It's been a long journey from when I had my first car, a 73 Maverick, to now. My father recently passed and he helped get the car. So, as something like a tribute, I'd like to go back again and hopefully get my son involved this time. Trying to find a Maverick/Comet seems to be rather difficult... especially on the internet. If it's not a scam they're either rather pricey or in a junk yard(or should be). I don't need a show car per se but don't have the resources to completely restore a skeleton. I'd like to find a decent car that doesn't need a lot that I can tinker on and make better. Maybe that's asking too much though... If anyone can help locate the "unicorn" I seek I would greatly appreciate it. I'm glad I found this site(club???) and look forward to posting pics of my new old car. Thanks, Darren
Keep an eye on the classifieds here and if you are on facebook there are several Maverick pages where cars come up for sale regularly. https://m.facebook.com/groups/777740872244482/?ref=group_browse https://m.facebook.com/groups/504532543061138/?ref=group_browse https://m.facebook.com/groups/1636080899994495/?ref=group_browse
Thanks BBMS18, grabford and 71gold for responding and the welcomes. As for specifics about what I'm looking for... it's like porn, you can't describe it but you know it when you see it. LOL I don't have a clue what the value of these cars is or should be? I think my 73 was like $3000-3500 back in 1977 and it was pretty darn clean. From what I've seen so far $3500 doesn't get much today. Money is not necessarily a problem but I try to avoid wasting it. I also have no clue how difficult it is to find parts or how expensive it can get restoring but I'm guessing pretty hefty. I love the show "Overhaulin" but Chip Foose never returned my calls... I think in a perfect world I would prefer a 72 Mav or Comet but beggars can't always be choosers. I know I like the earlier small bumpers and bucket seats but not deal breakers. I want it cool but not necessarily modified... and definitely a 2 door. The rest is flexible depending on the price. That's about as specific as I can get in the short amount of time I've invested so far. Thanks
Did you see this one? Bit far away from you but you might have to travel for the right car. http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/71-comet-gt-central-pa.124495/
The cars are scarce for sure. While a lot of them were made during their production run, like so many others, many have gone to the garage in the sky. Rust claimed many of them here in the north. You need to come up with a budget for what you're looking for. Figure out how much you can or are willing to spend to buy one. Next, how much work can you put into a car? Do you have the expertise to do the work yourself or are you going to farm out the resto, if that's the direction you head, to a shop? Ask any restorer and they will tell you that whatever budget you put aside for restoration, expect it to go up during the work due to unforeseen things. You never know what gremlins you will find until teardown. And, are you looking for something relatively turnkey or a project in the first place? These questions need to be answered before anyone buys any classic. While the Mav values have gone up, there are undoubtedly some here that have more into their cars than they will ever be worth. That is something many classic car guys have to deal with. If you haven't considered these things by now, you probably should. These concepts are not unique to our cars. Rick hit one thing on the head that it is very possible that travel would be needed to get a car. This is not uncommon in the classic car world. Fewer and fewer find what car they are seeking closer to home. I lucked out in a big way with my current Mav finding it so close to home and it being a garage find especially in the time capsule condition it was in. While good fortune does still happen, it is getting in of itself more of a unicorn. Be patient and keep looking everywhere you can. Network with others and not just Mav/Comet guys. Do not rule out wrecking yards. You might be surprised what ends up at some of them. I remember back a few years when I had a side business selling classic Ford parts and we junked in North Carolina once. I saw some old vehicles there and could not figure out why they were there. It's less of a find today but things will still come up now and then. Good luck and keep looking.
And by the way, the Comet in the Craigslist ad mentioned before my reply looks pretty decent especially for here in PA. Those are more scarce than a Mav.
Thanks for info Constable. Now for the $8500 question... Is that a good price for that car in that condition? I'm just getting my feet wet in the classic car world and have no barometer as to what prices are. I understand it's relative but I don't want make a bad buy if I can avoid it. Especially when it's no take backs. It's one thing trading baseball cards when we were kids but...
IMHO, that’s high… But then again I’m a cheep SOB My suggestion is to look at every Maverick/Comet you see for sale for a month or two to get a good idea of what’s out there and the asking prices. Keep in mind for every rust spot you see on a car there’s at least 5 more you don’t see. Purchase the cleanest one you can find, you’ll be happier in the end.
BB gives you some good advice. Don't get in the mindset that you're so hot to buy one that you jump at the first one you see that turns you on unless it is a great deal. Yeah, unless it is a really, REALLY nice and restored car, his price is a bit on the high side. If someone offered me even close to $8500 for mine being partially restored and partially a survivor, I'd jump on the money in a New York second. I wouldn't ask that much selling it as I don't believe it is worth that much. I used to hang with a local guy who had a '72 Grabber he bought new and was in absolute showroom condition. I could see that car going for high dollars as it personified a survivor car. It was worthy of the major auctions. Short of that being the case, it's a bit high. Be patient, grasshopper. One will come your way.
