You think YOUR Mav looks bad??????

Check out mine. I finally got her moved this past weekend from the field to my house. This is how she looks right now. I know for most of you, this would only be a "parts car" but to me, she's family. She may never get to showcar status, but it's still going to be my project. Someday maybe I'll buy another one in better shape. For now, Ethel is the one for me.

Oddly enough, there isn't as much rust as I thought there would be. One spot is rusted clear through and is in that spot where the wheel well meets the trunk floor and the rear quarter panel. As bad as the outside looks, the inside is worse. Oh, and the right front wheel is locked up. Won't turn at all. Probably the brakes. *sigh* The front bumper is ruined, as is the piece it's bolted to. It was dragged by a tractor hooked to the front bumper several years ago. Made me mad when I saw that, but can't do anything about it now. Look out salvage yards here I come.

Right now I'm in the cleaning out stages. Gotta get that front wheel moving before I can do very much. Can't even push it around with that wheel locked up. Too bad none of you folks live around here. I could probably use the help.

Got my work cut out for me, wouldn't you say?

Jean

 

I have worked with much worse than that. Looks as if though it is pretty solid, hopefully underneath is good too. Best thing in my opinion is to start with as solid a car as you can find. In your case, the car is family, been there done that. Keep us posted as to your progress.
Dan

 

Thanks Dan

Yep, she's family. But I am under no illusion that this will be an easy project, or a quick one. And she IS reasonably solid. Just a little overwhelming at times. I have a plan, and I just have to stick to it. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll probably need a lot more of it as the months (years) go on. You guys are my inspiration.

I've just decoded the vin and data plate. Turns out she was originally "light blue". I'm not sure what color that was, but I'm hoping it isn't the baby blue or powder blue I'm thinking of. If it is, she'll have to have another color. I like the medium/darker blue that you can see on the back half. That's how she looked when I bought her.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words and I'll keep you posted.

Jean

Jean

 

I think you are starting off pretty dadgum good.

 

ethel? hrmm... maybe my 4 door should be "betty". at any rate she'll look better once ya wash her. that always renews the faith that it can happen. rooting for ya!

 

Really?

No kiddin? I was thinking mine was worse than most. All the pictures I see on this message board and other web sites make me think that everyone starts out with a better car than this one. Especially when I start tallying up all the things I'm going to have to replace completely...... grill, battery tray and surrounding metal, front valance, front bumper, carpet, seats, steering wheel, knobs and handles, armrests.... and that's just the cosmetics. I won't even bore you with the Looooooong list of mechanical issues.

God, I love this car. If I didn't, it would have been scrap metal years ago. And it was great fun today digging around in the trunk. I came up with the origninal am radio and the mounting hardware, all the hubcaps, a can of Lube-All (which I promptly used on the hood latch), a can of transmission fluid, two brand new in the box oil filters, and an honest-to-God glass dr. pepper bottle from years ago. Now THAT was fun.

Jean

 

Once I get the front wheel rolling, a wash job is next on the list. All that moss growing on the passenger side bothers me.

Ethel sends her regards to Betty.

Jean

 

yep.. a good grooming job..some makeup... maybe some alcohol.... shell look great... til morning when ya find the to do list that is.

highest regards to ethel.

p.s. i can only aspire to what some of the cars ive seen on this website. with ya on that one

 

Looks like I have good company This is right after it was towed out of the garage with 1/2 of mold in the carpet.

 

No kiddin'. I've got to replace the radiator support, repair part of the right front frame rail, and replace the battery side sheet metal in '74 Grabber. Plus, rats lived in it for a few years. Not mice, rats. Big honkin' corn crib rats. They loved the interior. Do you have idea how much rat dooty can be in a Maverick?

 

Here it is about 8 months later, New brakes, alt, volt. reg, starter,bumperette,wipers, and lots of cleaning. All I have left is the exhaust and a new heater core, and it will be ready for winter. Most of the work was done in the evening a littel at a time. It's by now means a show winner, but it will be my daily driver. Russ

 

Hey Russ, that cleaned up pretty good!!!

 

Yes...isn't it amazing what a wash job, rubbing compound, & polish or wax can do to these old Mavericks & Comets? When they shine, they look good & give you the inspiration to do what you have to do, to get it where you want it. After cleaning 2 cars I bought for parts, I just couldn't part them. Instead it's time to fix them up. We will be your inspiration to get your Maverick where you want it. Keep us posted with pictures (we love pictures).

:bananaman :bananaman

 

Before and Afters

You can do it!



Before pic and link to resto progress pics website.

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/458314


Seth

 

oh yeah

Oh yeah. I didn't show you the shots where the rats left their calling cards under the hood. Fortunately, they didn't like my interior that much.

You make me feel a lot better, thanks.

Jean