The seller of this fine 1972 Ford Maverick, available here on eBay for a current bid of $6200, says two things that to many Barn Finders might not go too well together. They are “Super solid California car” and “Great for V8 swap Coyote LS; hot rod resto-mod project.” True all, but why do that to an unmolested survivor? This is a car destined for preservation, not modification. Anyway, if this is the car for you, no matter what your plans are, you’ll find it in Bowling Green, KY. The seller cautions that it isn’t Plan A to drive it home, because while apparently roadworthy, it has not seen much use in a long time.
Some people would answer the “Why change it?” question with “Because I can,” and others would point out the anemic 6-cylinder, displacing 200 cubic inches, as a candidate for displacement replacement. But at just past 53,000 miles indicated, why be in a hurry? (Note that the title has the “exceeds mechanical limits” box checked, though the current owner says it’s doubtful that this is a 150K-mile car.) Do what the seller suggests and make sure the car is fit for purpose—service the brakes, cooling system, fuel system, and other rubber/soft parts, and then head to your local DQ for a Blizzard with the kids, or friends. This is no muscle car, but it is a captive moment in history—Ford sold a lot of cars with this engine across their model lineup, and not all that many have survived.
I would gently urge a look at those wire wheel covers and a gander at the vinyl top and body side moldings. If the word “nerdy” is not stamped out by the word “cool” in your head, then you’re just not paying attention. Add to that the condition. Never (almost) has a trunk floor looked so clean. The last thing you’re going to be doing here is attacking structural rust. There are some places on the underside where surface corrosion is evident, so you might get to that. Just don’t slather the black tar on under there. Figure out what the best way is to preserve the factory look, and do that and no more.
That won’t end your efforts. There’s the chance to add value here by going under the hood with a strong detailing. Some bead blasting of components, a set of factory hoses and plug wires, possibly an engine repaint (at least of the valve cover and breather cover), some stickers, and this engine will have you singing the “Rebuilt about 2,000 miles ago” song. No wait. That’s a joke. Don’t do that (but tell me you’ve heard it standing curbside looking at a potential purchase about a million times). The paint itself could be inspected for damage—the seller says the original finish is good but he offers a long list of flaws, probably just covering his bases—and possibly buffed or touched up. If you get to a repaint someday, great, but what’s there is what Ford sprayed on a wintry day in the early 1970s (guessing), and that topcoat you should probably leave alone for the time being. They’re only original once, but a car can be restored any old time. This one doesn’t desperately need it, so maybe just drive for a while and appreciate your bit of history.
This would draw more attention than ANOTHER 69 Mach 1, 69 Camaro, 70 Chevelle, 69 Road Runner, etc., etc. I have a friend who has a 65 Mustang 6 cylinder, 3 speed which ALWAYS draws a crowd…might it be that the engine is bone stock, except for the fact that he utilized sweated, polished copper tubing for some of the engine piping?! There are some other subtle custom touches as well.The MAJORITY of cars sold back in the day were NOT fire beathing, 0-60 muscle machines, but were like this Maverick! GLWTA!! :-)
I’m right there with you Brian K. This car is set for some minor clean-up and upgrades, then enjoy it for what it is. It is an example of the “my ________ (fill in the blank) had one just like this, except it was ______ ” conversations— because “everyone” did have one, and most were six-cylinders just like this example. It is actually very nicely trimmed for its day.
227ci ..3.7L Cyclone 🌀 V6 powertrain, would be a nice surprise for this older Maverick. 🐎
This car makes me wish I had the time and money for all the projects I would like to do.
Not a big fan of 6 cylinder FoMoCo powerplants, but like others I would leave this one alone. Doubtful it has 150K miles without being a Smokey Joe, must be either correct miles or re-ringed. Figures the cars that are least of interest are the closest to me (I live 45 minutes south).
Just had to put that DQ Blizzard into my head?!!! Nice runaround car though. Too plain Jane for me but for someone with memories definitely nice.
Knee-knocker air conditioning. It’s nice to see one so clean, but it’ll always be a boring, barely adequately powered car. That said, I hope it finds a good home where it’s preserved and enjoyed. Most of these rotted away or were run into the ground as a cheap, throw-away commuter.
My dad had a ’75 Maverick as his company car back in the day. You just don’t see these much anymore.
It’s too nice to do anything to it, other than addressing its issues, and keeping it stock. I’d buy it.
My father had one as well. Lime green exterior paint (a.k.a. Anti-Establish Mint )with a “matching” dark green vinyl roof and dark green vinyl interior.
Those 1970 Maverick colors had awesome names.
Occasionally today there is a cool color name; Ford’s “Area 51” is both an interesting name and color.
I’ll settle for a 300- I6 swap it’s already got air conditioning!
I like the ultra-fancy versions of old economy cars. This one looks like it has the “luxury decor” option which included bucket seats, various trim upgrades plus that vinyl roof —all for $421 (about 3k in our dollars). Add A-C ($362/$2600) and you had the Cadillac of Mavericks. Or the Lincoln, I guess. And it cost about the same as a stripped down Torino.
Where do all these LDO coupes come from?
I’d always thought the LDO package was reserved for 4-door sedans just like the Grabber was coupe-only.
On the 1972 and 1973 “Armchair Estimators” I was able to find online, it doesn’t indicate the LDO was sedan only; just that certain trim features were limited to the sedan.
I’ve seen on YouTube that 300 I6 make 450 hp what more can you want?
Different engine family. The Maverick I6 has a head with an integral intake manifold. Hard to modify.
Check out Vintage Inlines for performance parts. They make an alloy head and lots of other parts for these engines. I would love to see it with a hopped up six. Dare to be different!
These were chick cars back in the day but I’d like to have it now.
one of my favorite cars I wish I still had was an early 1970 Maverick.
assembled in calendar year ’69, it had the ignition switch under the dash (not on steering column) and 14″ wheels with full wheel covers, not 13s.
Grass green with black/white plaid seats, it had the smallest 6 available and 3-on-the-tree.
bought it in late ’72, paid $1100 + my 64 Rambler wagon trade-in.
payments were $36/month.
drove the hell out of it, including pulling a u-haul trailer from OH to FL.
sold it for $300 in ’75. :-(
The in-line six was the engine that really got America rolling. The Model T put it on wheels; but the Chevrolet six made motoring civilized.
In its late years…meaning the 1970s and later…the six was looked down on. But we forget, it was the first mass-produced auto engine that was inherently perfectly balanced. Also, balancing an ease of service – rather than fighting the wings of a V engine to access plugs or peripherals, in sometimes-difficult installations.
If the engine is healthy, I’d leave it in. I’ve seen, online, some in-line FI throttle-body kits come out; that might be better than dealing with the emissions carbs that this generation came with. Perhaps, even, a bit more power.
Love these, just pining for a Grabber. Still, it has that same appeal as a Ford Escort.
200 6 is a great engine. Very durable, fairly economical, and has enough power to get out of it’s own way. Bucket seats are a nice touch, but the color looks a little off…maybe out of a Comet? I’d be on the lookout for a Grabber hood. Great entry level car that can function well as a daily driver, if needed. 👍🏻
Oh, you love Escorts too? Awesome!
Mom’s 1972 4-door sedan was comparable, but her’s didn’t have a/c and had then next step up on the engine option list, the 250 I6. The bucket seats were definitely part of the Luxury Decor Option (LDO), but I don’t know if they could be ordered as a stand alone option or not, since I thought that the LDO included a console with a floor-shifted transmission, either the four-speed manual or the C4 three-speed automatic transmission. I never cared for the Ford six-cylinder engine family though, with the exhaust manifold cast into the cylinder head. The Ford truck engines (300 cubic-inch I6) had bolt-on exhaust manifolds, only the car engines (170/200/250) sixes had the exhaust manifolds cast into the cylinder head!
It was the intake manifold that was part of the engine casting, not the exhaust. Back in the day there was a kit for adding two more carburetors to each end of that integral intake, making for a tri carb setup. It required removal of the head for the required machine work.
Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa! I knew one of the manifolds was cast into the head, but couldn’t remember which one. I guessed and got it wrong! My Bad! Well, you know what they say, when you get old, the memory is the first thing to go, LOL! Now if I can just remember where I put my keys…
These Maverick’s are starting to increase in price. And I’m seeing them show up on the local drag strips, more frequently. Soon, they’ll be in Mustang territory. Buy ’em now, if you can find them cheap.
Wait Big C, you think these Mavs will get as pricey as Mustangs? Our compadre up in cheeseland thinks all interested parties will be dead in short order, leaving all these 60s and 70s cars orphaned.
I have no answers, only questions.
Maybe so. I don’t think us old guys are posting our antics on the streets and the local drag strips on the You’s Tubes.
I think you are right.
When Ford made the switch to V-6 engines in the U.S. back in the 80’s Australia continued making this engine and it would evolve into the Barra, a DOHC 4 valve powerhouse. Google it if you haven’t heard about the Barra.
Yet another example of what could have been if all of that money the “Big Three” had spent on lawyers to fight the Government regulations had been spent on meeting the regulations and improving the products instead! Instead of fighting the rules, have the engineers get busy, and look what they can accomplish! Our Aussie cousins proved it. Well Done!
I love the LDO trim on the small bumper 72 car. This must be 1st year for LDO. Mist that I remember had the big bumpers that started in 73. They still looked good but this one looks much better. Sweet original car!!! Enjoy it as it is…
LOL identical to my first car I bought in “77” for 500.00 bucks, ah yes the good old days!
It’s ready for the 302 swap.just what i did with my 70′ maverick 2dr.it was the only year with no v8 option.These are light cars and adding a 275-300hp+ 302 will make this a rocket.with a little shock tower fab a 351w or Boss 302 will fit as well.it is the same engine bay as a pre-67 mustang.
My parents had a 1970 with a 250 ci engine. Plenty peppy as the early cars were pretty light. It was an antique gold color called “Freudian Guilt”. It had a brown vinyl top.
Nice little car, I really like it. I think some of you are under-estimating how this six cylinder car would perform. It’s not a tire burner but would have plenty of power to be a pleasant driver. If you are thinking about that Coyote swap that was mentioned in the article you better look at the under hood pic, as well as the bottom pic. Notice how little space there is between the spring towers and that will give you an idea of how much effort it would take. It can be done but it’s a little too complicated for the average home hot-rodder.