If this 1973 Ford Maverick Grabber would have been a barn find, it would have almost every description or tagline that most people seem to look for in a vintage car. The seller has this clean example posted here on craigslist in Parker, Colorado and they’re asking $14,750. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mark_K for sending in this tip!
Seeing vertical photos in a car ad is always disappointing unless a person is looking for a rocket or pogo stick. I mean, cars are horizontal, aren’t they? Turn yer dang camera 90 degrees, gaaaaaa! In any case, this Maverick hits a lot of sweet spots for a lot of buyers. It’s a one-owner car and is supposedly rust-free, according to the seller. Not to mention being all original inside and out.
For the North American market, the Maverick was made beginning in 1969 for the 1970 model year and production stopped in 1977. They started out as a trim level within the Maverick line but in 1971 they became their own model. Sadly, in 1973 the front bumper was enlarged to meet safety standards and in 1974, both front and rear bumpers became wicked huge. It’s hard to argue with the condition of this car, big bumpers or not.
Whenever I see a car with a V8 and manual transmission I always think it’ll be a floor shifter, that’s not the case as the only manuals available in the Grabber were three-speeds and they were all column shifted, at least as standard equipment. According to Hemmings, both the automatic and manual had a floor-shifter option. The interior looks good in this example, the back seat looks like it’s never been sat in but the driver’s bucket seat needs some help.
The engine in this 72,000-mile Maverick Grabber is Ford’s 302 cu.-in. V8 which had 140 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque from the factory. The seller doesn’t say how it runs but I’d bet my last dollar that it runs like a champ, given the overall condition of this one-owner Colorado car. Have any of you had a Maverick Grabber?
A pretty cool car. Looks to be in good, but not perfect, shape; that’s fine. For cheap, basic cars, Mavericks had fairly sporty looks. The Grabbers added some nice touches. White/avocado, looking very 70’s, gives this car a look you won’t see today.
The three-speed column shift really takes me back to driving Ford pickups of similar vintage. I’d be glad to own it just to be able to row the gears with those long, often sloppy throws.
Thanks Scotty, nice job.
I may be in the minority here, but I thought the Maverick/Monarch was one of the best cars Ford made,,for the masses. It was a Pinto on steroids and did everything well. The “Grabber” package was typical of the time, turning mundane cars into sporty renditions, even though there was nothing “sporty” about the owner. Many times these special packages were “thrown in” due to lack of interest. The 3 speed here indicates someone was still old school and didn’t trust automatics or couldn’t afford one. Don’t laugh, it was the 70s, and automatics were still a hefty price option, for some. I read sometimes almost $500 bucks. On a car that originally sold for $1995, that was a lot of money. V8 is a bit much for today, a 6 did just fine and I would have paid extra for an automatic. Nice find.
Comet was Mercury’s version of the Maverick, Howard.
Thanks, I meant Comet. I realized that later and can’t edit an early access.
Both Maverick and Granada were based on the 1960 Falcon chassis, like the first generation Mustang. Grenada/Monarch were sold concurrently from ’75-77 and were intended to be more luxurious than the Maverick/Comet
I’ve always liked these Grabbers. The name wouldn’t fly today but they’re cool. Always thought they should look have been given a performance engine option but easy enough to fix with a cam, manifold, 4-bbl Holley, and an exhaust.
“The name wouldn’t fly today”
Here’s proof of something similar:
https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-court-of-appeal-dismisses-grabher-licence-plate-case-1.5559587
Yeah, it sounds like the name of an adult film star. Maverick Grabber. And his friend ..Pinto Pony.
A guy I used to work with had a vanity plate that read ATE 1 . He had to go to DMV at least twice as some people complained about it . They were his initials, and DMV allowed him to use them.
I always look at an automatic as a step down from a manual. There’s a lot of options I’d go without if it means I’d have to suffer an auto box.
This little car is just a Sniper, a T-5, and maybe an under-dash air set up away from being a practical and unique daily driver
347- t 5-9 in-drop in
Bonus points for the 3 on the tree.
Always loved these dog dish / beauty ring wheel treatment. I had a 70 Mustang with the same setup. Did this car have a vinyl top? what’s that trim on the roofline?
Yeah it’s a rare beauty. Would enjoy this one for my own. Wouldn’t hurt if it had a air scoop hood.
If its stock and hasnt had any work on the engine to up the ol hp’s, you will be disappointed in the performance. First year for the smog engine. Performance out of the showroom was zero to 60 eventually. if you woke it up thats got a toploader 3 speed and 8 inch rear to stand up to the ponies. Good shape they are unobtainium here in the rust belt. Good luck.
Cheers
GPC
In 1971 the cost of moving the manual shifter to the floor was $13.20. The automatic option was $183.50. The 302 in 1971 was rate at 210 hp. By 1973 the 302 was rated at 140 hp, but that was SAE net. I ordered the 3 speed and moved the shifter to the floor with the plan of sliding in a 4-speed toploader at some point…which I did. Bolted right in. It’s rare these days to find a manual V8 Maverick or Comet in this type of condition. The 6 cylinder manual z bar and other pieces are different than the V8, which makes these real rare. The weak point from the factory is that they only installed a 10 inch clutch. I had to upgrade to the 10.5 inch fairly soon. Adding power didn’t make the car come alive. When the 3.50 9 inch went in, that’s when the car really woke up.
Don’t fear the ⚙️ gear
Hate to be a killjoy, but Grabbers are notoriously easy to fake. I would love to see the VIN on this one. The VIN needs to show a “93” as the third and fourth number to be a real Grabber. The price also seems a bit low to be a real V8 Grabber. That said, this car will provide the lucky new owner a lot of fun in the future – Grabber or not.
My first car was a Maverick, and when my dad got it one of my friends said “that’s a race car!” Well, not the one my dad found. It was a’77 sedan with a straight six and 3 on the tree and NO options. No AC, no power steering, no window motors, not even a radio! It had a black piece of plastic in the metal dash with a painted on chrome ring and that was it. Funny how I still came to love that car and remember it fondly. Love seeing well preserved examples.
Grandpap could use a new car
I do like this car and it would be a great driver and fun to play with. I would have to wrap my head around the price. Not that it’s not worth it it’s just because, I can’t grasp spending that much on a Maverick.
I bet a guy could retrofit the small front bumper from a 70-72.
My first car was a 72 Grabber, 302 with 3 speed on the floor. Only paid $275 for it, full of rust and smoked like a coal fired power plant but I loved that car and will buy another one to be my last “toy” before retirement. Mine was Ford dark green with yellow stripes and the hood scoops from the factory that looked like nostrils.
Ex wife #1 had a ’70 when we were dating in the Mid to late 80’s. Straight 6 with an automatic. Gutless doesn’t quite describe how pathetically slow that car was. Ya had to wait for a HUGE opening to pull into traffic. But it sure looked good. With a sliver of a bumper front and back, and shiny dark blue paint, it was a beauty. So much so, I didn’t mind occasionally swapping cars (’66 Fairlane 500XL) with her for a day. They were just $400 throw away “Get Ya There” transportation, but I loved the styling. Lack of space and funds prohibit me from getting another, but this clean V8 model is tempting. Of course I’d HAVE to go with Chuck’s Idea and transplant some “70 bumpers on it. Thumbs up from me.
Almost bought a black 71 Grabber V8 Auto with buckets & floor shifter back in 77 at the ripe age of 17, mom took me to the dealership to test drive & hopefully buy the car! As we’re walking out towards the back of the used car lot we all can hear this really loud knocking noise that’s getting much worse as we get closer to the car! Somebody had started the car & the key wouldn’t turn off so they just left it running for god knows how long! Car was shaking, knocking & just on the verge of blowing up so needless to say we told the salesman we weren’t interested in the car. We laughed about it all the way home & I’ve never forgot about the Black Maverick Grabber that day! Worked out for the best though, cause I ended up with a Bright red 72 Nova 350 Auto on the floor buckets & parchment interior with white vinyl top all SS style trim on rockers & rear body between tail lamps. Also had a large vinyl folding sunroof with a smoked flip up visor, I recall seeing literature later on that called these a sun chaser model but not sure. Never should have sold that car!
This bumper had to meet a 5 mph std for ’73. So why an even bigger bumper in ’74?
The law for 1974 mandated both 5 mph protection front and rear, and coverage from 16 to 20 inches above the ground; demanding a four-inch bumper face.
Unless apparently the manufacturer agreed to pay a fine, like AMC did on its soon to be discontinued ’74(& ’73) Javelin. Same with the Cuda & Challenger – all with retained slim, but extended bumpers & in some case black bumper pads added for ’74.
The Mavericks were great little cars. I bought a 75 white 4dr new and never had a problem with it.. 6 cyl automatic and had plenty of power and room for the kids.. At the time, all the Fords had very large bumpers..
Bought it in Late September 2022. Drove it from Denver to Ca as is.. 19mpg. I am fixing little things but keeping it unrestored. Happy to have it. It is just like the one I bought in Apr 73 except manual was on the floor.
My second vehicle was a 1973 Maverick Grabber, white and green with a green vinyl top. 302, 3 speed manual floor shift. I upgraded to a 4 bbl, headers, and a toploader close ratio 4 speed, Hurst shifter with a superboot. I kept (and still have) the superboot when I sold it. Had loads of fun with it. One of the most enjoyed vehicles I have owned. Had it 4 years. Installed 7 inch steel rims on the front with F-60 Road Huggers and 8-1/2″ rims on the rear with G-60 Road Huggers, “Ford Motor Company” hub covers and beauty rings.
What is a superboot? yes it is loads of fun to drive. The only difference between it and the one I bought in 1973 is the shifter. My original was 3 on the floor, this one is on the column. If anything ever needs fixing on the sift or the tranny, I’ll probably put it on the floor, bu I’d need an aftermarket shift.