I have a special place in my heart for Ford Mavericks. They were one of the first cars I ever paid attention to, long before I truly blossomed from a car-obsessed kid into someone with a mental affliction for life. Not many people can remember anything about their life before kindergarten, but I remember that in the area of Colorado Springs where my dad had moved to about the time I was three or four, that everyone…everyone in the neighborhood had one of these things parked in their driveway. My babysitter had a yellow four-door. One house up from her, a green two-door. My dad’s friend had a white one that he turned into a security officer’s car in our driveway thanks to the application of all of the stickers. Mavericks were still everywhere, and that’s before the fun I had with a Mercury Comet as a teenager or the low and nasty 289-powered machine my stepdad’s friend had. They’re just too cool for words, which if you were around when they came out, might elicit a snicker or two. The Maverick was supposed to simply be basic transportation at a low price, a frugal little car based on the Falcon platform.
All of that is true. But done right, a two-door Mav with the smaller early bumpers is quite a looker. It’s hard to understand why Ford didn’t turn this into the 1974 Mustang instead of going with a modified Pinto. The interior room is good, the 302 V8 fits underhood, the rest of the underpinnings are familiar and workable, and on Magnum 500s with some of the most beautiful gold paint I’ve ever seen on a car (and every option you can throw at one), it’s hard to find a fault with this 1972. Ok, there’s no floor shifter and it’s an automatic. So what? It’s restored to perfection. The 302 is good for an even 300 horsepower…it’s plenty for a Maverick. It’s perfect. It doesn’t have to be a wild, hairy beast of a car that isn’t welcomed everywhere it goes. This is an approachable early Malaise mobile that bridges the gap between the Supercars and The Great Suck, and whoever did the work on the car needs to be recognized.
Mecum Auctions Harrisburg 2018: Lot T54 – 1972 Ford Maverick
Yes, these were everywhere and boring as heck. But now, more interesting than some Mustangs at this point. I would go for one now. And the fact that Mecum Auctions is selling this instead of ebay, that says a lot right there…
When I was young , I was looking at these cars as glorified Pintos , today I think they are cool as heck .
I generally find that Mav’s need a Boss 429 hood scoop. This is a different rig. As Mavericks go, it needs a more subdued touch. Put a Cobra Jet scoop on it, complete with the hood seals and flapper, and give it a nice pair of Mustang exhaust tips. That’s a nice piece.