The High Country Special Maverick

Last year for my birthday a friend and co worker gave me one of thoes large "coffee table" books all about the history of the Mustang. In the book there was a short section about the High Country Special Mustang. after reading about them I always kinda wondered what if they made a HCS for other Ford cars such as... oh I dont know... the Maverick? As far as I know it hasnt been done by anyone before.
Recently, life has been pretty good to me and I was able to move out of a tiny apartment into my very own house (complete with two car garage and workshop!) The best part is is that I also have some funds set aside for "playing with the cars" as my girlfriend would put it.
I already have a yellow 73 grabber that I bought when I was 18, and have messed around with it for the last few years. The first plan was to really get down to brass tacks and fix it up into a respectable car, however, a few weeks ago I found a nice Grabber for sale locally with a lot of the things that I wanted to do to the yellow one already in place (such as black interior, bucket seats, manual trans, grabber hood, small bumpers, and disk brakes) so I bought it.
After staring at it for a few weeks I am starting to formulate a plan as to what I want to do with it.

-Take out the 302 and stroke it to a 347
-replace the 3 speed with a 4 speed toploader
-redo the seats and carpet
-add aftermarket stereo (just somthing simple)
-add a center console
-replace center section with tru-track and 3.25 gears
-do some minor body work (fix dents and rust)
-for paint I was thinking Highland Green/Black Jade

Pics coming soon!

Info on the HCS
http://highcountrymustang.com/

 

Looking forward to watching your progress

So what does a High Country Special look like?

 

The origional HCS was made from 66-68 from 66-67 it was avalible only in Columbine Blue, Aspen Gold, and Timberline Green. in 68 they expanded it to all the normal colors. It also had special badging (similar to the California Special)

 

Finally some PICS!

 

I went out today and took invintory of the parts that I have been collecting.
Here is a list of what I have so far both either stored away or on my parts car.

-Hayden 6 blade fan
-Ford racing 9mm spark plug wires
-Petronix electronic ingnition (Ignitor) and coil (Flame Thrower)
-AFR heads #1420
-Alum. finned valve covers w/black powder coat
-Parker Funnel Web intake
-Edelbrock performer 289 intake
-Edelbrock 1405 carb
-Champion 3 row alum. radiator
-Taylor alum. battery box w/trunk relocation kit
-New springs front and rear
-Almost perfect grill
-Chin spoiler
-Dash cap
-Summit hood pin kit
-Scott Drake locking gascap kit
-Hooker 6901 headers
-Complete almost new 2.5" exhaust with H pipe and flowmasters
-Pioneer stereo
-Rockford speakers (2-6'' and 2-5''X9'')
-Delta tach (very cool, made in 1973)
-MC bar
-subframe connectors
-various other bits and pieces, gascap, knobs, lights, etc...
-I am also having some new upholstry made up, should be here soon!
-I will also be ordering a trac-loc unit with 3.25 gears

 

Sounds like you have a pretty good jump on parts look forward to seeing your progress

 

Just recieved my new rear end center section from a guy on ebay. I contacted him directly and made the deal over the phone. here is his website: http://www.ford8and9inchrears.com/
It looks great, and there was no core fee! I also ordered a Hurst line lock unit from summit.
I am looking around for a decent sized air compressor so I can start using the sand blaster I bought off my dad to clean up some of the "crustier" pieces.

 

here he is on Ebay...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/tj1141/m.html?item=330896090309&ViewItem=&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

 

Yep that's him, but if you call him directly its a few bucks cheaper.

 

my uncle has the 8in center in his buick and it runs 12.40's on radials and has never had a problem with his and he bought his from this guy direct also. my uncle says he real nice to deal with.

 

I know its been a while but I've finally started to get the ball rolling on my car. Today I dropped it off at a local restoration shop where they will begin to take the car apart and start on the body work. I also decided to go with a AOD instead of a manual 4 or 5 speed. I found a sweet deal on a motor and tranny combo that I will probably buy for the car. It is a late model 5.0 that's stroked(347), fuel injected and has twin turbos that sits in front of a built AOD transmission. The car should scream if we can get everything to fit under the hood. I'm hoping to have some pictures of the clean sandblasted frame in the next week or so. I'm real interested to see how bad the rust is.

 

Hey, I have/Will have the section you will need for your drivers side quarter. Mine is in perfect condition, but will be removing the panel to replace completely as my rear section was damaged. If you're interested I would be willing to remove the section you need and ship to you for a 'fair' price for both parties.

Let me know if you're interested.

 

I'm Interested, will send you a pm.

 

Man , you have a list of great parts . Good luck . Keep us up dated on the progress .

 

Still planning a High Country Special - Maverick edition?

I think it would work if executed properly. Keep us posted.