And now for something from the “When enough’s just right, too much is perfect” department. An economy car at heart, Ford’s Maverick was a popular one with over 290K finding first-time driveways in ’73. This seemingly innocuous example, however, is anything but reserved and way beyond Ford’s intended scope for what they referred to as their “Simple Machine”. Meridian, Idaho is where this clean, green machine parks itself, and we have Rocco B. to thank for its discovery.
Ford’s Maverick was the province of economy, making use, primarily of in-line six-cylinder, engines. The Windsor 302 CI V8 was an option too but it was a standard version of that ubiquitous motor and not a hot rod powerplant. You can imagine my surprise when I read that this Maverick had gone full-tilt with a 460 CI V8 engine. My first thought was, “No way, it will never fit” but that’s assuming retention of Ford’s trademark shock towers. Well, you can forget about those as the modified front suspension of this car now features rack and pinion steering, among other mods. OK, now I understand; I know from experience that a Ford 385 series is a physically huge engine, and short of employing whale tallow and a big shoehorn, I couldn’t see it fitting under a Maverick’s hood. The seller tells us, “Runs, drives Stops very nicely” – some of that thanks to the inclusion of four-wheel disc brakes. A C6 automatic transmission takes care of all things gear-related. Nothing is said regarding the rear axle/differential and that would be a component where I might have some concern.
Close-ups of the exterior reveal some rough paint and primer but all-in-all, this two-door coupe appears to be sound. I think the visuals could be improved with the hood and trunk lid finished to match the rest of the hue but then again, done up as is, this Ford projects a pretty rough-and-tumble vibe. Those Magnum 500 wheels are just perfect in my estimation.
The interior shows as stock and the seller mentions, “New bucket seats, door panels, and carpet.” I’d like to get a more detailed look but what can be seen looks comfortable and business-like. Bucket seats were a Maverick option but I don’t believe the units in this car are the original style. As for the floor shift, research shows that Maverick did have a three-speed manual floor shift option but all automatic transmission-equipped models in ’73 relied on a column shift arrangement.
I imagine this Maverick is a real hoot to drive though I wonder about its handling capabilities with that 700+ lb. beast of a V8 perched between its former shock towers. Those interested in this fantastic mash-up will find it here on craigslist, where it is available for $10,900. This is real hot-rodding; gotta appreciate those with a sense of adventure and the ability to make it happen, right?
This has to be a wild ride. And a good price, too. I’m seeing more and more of these Maverick’s and Comet’s getting the Coyote swap, and those are fairly wide engines as well. I like the old school FE vibe this one has.
Point of order: 460 is a “385” variant, as mentioned in the write up- not an FE.
I agree that it does have a nice old school vibe.
Looks to be nicely done.
Put a functional Grabber hood on it and call it done!
New steel Grabber hoods are available on the aftermarket if your local automotive recycling center, a.k.a. a junkyard, doesn’t have any more donor hoods for your Maverick. A link to one (1) source appears below:
https://maverickman.com/collections/maverick-specific-parts/products/ford-maverick-oem-reproduction-grabber-hood?variant=33198122827908
The same source for the steel Grabber hoods also has them in carbon fiber, at twice the price!
https://maverickman.com/collections/ford-maverick-carbon-fiber-parts/products/maverick-man-carbon-fiber-grabber-type-hood
that’s a heavy engine
Would dearly love to see that bugger go.
Yes heavier – but close.
460: 700 lbs but knock off 50 lbs for alum intake so maybe 650 lbs
Windsor 302: 440 lbs roughly, without accessories
Abt 210 lbs heavier, or weight of extra passenger up front.
Enough to matter for handling and braking.
Looks very interesting – but how about that rear end durability ?
Price seems reasonable – right ?
Lot to like.
Ford by far made the lightest of all the straight 6s – only 385 lbs! – & all cast iron yet. Imagine what the v8s do to handling & braking -espec with 4 wheel drums.
My brother recently bought a 86 T-Bird turbo coupe with a 429 very fun,well built..
Those look like Procar seats available from Summit, Jegs, etc
It,s GREAT! I want it and the price is fair. I hate it when B/F has cars like this and I can’t buy them.
I luv it..
Yes it’s heavy but who needs a date at the drag strip to loose some needed weight 😎
Seriously A sweet ride..
The Maverick is an overlooked fun car…
They sure were a lot of fun!!
So, in the pics at least….it appears to have been built right….my guess is a Ford 9 inch rear at the stern, but who knows…..to lighten, add fiberglass hood & trunk lid (not a difficult task) and a quality set of aluminum cylinder heads, and an aluminum water pump as well…..if fiberglass fenders are available add them too…..this would certainly offset the engine weight….the price is actually fair….(hard to believe)….if I recall correctly, didn’t Dyno Don run a Maverick in Pro Stock class with a huge Boss 429 under hood……..prepared right, this should be a little rocket ship……..
Here’s a source for lightweight Maverick body and interior parts:
https://maverickman.com/
I never thought or knew that so many aftermarket performance shops dedicated to just this platform existed. But with so many of them built, that does make a lot of sense.
I dig it !
I’d also back-date the bumpers to the earlier, lighter ’72 style. Wonder how long those rear tires last?
But keep the turn signals in the grille! They look better than the under-the-bumper signals on the earlier cars, are easier to see, and the bulbs are easier to change when the signals are in the grille. The 73 and later grille is a bolt-in replacement for the stock grille on the earlier cars, and the turn signal lamp sockets snap right into the reflector assemblies, there’s even enough slack in the wires that no splicing of wires is necessary! We swapped out the broken grille on our ’72 Maverick with one from a ’73, and it took me just ten minutes with a screwdriver and a socket wrench! No muss, no fuss.
Want.
It looks like someone put an aftermarket frame under this baby, so they could cut the shock towers for more clearance for the 460 big block. Most aftermarket frames also replace the standard recirculating-ball steering with a rack & pinion setup, which accounts for that very welcome change, ditto the four-wheel disk brakes. Most such swaps use a four-link solid axle setup for the rear suspension, but for the well-heeled enthusiast, an IRS option is available, to make these things actually take a corner!
Can you say understeer? Sure you can! I think I would spring for a Coyote Aluminator instead, to take some of that weight off of the nose, but I admire the craftsmanship necessary to make this happen, regardless of the engine choice. I’d also strongly consider an EFI retrofit, either TBI or port injection for that 460 in place of the four-barrel carburetor, but that’s an easy swap that can happen as time and money permit.
I wish they had some pictures of the underside of the car, though.
I’m not a huge Maverick fan, but if I was going to rock one – this would be it.
A floor shifted automatic was most definitely an option on a bucket seat equipped Maverick in 1973.
Didn’t original Mavetick/Comet bucket seats had a high rise seat back with an integral headrest? I am really liking these cars now. Too bad the driveway is just so long…
Yes, you are correct, Sir! But strangely, the bucket seats were part of the Luxury Decor Option (LDO) package, along with a floor shifter for the A/T. I don’t remember if the Grabber also got the bucket seats or not, I think they did, along with the Sprint Edition, but I am not sure.
The Sprint was only available with a bench seat. The Grabber came standard with a bench seat, buckets were an option starting on the ’71 model. No ’70 model Mavericks were available with bucket seats.
How could a $1995 ’70 maverick be available in 24! exterior colors(none grey or silver!) – but a new maverick truck in only 9 mostly drab colors? – including silver & 3!!! shades of grey. Most other “modern” vehicles are lucky to be available in more than 5 total “colors”. Sometimes you have to pay a lot more to get just 1 shade of blue or red!