Of all the cars I miss from my past, one that really stands out is the 1973 Mercury Comet that was around during my junior high days. Painted flat black, running trailer wheels and decent rubber, and sporting a 302 that just would not quit, the Comet was the car I learned how to drive 100% reckless in. It danced…drifting, Rockfords, bootlegger spins, name it, it was more than willing to make you look like a hero. I loved that car to death. And it’s rooted a love of Mavericks and Comets in my brain. And that itch is flared up fully not because I found “a” Maverick for sale at a decent price, but because I found a Mav that I’ve seen pictures of before…one that I’ve even featured here at BangShift before:
Photo: Tedrick Mealy/Open Paddock
Dude…a rally Maverick. If that doesn’t excite you, then just move along, nothing more to see here. But if you’re like us, you get the idea…and now that work has progressed on retrofitting the older, small-bumper nose and tail units onto the car, we’re foaming at the mouth.
The good parts:
“302 V8 with new cam and lifters, oil pump, timing chain, resealed and detailed Front disc brakes from a Granada 8″ posi rear axle currently with 3.00-1 gears QA-1 adjustable coil-overs in front Custom panhard bar in rear Custom rear springs Bassett NASCAR wheels with General dirt tires (street tread tires on aluminum wheels are available at extra cost) 140Amp charging system Shoulder seat belts front and rear Excellent original seats front and rear Early Maverick front bumper and valence painted to match Early Maverick rear valence (early rear bumper available at extra cost) Floor mounted gate shifter Glass all good Solid body with only a hint of rust showing near the lower edge of the drivers door Delay wipers Excellent heating system Plus much, much more!”
$6,800. Money well spent in our eyes.
My first car was a ’74 Maverick. Originally a 250/C4 w/AC and power steering, it ended up with a 302/4spd no AC or PS. No matter how stupid I got with the car it never let me down and always brought me home. It had the dreaded cowl leak and Florida thundershowers would leave a lake in the back seat footwell that came rushing up around your feet when you hit the brakes. Nothing like walking into 1st period class with squishy shoes. I eventually just pulled the plug out of the rear floorboard. Problem solved… for the most part. Great memories of that car. I want another.