Finding an affordable classic that needs nothing or could serve as a solid foundation for a project build can be challenging. However, this 1975 Ford Maverick might be worth a closer look. It is probably not the most glamorous car to grace our site, but it is spotlessly clean, affordable, and practical. For an enthusiast with a growing family, it could represent a ticket into the world of classic car ownership. Adding to its appeal is the seller’s belief that the odometer reading of 13,290 is genuine. Even if it has rolled over, it is still a vehicle that the new owner can enjoy immediately. Located in Jacksonville, Missouri, you will find the Maverick listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could drive it away by handing the seller $6,500. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L. for spotting this excellent survivor for us.
The seller recently discovered this Medium Copper Maverick in dry storage, a spot it had occupied since 2000. The storage environment must have been close to ideal because this gem is surprisingly well preserved. The paint shines richly, with no significant flaws or defects. The same appears true of the panels, while there is no evidence of rust. The seller doesn’t mention the presence of “tin worm” in their listing, but the lack of significant accumulated surface corrosion in areas like the engine bay gives us some cause for optimism. Only an in-person inspection would settle the question, but things look promising so far. The chrome is excellent, with the glass looking flawless. As part of the revival process, the seller added narrow whitewall tires. This Maverick may not be the most glamorous car on the planet, but those tires add that certain something to its appearance.
The original owner ordered this Maverick with its interior trimmed in Tan vinyl but devoid of any luxury features. This Ford is a genuine “stripper” model because it doesn’t run to a radio or cigarette lighter. Fancy A/C or power windows? Not here, my friend! The vinyl trim is in good condition for its age, with no splits or physical damage. However, there is enough discoloring and wrinkles on the seats to raise questions about the odometer reading. In its defense, discoloring and other issues can develop in storage, so those problems don’t constitute concrete proof that the mileage claim is false. The carpet has some fading but no appreciable wear. The dash pad sports a couple of cracks, and this is where the buyer faces some choices. Replacement pads are available but sell for around $700. A cap will lighten the next owner’s wallet to the tune of $190, or they could opt for a DIY repair using a product like Polyvance. A key consideration has to be the cost because it would be easy to over-capitalize on a vehicle of this type. Otherwise, this interior has no pressing needs.
Okay, let’s take a deep breath and consider this Maverick’s drivetrain configuration. Buyers in 1975 could order a Maverick with the trusty 302ci V8 under the hood. That didn’t make it a muscle car, but the performance was respectable in a 1975-context. However, the interior equipment level provides clues that the original owner worked to a strict budget when ordering this car. Its engine bay houses a 200ci six-cylinder engine that produced 75hp. Their one concession to luxury was specifying a three-speed automatic transmission because there is no power assistance for the steering or brakes. When a car tips the scale at 2,956lbs and is propelled by an engine with a two-digit power output, you can be sure that it won’t be a jet. The unkind would suggest that the journey down the ¼-mile could be measured with a sundial, and the figure of 21.7 seconds would seem to support that. However, that isn’t what cars like the Maverick were about. Their creators designed them to be affordable and comfortable daily transport, and they fulfilled that role perfectly. After two decades in hibernation, the seller worked through a long list of tasks to return the car to a roadworthy state. They replaced the fuel tank, fuel pump, water pump, wheel cylinders, battery, tires, and fluids. They rebuilt the master cylinder, and it seems that it was worth the time and effort. The car runs and drives perfectly and will canter contentedly at highway speeds. The mileage claim is an open question, but this would be an extraordinary find if the odometer reading of 13,290 miles were confirmed. The seller admits they rely on word-of-mouth from the previous owner on the subject, so readers will need to draw their own conclusion. I am slightly disappointed by the presentation, especially considering the owner’s claim. This shot also reveals the only evidence of corrosion on this survivor, although it isn’t severe. I previously mentioned project potential, and the Maverick’s drivetrain could provide the catalyst. If the buyer remains unconcerned about originality, slotting a V8 under the hood would be possible. The cost would be a factor, but it is fascinating to consider how this car would spring to life with a 5.0-liter “HO” V8 from a late Fox-Body Mustang under the hood. Ah, it’s a point to ponder.
For me, the jury is out on this 1975 Maverick and its mileage claim. If considered purely on its external condition, it seems plausible. However, there is enough wear on parts of the interior to cause a raised eyebrow, while the engine bay presentation is below what we might expect. My instincts say that it has rolled over, although the fact that it spent more than two decades in storage could tip the scales in favor of the claim. If concrete evidence is unavailable, we must take the claim and the car itself at face value. I know that we will have readers who will decry this car, and I accept that it won’t appeal to everyone. However, before we dismiss it out of hand, sit back and reflect on when you last saw a ’75 Maverick that presented this well. That makes it worth preserving.
Well let’s see if we can define something which would be at the bottom of the collectible car totem pole… A big-bumper Maverick, four doors, underpowered six cylinder, no power steering or brakes makes it hard to drive, automatic transmission sucks what power does exist, no bright trim, no radio, cheap vinyl upholstery. And it’s even shade of brown….
Which means, I love it. Not every collector car has to be a red fire-breathing muscle car. I’m glad basic cars like this survived.
And further, given the crazy prices for used commuter cars, for the right person this could even be successfully used as a daily driver.
Thanks Adam.
My Wife of 45 years and I had one when we were quite young with 2 toddlers. It was a 2 door, but it was the inline 6 with the Automatic. It was a great little car! Sadly, her Dad borrowed it, and some how managed to fry the whole electrical system by trying to jump it with a large cat Battery, and putting the negative on the positive and visa vera on the other. The wiring literally melted before it got to the fuse box. We were tight on cash as most young couple were and we let it go cheap after that happened. I truly wish I had that car back. Kind of a weird green color, but it ran like a good watch! This car will become someones treasure I’m sure.
Preach The word. I LOVE it just like it is. We would make a heck of a team. a PLAIN JANE and a PLAIN MAIN.
My dad would have been drooling over this. If it had a rubber floor it’d be sold!
This could turn into a clone of the old Gapp and Roush Tijuana Taxi pro stocker!
I vote for 113,000 miles. The interior is just too tired for 13,000 miles. These were cheap, but durable, and that’s too much wear on the front seat for 13,000 miles. Additionally, there’s some thick surface rust on the strut tower braces, which would be unexpected on a 13,000 mile example.
Had a 68 Australian Falcon with the 221 six cylinder with a twin system and extractors.
Sounded almost like a V8 , just like the 250 six did in later models.
The Valiant 265 CID never did sound as good despite having the larger capacity
( unfortunately)
‘The cost would be a factor, but it is fascinating to consider how this car would spring to life with a 5.0-liter “HO” V8 from a late Fox-Body Mustang under the hood.’
Yes, just in time for $8 a gallon gas.
Still, great article and the sort of car I would buy new. If any were offered today.
Awesome looking car! Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I remember cars like the Ford Maverick and its twin, the Mercury Comet. I don’t get why they’re not popular today among classic Ford fans.
I’m not a Ford gut and I hated these when they crawled all over the the roads like cockroaches back in the day, but I would love to drive this around now.
My first car was a 76 Maverick 2 door coup with 6 banger, same colour – straight out of university. Paid $500 for it in 1980 with 50K miles. First thing I did was put in a stereo system that cost as much as the car! Had a ton of fun in that car, some how managed to get 6 people in the back seat going to a party. Sold it as a parts car a few years later to a guy with a Grabber.
$6500 is very Lofty for this. I almost bought a mint green over cloth mint green 75 4 door with a tiny dent in back with 11800 miles for $2900 15 years ago. It had power steering and brakes. CA car. Always garaged. Not hint of rust. Not real great to Drive. It had that spin and spin big old car steering.
This looks like 113k and $1700 to me.
I will restate the obvious..this Maverick lacks the basic equipment to make it fun to drive as a time period sensible sized car. No power steering and brakes, no air conditioning and an anemic engine. The color is not my favorite either. There is the inherent risk in buying a car that was stored too long and not driven to detect defects. Someone will probably save this Ford but I am not interested.
For over 40 years I’ve specialized and collected low mileage vehicles. As the owner of a restoration shop for 30+ years, I preferred personal cars that didn’t require lots of work, as I was surrounded with projects all the time!
A car with 13,000 miles should have both a pristine engine compartment and interior. The driver’s seat shows wear patterns that can only be duplicated by much higher mileage. Look at the plastic windlace where it meets the lower plastic cover on the left door post. It’s worn away. The photo of the ID plate on the driver’s door also shows a very grubby door latch assembly. Again, with 13k miles, it should look far better.
In my professional opinion as a restorer and prior owner of many low mileage cars, this car is nice, but it’s not a 13k vehicle. This is a typical “stripper” car, bought by someone who wanted to make sure their car lasted for many years, so they took care of it.
I suspect either a replacement speedometer or the speedo cable was broken/unattached for a while, as various wear patterns suggest this car has at least 40,000 miles on it.
Blew It When I Seen Those Extra Two Doors , But Ultimate Sleeper , Driveline Gotta Go
“The original owner ordered this Maverick with its interior trimmed in Tan vinyl but devoid of any luxury features ” ? Come on Adam , Nobody ordered this ! This is just your run of the mill car, something that would be sitting on a Ford dealers lot along with dozens more just like it. Why does every car you post show as a special ordered car ?
And as for 1/4 mile stats, there’s more to it than horsepower , it also depends on how heavy the car is ; a near identical car but with A/C or another weighty item will make a difference in the 1/4 time , and the gearing makes a huge difference as well.
Why a 302??!! Why not a 351M 2 barrel!! Might be able to increase the time for the quarter!
My Grandmother had a 76 that looked identical to this except hers had a 302 AC PS & PB
Someone please tell me why EVERY 4 door car listed anywhere, is always posted straight on from the front in the lead picture? Do they think we will not notice the 2 extra doors when we see the side pictures? Geez.
These cars for the most part were very reliable economical and easy to repair, I appreciate your post on this vehicle.
Feels weird seeing this online, but I’m on my way to buy this car at the end of the month. The mileage question is a good one, the story from the seller can’t guarantee the mileage, but that doesn’t matter too much. Its bare bones and original, and thats close enough for me. I’ll post some pics and everything when I get there in person at the end of the month, we’ll see if it lives up to the hopes.
Well I bought the car, and after a mechanic I trust, and the experts I know looked at it, everyone seems to feel the claims are legitimate. Best guess I have seen so far is the corrosion on odd points in the engine like the struts were probably from something nesting there when it was covered for a long time, as one is pretty corroded but the other isn’t. The interior is way better than the pics online showed, so I put the details here if you want to discuss further.