The Ford Pinto has been a punch line for decades, and why shouldn’t it be? Any car that’s as infamous for exploding gas tanks as it is for being photographed wearing airplane wings is bound to incite more than a few snickers.
But like any car, the Pinto has its enthusiasts. For longtime fan Mike Streets, it was a rare and sporty Pinto—one featuring factory-installed stripes and a body kit—that drew him into a half-decade search.
Already a Ford Pinto owner and racer, Mike would occasionally see a vehicle cruising San Leandro, California, that was quite rare, even in Pinto circles: a 1972 Hot Pants edition. This one proved to be elusive.
Hot Pants Pinto? Seriously? Yes, it was a limited-edition run that started in 1972. Essentially, it was a body kit for those wanting to add some sizzle to their Pintos.
Looking to kick it up a notch? At the same time Ford also offered a Boss stripe package—similar to the one that graced countless Mustangs. The two options could be ordered together, although records show that few chose to do so—maybe about 500 total.
Month after month, year after year, Mike chased his white whale to no avail. After not seeing the car for a while and thinking it was either sold or sent to Pinto heaven like many before and after, Mike called off the search.
A Second Chance
Mike has been a Pinto fanatic since 1974, the year he purchased a 1973 wagon. This was not destined to be some boring grocery getter, however, as Mike upgraded the shock absorbers and a front anti-roll bar so he could go autocrossing in the Stock-class ranks.
As he saw it, Pintos had the entire package: They looked good, handled well, and could accept more power.
Under the hood, Mike added a pair of side-draft Weber carbs and rebuilt the engine with more cam, Venolia pistons and Crower rods.
Mike continued to compete in SCCA events across California and eventually purchased a second Pinto for road racing. From 1985 through 1999, he campaigned the car in the Improved Touring ranks.
It wasn’t until 2001, after years of hunting, that he spied the elusive Hot Pants Pinto at rest. “I was doing some work in Castro Valley with a friend of mine. I turned down this street and there it was just sitting in this driveway,” he explains.
Mike finally had a chance to see the car up close. The chin spoiler, body cladding and rear spoiler further drew his interest—an attraction only a Pinto lover could understand. Mike says that he wanted to purchase the car on the spot, but it wasn’t for sale. Acquiring the car wasn’t going to be that easy.
“What’s It Worth?”
For two years Mike visited the Hot Pants Pinto and chatted with its owner, often inquiring about purchasing the vehicle. Then, in the summer of 2003, his phone rang.
“He called me up and said, ‘What do you think it’s worth?’” Mike recalls. “I knew it was a Hot Pants Pinto, but I didn’t know what it was worth. Finally we negotiated for $400 and I drove it home.”
It was a one-family car originally purchased by the owner’s brother and mainly used as a commuter. The Pinto had surface rust and the seats were torn, but there were no major dents or damage. Mike figured it would be a relatively smooth restoration.
The torn interior was returned to original condition.
With the car finally in his garage, Mike began what would become a yearlong restoration. The seats were reconstructed and returned to the original style—with a little more padding for comfort—while the body received plenty of sanding and paint.
A friend who taught paint and auto body at a local Regional Occupation Program volunteered to take in the car as a project. He matched the paint and got to work.
Along with the cosmetic fixes, Mike made some performance upgrades, too—lessons learned from his autocross and road racing days. He added stiffer springs, Carrera shock absorbers and a pair of Weber side-draft carburetors. The engine was rebuilt with high-compression Venolia pistons, Crower rods and more cam.
I’m a Boss!
After Mike finished the restoration, he got the biggest surprise of all: His Hot Pants Pinto was also a Boss Pinto. Yes, his car was even more awesome than originally believed.
A friend of Mike’s informed him that the Boss package was responsible for the stripes on the car. “He saw the car after I restored it and was like, ‘Wow, I have one just like it,’” Mike explains. “We had always talked, but I never knew his Pinto was a Boss Pinto.”
Mike’s friend gave him some background on the Hot Pants and Boss option packages. After the cars left Ford’s San Jose plant, the ones receiving one or both of these upgrades made a stop at an old truck wash located across the street.
Not a d’Lemon
Since Mike finished the restoration, he has brought the Pinto to several California car shows, including those hosted by Goodguys and Knott’s Berry Farm.
The Pinto caught our eye at a Concours d’Lemons in Monterey, a car show for the odd and underappreciated. Despite a well-stocked field full of other unique cars—including a Pinto covered with thousands of mirrored tiles—Mike’s Pinto won the GRM award.
Mike plans to hit more shows with the car, driving to local events and towing to the ones a bit farther away. As he explains, “How many gas stations have racing fuel at the pump?”
His love for the Pinto has never wavered, and to no surprise his daily driver is another Pinto. He commutes in a ’74 Pinto wagon fitted with 15-inch wheels and an ’88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe engine.
Don’t expect Mike to jump ship after all these years, either. Pintos may be the subject of punch lines and jokes, but he’s devoted to these notorious Fords. “I love everything about them,” he admits. “They’re fun little cars. If you ever drive one, you’d understand.”
Photography by David S. Wallens
