The Pinto Stampede hits the road again in 2012
The 1st Pinto Stampede of 2012, a series of fun drives conducted by enthusiasts of the Ford Pinto, started on May 17-18, 2012, beginning in Ridgeway, Virginia and concluded at Summit Point, West Virginia; site of the Jefferson 500.

This years Pinto Stampede is proud to continue it's support of the Wounded Warrior Project by raising awareness, encouraging donations and support for our wounded warriors. This year the Pinto Stampede and its team members have raised more than $16,900 for the Wounded Warrior Project. To date the Pinto Stampede has raised more than $33,330 for the Wounded Warrior Project. Stampeders making a difference, one mile at a time!

As a team member I have been going to the car shows all summer, 15 of them in 2012, and "The Cookieboy" has added $2,352 to this years Stampede efforts. Not all of the car shows I go to do I have the chance to collect donations for the Wounded Warrior Project but I do when I can. I see myself more in the roll of getting the word out about the important work done by the Wounded Warrior Project for our wounded veterans. Raising awareness is just as important and helping people find a good and honest charity is one of my goals.

See More About The Pinto Stampede at PintoStampede.com

Enthusiasts involved in The Pinto Stampede, organized by Norm and Louise Bagi, and the 40th gathering put together by the Pinto Car Club of America (PCAA), believed that they'd be overlooked by corporate Ford, given the car's checkered past. But Ford Racing and our Ford Performance Group enthusiast outreach program was there to support Pinto loyalists! We awarded Ford "Certificates of Appreciation" and a special commemorative hatpin for those who participated in the Pinto's 40th Anniversary Celebration (with the most Pintos in one place since the last cars left the factory). Plus we even threw a "Pinto Pizza Party" for owners after a Saturday parade downtown and ensuing street festival.

So why all this for the Pinto, you ask? Well, first, to show that we support all Ford enthusiasts! And second, because few people - even Ford people - really know enough facts about the little car to put it into proper historical context. So, perhaps a little Ford Pinto history is in order here...

CLICK HERE! for the rest of the story.

Advanced Vehicle Engineers - From the earliest newspaper articles in 1970 where Henry Smolinski started to share his idea with the world to it's unfortunate end in 1973 with the crash of the AVE Mizar Flying Pinto. I have gathered as much information as I can in hopes of telling the most complete story possible of this fantastic idea, concept and implementation of a dream.