Almost Survived: 1971 Ford Maverick Custom
I’m really conflicted about this car. It is a survivor, but its been grounded to the ground with airbags and rides on pimped out rims. Its got stock inline-6 with a big aluminum radiator and looks really nice in the pictures. It is missing a huge chunk of originality, but with performance of a base model economy car from 1971. What do you do with it? Find this 1971 Ford Maverick Custom here on eBay
for $9,100 reserve-not-met with less than 1 day to go, located in Merrillville, IN.
The Ford Maverick was a replacement for the outgoing Ford Falcon and
used parts bin Ford (mostly Mustang) parts to offer a basic driving
experience. While the world (and the Mustang) changed a lot from 1970
to 1977, the Maverick was offered in the same basic package — a front
engine rear-drive 2+2 with a budget price tag.
This Maverick is equipped with the most basic of engines available in 1971 — the T-code inline-6. It produces 115 horsepower from its 200 cubic inch displacement and is fed via a single carburetor. To add insult to injury, the engine is mated to a C4 automatic transmission and a 2.79:1 rear axle. Plan your trips well in advance.
The interior is in nice shape — bench seats look good, and if only this thing was riding on its stock suspension, you could sorta get behind it. As is, it looks like it has teeth, but when you open its mouth, bubbles fly out.
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These Mavericks had a really clean shape, especially with the original thin bumpers. For me, if I was going to go as far as this owner went, I would have dropped in a slightly built 302 (the 302 was an original factor option) and done the suspension for handling. I think everything is bolt-on from the many Mustang catalogs. Cheap, easy, simple, fun to drive and no something you will see at every car show.
Nice looking car. I could see this for my 18 y/o son, looks great but certainly not enough power to get him hurt. I've had two of these (well one was a Mercury Comet) and have always thought they have a good look. The Grabber version of the Maverick and GT comet add a little sportiness with high back buckets, hood scoop and rear spoiler. They are just starting to bring more money but a nice example can be had for not much money. They are typically overlooked by car guys but I feel they will start to go up in value as the more common muscle cars get more and more expensive.
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Love the original paint, but mechanically – from the wheezer motor to the airbags – this is a slow-lane car if ever there were one.
Is it worth ten grand as it sits if you're like me and the only thing on the car you really care about is that original paint and 27K-mile dash pad, and everything else would end up in a dumpster or on eBay?
I'm one of the few who actually like the way it sits right now. I'd swap in a mild 302 and better brakes turning it into a nice cruiser that can move a bit.