I had an interesting encounter that I wanted to share.....

 Today when I went home for lunch, I looked out my front window and saw a guy in a 1970 VW bug pull into the neighborhood. It was painted in "performance red" with black stripes. I did not recognize it, but I knew it was not from our neighborhood. A young man got out of the car and started walking with a gas can. Knowing the nearest gas station was about 2 miles up the road, I met him outside and asked him to walk around back, and I'd give him some gas (I have a can for the mower).

  I started asking him about his car, and he was happy to tell me about it, where it came from, how long he had it, etc. As we walked around the corner of the fence, I pointed out my own car, and said "there's my own little time machine". He knew it was a Pinto, but of course brought up the "explosion" thing. I explained that it did not affect wagons, and was only a problem on early models, and why. He was intrigued, commenting how there were so few left. The guy was 33 - born in 1975 - and when I said it was a '76, he exclaimed "I was one year old"! Of course, I was 16 then!!

 I showed him how I had fixed the floor pans, and what I used. He was very excited, and said "Man! You just saved me about $700". I told him what to do and where to get the materials. We looked over the car, he thought it was pretty neat. He called me a "Good Samaritan" and "his hero" (which were unnecessary - I would hope someone would offer to help me the same way). We walked back to his car, filled it up, he told me more about it, I wished him good luck (he was getting married this coming Saturday), and he was on his way. I was happy to help a fellow car enthusiast, and tell him a little bit about my car.

 Education is key! Telling people what really happened with the cars is important. Showing them that they are neat cars is crucial. They may know someone who knows someone who has one - you get the picture. It's all about the history!! Help them to save these cars!! Some people may chuckle and may laugh, but like us, there ARE enthusiasts out there, that only need a nudge. It was a nice experience.

Chris

Mike gets a positive feed back for that.......... .

Mike gets a positive feed back for that.......... .

 :amazed:

You know, my wife was home at the time and she actually mentioned that; she stayed in the house while I was outside. It did cross my mind as well. Yes, the area we are in is a reasonably nice one, and I did not sense any issues. It would have been a "perfect setup", but I can't imagine someone scamming would have picked that time of day - odds of finding someone home were not great - he did not "look" suspicious, he was by himself, etc. Still your point is well taken, and was not lost on me.

Chris

Pinto pro not to nice area, I leave cars in front with key always in ignition that way I never have to hunt for key.  Fred   :police: these guys around here are a waste of money

I stopped for gas this past weekend on the way back from Syracuse (the truck died so I jumped in the Pinto) and as usual someone krept up behind me and was checking out the car, he told me he used to own one.  And as usualy the explosion issue came up, the reason he got rid of his, yet he told me how the car was rear ended so bad it drove crooked.  I told him that was one hell of a shot and then asked him if he blew up, and he said "NO". So I let him know about how 60 minutes used an external ignition source to light the fuel and start the domino effect that follows us to this day.  I also let him know the vega and gremlin didn't fair much better when rear ended by a country squire going 60 miles an hour.  Cars were bigger then, but then again an Excursion hitting an Accord might make for good television these days.  Kind of brings to mind George Blanda kicking a football.

And throw in the ,most people that know pinto`s,,, know they blow up so when you drive one now,,,,,, people think twice before they tailgate you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ha ha ha ha