Welcome to the Hooniverse Classic Captions Post, and once again, it’s that time of the week in which this feature appears, so let’s review the premise of this feature; I search for images that were used by the car companies in their print advertising or brochures, and it is your job to provide a humorous caption that is some how tied in with the image. This week we look at a 70’s Automotive Icon that is best remembered for its explosive personality…

Last time, we had an image of a Dodge Truck by the lake, and we are back to having light participation, to which I have to ask: What’s up with that? The runner-up comment was from Irishzombieman☆. However, I am going to take a break here and instead of highlighting the caption, I’m going to express my concerns. You see, this feature is a light hearted fluff piece, meant to be entertaining and not to be taken seriously. It is a chance to look at images from the past, and to comment on how we see things with rose colored glasses firmly intact. In other words, to see things from another time period, and react to how similar imagery is handled currently. This feature is meant to be light, frivolous, and most of all, entertaining. It is not meant to be reactionary, judgmental, or a place to vent your personal vendetta, so lighten up everyone, and try to enjoy this post. Sorry Irishzombieman☆, this wasn’t meant for you, it is directed at the person for whom you wrote the comment about (whomever that may be).

Now let’s get back to frivolity, and this week, the winning caption came from a fairly new participant, mkep81971p, and his winning caption went like this: “I prefer the pickups on the Fender, over the fenders on the Pickup.” This was very well done mkep81971p, so congratulations on winning the Caption Contest this week.

It’s now time to take a look at this weeks entry, and it is an image for the 1974 Ford Pinto 3-door Runabout. The ad copy states that “The only way to improve a basic car is to improve the basics” This was the admen trying to play-up some of the new standard equipment for the Pinto, like Disc Brakes, and larger power-plants. But this car was introduced right in the middle of the first Arab Oil Embargo, when practically anything small was replacing the large cars from only a few years before. With that, Ford (as well as everyone else) tried to make their cheapest and smallest cars even more appealing with a healthy dose of Chrome trim, Two-Tone Painr, Vinyl Roof Treatments, and bright vivid paint. So, do you think the Ford did a credible job selling the Pinto with this particular image? (You can click here to see the full size image)

You have the next five days to come up with a great caption. The editors will deliberate on the merits of each entry, and after contemplating our own caption (and please stay away from all the Exploding Pinto Jokes…), we will pronounce a winner. So, get to work and create you’re own caption for this unusual image.

Photo Credit: On The Real.New York City