Finnish project that never seems to finish

Ok, just joined into the forum and thought to share some update of plus 20 year road with my 1970 Maverick Coupe.

She started life as a six-pot which was delivered to Finland as new. Must have been a cool appearance among the cars that were usually seen on the road here those days (google for example Austin Allegro, Toyota Corolla etc...). Many things had happened before our journey started. Some of the biggest life changers for this VIN had been rolling over to have complete roof replaced, V8 upgrade, rushing in German autobahn way faster than original 6 was ever dreaming of and finally upgrade to 289 with small B&M blower on top.

At this form I heard about her being available. During winter time I started my 1976 Ford Escort (european rear wheel drive version with 2.0 OHC engine,model that used to be the best rally car of its time) and head out for a road trip of about 250 miles. Many miles sideways due icy roads and also because I was driving "slightly faster" than other traffic. I made the journey to the sellers garage. Like usually in life, first thing to catch your eye, was the rear end. Original lamps were not there, just flat black plexiglass covering whole mid section of the rear panel. Smooth black paint made the car look very very nice. Sneak peak inside, ok bucket seats, upholstery ok, original dash, some homemade center cluster with lots of small auxiliary gauges.
And finally the front end. 850dp Holley posing on the blower. Well, didn't really see anything else at that point, tunnel vision struck. Did it start? Yes, slight backfire flames on first try but after the second the roar of non muffled side exhaust was hitting my soul with noticeable but a little shy whine of the small blower. Yes I will take it.

Early spring was the time to pick her up. With a wide smile, enjoying the sounds and feel of power, I drove towards home. My friend was also quite taken of the impression the car gave. Then, on one exit ramp the road was still almost icy and I got first lesson. Blown V8 has a lot of low end torque. Didn't crash but took it a bit more easy from there. During the fuel/coffee break we were wondering why everybody is watching us. Then we realized that our ears were adapted to the decibel level of the Maverick and we were almost shouting to each other.
During 2 summers I drove the car I enjoyed it a lot, well at first. Lots of young guys were teasing me on traffic lights. They kind of a backed down a little after I made unplanned wheelie one night in the center of the city I live. Soft front springs gave a little help bouncing the front and rest was just power. That engine was awesome, pulled from idle like the Torker-429 I had in my Ranchero and screamed instantly to 7000. But slowly I started to realize that there were some problems lurking. One midnight demonstration of the acceleration resulted car suddenly switch to opposite lane (empty highway luckily). Girl sitting by sound like Oscar nominated horror actor and I thought that well, maybe this is not normal,th car behavior I mean.
Everything seemed ok but when problem was found, it kind of a started this neverending project. When the V8 upgrade was done, it seems that there was no additional support installed in between the frame rails. And during the years it was ripped rails almost cut. Both rails had 2 sides completely cracked and good cut in thirds. So actually disaster was not very far.

I started dismantling car during one night, after American car drivers club Christmas party. Another lesson learned, do not go to garage when drunk. Next day hangover was boosted by the view of parts here and there. Unbeliveably effective lesson.

For some reason the car was completely taken a part. And ideas of various things of modifications started to fly. Other cars and things in life messed the pack and the result was that sandblasted Maverick got a primer paint and was forgotten inside my storage container. Before tha,t one interesting note, it seems that the "unibody" is more or less completely made of zinc plated material. Therefore there was no actual rust, just many many drilled holes and torn sections due somewhat hard life in Finnish environment.

Then after many years one of my friends bought a Camaro and started racing in Historic road race events. First I thought of going for it with my Fox3 but then for some reason I almost hit my head on to the dashboard when looking for something inside my storage. Curved desing stopped my eyes and I looked at the emblem, Maverick. I took the dash out of the way and took a step deeper into storage. Doors, bonnet, radiator, everything started to almost lean over me like saying, well stupid, we have been waiting for you.
Went inside the garage and sit down with a cup of coffee. Old picture of doing burnout in between the piles of snow brought up memories. No, I didn't cry.

After that things have gone forwards slowly. Now the car is bolted to car-rotary and I'm working on it. It will be made as a road racer. Eventhough many people say that MII front is not ideal for curved tracks, we will install one with coil overs from Rod&Custom. They have great service by the way. Steering is taken from my Fox3 that will be recycled anyway. I will try how it will turn with power rack unpowered, just looping the oil lines to avoid creating pressure based fitness machine.
Engine will be a 302 Clevor. I have hi compression replacement TRW's from the good old days so at least the idle should be different from many late model efi-crate engines that the guys are having in their cars. T5 will handle as many laps as it will, then will be replaced with stronger. It is light, fast and can be build up to handle various things so I will propably go with upgraded version when this dies. Flooring will need modifications so I will make room for keeping the gearbox options open. Engine is moved some 5 inches towars rear so having steering, my legs and headers in the same 3 dimensional world might be a challenge.
Rear end is based on the Mustang 9" axle that the car had already. N-case with 31-spline axles do make a solid ground. Locker will be Detroit or True Trac. Would be more old school to go with the Detroit and I happen to have one reserved for my -71 Torino. Another great thing with 9", you can share 3rd's since it is a half an hour job and I'm not planning to haul Maverick with Torino...
Brakes will naturally be upgraded to big Wilwoods and rules regulate tyre sizes so depending on how fat she's going to be, we will fit 225 or 245 wide ones on 17" wheels, preferably original Torq Thrust look.
Rear suspension will be single leafs with coil-overs, additional upper control arms (adjustable) and Watts-link.
Rollcage of course just as soon as I get new die for my bender.
I plan to install racing fuel cell inside the original fuel tank by making the top section removable. There I could hide pumps and filter also and it would still look like original. Yes a bit of a unecessary additional work but hey, it might end as a cool thing.
Fiberglass and plexiglass, except for drivers door and windshield (rules). Thinking of going for one-piece front end and liftable Grabber hood. Have grabber grille and turn lights already as well as original rear lights. Still missing front lights. They are required since rules demand for original style working lights.
Fluidyne radiator from Fox3, original dash with some additional gauges of course. Etc etc... And a whole lotta work hours!!

Did I really write all that at once. I bet there are lot's of sleeping members on top of their keyboards. Sorry

 

sounds like a lot of fun!! subscribed! :bananaman

 

Always good to hear about oversea cars. Looking forward to your progress, welcome to the forum.

 

Sounds like you have a plan... I'll be watching for updates...

 

make sure to post lots of pictures!

 

I like the plan you have for your car - if you are going to be using true coil over shocks in the rear, you do not need to also have leaf springs (double springs) - use a 4 link set up and your Watts will keep the rear centered - also looking forward to seeing photos of your progress

 

Yes mav1970, you are totally right on the 4-link issue. It was our first choice and still is an option. The setup using only the main leaf with coilovers is actually copied from one Mustang Boss 302 historic racer.
Our class doesn't limit the rear suspension in any way so going for more "historic spirit" way is just a thought.

Today I started to remove trunk flooring, all of it will go. Drilling and punching spot welds is always nice and first look inside the frame did put the smile on my face. Zinc has been working so rails are ok inside and out. Everything on top is a mess. Lots of damages and damage repairs without proper coating has taken it's toll. Wonder what has been transported in that trunk in the early years.
I will replace trunk flooring in 3 pieces. Already made the cad-drawings so now I need to send them to daughter company of my workplace. They do lasercutting, watercutting, bending etc. They also have tube cutting laser and actually tomorrow I should be able to fetch my new transmission crossmember parts. Those might even end up in here through the camera.

Had to quit early today, too hot to work in garage. Yes, we have summer in here too!! Other reason was that I sprayed rust protection on some repairs of my F250 project and the fumes started to get into me. I'm more of a beer guy so it is better to let the paint dry by its own...

 

The only problem I would see is, if you know exactly what spring rate you are going to need in the rear, it is going to be hard to figure out what you actually have with a leaf and a coil spring in the same location - kind of a multiplication problem if you know what I mean

 

Didn't get the gearbox crossmember parts and had a day off from garage. Since I promised a picture, here is one about engine fitting. The mounts don't have any support plates yet, will make them when transmission crossmember location is 100%.

 

Yes,got the gearbox crossmember and trunk flooring parts. If the better half doesn't get too innovative on the weekend schedule, I might have some good time at the garage...

 

Very interesting project.

 

Few days off from garage and also some attention to other projects. Just got a message from UPS that new die for my bender is on the way from JD Squared, so maybe next week I can start to make rollcage.
Got nice offer of 4.6DOHC engine but I think there is enough challenge to get Clevor inside. They are so heavy too and since Mav is on strict diet I think I'll have to pass. There is nice -72 Gran Torino STW rolling project on sale and that might be a good home for late model engine. Would be quite cool to have Torino pulling Mav on trailer to track...

 

If you take a look through my build photos and see that I removed all of the front spring towers (considering that you are also fully caging the car for strength) - any engine should fit - lots of room on both sides with my Cleveland installed

 

mav1970 I have been checking your project pics with the same face as my girlfriend looks at the new catalog of, well, about any clothing etc related..back and forth thinking that everything is just great..
I have also removed the towers and they will be out so only restrictions are the tubes from main cage to MII setup section, not sure yet on which place the tube will end up but it will. Problem with the room is caused by moving the engine rearwards. In our case the front axle lines pretty much to the front head bolts. That is the reason I have cut most of the firewall and have to renew basicly the whole gearbox tunnel.
I have been fitting the new gearbox crossmember and the flooring will raise pretty much. I don't think that is a problem though, hoping to get more hot airflow out of the engine bay. And no, it will not be so high that shifter knob is under the floorline
Yesterday I started to fit the trunk repair panels. Have to make something on them with bead roller, flat panels make her look too racy...

 

My Cleveland sits farther forward than I would have liked it to due to the notched out section in the bottom of the Canton oil pan having to fit over the new MII crossmember - it couldn't go back any further