pinto was a car of the seventies, where practically and cheapness were the key factors that consumers were looking for in a car. Related Bookmarks
Note: We have a complete stock of Quality Discount Ford Pinto Headlights (Sealed Beam), Pinto Turn Signal Lights, Pinto Parking Lights,
Pinto Side Marker Lights, Pinto Tail Lights, Pinto Corner Lights, Pinto Fog Lights, and Pinto Backup Lights. Select your vehicle
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