- Seller: Ethan E (Contact)
- Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- Mileage: 67,000 Shown
- Chassis #: TX92T268808
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 200 cui Thriftpower Inline-6
- Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic
The Ford Maverick is often remembered as a simple, affordable compact from the early 1970s, but certain versions are far less common than others. This 1971 Ford Maverick, listed here on Barn Finds in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, represents one of those lesser-seen variations—the first year Ford offered the Maverick as a four-door.
According to the seller, this example is powered by the 3.3-liter (200 cubic-inch) Thriftpower inline-six paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission. The car shows 67,000 miles and comes with a clean title, making it a straightforward starting point for someone interested in getting it back on the road.
The seller shares some useful background on the car’s recent history. It was purchased out of a storage unit with 52,000 miles and then used as a daily driver for roughly a year to a year and a half. During that time, it reportedly served reliably as everyday transportation. The car has not run since the ring gear—located on the torque converter—failed, which the seller describes as the main issue preventing it from being driven today.
Before that failure, the car is said to have run, driven, and stopped as it should, and the seller mentions having videos documenting it in working condition. Based on that experience, they suggest that replacing the ring gear could return the car to regular use.
This Maverick is also equipped with dual bench seats, which adds to its practicality as a four-door model. The seller notes that they have all of the trim for the car, including the front bumper, which is currently removed but included with the sale.
The seller describes the car as “super solid for what it is,” and emphasizes how uncommon these four-door Mavericks have become. They mention that they were not even aware of the model’s existence before purchasing this one, and that surviving examples are increasingly difficult to find, along with parts and information for repairs.
Ultimately, the decision to sell comes down to time and priorities. With a growing family and limited time to complete the needed repairs, the seller is passing the project along.
For someone looking for something a little different from the usual muscle car or truck project, this 1971 Maverick offers a rare body style, a simple drivetrain, and a clear path back to being a usable driver.
I guess my memory is failing me. I had thought that the 4 door was not introduced until the “girder” bumpers were already standard equipment. I sont recall seeing a 4 door with the smaller bumpers before.
I think the take rate for the 4 door increased through the run, spiking in ’72 when the Torino lost the “midsize” plot and became almost as big as an LTD, and again when the gas crunch hit.
I don’t remember a 4-door Maverick in its first years either. Maybe both of us need reservations in the nursing home.
My Mom’s 4-door Maverick was a ’72, the year after this one. ’72 was the last year for “skinny” bumpers, the ’73 got Federal “Bash Beam” 5 mph bumpers in front, and the rear followed in ’74. Mom’s had the top dog six-cylinder, the 250, the next step up the ladder for engine choices is the 302 V8. The grille from a ’73 or later is a bolt-in replacement that moves the turn signals above the bumper, so they would be protected by the Bash Beam bumper, LOL! We bolted in a 200 six from a 1970 example, to replace the original motor, the 250 had less power than the 200, thanks to the anti-smog gear, and the 250 needed a rebuild anyway.
“super solid” …where the rust hasn’t eaten through. And it’s a Wisconsin car where the roads are well-seasoned with salt. This is about the first time where I’ve see the wheels be the most valuable part of the car and even that’s dicey. Thanks, but no thanks.
$4,500. Wow !! It’s scary to think that someone is going to actually buy this car
Just a simple “ring gear” keeping this Maverick off the highways and byways, and enjoying the smooth power of that 3.3 litre? And those “dual bench seats” were a rare option, too! This would be a great $500 car, to teach the kid about mechanical skills and lots of bodywork. $4500? Nah..
Most people will want to see interior and under hood photos before buying, especially at $4500.
I think some people list cars on sites like this thinking that enthusiasts will pay more for a given car, when, in reality, the opposite is true; we all know that being old doesn’t automatically make a car valuable.
Some sellers have no intention of selling, but just want to see if they get any nibbles.
I agree. The more pics available, the better. Whatever the condition of the car, we like to see what the car looks like from every angle, exterior, interior, the engine, trunk, etc. I don’t get why so few pics were taken and posted.
boy that price is a bit out of line
Not going out on a limb for this car but wouldn’t it be nice to go into a new car showroom and buy a simple car like this today?
It sure would, but those days are gone, never to return, I’m afraid. That’s the price of cleaner, safer cars, more cost and complexity. Sad, but true.
I hate to say but this person has a bad case of “cabin fever” as they are delusional. Just because a car has dual bench seats does not make it special or desirable, heck, front buckets would make it more special. Most Mavericks had front bench seats. $4500 is a complete pipe dream. And as far as the ring gear he references, it is welded to the torque converter on that, so the whole converter needs to be replaced. This asking price just adds to the definition of ‘cheese head”.
Tell me more about cheesehead definition, please.
This one needs bodywork and paint, so plan on spending big bucks to straighten it out. The right front fender has a big dent in it and the missing paint on the left rear quarter strongly suggests a panel replacement of the rear quarter panel has taken place. Given the possible hidden damage under the paint, a thorough inspection is warranted. This one would be worth more as a two-door, the four-door examples don’t get much love in the marketplace. That makes restoration a problem, as you may not recover the restoration cost at sale time! A two-door would sell for bigger money, as it’s seen as a cheaper alternative to a first-generation Mustang, the four-door, not so much. $4500 is optimistic, to be charitable, $2000 to $2500 is closer to the mark, IMHO, but GLWTS in any case.
Later examples are more desirable, despite the lower power thanks to the anti-smog gear, because they have a proper glove box and more comfortable seat belts (3-point belts) than the earlier models.
I stand corrected, a closer look at the pictures confirms that the rear quarters haven’t been painted at all, but the rest of the car has, poorly. The rear quarters are rusting out, dents abound, not just in the right front fender, but the rear valence panel as well. The trunk lock has gone A.W.O.L., as has the badge in the front grille. No pictures of the interior, inside the trunk or under the hood suggest that more gremlins are lurking elsewhere in this beater! Here be dragons! Worth a $1000 at most, and the cost of restoration will far exceed the finished value of the car. A two-door would have more value, thus be more worth saving.
I like the two-door version better. Although, this might be a good starting point. But, not at that price.
The two-door looks better, is more popular and is closer to a Mustang in both looks and size, but the four-door offers better access to the back seat. This one still has that crummy “package shelf” in place of a proper glove box, which wouldn’t show up until 1974, along with three-point seat belts.
I agree, it’s worth a grand, $1500 at most. Parts car. Those wheels alone are worth more than the rest of the car, LOL!
If this sells.. I’ll get 97k for my 72 Lemans n
250k for the60 Bonneville conv..