This 1971 Ford Maverick is one of those offerings that seems to create about as many questions as answers, but even with the limited amount of information we get it appears to be a solid example and a good candidate to get back on the road, hopefully without breaking the bank. If you’ve been in the market for an early seventies compact sedan, this one might be worth considering, especially if there’s a spare engine sitting around your garage somewhere. The Maverick resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and can be found here on eBay with bidding only up to $2,550 so far with no reserve.
One of the first things that caught my attention was the odometer, which the seller says is reading 9,082 with a photo provided to back this up, but it’s important to note he never states that this is for sure accurate. Another is just how good the car looks overall, with the paint believed to be the original finish, and although it’s got some wear and imperfections I wouldn’t think it would have held up this well if the car had 109k on it. The panel fit seems quite good also.
The same thing can be said about the inside. Granted, if it’s been restored, the argument could be made that the mileage is probably not exact. But if that’s all the original components we’re seeing here, it really does look like an interior that hasn’t been occupied past the 10k-mile mark yet, with the seats showing little to no wear and buttons such as the temperature controls ppearing to have rarely been touched.
One area that is showing some signs of use is the undercarriage, as there is some rust down there, and fortunately, I’m not spotting any areas where the corrosion appears like it’s any deeper than on the surface. But depending on the climate, it doesn’t take a lot of winter driving to create an appearance such as this, and in the same photo, we get to see the bottom of a rocker panel, which seems about as solid as when it was new. This one could have been around The Bluegrass State most of its life, as the dealer tag on the trunk says Central City and it’s currently in Bowling Green.
Under the hood, the sedan originally came equipped with a 6-cylinder, but the seller says both the engine and transmission were removed with plans to swap in a V8. That never happened, and neither a motor nor trans is included in the sale, so it’ll be up to the next owner to decide how to proceed with getting power back to those rear wheels again.
While I’d like to have found out a little more about the Maverick’s background, enough photos are provided to make it appear there’s nothing being hidden about this car, plus an additional 120 pictures can also be viewed here, and I’m a believer that this one’s gonna make a fairly easy project for somebody. What are your thoughts on this 1971 Ford Maverick?
Who would want a 4 door Maverick with no motor or transmission??
Anyone wishing to build a TJ taxi tribute car.
No one!
Oh my! Well I do have a spare 200 6 in the garage but no 3-speed Auto tranny. One other option, since it’s clean and “rebuidable” would be to drag it home and make a peddle car out of it, hmmm?
These were great looking cars, even as a 4d. You can put a V8 in it, and I promise you no one else has one of these. When was the last time you saw one? Or a Pinto or Vega, for that matter? I think it’d be pretty cool…
Actually I am interested in it Jonathan but way I finish projects I’m asking myself if I would get it done. Shame the missing parts are included.
I’d install a 302!!!
Or a 351 Cleveland with Boss 351 upgrades.
I’m with you on the 302, but if you want a little more kick in the same space, a crate 347 stroker motor or a 351 Cleveland or Windsor might also fit! Speed costs money. How fast can you afford to go?
Here’s the build it your way car for all the sleeper collections. Looks solid and clean. Only reason it’s survived is 2 extra doors.
I like the Tesla EV angle, but their stuff is just too damned expensive for an old man like me. Want a real
sleeper? I’d go with a 351C and a C-6
auto tranny. After all, Mustang and
Maverick parts DO interchange don’t
they?
Yes for the most part, and don’t forget the Ford 9-inch inch and 4-wheel disc brakes off of a Lincoln Versailles!
… and the 9″ Ford rear axle set-up!
It’s a shame they didn’t save the original engine and transmission, but even then, who will want it? It would be neat to look at in such great, original shape, but 4 door Mavericks ain’t a desirable car.
I’m not 100 percent sure, but I think it would fit, if you were to put a 300 straight 6 out of a truck in it, plenty of torque and would make a nice cruiser. Plenty of snot to keep up with traffic. Just a thought.
The good news: the 300 I6 had a separate intake manifold, the 170, 200 and 250 sixes that this might have been born with had the intake manifold cast as part of the head. The 300 was a truck engine, the others were used in Ford cars. I don’t know how many 300 sixes are left though, most of them have probably been recycled into Toyotas, LOL! The 302 is easier to get and was the largest optional engine for the Maverick from the factory, so it might be a slightly easier installation, but I will agree that the V8 is tight fit between those shock towers.
This Maverick is way to clean and way to nice to be kept in a barn or garage. It should be on the road for sure. I personally wouldnt mind a 4 door in this nice a condition.
Youy absolutely correct, anyone dissing this car needs to check out some Aussie rides,and the blank out..
Chill
My Chartered Accountant father bought the 1971 Maverick sedan two
months before Nixon closed the gold window in August 1971.
I was 11 years old at the time and didn’t like it at all. I wanted my dad to
buy a respectable car like a 1971 Chevelle SS or a 1971 Impala.
I got to drive my dad’s 1971 Maverick when I turned 16 and got my
licence. My girlfriends didn’t like it either.
Hint: 1971 Maverick sedan four door is NOT a chick magnet.
Bob
True, it’s definitely NOT a chick magnet! I ought to know, I was given Mom’s ’72 as my first college ride, and it was a chick repellant, LOL! One thing is for sure, I sure as hell wouldn’t put a straight six back in it! It’s a 302/5.0L bolted to a C4 A/T or nothing! The extra weight on the front end might improve the handling. Then again, it might not! If someone hasn’t already done so, I’d also add front disk brakes and a vacuum booster, in attempt to improve the feel of the brakes at the brake pedal.
Would a small block Ford really weigh more then a in-line 6?
It is if you’re looking for a practical gal.
Gapp and Roush had a pretty good time with a 4 door Maverick…
True, but there was very little original left in those cars by the time they were done building them, and they had much deeper pockets than I did when I drove one, LOL! BTW, am I the only one who noticed that both shock tower braces were removed when the engine was removed? I hope they saved the braces to be re-installed to stiffen up a body that needed all the help it could get!
A Coyote with a supercharger? Really? That unibody would twist itself into a pretzel the first time you floored that car with a Coyote in it! Unless you proceeded to bolt an aftermarket frame to the car, and that sounds like an awful lot of time, money and effort to spend on what was a mediocre econobox sedan when that car was new! Frankly, I thought the compact offerings from both GM (X-Body) and Chrysler (Dodge Dart & Plymouth Valiant) were both better looking and better driving cars than the Ford Maverick/Mercury Comet twins. Both offered more engine options and better straight line performance than the FoMoCo twins.
lol!
Drop in a 335 V8, remove the 2 back doors, add Cragar mags, big Goodyear tires, and then you’ll have something special.
I like it even though it’s a four door. It would be sweet with a 302 and nice sounding exhaust. I’d drive it with its current looks. Anyone think it’s underneath it a tad rusty for the mileage stated ??
I’ve seen worse rust. We owned one, and ours was much younger, but far rustier, but then again, ten (10) years of New England winters will do that to a car, LOL!
Hmm 🤔 I’m thinking of a four door sleeper with a six speed manual transmission with a blower that can fit without cutting up the hood and anything else lol 😝
Again, having owned one, let me emphasize that this wasn’t Ford’s strongest unibody to start with. Without significant reinforcement, any significant power with twist the frame into a fine imitation of a pretzel! At a minimum, I’d strongly suggest subframe connectors with a new front subframe, and ditching the rear leaf springs for a rear subframe with a four-link suspension. Even better would be a full frame underneath the car, if your budget can stand the strain, LOL!
There are guys, and gals all over the internet, drag racing Mavericks. Technology marches on. Comparing your old 6 banger to a modern build is apples and oranges. That’s why they call them hot rods.
250 six with fuel injection and an overdrive auto. This doesn’t need to be made fast, just run and drive decently. EV conversion would be pretty interesting though.
Impressively clean and original. Those body colored steelies!!!
So I don’t comment on here much but love reading everyone’s posts. Do I sound weird when I say why not just return it to its original power train and enjoy this car ,
If the car had its original powertrain, I might agree, but since the original motor is long gone, why not upgrade? Particularly since the 302/5.0L was available from the factory as an option, and used examples from wrecked Fords (primarily Mustangs) are both plentiful and cheap. The 302 was a rare option in Mavericks, but standard equipment in many larger and more expensive Fords, so a swap is a relatively straightforward exercise. Using a late model (mid 1990’s) example also allows for an upgrade to fuel injection and electronic ignition, both non-existent when this car was built.
Bob I love most ideas on here pertaining to the maverick. It is such a cool car. V-8 upgrade would be sweet.
Wow I knew scrap metal prices were climbing but I didn’t know that it was this high
Nah, 109K, and the condition is entirely possible, but the motor and trans would still be good if only 9K, Engine bay and underside tells the story. Nice try,,
“Who wants a four door?” Call me crazy, but I get really tired of hearing that. Not everyone can afford the 2dr versions of every car, and how many of these do you see on the street, two OR four doors?? I’ve always believed that at least a FEW of every 4dr car ever made deserve to be preserved. They still retain the same basic styling of the 2dr cars…no, they don’t deserve a body-off rotisserie restoration, but what the hell! Drop a 302 in there, drive it, and enjoy it. I’m sure there will be just as many people at Cars N Coffee who will drop by to admire it and say “my grandmother drove one just like this!” I hope it goes to a good home.
Have none of seen or remember the GAPP and ROUSH Maverick? 4 doors
I think it was called the Taxi-google it
Have none of you seen or remember the GAPP and ROUSH Maverick? 4 doors
I think it was called the Taxi-google it
Only seen pictures of the “Tijuana Taxi” on line, but I wish I had known about it when I was a kid! It might have made Mom’s Maverick cool, but on second thought…Nah! Forget it!