Reached a Crossroads on Comet

Have a 1973 Comet I built for my son @16 about 10 years ago put a mild 302 in it and redid the interior and did a GT paint job on it car has been driven very minimal and I have recently sold my project and contemplating doing the same to this one, freshen it up, or make it into a big tire car as I have always wanted to do one of these but, once I get them they always seem to end up being to clean to cut up.
Been out of the game on these Cars for awhile and not sure on the Market always feel these have been an overlooked Gem.

 

While I agree with a car being too clean to cut up, I say it's your car, do what you want to do. I have wanted a big tire car since my 1st Maverick fifty years ago and I finally have it. As it turns out this car was two cars quite professionally joined at the door openings so there was no value reduction. While I had mine professionally back halved because I didn't trust my welding skills, if you can do it - go for it. We used a Chassis Engineering four link kit and he custom built the 8-point cage for the car. The CD that came with the kit describes how to do the work in your garage. I love driving it and hope to drive it to the Maverick/Comet Nationals in Fort Wayne in July.

Bruce

 

I was told long ago to start with the best car you can afford and save a bunch over the course of the build. Sure wish I had listened!

 

Me too Rick and totally agree. My 1st Maverick, a '71 Grabber yellow coupe, had some minor rust in the quarters behind the doors and floor pan behind the bucket seats. Back halving it would have taken car of the floors and gained easy access to the quarter panels. But I was a bucks down 20 year old at the time.

Bruce

 

I say make the car like you want it, but hopefully whatever you do will be done correctly and not "butcher" the car. I find it absurd that some people are afraid to modify a Maverick/Comet, as if it's some priceless rare collectible...

 

I also say "go for it".
just don't butcher it up over 5-7 years and then scrap it, get a plan, the money and stick with it.
...

 

Shorty,
I wonder how many other guys here like Mavericks (Comets) AND Studebakers? Ooooooh ME ! ME! (waving my hand wildly in the air, lol)

Salty Badger,
As far as modifying your Comet goes, I have always said that Mavs and Comets are fun cars with good styling that BEG to be made better in almost every way. More power, better brakes and handling, plush interior, .... on your mark, get set, break out the torch!

 

Jeff,
That is my friend's '54 Stude. It's equiped with a superharged 3.8L V6, automatic. When he gets after it it sounds like an angry swarm of hornets! It is a beautiful car.
Bruce

 

The more I dug into my car the more it convinced me to build my tubbed-out dream. It was a helluva lot easier to cut out all the rust to make way for my Mustang II front end and future four link back half.

 

In my opinion there are way too many clean original Maverick/Comet builds in the world. Cut it up and enjoy the fat tires.

 

There's an old saying, anyone can restore a car but it takes a real man to cut one up!

 

I like things that are done right (not hacked up), but when it comes to the Maverick, original is boring. Since it's not a rare highly collectible car, it's absurd to keep one all original.
I have never regretted resto-modding mine. I also like "Pro-Touring", but that is way out of my budget...

 

If you are looking for a studebaker let me know I just bought a stallion from a guy and he had two in the garage for great prices. He’s in crystal river.

 

Is it a super nice, stock, red and black Stallion?

 

I wish, it’s a very crusty black and silver stallion.