As you know, I finally have a 73 Maverick to tinker with. The interior has a bench seat, new carpet, head liner and is column shift and is in black. The previous owner must have had the interior redone several years ago. Everyone is amazed how nice it is inside. The car came with a/c and p/s with a I6 250 and automatic. It runs really good and the a/c compressor actually kicked in. I'm in a tough spot, I think this car is a good candidate for survival status. My buddy owns a custom car shop and was really impressed how solid the car was, He really felt it was a good car to put into survival status. Odd for him since he builds "6 figure" cars for his customers. It had to hurt. I also want to go fast and look good doing so and not look like grand pa with my hubcapped, six cylinder geezer buggy. Every one says what do think your going to do with that, a maverick, my so and so had one or you need to get a life has been mentioned too. Time will prove them wrong when I get a plan and start working on it, One definite, I will find a grabber hood and mirrors at carlise this spring. Any thoughts on the survivor theory? Would it be worth it down the road from an original stand point?
"I also want to go fast and look good doing so." how fast...how good looking...what is your budget and what's your skill level?
Welcome to the site from northeast Ohio!!! I don't believe you have posted any pictures of this car? Please post exterior, interior, under hood and chassis photos.
Yes....post some pictures!! A bunch of us will be at Carlisle for the Ford Nationals in June. We have a Maverick Regional Mini-Meet there.....so if you come...look for us.
It isn't a cobra jet mustang or a Hemi Cuda if it was me i would make a hot rod out of it and enjoy it that is what it is all about having fun with it ''Purists'' the guys that nit pick every detail '' Oh i see you have the wrong decal on your air cleaner'' ''A 63 Pan shouldn't be in a wishbone frigid frame"' make me wanna PUKE A Maverick was originally an economy car not a muscle car that is why they look so cool as a hot rod
I would do whatever makes you happy! A well done V8 conversion with some exterior appearance mods will probably be worth more down the line than if you left it original with the 6 cylinder in it. As others have said post some pictures.
I tried to get a few pix up but ran into the error code. I'll keep trying. As far as skill level goes, I feel as though I'm a decent body man and mechanic. I built my own engines for my Mustang and ran a 13.101 @ 107mph on street tires and un capped in the early 90's. The original 289 would twist up, guys thought I had a SBcheyy in it. That would never happen!! I would never open the hood. She still ran mid 14's capped which was respectable. Had 3;55 in the rear, 4:61 back in the day. Probably could have cracked into the 12's if I had 4:10's in her. Who knows. I've hand made patch panels to repair rust in the front fenders, door corners. wheel wells and floor pan sections. Recently, I removed the entire rear section of my stang to replace the rails, trunk pans and extensions, transition pan, tail light panel and a convertible reinforcement across the tl-panel and a lower quarter panel. I did all the mig welding and brazing myself along with building the jigs to keep everything square. This all happened because the car was (wrecked) overlay patched some time way before I owned it and began to rust. I wanted t make it right. I plan to paint the Maverick myself once I get some issues rectified, I have access to a booth and a good friend of mine paints show quality cars so he would guide me if I'm screwing up. Haven't painted a panel in 25 years on anything that matters. I do have plans to learn how to rebuild c4 trannys, I have a good source for donor units to learn from. If I could make a living doing this kind of stuff, It would be game on. I don't like to out source too much.
You asked....so here it goes. What I see is a green plain jane Maverick. I say skip "survivor" and do whatever you want with it. I would keep the factory AC if it was me.
