A few years ago, I came across a Ford Maverick Grabber for sale by the side of the road. While I understood it to be purely an appearance package, I still thought it hopped up an otherwise ordinary car to a respectable level. Often, stickers and spoilers only dilute the experience, but this 1971 Grabber on found here on eBay seems like it could be a fun project. The automatic is a let-down and some rust repair is needed, but if you can get it for below the $1,500 Buy-it-Now, it could be cheap enough to justify the bodywork. Since there wasn’t much in the way of added performance, I don’t see these becoming collectors’ items any time soon, but with a slight suspension drop, wider wheels, and a free-flow exhaust, this could be a great choice for cruise night. Anyone agree?
I like the basic shape of the Maverick a lot. Does contemporary Mustang stuff fit if you want to upgrade suspension/brakes/etc.?
For the most part, yes. These were plain, but not really bad cars. We had one with bucket seats and a V8 (302 I think). Every one I’ve ever seen needed floor work. Thse came from close to home for me at the time, Claycomo, MO.
No thanks. It’s ugly with no power. Not desirable at all. Worst of all its a ford!!!
I’D have to take a pass on this one! :/
I had a ’73 Mav in my youth. Really liked that car. Had JC Whitney ’65 Mustang wheel covers, mini driving lights, and I flipped the top of the air cleaner on the 200 ci 6 for extra power and sound. Also had cassette deck ‘mounted’ under the front seat with wooden box speakers sliding around the package shelf. Bench seat too!
“Drivers floor has a hole big enough to throw a car through” LOL at least the seller has a sense of humour.
As for the car… It has little to offer in this condition in my opinion and not much more in good condition.
Too bad for the common man that ran the common run of the mill Maverick in 71….its seems to you it was a vehicle that wasnt worthy of respect?
I like the style of the grabber Mavericks just needs a V8, but unfortunately this one is way too far gone for my taste.
The upside of a Maverick is that, just like the original Mustang, it’s a prettier version of the basic Falcon. All the mechanicals are the same, and you can hop it up just like a Mustang. Years ago a friend of mine used a V8 Maverick as a donor car to convert a six-cylinder Mustang to V8 power. It was a very easy conversion.
The downside of a Maverick is that you spend just as much money to bring it back as you would a Mustang, and when you’re done, it’s still a Maverick. It might even be harder and more expensive a restoration because, while probably every last part of a Mustang is readily available, you might find yourself hunting long and hard for Maverick-specific parts.
A better use for this car–it pains me to say it–would be to do like my friend did, and use it as a parts source to update a six-cylinder Mustang or early Falcon or Ranchero. Any one of those would be more interesting–and more valuable–than a poor old Maverick.
Ford could have changed the image of the Maverick if they had made a ‘J ‘ Code 302 available and maybe a Boss 302. I do remember that Ford placed the Maverick as an import fighter against Toyotas and Datsuns so its no wonder no real muscle car guy likes Mavericks.
Ford didn’t want to do that because they had one eye on Mustang sales while they were marketing the Maverick. Dropping a hot 302 in the lightweight Maverick would have made it a rocket ship that could outrun the bigger, heavier (and way more profitable) Mustang. Want a V8 in your Maverick? Take a 2-barrel and like it.
I have seen many of these with 4 wheel discs and hot 302’s. I’d have one if it was NICE!
Haha I saw this after I had commented on the mustang, with that said I have had two mavericks a 73 with a 302 4 speed and a 75 six cylinder automatic car. The V8 w door was fun and the 4 door 6 was boring but dead reliable. The 75 drove through a road washout with water pouring in the bottoms of the doors on night in 1996. I have no idea how but it soldiered right through it. Sold it because my girlfriend at the time thought it was going to break down. No joke I see it a few times a month rolling around my little town. Don’t have the girl anymore either but I don’t miss her…
grant you can always get another girl, classic cars are hard to come by.
Lol right? As I said I don’t miss her but there’s been more than a few times I was walking and missed that old Mav. Its been 15 years. Saw it this morning….
There’s an ass for every seat…
Had one with a worked 302…..ultimate sleeper car….blew the doors off of new corvettes…
A friend in highschoolhad a four door. Nasty brown with primer spots. The front suspension was shot and it ate front tires like tictacs.
302 2 barrell.would run like a raped ape!
I’d love to have a 302 grabber.