Well, I'm sure this has been discussed before, but since I've been on an extended vaction from the Maverick lifestyle for 6+ yrs I just thought I see where everyone stands. I've had my current Maverick for 15 yrs now, I repainted it in 1991, and did quite a bit of work to it back then, changed the motor (from my other Mav) rebuilt the trans, cleaned it from top to bottom, and inside and out. I've been collecting Maverick and Comet parts since about 1987 when I worked at a Ford dealer in the parts department, so I have alot of the things I need to restore my car to the way it came off the line in St.Thomas....but... I figure what fun is a stock restored Maverick? but on the other side of the coin, my car is a white on orange 1974 Grabber that has almost ever option that you could get in '74 (except a/c) How far do I go with this, I have the original motor and trans, so I could keep it numbers matching...but what will a numbers matching Maverick ever be worth? (not that I'd ever sell this one) I also have everything I need to put the small bumpers on, and a real nice Grabber hood.... I just can't see any of us runnig around in stock restored Mavericks in the future, like all these Mustang guys that put those booties on their tires so they don't get and grass on them.. It's alot of rambling, I know..but I think I'll just go order those 17" wheels tomorrow....
what he said. my 71 grabber is about 90% stock. i kept the engine parts i upgraded. the only hard part would be the hood stripe and rear panel repainting.
sounds to me like you already know the answer. It will be alot more fun and enjoyable....a lot easier to do the "resto" because you can make it like you want. IMO, RESTO is the wave of the future. Same body lines, with better mordern internal and braking system...thats the way to go!
A completely stock Maverick will more then likely never be worth as much as a properly hotrodded Maverick. Stock Mavericks are simple, relatively slow, and just boring 70's economy cars. Not exactly the makeings of a high dollar classic. But it's something that makes alot of people go "wow" when they see one done up right. Get them '17 rims, put that Grabber hood on, and do it up how ever you like. Do it with class and quality every step of the way, and you'll end up with a car thats something. Thats whats great about Mavericks. I can't help but laugh at these guys that treat them like they should be perfectly restored to stock like a rare Mustang. Boring. You'll notice that even most of the cars on this site that appear stock at a glance are far from it when you look at what really has been done.
Stock is cool but a restomod is just plain badass and a ton of fun. The only thing original on my Sprint is the owner.
I would keep the big bumpers. I would also add AC if you want that...but do you need it up there??? Does it ever get over 75 degrees?
like they said, most of the cars appearing stock have a number of changes to them. i like to see a restored maverick in perfect condition, but i drool over a nice restomoded maverick or comet.
I hope you said that with tongue firmly planted in cheek Mr. SelveyIt gets stinkin' hot up here in the summer; so much so that we head to Phoenix for some of that "dry heat"....of course summer only lasts for a week Dave, I'm in somewhat similar circumstances. My Comet GT has been off the road for almost 5 yrs and I have convinced myself that although I will leave the paint and stripe original, the mechanicals really need updating, especially the brakes. I'm thinking AOD trans as well.
