Finally, some Shelby facts

We all know that the controversy about the Shelby Mavericks has reigned for some time. Well, I discovered a couple facts that proves once and for all that they existed.

I purchased a book at WaldenBooks called "Muscle Car Legends" authored by Paul Zazarine, Tom Corcoran & Anthony Young, published by Lowe & B. Hould Publishers. It has many facts and beautiful photos of muscle cars from the late '60s through the '70s. There is a significant section on Shelby.

To preface, Mexican auto parts distributor Eduardo Velazquez made a partnership of sorts with Shelby Enterprises in 1967 to produce Shelby vehicles in Mexico.

The following is an excerpt from the article entitled "Shelby de Mexico - Dust clouds in the Neighbor's Yard". The article relates facts about Shelby de Mexico's production types and numbers. The last paragraph of this article reads verbatum;

"Shelby de Mexico, during the 1971 model year, built approximately 200 Shelby Mustang GT-351s (Windsor engines) and 300 Shelby Mavericks powered by 302hp engines."

The GT designations on Mexican Shelbys were different than American ones (351 instead of 350 for example).

Interesting facts, huh??

 

I never doubted that they existed...I just think they're ugly and really not that great. They are nothing like a Shelby Mustang or Cobra...

 

Are there any pictures in the book?

Is it a 302 hi-po or 302 horsepower? Maybe a solid lifter 289 with 302 crank and 302 horsepower.

A Shelby Maverick would be one SWEET find.
That sure is one elusive car....

 

FACT'S

Only beleve 5% of what you read and half of what you see.
I forget if I read that or saw that :confused:

 

here is something i have been meaning to post but had forgot all about it till you posted this.........it is a page from the 1972 shelby catalog. figured it might interest you guys

 

Hey that's the Mavi GT!

 

Wes, that's interesting that they actually came up with a production number. Hmmm.

 

John, what you say is true. In this case, the authors got the info straight from Eduardo Velazquez. The only picture in the article was of a '69 Mustang conversion by Shelby de Mexico.

It would be nice if there was an easy way to get in touch with Senor Velazquez to see if he has any idea how many of them still may exist.

 

Here's a quote from the article in "History of Shelby de Mexico from the Shelby American World Registry";

"Shelby de Mexico production continued through 1972 with the building of approximately 200 Mustang "GT351" models and approximately 300 Shelby Mavericks. Both models carried Shelby emblems, Shelby aftermarket wheels and Shelby aluminum engine pieces. Both had rear window louvers, and front and rear spoilers. Additionally, the Maverick had a hood-mounted tachometer and a Boss 429-style hood scoop. No Shelby de Mexico cars were ever brought into the United States until 1986."

Here's another from the same article;

"Velasquez was, however, able to build the business up to the point where, by 1972, he was offering special models of the Shelby Maverick (powered by a 302 V8; approximately 300 were built)."

I've seen the production figure of 300 used in a different article, in connection with these cars, but I can't remember where.
Here's another article on Shelby de Mexico that includes the following refence to the Shelby Maverick.;

"The company built a "Shelby-Maverick," a "Continental LTD" luxury car, and Ford LTD limousines in order to fulfill their production contracts with the Ford of Mexico factory.."

...from the article "The Saga of Shelby de Mexico" at this link;
http://www.hammar.dyndns.org/~mexmust/articles/i910252.htm

By the way, Mr. Velasquez, the president of Shelby de Mexico, passed away a few years ago. At one time he was an active member and contributor to the Shelby American Automobile Club.

I agree with T.L.; the Shelby Maverick that we have seen pictures of looks like a promotional display model for Superior Industries aftermarket parts (anybody familiar with this icon of the bolt-on custom parts industry from the '70s knows that this isn't a compliment). "the Battle of the Little Bighorn" doesn't conjure up a pretty picture either, but it's still a significant historical event (no offence taken with the comparison, I hope).
The Mexican Shelby Mav's "styled by screwdriver" look was the inspiration for my project car; a Shelby Maverick phantom intended to represent what a "made in the U.S.A." Shelby Mav might have looked like.
Interestingly, a local car buff recently told me that a major collector from this area in Ontario, Canada, had added a Shelby Maverick to his collection before passing away. This guy knew cars well, and may have been a reliable source. I have yet to find out what happened to the collection; my source didn't have this info.
In any case, it's all fun to speculate about; more Maverick topics to knock around here and at our meets. I hope this has been helpful.
John B.

 

Hey Guys did you miss this pic? i pulled it off the site you have linked. in the picture in the top left corner is a maverick with a 13 painted on the side of the car the pic was taken in 1972, correct me if im wrong but arent the other pics of the shelby maverick from 71? either way the quarter window line you can tell is a maverick no doubt about it

 

Respectfully I'd have to disagree, wrong window shape. The car in that photo is a Mustang. If you look closely at the color photo of the Shelby de Mexico parts display, you can see the rear quarter of this car (orange with a black stripe) just to the left of the Mexican cutie.

Sam

 

I am not positive...

...that you are seeing a Maverick there. It could be a
Torino.
The downward angle on the quarter window looks pretty
sharp compared to the Comet/Maverick angle.

I want to see the rear end treatment on the green Maverick.
I want to know what they did to make that spoiler combo on the decklid.

Seth

 

I always thought the girls with the green Shelby Maverick looked pretty cute!

Yes, it would be nice to see the rear view.

 

Doug....are you wanting to see the rear view of the car...or the girls?