When was the last time you saw one of these still wearing it’s factory paint and decals? This 1974 Ford Maverick Grabber storage find is extremely original and has a rare manual transmission as well. It’s up for sale here on eBay, but you’d better hurry as there’s not much time left in the auction. You can grab it (ha!) in Nine Mile Falls, Washington.
images courtesy vintagecarsamerica.com
The 1974 Maverick Grabber was, as the heading implies, a little sporty. Not a lot, mind you, that was reserved for the then-new Mustang II. However, with an available 140 horsepower, 302 cubic inch V8 and an optional manual transmission as well as a curb weight of only 2,900 pounds, it certainly wasn’t slow for the time. Pretty snazzy graphics, too!
In this picture, we see the result of so much storage! The car is a two-owner, one family car that has been stored since 1988. The seller tells us that it will run “with some gas,” I’m assuming that means bottle feeding it at the carburetor. While there is a lot of rust here, it looks to be mainly surface rust. I know some of you would rather keep it like this and preserve it. I’m not sure I could handle that with this much surface rust. Imagine my surprise when I found this site where you can get exact replica decals for all those graphics–for only $149! There are some more on eBay here.
As you can see, the rust on the rockers and fender lips isn’t bad at all. You could certainly try to preserve it like this, and I’ll bet the old Ford paint would come back where it still exists. So I’ll leave what to do with the paint up to you! And if you want some information on the car, this site certainly had a lot, although apparently the forum is defunct. One of the interesting things I found out is that originally the Maverick was to be killed off at the end of 1974, but sales jumped by 10,000 units, mainly due to the huge rise in gasoline prices, so the model was continued until 1977.
While the interior looks quite stock, with the standard bench seat and steering wheel, that three-speed shifter lets you know someone meant some business. I view the claimed 86,197 miles as accurate based on the wear and tear on the interior and the 14 years it was on the road. Unfortunately, the seller didn’t see fit to show us any under hood pictures. Personally, I was surprised at the parts availability, and I think this would make a nice change from the more common Mustangs, Torinos and other more mainstream Ford products at your nearby car show. But would you grab it and preserve it as it is now, or restore it to it’s former glory?
For the time these were not that bad of a car, first wife had a 72 6 cylinder we used as a commuter car and it was very reliable, not a musclecar but served us well being newlyweds. So the 65 GTO sat in the driveway a lot.
When I see a 3 speed, I immediately think of a frugal buyer, that didn’t want to put out any extra money for a 4 speed.
I have used Phoenix Graphixs a number of times when restoring 78-81 Z28s. Quality products every time.
I don’t think you could get a 4-speed in these cars.
I bet one(from a Mustang) would fit right where the 3-speed is without any mods. The 3-speed and the 4-speed(Mustang) are the same length.
4 speed wasn’t available, just the 3 speed. A kid in the neighborhood bought one in ’74. We all thought it was a POS, which was quickly confirmed when he took us for a ride. But then again, most of what Detroit was selling in the mid 70s were POS’s.
“We all thought it was a POS, which was quickly confirmed when he took us for a ride.”
A few eng.& gear upgrades, and off to the races.
This is too far away or I would go after it. I have always wanted one just to make it a sleeper. I always thought they were more of a poor man’s Mustang.
Good find.. I owned a new 75 Maverick with the 250 6 cyl and it seemed economical then.. It was white and the road debris kept chipping away at the rocker panels.. When the kids came along, I painted the rockers, puffed it up and sold it for a 75 Pontiac Grand Prix.. Gas guzzler, but what a ride..
Great car for a sleeper light weight and able to stuff a turbo charged v8 ….
Had a cream colored 72 with two small hood scoops and black and orange trim. It had the six with an automatic, bought it used, drove the wheels off of it and gave it to my brother-in-law a few years later. He used it as a commuter car when his train trips would deadhead. Saw it in 1984, sitting in my driveway with the keys in it. My brother-in-law was visiting and he said he always left the keys in it because nobody would want to steal it. I got into the driver’s seat and looked down and there was my driveway, gaping floor pan holes. My BIL drove the wheels off of it too. Wound up i the scrap yard. Loved that car.
My wife’s first car (’78-’86) was a ’74 Mercury Comet, 6 banger auto. Not a terrible car.
A high school friend had an orange one in 1984. Bored out 302 and a top loader solved any lack of performance issues. Light weight didn’t hurt either.
I bought a new ’70 in late ’69 for a commuter in LA when they first came out. Red with plaid interior…cute as hell and not a complaint about it. Good little car.
yes I believe we can change out a lot of stuff….find some early bumpers and such….nice car ….
’74 Mavericks were s nightmare of vacuum hoses and valves. Stay away unless you really have a handle on the deadly 1974 emission systems
You could disable or get rid of the 74 emissions stuff in most states. Here in North Carolina a car that age doesn’t even have to be inspected.
“Here in North Carolina a car that age doesn’t even have to be inspected.”
That’s comforting…not. Unless you mean, NC still requires SAFETY inspections, but not emissions testing?
(Fingers crossed…LOL.)
Simply disconnecting/plugging vacuum hoses and other emissions related gear does not result in a good running car. 1974 was the worst year for automotive performance across all brands. Those of us experienced enough to remember those days thought it was the end of any type of enthusiast driving. Luckily we completely wrong on that count.
State inspections are nothing more than cash cows for government.. Here in Florida, there is no vehicle inspection at all. Don’t need it.. If a vehicle is unsafe to drive, responsibility is on the owners shoulders.
If your vehicle is unsafe to drive, or burning oil, grow up and leave it in the driveway.. IMHO
I,d respray and drive
I would have loved to have this car. Owned a ’74 and it was a good car. A manual transmission in these is super rare indeed. Sure wish I knew what the Reserve was. Mine was the ugly Lime Green and White color combo shown on the brouchure with dark Green interior. Would have preferred this color combo instead.