69/71 Ford Maverick

dogfish · 10-04-2009, 07:08 PM

I just stumbled across a ford Maverick on US ebay.
Why aren't these as popular as the mustang?
Are there any available in OZ.
I think I will have to end up with one of the 2 door versions they have great rear end and quarters on them.
The fronts are a bit weird but you can do things with the lights.

Bushbasher · 10-04-2009, 07:17 PM

http://www.maverick.to/

dogfish · 10-04-2009, 07:20 PM

So what is the 1969 1/2 year date i found is that a different car?
I am confused.
But that looks AWESOME.
As i said earlier much better than a Mustang before it drops.

XR6_190 · 10-04-2009, 07:37 PM

From what I know, the US Maverick was introduced during 1969, so it got a '69 1/2 model year designation. They did a similar thing with the original '64 mustang.

As for your other question, about the popularity of the Mustang over the Maverick, the Maverick was a lower model in the Ford lineup of the time, maybe this is why the Mustang was more popular.

351buzz · 10-04-2009, 08:09 PM

gotta agree , they look cool

MethodX · 10-04-2009, 10:14 PM

Under rated cars.
Like those plymouth Dusters/ Dodge demons.

The Torinos and Rancheros are pretty kick *** too.

mustang70 · 10-04-2009, 10:25 PM

very cool cars, i looked at importing one some years ago but decided a mustang would be a heck of alot easier to sell when it came time,and mustang parts availability is excellent

BJ · 10-04-2009, 11:46 PM

A mate has one of the very few here in OZ.

And a few mate's of mines in the US

Ohio XB · 11-04-2009, 05:40 AM

They were pretty much considered an commuter car. The "Grabber" versions were pretty cool and came with a 302 but there was never a real serious push towards performance with these cars. They do have a loyal following though, but a little small compared to other cars.

I think the car has potential. People have made plenty drag cars out of them, but they've done that with the Pinto too. I have seen some pretty mean examples of each. No reason not to import one there. Should be cheap to purchase. They did have rust problems though.

Steve

dogfish · 11-04-2009, 08:37 AM

"They did have rust problems though."

So they are certainly a Ford then with the true Ford traits factory fitted rust.

Jason[98.EL] · 11-04-2009, 08:58 AM

what a great looking car i would love one

immagine the looks cruising around in oneof those with the sound of a tuff 351 in it

another car to add to the dream list

Jason

BJ · 11-04-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimus

what a great looking car i would love one

imagine the looks cruising around in one of those with the sound of a tuff 351 in it

another car to add to the dream list

Jason

I though of bringing one in before i bought the XR. They are pretty cheap even now.
They do how ever suffer with having a very small engine bay, what you have to do to fit a Clevo in one is quite a job. It is almost like trying to fit a clevo in to an XP.

Jason[98.EL] · 11-04-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ

I though of bringing one in before i bought the XR. They are pretty cheap even now.
They do how ever suffer with having a very small engine bay, what you have to do to fit a Clevo in one is quite a job. It is almost like trying to fit a clevo in to an XP.

would make it an even better project to fit a big engine in a small car (also i thought the 302 and 351 blocks were the same size but i have never seen them both side by side )

Jason

BJ · 11-04-2009, 09:27 AM

Nope they are bigger all round Jason. You also need to cut the towers back.

Kieron · 11-04-2009, 11:23 AM

If your talking Windsor 302/351 then yes the '51 is essentially bigger as it has a taller deck height. Clevos 302/351's are identical size wise.

Essentially underneath they are Mustang/Falcon and the go would be to drop a late injected 302W into them but a Clevo will fit without shock tower mods.

Mustang70 is right though, cheaper/easier to restore a Mustang due to the massive cottage industry on replacement parts and easier to sell. Having been there and done that myself though, I wouldn't mind something different and I quit like the mid 70's Torinos, the Mav doesn't do it for me

BJ · 11-04-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieron

If your talking Windsor 302/351 then yes the '51 is essentially bigger as it has a taller deck height. Clevos 302/351's are identical size wise.

Essentially underneath they are Mustang/Falcon and the go would be to drop a late injected 302W into them but a Clevo will fit without shock tower mods.

Mustang70 is right though, cheaper/easier to restore a Mustang due to the massive cottage industry on replacement parts and easier to sell. Having been there and done that myself though, I wouldn't mind something different and I quit like the mid 70's Torinos, the Mav doesn't do it for me

Yes you can put a Clevo in with out cutting the towers but you can not get the plugs out or remover the rocker covers. And they do not have the same base as the Mustang or Falcon, they have a completely different chassis than either of them.

Kieron · 11-04-2009, 04:13 PM

A 351 in a Maverick (which was the Falcon replacement), note the Falcon/Mustang underbonnet similarities -

the opening paragraph to wikiperdia entry on the Maverick -

The Ford Maverick was compact car manufactured from April 1969-1977 in the USA, Canada, Mexico and from 1973 to 1979 in Brazil — employing a rear wheel drive platform dating to the original 1960 Falcon.
--------

About 12 years ago, a friend owned the Mercury Comet equivalent and he used many Mustang parts for it's front suspension, however I don't recall exactly which. I do know I used XB Falcon uprights, ball joints, brakes (front and rear), rubbers etc when I restored by 68 GT Mustang though.

smciner1 · 11-04-2009, 07:02 PM

They are a neat looking Car, would have made a much better base for an updated Mustang than the Pinto.

Kieron · 11-04-2009, 09:25 PM

Dunno about that smciner1, that chassis was already old - recirculating ball steering vs rack and pinion, the front suspension uses a lot of space and was a poor design, in fact the go for old 'Stangs is to use a Mustang II suspension if you want better handling and not concerned about originality

I had a Mustang II before my 68 GT Mustang, and the II was much better handling/steering wise. I loved the ole 68 GT though.

Yaw · 11-04-2009, 09:31 PM

Just from the few pics I saw of this car, looks to me like a larger capri crossed with a charger.

Fev · 12-04-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

The Maverick is Ford's most successful car, selling more units in its first year than the original Mustang did

"

thats the 3rd sentence of the website listed in the 2nd post :P i guess they just werent as groundbreaking as the mustang was

But thats america, they were never brought out here.

**TUF_302** · 12-04-2009, 05:07 PM

When i seen Maverick i was thinking Fords version of the Nissan Patrol lol!!

Bad Bird · 12-04-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieron

in fact the go for old 'Stangs is to use a Mustang II suspension if you want better handling

Oh no you didn't. Please tell me you didn't...

Auslandau · 12-04-2009, 08:13 PM

If you go right thought the Ford/Mercury releases from late 60's to early 70's, they made some very great and very underated cars. Some of the Torino's, Comets, Cougars etc. They are now very cheap in comparison to a Mustang.

The great thing about Mustangs though is the enormous amount of options available, engine wise and just generally. Of course they are the most well known here and they really do have an absolute classic shape. BUT would still love a 68 Torino ....

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Kieron · 12-04-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Bird

Oh no you didn't. Please tell me you didn't...

Nope, i'm very much for factory stock and that's how I restored it. I wouldn't even have any holes drilled when I had an alarm system fitted never mind chopping out the suspension towers and installing a Mustang II front end

However, it's a common swap in the US, especially for restomods.

George1861 · 20-04-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio XB

They were pretty much considered an commuter car. The "Grabber" versions were pretty cool and came with a 302 but there was never a real serious push towards performance with these cars. They do have a loyal following though, but a little small compared to other cars.

I think the car has potential. People have made plenty drag cars out of them, but they've done that with the Pinto too. I have seen some pretty mean examples of each. No reason not to import one there. Should be cheap to purchase. They did have rust problems though.

Steve

i think the "Grabber" & Comet GT was nothing more than a ducted bonnet added on. Shelby Europe made a few hundred GT-250 Comets. They had the 302 replaced with a 289 with GT40 heads. Strange where the 289 had been out of production for a few years at the time.

71 maveick · 01-03-2014, 12:14 PM

hi all new to your site I have a 71 usa maverick iam looking for some parts could someone point me in the right direction if some one has parts in aust
great sight thanks

Tote · 01-03-2014, 07:12 PM

There used to be a green one running around Canberra as well so there are a few out here.

Regards,
Tote

Rev28K · 02-03-2014, 04:46 PM

I always liked the Mav's. A Grabber replica with a 302 Windsor stroked to 5600cc and RRS front end would work for me. Remember that it only weighs about 1200kg. Maybe a watts link on the back.

Shelby Mexico did a version: http://www.maverick.to/shelbydemexico.php

The V8's were pushed as a muscle car in Brazil. Emmo, the owner of the worlds fastest sideburns thrashing one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyhrrijKkw4