This 1970 Ford Maverick caught my eye for several reasons. It is a one-owner vehicle with 39,000 original miles on the clock. It presents exceptionally well for a vehicle of this type and age, but it was the plans the owner’s son had for this Maverick that got me thinking about its potential. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Ford listed here on eBay in Wayne, Michigan. The seller set their BIN at $36,995 with the option to make an offer.
Ford released the Maverick in April 1969 as its latest entrant into the Compact market segment. The company positioned it to replace the Falcon in its model range. While the styling was fresh and contemporary, the new model drew heavily on its predecessor’s engineering beneath the surface. This Ford rolled off the line in 1970 and is a one-owner survivor finished in Medium Ivy Green Metallic. Its presentation is impressive for a car with fifty-six years of active service under its belt, although its low odometer reading has undoubtedly helped its cause. The paint shines nicely, the panels are as straight as an arrow, and this Maverick has avoided the rust issues that often plague these vehicles. Throw in immaculate trim, clear glass, and wheels fitted with trim rings and hubcaps, and this Ford looks like a winner.
The positive vibes emanating from this Maverick continue when we focus on its interior. Trimmed in Black, it features a classy combination of cloth and vinyl that looks exceptional. There is no wear or physical damage, suggesting the car has led a pampered life. The dash and pad are excellent, and the front bench seat increases the car’s passenger capacity to a point where it could accommodate six people. It isn’t lavishly equipped, with an AM radio the only factory option.
Okay, we’ve reached the point where this Maverick becomes genuinely interesting. The owner ordered it with the 250ci six-cylinder engine, leaving shifting to a three-speed automatic transmission. They didn’t tick the boxes beside power assistance for the steering or brakes, but the Maverick doesn’t have a reputation for being a difficult beast to drive. The 250 produces an official 145hp and 232 ft/lbs of torque, ensuring that performance would be pretty competent. The owner’s son had big plans for this classic that would have dramatically transformed it. They upgraded the rear end, suspension, and brakes. These items were the first step in bolting a V8 under the hood. The engine of choice was a 347ci stroker, which would have markedly transformed this classic. The buyer could finish the process, or they may choose to leave this Ford as-is.
The BIN figure of $36,995 for this 1970 Ford Maverick is, to be diplomatic, quite optimistic. It is miles above the market average, and while the listing statistics are impressive, I wonder how much of that interest is due to curiosity rather than genuine interest from people considering purchasing this classic. Of course, I could be wrong, and would be happy to be proven so. Do you think the seller will taste success at their price, or will a significant compromise pave the way for this Maverick’s journey to a new home?
No Adam, you are not wrong, and thankfully one of the few writers that actually questions these prices. These dealers sure have chutzpah, don’t they? I’m more curious as to where they come up with these prices, heck, it’s so out of whack, why stop at $37grand? I suppose that Rambler American is similarly priced too. The only thing I can figure, is like fishing. They throw these prices out there, hoping someone will catch the hook by mistake. They probably have no real intention of selling the car anyways.
Enough of that, I’m only commenting on such foolishness, because my late ex-MIL had a green Maverick, 4 door, and I miss her dearly.
It’s a very clean, original looking Maverick. But as the author and Howard pointed out, it has an eye watering price. I can’t get over how at one time this was just considered a grocery getter/ get to work/ basic vehicle, even the manual brakes and steering was not uncommon in 1970. Years ago this was $1000 used car. Granted, there’s not many clean unrusted unbeaten ones left. But I’m not sure there’s going to be a buyer at that price. I like the early normal bumper Mavericks for sure, and I do hope it stays with its original powertrain and gets preserved.
This will be preserved because it’s never leaving the dealership anywhere close to that price.
Steve R
Bingo. I wonder what the actual selling prices are for these dealer cars?
I mean, it takes a certain amount of chutzpah to offer these guys a reasonable price of $15k, but you just might end up as the owner.
I ain’t sure that upholstery is original… I say, if you are going to look this over in person, bring a magnet.
$37k??????? They have a better chance of seeing God. Howard hit the nail on the head. If this was Grabber, I could see in the mid $20’s, but $37 large is a big stretch. These were fast cars with a V-8. Some guy in my old neighborhood, back in the 70’s, got hold of a Boss 302 out of a wrecked mustang and shoved it into his 1971 ‘Grabber’. That car was extremely fast and took a lot people by surprise.
Sorry for your loss Howard. I am with everyone here; this was cheap transportation back in the day and very few people fixed them up. Worked with a guy who took a donor much like this and dropped a hot V8 and 4 speed drivetrain in it. Big weld wheels in rear and skinnies up front. Black lacquer paint job, big dash mounted Sun tach and fire extinguisher strapped on the hump behind the shifter. It was a real eye catcher and would go too. But other than Grabbers, you rarely saw one modified, just round town bangers.
Thanks pal, but it wasn’t really a loss, per se, as I was blessed with her as a mother in law, and grandmother to my kids. She never complained, unlike her son in law,,ahem,,,she worked at Sears, for like 50 years, and was recognized as one of the longest Sears employees, and drove that Maverick everyday, in the worst weather. It had little or no heat, and she would bundle up, a sight to see for sure.
Mavericks had quite a successful drag racing history. Gave the “Grump” many a headache. I think the late great Bob Glidden began with a Maverick.
I can picture her wrapped up driving that car! Survived 3 of those myself and that is a different level of cold up there, but some great people. Ahh yes, Grumpy’s Toys! Had the 72 (MPC) Vega model car. Besides my flamed black 40 Ford, it was one of my favorites. I gave all my collection of around 20, all hand built with custom “Testors” paint to my little brother. I’m sure many others here experienced those builds as well. Was recently at a Hobby Lobby with my wife and had a tremendous flashback—an entire aisle of retro model cars from the 60’s and 70’s. Testor’s paint, brushes and all. It was like a time capsule, and I was able to peel myself out of there without purchasing one. Perhaps if I’m still around in another 10 years or so!
1972 PINTO, 1ST PRO STOCK FOR BOB GLIDDEN
Hi jim, I thought so too, but Bob raced a 1970 Maverick Pro Stock(?) when he worked for Bob Frensley Ford in Louisville in 1970-’71.
BTW, you wouldn’t happen to be the “Jim Ott” that was a weatherman in Milwaukee?
Barrett-Jackson dream on pricing…
Guess I will price mine for outrages prices too!!
I don’t think that’s Ivy Green – maybe Anti-Establish Mint.
Where are the original wheel covers? Those are from a later
model.I like the looks of the original ones,& also thought that
they did a really nice job in the design.
I was wondering the same thing. But the Marti Report says Medium Ivy Green Metallic. I’m thinking Anti-Establish Mint was a bit of a brighter green, if I recall.
Nice Maverick. They had a very sporty design for a (very) basic economy car. Looks good with the hub caps/trim rings, though the original wheel covers look good too. Replacement upholstery? Thankfully, a small-bumper model.
I was wondering about the upholstery too Bob. It doesn’t look like any Maverick I ever saw. But it does look nice.
This is a great looking car, one that has grown on me considerably over the past few years. I never appreciated how good they looked when I was a kid. I just thought they were kind of “meh” cars, basic kind of transportation.
I can’t imagine that this is original upholstery.
Its the wrong engine for such a price.
But it’s what the market will bear. 🐻
The body style was okay in my book with the V8 that could be torqued up with aftermarket parts plus headers etc.
I know everyone thinks the same story as one drives it and the miles lower the price.
Mr. Kleeper? Yeah? You’re dreaming!
Not as original as it may appear, but nice. That seat cover material is newer.
Seats have been recovered.
she’s cool for sure but that is auction house price. in the right venue it could do it but in today’s world i doubt it
MAYBE 10 TO 12 GRAND AND THAT’S HIGH..
One too many digits on that price – maybe the last “5”, since I could see maybe $3699?
Well, it IS worth more than $4k… but his asking price is hilarious
Its Mr Keeper , cause that’s what he’s going to do . KEEP IT. Its just basic transportation about 10 K were this needs to be . Seat covers recovered with fuzzy velour upholstery, not stock Ford offering. Very pleasing avacado green 1970’s stove paint. Uuck…
Lop off that 3 and its still too much. INSANE.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
A typical “classic car” dealer’s pricing. $40,000, and it will still drive like a strippo 1970 Maverick. Now, if the son had installed that 347, and a proper floor shifted 4 speed, plus all the accouterments that come with, suspension, wheels, cooling, etc. Maybe that price would work. I see all the dealer ads in Hemmings every month, and you have to wonder who’s buying these incredibly overpriced machines. And if they’re not selling, how do they keep the lights on in the dealership?
These are a BEAR as a driver. You set the timing at “factory”, then they tend to stall-out after you start them, “die” to re-start at a red light, and have no energy at all as they sluggishly accellerate from an exceptionally rough idle. Advance the timing until they run smoothly, and then they “ping” like crazy! I have NEVER encountered an early Maverick or Maverick-based Mercury Comet, that ran well. This was a “junk” vehicle when new, no better than a Pinto — and rusted like crazy even without salt and snow. If you want a drive-it-only-on-sunny days climate-controlled garage-queen that gives you constant mechanical headaches under the hood, then have AT it — for about $7,500 in this condition! Even the much upgraded upholstery doesn’t help it. Good to SEE one this nice, but you’d have to pay me to take it off your hands!
(pinky-to-mouth) “Thirty seven billion dollars… Muahoohahahahaaaaaaa”
As Derek Bieri says; well I’ll be dipped. I often try to guess what the asking price of vehicles are before eyeballing the ad. Never would I have even considered half of this price as reasonable for a 1970 six cylinder automatic Ford Maverick. Heck this kind of money will buy you a nice brand new Ford compact truck with the same name. I’m not trying to be mean. This is a nice car for what it is. But it’s not a concours time capsule and it has been modified so there’s that too. When I stop and think about it, I believe that the goofy prices we have been seeing recently are actually an extension of dealers greed. Does anyone else remember about twenty five or thirty years ago when the smart guys were crowing about how collector cars were a great financial investment? These folks darn near ruined the hobby for the rest of us. One thing is for sure. This green machine is not an investment. That will be especially true when all of us old coots and cooteses who actually drove these when they were new permanently hang up our driving gloves.
That’s not a car dealer. It’s a museum curator. That price is bonkers. No old guy with the money who remembers what they sold for originally would buy it. And no youngster with the money would be attracted to it.
I remember when 50% of the gas stations in Atlanta had one like this on a rack in front of the station. They gave them away to customers who got the lucky ticket number when buying gas. Usually two drawings per year. Grand Prize-1970 Ford Maverick list price $1995.00.
I remember when these first came out. My friends mother traded in a beautiful 1968 Pontiac LeMans 2 door for a 1970 Maverick that closely resembles this car. They were advertised for $1,995.00.
My dad had the same model. A 1970 painted Freudian Guilt
When you get it home at $39,000, it is still just a base 70 Maverick.
an original low mile Grabber could be had for less than half that price $12,000 car maybe if someone is ok with the mods
Dad bought one the very day they came out ($1,995) in Gulf Stream Aqua. Three on the tree. Black and white plaid upholstery.
It rusted out in just 5 years which was a shame because it was a very pretty car.
10k with a 302 in it … im not sure if that color is stock but hmmm
I think it’s going to be a keeper because it’s not cheaper
$36k+ for a Maverick with an i6. Power nada. No prominence. Meshugga! Pazzo! Loco!
Um NOOOOOOOOOOOO ON THE PRICE
CRACK PIPE SELLER
WOW! Had I only had a crystal ball 55 years ago when I bought my Bright Red ’71 Maverick 2 door with the factory ordered 3 speed floor shift, I’da kept that thing. Only problem was I ordered it with the 200 ci 6 cylinder, now don’t get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with that engine, other than 2 of the spark plugs would foul constantly after the 15,000 mile warranty expired. After an exasperating summer trip with no air conditioning to Disney World from South Jersey and the engine missing during the 2,500 mile round trip, it was decided to bid farewell to the “Red Rocket”!
Nobody special ordered this Maverick ;and its actually kind of possible no 1970 Maverick was ever special ordered . This was just a run of the mill Ford, and the dealerships had tons of them .The 70 Maverick only came with a six cylinder , and all were two doors . there wasn’t much on an option list other than the basics ; auto, p/s , carpet, bumper guards ,cloth or vinyl seats , vinyl top, etc. Ford sold over 500,000 of this car in 1970 alone , more than some of the 60s Mustang production .
The seats have definitely been redone , in cloth they would have had a checked pattern
That’s a lot of money for a 70 Maverick 6cyl and an automatic. The 73 Charger is $14,000 less. Go figure
I had maybe (8) of these in the mid-late ‘70s, Flippers, good first car, college trans. Heat was an issue; heater cores clogged, same as early Mustangs. I’d get $1200.00 or$1500.00 if it was real clean. Local Ford dealer used to sell them to me for 2-300bucks. Almost 40k?? I DONT THINK SO!!!
Seller should take it to B-J at no reserve and be HAPPY with the 11,500 it gets because one bidder REALLY wanted this car(then pay all the fees and such and go home with 9K) Still,it’s a beauty..Mavericks were sweet looking cars(pre-battering ram bumpers)
They are asking way too much even for a pristine car. This one has upholstery that is nowhere near to what it came with. It’s in nice shape, but jeez!