Can't afford a second car so I'm gonna build on!

Can't afford a second car so I'm gonna build one

My 1970 Maverick was my first car in high school but it was soon parked when I got a 60s Mustang. I was given the car by my great-grandmother in 1983 with 6000 miles. It had a stuck valve so we ended up yanking the original 250 and installed a low miles 200 and tranny out of a mint 64 Fairlane my dad had. I drove it a little off and on then the car ended up being driven by my first wife till we divorced and then it was parked again. I did go through it again about 10 years ago but then I moved and the car has been sitting in the backyard covered up since. When the time came to change the cover...I swear I wouldn't look at the car too close cuz it would break my heart to see it going down. So I have desided now is the time to survey the car and determine what it is going to need. So as promised....the project starts and today is judgement day!

For reference, here it is in 1983 in the original pastel blue paint.



Then in the late 80s/early 90s after I fixed it up for my wife (ex-wife now)....paint was GM code 28 blue for a 70 Chevelle.



Then around 10-12 years ago, I stripped it and repainted it Wimbleton white and then stored it under a cover.



That aside here's how it has set for the past ten years



So here we go....the cover is off



Now a closer look

 

Grabber hood appears too far gone...I think I've found another hood (stock though)



Trunk is fixable



Qtrs need some patches frt and rear





ANTS!



Dash cap cracked (note the emblem on the door panels were to cover up a tear)



Mustang seats still nice and plyable



Rear seat not bad (I had it covered to match the Mustang seats years ago)

 

those seats are AWESOME!

 

Headliner seems ok but the door seals have drawn up



I was wrong about the miles...it had more than I thought but still under 50000!



Alot of surface rust on the interior...must have got damp



Goodies in the truck





Not too bad



Eeeek



All of the glass and seals seem good

 

The hood lip is nasty but the rest of the car looks great

Pick yourself up a stock flat Maverick hood with a nice lip, cut it off and weld it to the Grabber hood. It's worth it to save that hood.

 

So I'm mixed on what I found. I had hoped it would be a simple freshening up but I see it needs a complete mechanical overhaul and it needs to come apart for clean up and inspection. I think I've found a good stock hood.

I'm gonna patch the qtrs and decklid. Shave the antenna (it will have a mp3 player only...I'm an iPod junkie), gas cap, rt mirror and emblems.

I had installed a 67 Mustang rearend in 1983 (too wide) and put 5 lug adapters in the frt. I now have a Maverick 8" rear end (maybe Explorer rear disc brakes) and I'm hunting frt disc brakes. I have a mild roller 5.0 and C4. It will be very low! Skinny and wide Torq Thrusts. And I'm thinking a sinister satin black paint job. Stay tuned!

 

I personally like a stock hood better. I put the Grabber hood on because it is sort of rare...I'm just not crazy about them.

 

The car really doesn't look that bad. Sounds like you got a good plan for it. Can't wait to read about your progress. - Matt

 

Holy ANTS!!!
Overall, the car is just tired of waiting for you.....looks like it's a really nice car!!!

 

It looks like I've got a good lead on a hood from a member here. Going Saturday to try and get one. Then I hope to get it rolling on 4 wheels and move it into the garage where I can start disassembly and metal repair on Sunday if it's not raining.

 

That car isn't too bad - your way ahead of what some of us here have started with. Check for leaks in the cowl or windshield. With that rusty dash, I'm afraid water has been leaking into the interior somehow. If it's been under cover the whole time, then I'm not sure how water would get in. Hopefully the floor pans are in good shape. Keep posting pics!

 

Well the good thing is that the carpet was new when I parked it...and I see no signs of water so far. I'm thinking the surface rust inside may be from sweating or rodent urine. Yeah that's gross but mouse pee in a car is really corrosive. I had a parts car that got infested with mice and everything inside was BAD rusty. I have found evidence of mice under the hood and in the trunk so far...but not too bad inside. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

It's raining here today so I'm not getting much done. I cleaned a few things out of the car and here's some of the original items I have. 2 owners manuals (not sure why I have 2?)....the original cancelled check where my great grandmother bought the car...warranty card and booklet...the dealer jacket, dealer emblem and leather key fob....county tax receipt....jack instructions (it was laying in the trunk when I got the car)....and 1 oil change reminder sticker. Getting ready to head north to try to find a hood this afternoon.

 

YES! I got a good hood! I also got a set of leaf springs out of a low miles car (mine has the wrong springs currently).

Had a great afternoon meeting a couple of the forum members. Raymond (Maverick Maniac) basically has a Maverick museum. Original Grabbers, a Sprint, a tube framed drag car and enough parts to fill a semi. I could have stared at all of that stuff for hours. Justin (Justin has a 74) was there too but I didn't realize who he was till after he left. Truely a great afternoon!

 

New shoes