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Ride Nickname:
THE BEAST

Make:
Ford

Model:
Pinto

Year:
1972

Introduction / Overview:

The true Hot Rodder would not be content until he had created a car so scary, so violent, so totally sick, that the very act of pressing the throttle could restult in instant injury.  This is my Hot Rod.

A long time drag car has been retired from racing, made street legal, and given a second life for cruise nights and car shows.  Once rated at 1000 HP and running 9.98 seconds at 148 MPH in the 1/4 mile, it now runs with smaller dual carbs and a larger upper blower pulley for a more managable 612 HP for the street.  The car looks fast just standing still.  With two seats and a steering wheel wedged between a big motor and fat tires, it is a heck of a ride.

Drivetrain:
Motor is a bored out Ford 302 small block, TRW pistons, Scat crank, Crane cam with .520 lift, 69 CC heads, 1.6 roller rockers, stainless valves, screw in studs with guide plates and stud girdles.  Dual 600 CMF carbs on top of a Dyer's 6-71 blower at 8% underdrive and 10 PSI boost get the static 8.5 to 1 compression up to an effective 14.3 to 1 compression producing 612 HP on pump gas.  MSD 6AL box with Blaster coil and a 6000 RPM chip keep the fire lit.  Exhaust headers have 1.5 inch primaries into a 3 inch collector. Then a full 3 inch exhaust with custom tuned H crossover into 3 inch 40 series Flowmasters dumping out in front of rear tires provide the sound.  A 3500 RPM converter goes into a C4 tranny with Kevlar clutches with a B&M ratchet shifter tune the gears.  A narowed big bearing 9 inch Ford rear has 4:11 gears and Moser axles keep the tires turning.  A Holley Blue pump with a Fram fuel filter get the gas up front to an Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator.  A custom water pump and custom radiator with electric fan provide the cooling.

Chassis:

Chassis has been custom back halfed with 19.25 inch wide tubs, ladder bars, coil overs and fitted with a 12 gallon Jaz fuel cell.  Front chassis has rack and pinion steering with beefed up A frame, 5 lug spindles and coil over shocks. A custom 1 by 4 inch boxed steel center frame section connects front and rear frame sections.  An 8 point roll cage ties every thing together.  The Wheelie Bars and Parachute have been removed for show purposes. 

On a lighter note, to be street legal, the car had to pass a New York State Vehicle Inspection Process.  Come to find out, New York State does not consider a Parachute Handle an Emergency Brake.  I have installed a working Emergency Brake using a 1972 Ford Pinto Emergency Brake Handle.  The car did pass inspection.

Wheels:

All wheels are Weld Racing Drag Lites.  Front wheels are 15 inch diameter by 5 inches wide mounted with Michelin 165SR15 XZX Radial tire skinnies.  Rear wheels are 15 inch diameter by 14 inches wide mounted with Hoosier 31 inch tall by 18.5 inches wide 15LT Pro Street Radials.  Wilwood disc brakes all around with 10.5 inch vented rotors provide the stopping power.

Body:
Body is a 100% steel 1972 Ford Pinto 2 door sedan (trunk model)  Front and rear fenders are custom flared.  All original glass and weather striping.  All lights and signals work, including the wipers.  A custom Frenched power radio antenna is in the right rear quarter panel.  Paint is 1973 Farrari Red with ghost arrowed scallops.  All trim, door handles, bumpers and wiper arms are painted.  Fuel Pressure, Trans Temp and Blower Boost Pressure guages are mounted outside on hood cowl.  A full width wing finishes off the rear. 

Interioir:
Interior dash is stock except for 4 custom angled pod mounted AutoMeter guages and 2 AutoMeter gauges mounted in a custom centered console above the steering column.  Stock tilt steering column with custom Grant Elite GT steering wheel.  The steering column holds a Yellow 6000 RPM Shift Light and a Red Low Oil Pressure Light set at 18 PSI.  Shifter is a B&M Pro Ratchet..  A custom modified 1974 Pinto center console holds all needed extra switches and fuses.  Custom red Chrysler seats with 4 point racing belts provide the comfort.  Interior still has stock headliner, sun visors and interior light.  The 8 point roll cage provides the safety. Black floor rugs go from fire wall into the custom tubs and back half. 

Lifestyles:
Builder, Restorer, Old-School, Hot Rodder, Street Rodder, Muscle Cars, Build-It, Drive-It, Show Cars