Hi to all. I'm new to your forum, and on the look out for a 70 - 73 Maverick for a project car. I've been out of the project car game for far too long. I've had a couple of old Broncos (a 67 and a 69), and a 84 Firebird, along with a few other things. I'm quite a bit more of an engine guy than a sheet metal guy, if I do say so myself. Had a 92 SHO, which I did some powertrain things to, but wouldn't really call that a project car. Got rid of the SHO in '98, and haven't had a project since (other than my bike - a HD Deuce). My work is in the automotive field, powertrain development. Not a lot I want to talk about with relation to that though (although if something comes up where I can help someone, I wont hesitate to do so). Its hard to keep the hobby from becoming too much like work. When it does, it makes the hobby seem less appealing. My wife recently gave the green light to an aquisition for the garage. After looking around, I believe a Maverick would be about perfect for the street/strip project I've got in mind. It'll take some shoehorning, but my initial thought is a 351 based stroker motor. Shooting for 11s in the quarter in a car that I can cruise in on nice weekends. I'm 20 minutes from the strip at Milan, MI, and probably a bit over an hour from Norwalk. Plus the Woodward Dream Cruise, the downriver cruise, etc., etc., etc. Hard to believe I've lived here for 12 years without a car to participate in all the local culture with. So, I'll stop sharing my mid-life crisis, and get back to looking out for that Maverick that has a decent enough body to start my idea of a perfect project. If anyone has experience putting a 9.5" deck 351 in one of these, I'd love to hear your war stories.
I'd sell ya mine but its far from a project car. It would save you alot of time and effort its turn key. Check out my profile.
Welcome from North Carolina. For a fun cruise, try the Port Huron cruise in July. Burn outs ALLOWED!!
Welcome from Chicagoland. I got back into the hobby after decades. I bought my 73 Comet GT 5 1/2 mos. I've spent plenty of time and money "at least by my standards" but love driving the car and hanging out w/ fellow Gearheads.
Welcome, I just recently purchased another Maverick grabber after about 26yrs. Kim call's it her mid-life crisis car though. I was born with mid-life crisis. Good luck in your quest!
Welcome from the other side of the Border, I'm closer to the MI cruises than the Southern Ontario ones, give me a holler next summer and I'll bring my baby down.
Welcome to the board. Why not go for a 302 based stroker. A 347 will give you plenty of power. My 308 goes high 11's, but it is track only, so a 347 should give you more than enough for a street/strip car capable of 11's.
That is one nice looking car. The time and effort is most of the fun though, isn't it? Looks like you've put in a lot of both. Can't figure out where to see the specs on your ride. Is it in the profile somewhere? What engine are you running? Burn outs are awesome! I like wheel wells with chunks of rubber stuck up in there. Hello Chicagoland. I'll be passing through tomorrow on the way back to Wisconsin to visit family for Thanksgiving. I've found that I'm much more productive if I've got a buddy to wrench with, or at least someone to talk shop with on a regular basis. These forums give a whole group folks to talk about wrenching with. Not to mention the wealth of knowledge available from all you guys! Hopefully I'll have one in time for a cruise this coming year. More likely, I'll have a pile of parts this year, and a nice streetable car a year and a half from now. Sounds like you've got a screamer, is it naturally aspirated? Bottle? What's your race weight? Trans & axle ratios? Wow, that's a lot of questions - sorry. As to why a 351 based stroker, quite simply for the "no replacement for displacement" mindset. Shallow, I know. But I've done 351W builds in the past, and just like the sound taking that a bit further. I know I'm walking into a bunch of additional work, including mods to inner fenders (metal work is not my favorite), but time to expand my comfort zone if it's gonna be a new and worthwhile build. Anyway, thanks for all the welcomes, and keep those craigslist postings coming. I'll find one soon, and that's when the real fun begins.
