American Muscle 1973 Pinto

By Marsha Allen

There is nothing typical about eighty- one-year-old Panama City resident Bob Harris. This Kansas native is an active participant in the area’s “show car community” and there is nothing typical about his car, either. Bob is the proud owner of a 1973 Ford Pinto and Pinto sightings are a rare occurrence these days. The Pinto is the much criticized sub-compact car produced by Ford Motor Company from 1971 – 1980, with just over 3 million sold during that period. Bob is the second owner of his green pony. The first was his father’s “lady friend.” She bought the car new in 1973 and drove it until 1989 when the older Mr. Harris replaced it with a Pontiac Lemans with air conditioning. The Pinto was turned over to Bob with 24,000 miles. It currently has just 52,000 miles and is in near-perfect condition. You won’t see this beauty on a car trailer . Bob drives the car to every car show and cruise-in he attends. In fact, Bob has driven the car as far as Birmingham, Alabama, for a show.

Bob’s love for classic Fords goes back many years. In his high school days, he drove a 1929 Model A Ford and he has owned several other classic Fords over the years. His love of cars is not limited to Fords. He has owned other makes of classic cars and currently owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR Retractable Hardtop with less than 45,000 miles. The XLR, which was produced from 2004-2009, is another rare car. There were less than 16,000 built .

Bob is retired from the Air Force. He was a DJ for many years and is still known as “Music Man Bob”. He is currently a member of the American Muscle Car Club of Panama City and the National Pinto Club of America.  If you are out in the Panama City area and see a car show going on, be sure to stop and see Bob and his Pinto. He always has a smile on his face and a story to tell.