Hi guys, a little while since been on the forum, I haven't made much progress on my bare shell build as been tied up with work and other projects. This is just a feeler really, I've always been disappointed by the complete lack of space in the Maverick front end, and when my cousin recently bought a Ford Capri of the same age, I find it beyond belief that the bigger car has over 10" less width in the engine bay! So... I'm thinking about chopping the (rotten) front end off the Maverick, and splicing a Capri one on, complete with McPherson struts, cross member, and steering rack (rack and pinion!!!). If I can find a LHD one as of course ours are RHD here. Here's a pic, overall sizes are very close, but the capri has just over 10 inches more width and is bang tidy! Any thoughts? Cheers, TC
What is the track width on the Capri?....I see a lot of fab work involved, especially getting the sheetmetal to bolt on
Jeez that looks smart- and I bet it should do with the amount of work/money it will have taken! According to Carfolio, the track is just 2" narrower on the Capri. Also I assume the auto box is responsible for the lazy as hell performance of the Maverick compared to the Capri, of almost identical power to weight ratio! But then you can't tune an Essex V6 like you can a SBF eh!!! I'm a fabricator, and love a challenge so I don't think it would actually be too hard, I'm thinking of building a comprehensive jig picking up on the important points of the Maverick front end, then cutting it out and installing the Capri one to the right important measurements, I'm also planning on modifying the front end with a more aggressive nose, slightly more mustang style, but more "one off" than making it look like a cheap copy
No, you can get LHD racks for them easily enough so will keep the Maverick original in that respect, even though it would be better in RHD in the UK!
Lol true! I'm planning on putting a front bench seat in too and retaining the column shift, both novel in the UK, and handy
Instead of cutting off both front ends, you'd be better served to just cut the mav. towers back and plate the top of the towers and just swap over the suspension/steering system.
Any thoughts of just going with the tried and true Mustang II front end? Probably cost less in the long run, and parts are never going to be obsolete for them! I am really happy with the MII in my 61 Comet.
Hmmm the initial cost of the parts, plus the shipping across the pond... Where the Capris are in ample supply... Its hard to say what is cheaper or in more ample supply over there
