Cheap V8: 1973 Ford Maverick

The problem with project builds is that they sometimes take on a life of their own. The stack of invoices grows taller as costs spiral out of control. However, this 1973 Ford Maverick could be worth a close look. It features an upgraded V8 under the hood, and the price is undeniably affordable. It still needs plenty of work, but the tasks generally don’t appear to be beyond the abilities of a competent person in a home workshop. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting the Maverick listed here on Craigslist in Bremerton, Washington. The seller set their price at $2,800 for this promising project.

Ford introduced the Maverick in 1970 as its compact model. Based on the Falcon underpinnings, it remained on sale until 1977. Our featured 1973 example is the more desirable two-door Sedan variant, ordered by its first owner in Medium Copper. To say it looks tired is an understatement; the paint has a distinctly matte appearance. There are also a few chips and marks, meaning that a cosmetic refresh will be high on the buyer’s list of priorities. The panels are straight, although the seller notes ripples in the roof. They suspect a child may have walked across that area, because there’s no evidence of other accident damage. While they aren’t specific, they state that the car has minimal rust. Depending on its location, well-crafted patches may be all that is required to ensure the car is rock-solid. The seller retrofitted an earlier front bumper, giving the car a more elegant appearance. Some remaining trim pieces require replacement, but the glass is clear.

The first owner ordered this Maverick powered by the 250ci six, developing 88hp and 196 ft/lbs of torque. They teamed the motor with a three-speed automatic transmission, providing an adequate driving experience. Things have changed significantly since the car rolled off the line, because its engine bay houses a 302ci V8. It is not a 1973-vintage motor producing a factory-quoted 140hp and 235 ft/lbs of torque. The 302 is a pre-emission powerplant featuring 9.5:1 compression. Therefore, the performance gains will be significant. It appears that the installer upgraded the transmission to a C4, while the car also features an 8½” rear end and five-lug wheels. The seller hasn’t coaxed the V8 to life in around five years because, with the exhaust ending at the headers, she definitely disturbed the peace. However, it sounded perfect the last time it fired up, so its revival shouldn’t be difficult. Other tasks await the buyer, including sorting the automatic shifter and completing the exhaust installation with the supplied parts. The list will undoubtedly grow, but it appears that the new owner will start their build from solid foundations.

The seller’s two interior images confirm that the car won’t score many show trophies in its current form. It is begging for a retrim because the Brown vinyl is well beyond salvation. The pad is badly cracked, and the carpet is tired. A carpet set will cost approximately $170, but the pad will lighten the buyer’s wallet by around $430. They could follow the DIY approach with a product like Polyvance, but throwing a cover over it would hide the problem for considerably less. The door cards themselves look okay, so the buyer could recover those for a few dollars, which is an option worth considering. A complete faithful retrim could prove quite expensive, but a hands-on approach would cost considerably less and feel quite rewarding.

I’m a realist, and acknowledge that this 1973 Ford Maverick won’t appeal to everyone. Whipping it into shape will require hours of dedication, but if the rust is as minor as the seller suggests, it could be an excellent DIY project. They float the idea of father/son involvement, and tackling the refurbishment that way would be a great bonding exercise with tangible benefits at the end. The price is undeniably affordable, but is that enough to tempt you to pursue this Maverick further?