How close to perfect were they

It's 1968 and the Maverick team at ford is working on finishing up the Maverick for production. If you were one of the team members, what would you have changed or added as an option. Remember it is 1968 so stay within the parts that were availible then.

My addition would have been the option of a toploader 4 sp and with the V8 cars maybe a 9 inch. and the only other option would have been a induction style hood. Keeping the Grabber hood also as a stock product as it was for the Grabber.

 

I like the top loader option. Maybe a front air dam? A 351W option with a Top Loader.
clint

 

Considering they were marketed as "Economy Cars" there's a reason we never got much.
They did plan on building 351W cars, I have the factory paperwork to confirm it, and I have been told, they built a few 4 speed cars for testing, but they were all scrapped at the factory.
Since the Maverick was out selling the Mustang, they didn't want it to get worse, I suppose.....

 

Dave pretty much said it all! But for fantasy sakes i would have added the soon to come out Pinto/MII suspension.

 

Dave, Very good point about the sales however they did build the Stallion. But for now let's just think about what we would have done if we had a free hand in designing it. I just want to see what everyone here would have liked availible on the Mav as stock items or options.

 

power disk brakes in the v8 cars. i know they were in later cars but they needed them in the first v8 cars. true dual exhast from the factory.

 

The Stallion, is nothing more than a Grabber or Sprint, in all reality.
The Grabber option was a Mustang option, that they flopped onto the Maverick, since it sold so well, it stuck.
Sure a Boss 302 would have been awesome...but they would have all been cut up to get the engines.

 

Power windows as an option would be cool! and later on a power brake booster and mastercylinder that didn't aim towards the sky!

 

Dave, yes in reality but ford did advertise it as the performance model or muscle of the Maverick line. Like anything else it is what it is. As for the power disc brakes they could have put them on since the Mustang had them in 67 (optional) but availible. Quad piston could have been done without though. My 7 litre Gal and Mustang GT both had them and I hated them.

 

How about a 351 cleveland

 

Tilt wheel, hydro-boost power brakes...

 

A Notchback body style would have been interesting and... Would have allowed ford to do a convertible Maverick...Roll down/up quarter windows,a hardtop option(no door frames). Make em all 5 lug from the get go. Give em all the 10" brakes from the get go if not disc brakes as mentioned allready. Interrior hood release. 15" wheels from the start. A dual exhaust option on Specialty V 8 Mavs/Comets like the Grabber etc...A high/low tone horn setup. The taxi horn just irkes me...Beeep...Puhlease!!! I could go on man.

 

-more guages as options ,temp gauge/ voltage meter/ oil pressure gauge
-fold down back seats to compete with the plymouth "space" duster
-an option to have the cowl built entirely of galvanized metal

 

I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK!

 

what if Carroll Shelby got a hold of maverick in 70-71 and it was made to replace the mustang in the road racing series ?????????

i mean if you think of it would of been a boss 302 ( kicking 350+ hp ) be a 4 speed even lighter than they already are much better suspension better brakes. more gauges. rear seat delete. and a roll bar.