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Could Maverick be the next Pinto?

mamboman777

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Everything talks less time and safer when it can be modeled on a computer before production.
The Pinto error was the length of a screw used that would puncture the fuel tank when hit from behind spraying fuel and causing ignition (big ass fire).
Sounds like a spray in bed liner recall that I've heard of.
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KimoCarew

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27 deaths

Deaths and Injuries Lead to Litigation
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. Google fact check.

I owned one that I shared with my brother never had any problems and later a Maverick as we got bigger.
They made over 3 million Pintos... and at a time when cars were not nearly as safe as they are now, it wasn't really any better or worse than anything else on the road at the time.
 

Hot Runr Guy

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I think it has far more in common with the 1964 Mustang. Take an existing successful platform (Falcon vs C2); aim for a segment that doesn't exist in the market (pony car vs small unibody trucks); let the Studio draft a clean, unique design; utilize a modular catalog of parts to design the platform and allow engineering timeline to be shortened; introduce an appealing product at a very attractive price.
And yet, 50+ years ago, they produced and sold 121K in that first 1/2 year, and 559K in 1965. Progess, eh?

HRG
 

MtcARK

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I owned two Pintos, a 1971 and a 1978. I bought the '78 one new that year. I had no problems with either and loved them both. The gas tank issue on the first one was fixed under warranty. I wonder how many of those complaining about it ever owned one, much less bought one new. There was nothing wrong with the car.
 
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Captain

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Preface: This is meant to be a "fun, thought-provoking" thread to pass time while we all wait for our trucks. 😄

There are some eerily similar details between the development of the new Maverick and the Ford Pinto produced through 1980.

For those of us who have been around a while, recall that the Pinto (codenamed Lee's Car) went from sketch pad to showroom in a remarkable 24 months. It also set the standard for lightweight cars among domestic manufacturers at the time. It was first to market ahead of AMC's Gremlin and Chevrolet's Vega. Lastly, it carried a shockingly low price. Sound familiar?

It did not take long for the Pinto's shortcomings to become apparent. The explosive fuel tanks were the main problem which has been well documented over the years.

This might beg the question: Could the Maverick be the next Pinto? Having been developed in just 22 months, relatively lightweight in its construction, and sold at a low price, this could put hundreds of thousands of these vehicles on roadways in a very short period of time. Could a major design error could match or exceed the 500+ lives lost to the Pinto?

While manufacturing processes have no doubt gotten much better and modern safety systems are nothing short of amazing in most cases, it all starts with the engineering and requires strict quality control at all levels.

What do you think about these stark similarities?
I think not, I believe the Pinto was all new almost everything…. The Maverick is clearly a take parts from column A trucks, some from column B SUV and parts left in the Part Department. The only original idea was the ugly seat covers in the Lariat.
 

TheRef

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My 1972 Pinto was a 1600CC engine, Coral (orange color), no radio, no a/c but it did have a 4 speed!!
Love my Cyber Orange Maverick but sure miss my manual!!
 

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So far, it is impossible. There are not enough Mavs to explode 500 times.

BTW, seriously, 500 death in explosions? I read some articles on internet, and they says only 27 death. I could be wrong. The internet may not be as credible as Pinto.
Yes, questionable stat. "Ford puts the figure at 23; its critics say the figure is closer to 500." That's not real compelling, "critics say" isn't much of a reliable fact.
BTW, I had a Vega. Couldn't have blown up because it rusted out before anything like that could happen.
 

bscarpenter

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Preface: This is meant to be a "fun, thought-provoking" thread to pass time while we all wait for our trucks. 😄

There are some eerily similar details between the development of the new Maverick and the Ford Pinto produced through 1980.

For those of us who have been around a while, recall that the Pinto (codenamed Lee's Car) went from sketch pad to showroom in a remarkable 24 months. It also set the standard for lightweight cars among domestic manufacturers at the time. It was first to market ahead of AMC's Gremlin and Chevrolet's Vega. Lastly, it carried a shockingly low price. Sound familiar?

It did not take long for the Pinto's shortcomings to become apparent. The explosive fuel tanks were the main problem which has been well documented over the years.

This might beg the question: Could the Maverick be the next Pinto? Having been developed in just 22 months, relatively lightweight in its construction, and sold at a low price, this could put hundreds of thousands of these vehicles on roadways in a very short period of time. Could a major design error could match or exceed the 500+ lives lost to the Pinto?

While manufacturing processes have no doubt gotten much better and modern safety systems are nothing short of amazing in most cases, it all starts with the engineering and requires strict quality control at all levels.

What do you think about these stark similarities?
Oddly I learned to drive a manual in my dads pinto wagon! Maybe Lear I ing the ways of a hybrid in a maverick is similar. 😄
 

GaryHoosier

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Preface: This is meant to be a "fun, thought-provoking" thread to pass time while we all wait for our trucks. 😄

There are some eerily similar details between the development of the new Maverick and the Ford Pinto produced through 1980.

For those of us who have been around a while, recall that the Pinto (codenamed Lee's Car) went from sketch pad to showroom in a remarkable 24 months. It also set the standard for lightweight cars among domestic manufacturers at the time. It was first to market ahead of AMC's Gremlin and Chevrolet's Vega. Lastly, it carried a shockingly low price. Sound familiar?

It did not take long for the Pinto's shortcomings to become apparent. The explosive fuel tanks were the main problem which has been well documented over the years.

This might beg the question: Could the Maverick be the next Pinto? Having been developed in just 22 months, relatively lightweight in its construction, and sold at a low price, this could put hundreds of thousands of these vehicles on roadways in a very short period of time. Could a major design error could match or exceed the 500+ lives lost to the Pinto?

While manufacturing processes have no doubt gotten much better and modern safety systems are nothing short of amazing in most cases, it all starts with the engineering and requires strict quality control at all levels.

What do you think about these stark similarities?
Actually, the original Ford Maverick has arguably an even more similar "origin story" than the Pinto (which first hit the market a little later); that Maverick was based on an already existing model (the Falcon), as is the Maverick Truck (Escape).
I had one of those original Pintos, and liked it a lot, 1.6L stick-shift. It was fun to drive, got it as a H.S. graduation gift. As I recall it started rusting-thru within 4 years though.
 
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Benson

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Just picture it, Mavericks blowing up all over the United States..... Hahaha!!!
I prefer to not be negative! will remain optimistic that it will not be another Pinto
 

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What about the Hindenburg?

Preface: This is meant to be a "fun, thought-provoking" thread to pass time while we all wait for our trucks. 😄
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