Pinto Stampede 2014 to Hell, Michigan, and Back to Dearborn – Birthplace of the Ford Pinto

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The Pinto Stampede enables Pinto enthusiasts the opportunity to celebrate our cherished little cars while doing something meaningful for others.

New York, NY (PRWEB) July 10, 2014

The Fourth Annual Pinto Stampede (http://www.pintostampede.com), a journey in which 50 vintage Ford Pintos from all parts of North America will converge on Dearborn, MI, and will raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project (WWP), while driving to Hell and back… Hell, Michigan, (30 miles west of Detroit) that is!

All proceeds from sponsorships and a fundraising raffle will go the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps soldiers returning with disabilities regain normal lives. To date, the Pinto Stampede has raised over $38,000 for the organization.

“The Pinto Stampede enables Pinto enthusiasts to celebrate our cherished little cars while doing something meaningful for others,” said "Trail Boss" Norm Bagi, founder and organizer of the Pinto Stampede. “We want to keep raising money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations can be made through the Pinto Stampede website and go directly to the organization.”

Along the route, drivers in The Pinto Stampede will make several stops, including The Ford Employee Car Show in Dearborn where the beloved Pintos were offered a place of honor in this invitation-only event. Later, they will visit the Henry Ford Museum, the Roush Collection, drive to Hell (Michigan) and back, and visit the the Ford/Mercury Restorers Club Car Show.

“The first Stampede was such a success that participants demanded to keep it going,” said Bagi. “Over the past few years, we have made lasting friendships and dispelled many of the myths associated with the Pinto. Drivers have come from Texas, California, New York City, Alabama, South Carolina, and even Canada. We all have a common goal—to raise money for a worthy and noble cause, the Wounded Warrior Project. This year, we visit the Pinto Holy Land of Dearborn.”

Enthusiasts of the Ford Pinto have established a unique way of recognizing the compact car, which sold more than 3 million units from 1971-1980. In the 1970s, the Pinto became known for fatalities due to fires caused when the car was rear-ended at high speeds. However, the actual number of total fatalities (27) was far less than the “thousands” reported by the media of the era, and was consistent with the performance of other compact cars of the time.

2014 Pinto Stampede highlights:

Day 1 – Friday, July, 18th, 2014

• 9:00 a.m. – Pinto Stampede leaves the Comfort Inn (Greenfield Village, 20061 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI) under police escort
• 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. – 50 Pintos will make their way to the Ford Product Development Center (20901 Oakwood Boulevard in Dearborn, MI) to take a place of honor amongst Ford's most impressive cars.
• 9:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Ford Employee Car Show
• 2:00 p.m. through evening – Pintos head to the Henry Ford Museum (20900 Oakwood Blvd. Dearborn, MI)

Day 2 – Saturday, July 19th, 2014

• 9:00 a.m. – Pintos visit the Roush Collection, a museum of famous Ford racing history. Normally closed on Saturdays, it will open to give a private tour to the Pinto faithful (11851 Market St. Livonia, MI).
• 10:30 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. – The Gates of Hell, Michigan, open to the Pinto Stampede! The ‘Highway to Hell’ will be filled with 50 Pintos ready roll into the small town.
• 12:00 p.m. – Lunch at the Dam Site Inn. The Trail Boss will be made honorary Mayor of Hell. (4045 Patterson Lake Rd. Hell, MI)
• Dusk – Pintos visit the Ford Drive-In Theatre. (10400 Ford Road, Dearborn, MI)

Day 3 – Sunday, July 20th, 2014

• 8:00 a.m. – Pintos roll into the Ford/Mercury Restorers Club Car Show and conduct a fundraising raffle for the Wounded Warrior Project (20501 Old U.S. Hwy 12, [I-94, Exit 159] Chelsea, MI).
• After the show, Pintos ride home.

Ford Pintos By The Numbers:

• Number of Ford Pintos built and sold from 1971-1980: 3,127,322
• Membership of the Pinto Car Club of America (P.C.C.A.): 6,500+
• Number of Pintos left: Approximately 5,000-10,000 road-worthy Pintos (Estimated at 100-200 per state)
• Years in production: 10 (1971-1980)
• Fatalities: 27 total as of 1976, including those not tied to rear ending the gas tank – fewer than the thousands per year as portrayed by some of the media in the 1970s (The numbers were comparable to the results of other compact cars of the era).
• Amount of money raised by The Pinto Stampede for Wounded Warriors to date: $38,000+

In 2011, enthusiasts of the Ford Pinto, which sold more than 3 million units from 1971-1980, established a unique way of recognizing the compact car's 40th anniversary by organizing a charity drive entitled The Pinto Stampede. Unlike most collector cars, these cars take to the road. Along the way, the compact cars have done laps at Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and most have driven across the country... not bad for 40+ year old economy cars. When they get together, the Pintos make a difference for our Wounded Warriors, "one mile at a time."

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