Table of Contents
Why was the Ford Pinto so bad?
The 1971 Ford Pinto was rushed into production to fight imported sub-compact cars. The poor design of the Pinto’s fuel tank and rear end made it vulnerable to crashes, even at low speeds, in which the fuel tank would suffer extreme damage and catch on fire, often trapping the car’s occupants inside.
How much did the Pinto cost Ford?
The gas tank of the Pinto exploded on impact. In the fire that resulted, the three teenagers were burned to death. Ford was charged with criminal homicide….Costs.
| Sales: | 11 million cars, 1.5 million light trucks |
|---|---|
| Unit cost: | $11 per car, $11 per truck |
| Total cost: | 12.5 million X $11 = $137.5 million |
Did Ford make a Pinto wagon?
The Ford Pinto was a subcompact car built in the 1970s. The vehicle was marketed under Ford Motor Company in the States and Canada. It was made from the 1971 to 1980 model years. In the 1977 model year, Pinto wagons were given a new option package.
How many died in Ford Pinto?
27 deaths
Before long, the Pinto’s defective design began causing serious injuries — and fatalities. An official total of 27 deaths was tied to the vehicle, though some estimates are far higher.
Did Ford ever make a convertible Pinto?
The Pinto was the first subcompact vehicle produced by Ford in North America. Class: Cars, Convertible — Model origin: Vehicle used by a character or in a car chase.
Was the Pinto a good car?
The Ford Pinto is far from the single worst car ever made, but the thoroughly mediocre quality, an abundance of cost cutting, and a fatal flaw that was willingly ignored make it hard to think of it as anything but one of the worst.
Did Ford fix the Pinto?
So the fix was nixed, and the Pinto went into production in September 1970. The penalty was later reduced to $3.5 million, but the initial figure was intended to make a point— as a punishment for negligence, it exceeded all profits Ford had made on the Pinto program.
How much money would it have cost the Ford Motor Company to repair the Pinto?
Ford did a cost-benefit analysis to determine how much it would actually cost to repair the Pinto’s gas tank. The actual work to the car would just cost $11 in parts and man-hours, but the delay in launch coupled with the number of cars needing repair would cost Ford a staggering $113 million.
What engine was in the Pinto?
| Ford Pinto | |
|---|---|
| Related | Mercury Bobcat Ford Mustang II |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L Kent I4 2.0 L EAO I4 2.3 L LL23 I4 2.8 L Cologne V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 3-speed C3/”Selectshift/Cruise-O-Matic” automatic |
Is Ford remaking the Pinto?
While the automaker has been largely mum about the compact pickup program, all sources appear to agree that it will come to market late next year as a 2022 model to be dubbed the Ford Maverick. The name, of course, was meant to tie in with Ford’s most venerable product line, the Mustang — as was the subcompact Pinto.
Is Falcon a Ford?
The Ford Falcon is a model line of cars that was produced by Ford from the 1960 to 1970 model years. During its production, the Falcon served as the basis for multiple Ford vehicle lines, including the first generations of the Ford Mustang pony car and the Ford Econoline/Ford Club Wagon vans.
Why was the Ford Pinto called Lee’s car?
Like the Mustang, the Pinto became known in the company as “Lee’s car.” Lee Iococca wanted that little car in the showrooms of America with the 1971 models. So he ordered his engineering vice president, Bob Alexander, to oversee what was probably the shortest production planning period in modern automotive history.