Hello everyone my name is Tim and obviously I'm new . I'm not actually a Maverick owner yet which is why I'm here i had a question about my first car. Originally i thought that my fathers car would be the first project i would see through from start to end but after years of the Pontiac Tempest Lemans T-37 sitting out front i realized that if i wanted to start a project that would actually be worked on i would have to find my own. I've spent hours online reading up on different projects and what people would consider "a perfect first project" and it always seemed like people would end up with the "Mustang" or "Camaro" which i understand considering they are easy to find and the parts are so readily available from parts cars to aftermarket the "Camaro" being a more expensive route. At first i considered these two as an option while also considering a "63 or 68 Nova" maybe even a "64 GTO" until i stumbled upon this From what i can tell it seems to be a "75 Maverick" and something about it just caught my eye i think its the potential the car has to be a great car and project. The car is at a Pick a Part yard in their cars for sale it runs although i still haven't heard it run yet but at $1600 (and willing to negotiate) i dont want to pass up on something that could be a fun project and a great first car. So my questions are: Is it a 1975 maverick ? If it is indeed a 75 how much engine compartment space do i have to play with? Is this a good first start or would i honestly be better off with a car that has more readily available parts ? For the price and the appeal this car has to me its seems worth it but is there anything i should be more focused on when looking at the car in person maybe a trouble spot these cars commonly have ? Thanks for any help and advice -Tim
Welcome to the forums! You've come to the right place! I personally don't have the answers you are looking for, but there are tons of gurus on here that have always given me honest and helpful suggestions. They will point you in the right direction. It's neat seeing those pictures and imagining what the car might look like with a little TLC. (The inside already looks better than mine!) Good luck with your project!
Thanks when i first saw the car i didn't see it in the condition it really is i saw it as it could be. all my friends we're talking about how they would never sell "that piece of junk" while i was silently calculating how long it would take to me be able to buy it xD
from Northeast Pennsylvania The car is newer than a 73 for sure A 302 will fit in the engine bay with no problem. 351W is tight and the towers should be shaved - 351C will fit with special headers and also shaved towers will help - anything bigger .....good luck Some other Ford parts are interchangable and someone always has good Maverick parts for sale The Maverick is basically a Mustang with some dimensional differences but Mustang prices are crazy making the Maverick much better on the walet
Thanks Mav1970 If i proceed with the project I was considering dropping a 302 Based 363 Big Bore Stroker Engine into it when it was near the end of its completion. I was also wondering does anyone know if the bumper be swapped for a smaller one or do they have the lip due to the cars frame, it is about the only thing aesthetically that i don't find pleasing .
Welcome from central Minnesota. you can do the small bumper swap if you can find the pieces. There are some on here for sale every now and then.
A Maverick is a good choice for a first car. It is a smaller intitial investment then most other cars, but my take longer and cost more to finish due to some parts being hard to find and not reproduced. So get the nices one you can afford to start off with. While $1600 isn't terrible there may be better deals out there now that you know what you are looking for. Check out our classifieds section for cars for sale. then check out craigslist for your area. If you can find a small bumper car then that will save you alot of work and money on the swap. Try to find one with a V8 and 5 lug suspension also to save time and money swapping that over too. All these things can be swapped from year to year. Just get the nicest one you can with the money you have to start with.
Which pick a part is that? I don't seem to recognize it. I'm in Riverside Also Like Ryan said check out other classifieds, every now and again we have great deals out here. Check these out: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2316880429.html http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2299369944.html Below is a comet the that looks to be the same condition as the maverick you found....but for $500! http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2316208543.html A comet is the same thing as a maverick, just a bit more luxurious under the Mercury brand. But it uses 95% of same parts, same drivetrain,etc... I personally wouldn't ever pay more than a grand for a 75 in that condition. You usually see big bumper cars sell for under $500. And Pick a part prices are effin ridiculous, you should see how much they want for a POS mustang at hillside.
Whoooops!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so dumb, I just realized that's my friend Rick selling that comet hahahah. A while back he emailed me asking if i needed parts, i just took a look at the phone number in the ad and a light bulb went off in my head Rick is an awesome guy and he runs a Paint Shop, you can see his work here: http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=64660
Thanks for the links i appreciate them and Its awesome that your in riverside the car is at the Ontario location its basically where i spend my free time i've taken to going for a few hours and coming back with some random piece of a car haha no to mention i take my tools and take stuff apart only to put it back together http://www.pickapartauto.com/Ontario.html i know what you mean about the pricing they wanted 4k for a 73 NOVA in about the same condition as the maverick and it had a minor trans problem lol i Emailed both the 2nd one sounds promising "Selling my baby. 1975 Ford Maverick w/custom grabber style hood and spoiler. Original orange paint job. Rebuilt 302 engine v8 w/50,000 miles. Holly performance carberator. On sale for $2,000 firm." i'll be picking all your brains in the up coming weeks as i move forward with this Thanks everyone
Haha very nice, do you know if he has a site i can check out paint is one thing i'll def need help with although i have a friend who has a spray booth i'd rather not practice on my own car haha
Welcome. When I first saw your screen name I thought we were gonna see a picture of one of Chewbaka's extremities, LOL.
