Alright, we can’t show you the actual stamped steel plate that sure as hell looks like a Ford tailgate with the word “Maverick” embossed low like the Ranger, the F-series and the Super Duty all have. For that picture, you need to go to motor1.com’s website and take a look for yourself. But once you do, tell us that isn’t coming down the pike. Unless Ford is doing an excellent job of playing poker (and we question that concept completely), the answer is pretty straightforward: the Blue Oval raided a name out of the “haven’t heard that one in a while” file and are going to repurpose it.
Claimed Shelby de Mexico Maverick
Ford Maverick estate
1992 Ford (Australia) Maverick
Originally based on the Ford Falcon platform and rumored to have been an option for a second-gen Mustang until Lee Iacocca decided upon his “little jewel” idea, the car variation of the Maverick spanned anywhere between simple, basic fuel-efficient transportation and a kickass junior supercar. Loved in America and a legend in Brazil, the Maverick is now a bona fide classic, good up until it’s 1977 end date in the States and 1979 in the Brazilian market. Since then, the Maverick name has been earmarked for more utilitarian vehicles: first, the Ford variation of the Y60 Nissan Patrol as part of the Motor Industry Development Plan that Australia implemented, which basically forced badge engineering. Then there was the rebadged Nissan Terrano II that was sold in Europe, and finally the first generation of Ford Escape sold in Europe until 2005.
So…what will it be? Originally, it was suspected that this would be a Focus-based truck. Yeah…after the Bronco-fest we endured last week, we doubt that highly. Good money would say that it’s a pickup version of the Bronco Sport, the smaller one. And that wouldn’t be a bad place to start…there hasn’t been a good small pickup since…well…the nearly ancient Nissan Frontier, back in 1997 when it was still small-ish? There is a minor chance that it could be based on the Bronco itself, a challenger to the Jeep Gladiator. That would be entertaining to watch, so long as your paychecks didn’t come from FCA…whoops, Stellantis.
What are your thoughts?
I’ve seen the pictures on other sites…and the rumor of it being based on the Focus may possibly be true. They have similar SUV/Trucks, in other countries.
Picture a Ford Courier like truck…which might be a better name, for the industrial version.
It’s more for someone like me, who is city based, and doesn’t need a full size truck…but is looking for a more utilitarian vehicle, that isn’t an suv.
The Maverick body platform … Should have been the Mustang in 71…Could have re hashed the 69 model and released against the 70&1/2 camaro firebird
Would have only needed a couple of small tweek”s to the Grille, Headlight Bezel’s and Tail Lights…
couple of small mods to suspension
a MACH 1 package with a 351 Windsor would have been a Monster !!!
A Hard Top or Hatch Back version would have looked Dynamite
instead of the bloated version we got …
one of many Lee’s screw ups ….
A good small and CHEAP truck would be a sure hit. Even if it is a car based FWD platform. (think RamCharger).
Going to use the imported Mazda engine again. Imported and the head gasket and other deals always gave out and leaked. Then it cost a mint to get fixed!!!!