Bought a 1973 Grabber back in 1996, drove it for about 6 months and parked it hoping to restore it one day. It's still in the shed but is a candidate for this winter. The car only has 60K original miles on it and has a factory 3 speed manual on the floor. Not a lot of manual Grabbers out there. Overall it's a straight car, just 35 years old. If I did the resto I'd want to change some things and that's the problem. Is it a bad idea to modify a car like this? The other option is to sell it, buy a more generic Mav and build that one. It's totally solid mechanically. Cosmetically is where I have trouble. It's got a vinyl top, it's Anti-Establish Mint (same interior) and I'm not terribly fond of the fat front bumper. If I put the time in those would probably have to go away but there goes an original car. Could be a pointless question. I find lots of low mile Mav's listed for $4000 to $6000 but you don't know if they sold. Throw me some feedback if you can. I'm not a guy to hack up a unique vehicle without some thought.
I think that it is completely up to you to decide what you want your car to become. I believe it works out to be even up on completed value. I've seen highly modified Mavericks going for great money as well as fully restored ones. Who know whether they ever get the money that they are asking for. It appears like you have a really good starting point for what ever you want to build. It certainly sounds much better than I had to start with. Just enjoy your car, no matter what you finally decide.
Actually don't have any pics right now. We moved to Boise 4 years ago and the car is still in my shop in Montana. We're heading up there next month to pick up some stuff so I'll probably bring it back then. Almost bought a '83 Mustang GT convert on Friday for a project. Also have a 460 sitting in my shop that would have looked really nice in that car.
I had somewhat of a connection with Boise, Id. in the 90's when Morrison Knudsen opened up a locomotive rebuild shop in my town, here in Pennsylvania. That was my dream job until their CEO, at the time, stole us blind and they closed the PA shops. They're running under a different name now but their shops should still be located in Boise.
Howdy and In my opinion, these cars have equal or greater value as a restomod rather than a restored stock.
I say modify it and make it the car you want it to be. I agree with Mavaholic in regards to value. Dan
Black stripes. The guy I bought it from inherited it from the original owner. It had been sitting in a garage in Portland for almost 10 years. The carb was totally varnished up but once I got it cleaned out it ran great. The 3 speed sucks for any kind of performance. The gears are a long way apart. That would have to go. I tend to favor automatics and was thinking of swapping it out. Getting lazy in my old age I guess. Poking around on eBay I couldn't believe what the manual trans swap parts go for! Crap, that would about pay for a decent auto trans and driveshaft! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ame=STRK:MEWAX:IT&viewitem=&item=170257729465
Do what you want. I know it's tough to dedicate yourself to changing anything on a classic, but you'll warm up to the idea- I did. I'm planning to shave door handles and other mods on mine. They are called Mavericks- do what you think is cool, man.
