So, things are going to be getting to the point where I'm going to need to make some irreversable decisions in my restoration project. I'm working on a 1974 2 door. This was my high school car. It originally had a vinyl halo roof. It was burnt orange color. My car began as a typical production model --250 engine, C4, no A/C. It came off the assembly line with the much-sought-after narrow 9" rear end. I've already modified it a bit by putting in a 302, front disc brakes and a grabber hood. These things don't change the appearance too much. These are the major decisions that need to be made very soon: 1. Do I reinstall the halo vinyl roof? My body and paint guy is begging me not to do it. But, I kind of want it back the way that it was in high school. What do you folks think? 2. Should I paint it with grabber colors? It was never a grabber to begin with. Anyone of you guys who reads the VIN knows it was born as a lowly mutt. Do I/Should I care one way or the other? Here are the order of my priorities for the restoration 1. nostalgia for a time in my life 25 years ago. 2. driving by in something that will turn young girls/old geezers heads I purposely didn't put anything about cost in the priorities. These types of priorities just aren't compatible with tight budgets. I'm okay with the idea that I'll pay more for the restoration that the car is ultimately worth. Otherwise, I would be restoring a Mustang, right? Give me some opinions please. I know everyone has one...
Was the top Orange? What's the trim codes off your door sticker? You do realize, no Maverick..ever came with a 9" from the factory..ever...
The top was black. It came with the 5 lug rear end. I was the 2nd owner of the car. My folks bought it in 1981. Ever since I've had the car, racers have falling all over themselves offering me $200 to change the rear end. Racer: Hey, that's a nice rear end you got on this Maverick... If you wanted to make some extra money... Me: No! Go Away! Is it possible that it's a 5 lug rear end and NOT a 9"? So many people have told that it is, that after a while I came to believe it too. I have a lot of old paperwork to go with the car. Let me see if I can find anything with the drive train information. Do you have any opinions about the paint job and vinyl?
A common mistake, is thinking the 8" is a 9", happens all the time. If you saw the 2 side by side, you'd see the difference, and they are both 5 bolt. I love the halo top, I have 2 cars that have it.
I say, without any hesitation.....make the car the way YOU want it. If YOU like the vinyl top...put it back on. If YOU want it to look like a Grabber...then go for it.
I found the sticker from the inside door. I peeled it off carefully before it got all torn down. axle code 3 that would make it 2.79:1 which is an 8 inch. I swear it happened at least once a year; someone would walk up and comment on the rear end and insists that it was a 9. I've always smiled politely and nodded. The chances that I would have something that incredibly rare are almost nonexistent. I phoned the shop and left a message to phone me back with the info. I'm sure he'll tell me that it a normal stock rear end. You know, I've heard decades of ignorant comments about my car --calling it a Mustang or a Pinto. So it's probably it's just more of the same. Thanks for straightening me out on this.
Don't worry about that, get your car done, drive it and enjoy it. You'll find that most people don't even know what a Maverick is anymore. Like Craig said, make you car what you want.
They say that whatever doesn't kill you makes you an insufferable bugger. It happened that way for me. I see that you are from Canada. I've driven many miles across Canada in my Maverick. From Vancouver Island (thanks BC Ferries) to as far east as Toronto. The Maverick was the kind of car that would go on driving long after you were tired of driving it. I even threw a rod once on the 250 and still managed to drive it 2 miles home with a broken camshaft. I keep thinking: what if I would go to a class reunion and nobody would recognize my car if I tried to turn it into a Grabber. But, on the other hand, I haven't to a single class reunion yet in over 25 years. I'm waiting for more people that I didn't get along with to die. Just kidding... So I am still not quite sure which way to go on the paint. I will definitely restore the halo top. Anyone know where autokrafters gets their maverick vinyl tops? Is it that same outfit out of Oregon that also has the seat fabric? I'm thinking that halo top is not the same as the regular vinyl top. Is that correct?
If anybody know where I can order the vinyl in one piece, I would appreciate the information. If I can't find it in one piece, it's going to have two seams which is not like it originally was built. thanks.
have you seen under the top yet? most car tops are not painted before the vinyl top is installed (new). i don't know why... ... i would paint the top of the car before installing the vinyl top?.. Dave, are the tops of your cars painted? ...not a fan of...vinyl tops... Frank
Yes. The roof has been repaired and repainted already. You can find pictures of the restoration in the projects section. I wasn't asking that you install vinyl tops on any of your own cars, unless that's what you want to do.
I found the vinyl at the place that Dave Boyer suggested above. More info: it comes in width of 54 inches across. that ought to be enough to get it done without those damned seams. http://www.smsautofabrics.com/home.php this place is not far from me fortunately.
