UPDATE 3/26/17 – Angel has decided to lower his asking price to $13k.
FROM 2/18/17 – Could this be the nicest Maverick in existence? It went through a four year restoration which was finished a year ago and has only covered about 500 miles since. It’s nicer than new and there’s a good story behind how it got that way. We’ll let Angel tell it in his own words…
My friend and business partner went on a trip to Oregon and found this car back in 2013. He purchased it and brought it down to San Diego to restore for his Father. His Father had owned a blue four-door Maverick back in the seventies. He had always wanted a two-door Maverick, but being a family man, his wife won.
My friend’s father was a auto mechanic for over 60 years and is still very active at the age of 90. So, they decided to restore the Maverick and turn it into his daily driver! They literally took the whole car apart and did a complete nut and bolt restoration from the ground up. The car was put on a rotisserie so underneath looks like new. The paint was redone better than factory and all the chrome was renewed.
The 302 V8 engine and automatic transmission where rebuilt and they installed an extra large aluminum radiator with electric auxiliary fan. A completely new exhaust system went underneath. The brakes were completely redone with new parts and the suspension got new shocks, bushings, etc. A new A/C compressor was even installed so now the air conditioner blows nice and cold!
The interior was completely redone with the front and rear seats reupholstered in leather! There’s a new headliner, carpeting, and Dynamat was added to the floors and side panels including the trunk area. New tires were mounted with a matching spare in the trunk. Countless hours went into this Maverick. Unfortunately, by the time they finished the project my friend’s father no longer felt comfortable driving.
The car was then offered to my friend’s daughter, but she wanted a modern car, so the decision was made to sell the car and use the money for a family trip to Spain. It runs and drives excellent and will make someone an excellent daily driver.
This marvelous Maverick is located in Chula Vista, California and the seller would like to get $18,000 $13,000. That price may seem high, but it would be near impossible to build one this nice for less. Just take a look at those seats! For reference, a less tastefully restored one just sold for almost $16k on eBay. If you are interested in owning what is most likely the nicest Maverick around, you can contact Angel using the form below.
I can appreciate the amount of work that went into this. Unfortunately, unless the car in question is particularly rare or desirable, it’s unlikely to recover the cost of a nut and bolt restoration. But you never know, it only takes one buyer to make a sale!
Agree. Considering what else is available in the $18M range, you gotta wanna Maverick to pay that kind of money for one.
Yup, have to agree. Really nicely done resto and kudos to the folks that did the work. I hope they find someone interested in it that can give them the kind of money they’re looking for as you couldn’t replicate it for that much money.
It looks like a top line restored Maverick.With a 302 Auto and air should help bring close to the price. It is probaly worth it but not a collector but it just takes one buyer and who knows there are probably more than just a few interested buyers.
Wow that’s a nice looking Maverick. It looks like it’s had some serious upgrading from OE. I don’t think they ever made a Maverick with upholstery like that. I’d be very proud to have this one in my stable!
The original bucket seat upholstery was just like this except it was vinyl.
As Mom said, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything…so I’ll be silent. Except that it is a very well restored car.
But you still had to leave a comment. Momma should have slapped you more.
His point is well taken. Anyone with an ounce of sense would say the same thing. That said…….people are obviously free to restore and spend any amount of money they wish on whatever car they wish. That doesn’t mean that others won’t shake their heads and go whoa!
But he said something nice. Maybe “Joe Momma” should slap you for not paying attention!
It’s great to see a car like this restored to this level. It doesn’t always need to be about the value or return on investment.
This is a really nice old Maverick, it’s too bad that the dad is not comfortable driving it. I’d drive it to cruise night proudly and I’m more of a GM guy. I hope that we don’t end up with the “Junk then, Junk now comment” there was some love put into this one.
ok first off it needs redlines not the thin white stripe tires – that granted – were in vogue at the time this was new.
second of all this is and always will be a maverick. i agree the restoration looks top notch but i have to ask – why? i know someone had a 4 door and always wanted a 2 door but, whew, the time (free) and the cost to restore this make it a simple labor of love.
with luck there is one person out there who has always wanted a brand spanking new white, 2 door, maverick with a v8 and automatic.
glws. if you can afford the trip to spain on the sale that would be a memory.
Man, this car is over the top. I don’t think it was this nice new. Again, same old thing playing out all across the land, what to do with dad’s cherished classic? The market just isn’t there for this car. ( I know, I sound like Rick Harrison) It’s a nice car, but limited appeal, you have to admit, it is a basic car, aside from the V8. I haven’t been overseas much ( and have no desire to, except maybe England) but I’m sure it costs a fortune and sadly, I don’t think the eventual sale of this car will cover the trip.
•Nissan Versa S Sedan: $12,780. …
•Chevrolet Spark LS is $12,995. …
•Smart ForTwo Pure: $13,240. …
•Ford Fiesta S: $13,995. …
•Kia Rio LX: $14,350. …
•Ford Fiesta S Hatchback: $14,995
These are new car prices of today for econo boxes.
It probably cost more than anyone of these to restore the Maverick.
While the new ones in a crash would be safer.
A V8 in a Maverick would be more fun!
Thats why anyone with any sense buys used cars :)
Super nice job restoring this but like others have said 18K for a Maverick is pushing the limits on the collector car money. Good luck to the seller and I wouldn’t mind this in my garage but unfortunately not at 18K.
I am very impressed that a son would do this for his father. It says a lot about both of them. But the moral of the story for me is not to wait too long to get your dream car. It’s later than you think.
I will take a discounted new Nissan Versa S for under 10 grand, Thanks!
I looked at a 75 Maverick in pee green back in 2002 with only 8000 original miles. They wanted $3200 for it. I was almost ready to pull the trigger at $2400 if they really wanted to let it go. That steering spun and spun, like a over boosted Cadillac.
One little dent from their aunt taking it to church one day before acquiring it upon her passing away earlier in the year. The AC blew, but needed refrigerant.
I can see $4000. Due to it being another 10 years of fewer nice ones around. But that needs to be a special buyer that really wants a Maverick.
$18k should buy a garaged for life Grabber model with 500 ORIGINAL miles on it.
I know I cannot tap “Crack Pipe Price”; but if I could I would.
It’s super nice. They did an awesome job on restoration. But realistically, it’s a just a super nice Ford Maverick.
compared to a new car i would buy this it has great quality and will ruin forever but one thing is i dont ever remember seeing one tih a floor shifter.
Looks like a really nice car and I’d much rather have it than anything new for the same money.
I also noticed it has a proper, period correct, Pioneer Supertuner cassette stereo under the dash, I really wanted one of those back around the time this car was new.
As usual I am odd guy out, or in this case in. Sure its allot of money, its the only one. Yes you can’t flip it, so what? Can’t you just like something and say WTF, this cool I want it, and it would cost me more than that to build one. So again WTF go for it, and enjoy. I honestly think there is more than one person besides me that feels that way, and unlike me has the money to do it, and love doing it!
I agree 100%, and if it was a Studebaker and I had the money I’d jump on it (a nice Lark type wouldn’t be worth that much either, but you couldn’t build one for $18k either).
I agree as well, sometimes I think people put too much thought into what something is worth or what other people think, who cares what others think, I bet you would be the only one with a Maverick on cruise night.
It’s a wonderful, pretty, quick, basic, reliable time machine that many folks are too young to ever have seen. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about whether it was a smart expenditure. Doesn’t matter a bit. Just applaud the peoples’ tenacity to do it nicely, the thought that went into it and let someone enjoy another lifetime in it. Our cruisers here would be excited if it showed up.
Does everything have to be valuable in an appraisal sense, or can we just enjoy beautifully redone vehicles from an age that’ll never come back?
I agree. I think it’s a lot nicer than many other collector cars that are priced as high or higher. The market will get better too. This will be very collectible one day. It’s a great looking car. Look at what happened to the old Broncos. They used to bring in 6K in excellent condition bow they bring 50K. The early falcons have jumped in value too. There are a lot of us that started driving in the 1970’s that relate to these cars.
Well said. The collector car market is fickle. Betting on the come that a car is going to increase in value is a crap shoot. There are better places to invest your money to get a good return. The future owner should be someone who had a similar Maverick in the past and want to relive it or always wanted one but missed the opportunity. Hopefully the new owner won’t be so taken with the pristine condition that he or she is reluctant to drive it. One of the small pleasures in life is seeing a car like this pass by. I always give the driver the thumbs up.
I really hope that this sells, and that the seller gets his asking price. There is far more to this car than just metal and glass. This is a restoration for all of the right reasons. It has been done with love in the heart, not dollar signs in the head.
… or a really nice Porsche 944, or even a 928, for the same or less $$$$
If I was in the market I would totally buy this one for the ask. I love the front shock-tower “strut” pressing.
I’ve never seen a shock tower brace quite like this one. Man that is heavy duty.
It was made that way to clear the power brake booster.
Put some magnum 500s on it at least. Love the Maverick styling.
You know, John, you may be on to something. Magnum 500’s look good on anything, and could (relatively) cheaply transform this from a stodgy Maverick, to a cool looking car.
http://classiccarsmark.com/images/full/1974-ford-maverick-2door-v8-automatic-1.jpg
I’m with you on that or a set of period correct wheels — I also wonder if you could retrofit the earlier (smaller) bumper setup — that would help the looks a bunch.
Fitting earlier bumpers was my first thought when I saw the pics…I’d also like to see the Magnum wheels, some better heads, intake, carb, headers…then I’d be close to the asking price!
I’d say 10,000 would be more realistic. Since the modern ecoboxs cost more.
Mavericks are too common back when I was a kid in the 1970’s. Nice to know that their is a small market for them…. but I am still suffering from sticker shock from that E…..
Beautiful … just beautiful.
The nicest example of a Maverick I’ve seen in a very long time. It’s obvious that the seller put a lot of love and care in the restoration. A very desirable color combination. I don’t believe that the pattern of the seat coverings are original, but I like these better. And if I’m not mistaken, I feel that the seats are covered in leather, not good ol’ “final vinyl”. I would feel comfortable flying out to the left coast, and driving this Maverick back to Indiana. A head turner, for sure.
I’m pretty sure they were leather from the factory too. I had a neighbor growing up that Had the high zoot Mercury Comet with the same seats. They had a higher headrest too. I remember the carpet was very thick too, almost shag.
If they put it on Barrett Auctions they might get that kind of dough.
Sweet lookin’ ride. Great job guys. I had a “73 Comet, bought new for $3.200 CDN. and drove it for 12 yrs. Hope you find a buyer.
I know I am WAY late to the party but I felt compelled to at least throw out a “Job well done, job WELL done” to the Father / Son duo that built this vehicle!!!!! As others have said, it’s NOT always about the money! Unfortunately in this case, it is about the timing!! It is not something I would ever own but I can tell you that if I were to ever purchase a vehicle in need of restoration, I could only be so Blessed to find someone with half the attention to detail, that these guys have!!! In fact, I would probably reach out to them and see if I could talk them into it?!?!
I have not read forward, so I don’t know if there is an “ending” awaiting me, but no matter, I truly hope you guys get what you want from this beautifuly redone vehicle!!!!
Heck, they oughta keep it and at least take dad for a drive in it every so often.
Sadly, the line ” The car was then offered to my friend’s daughter, but she wanted a modern car”,,, pretty much says it all. Older folks remember, these were ok cars, ( most were beaters we drove while our nice car was inside) certainly not for this price, or anywhere close, honestly, and the young don’t want it. I think there’s a lesson to be learned here, if you are going to pour thousands into a restoration, and not a sentimental restoration, like this, make it a car that people want, a certain 396 Chevelle, comes to mind. Cars like this have limited appeal, and I doubt they will get half of what they’re asking. Others just don’t have the connection the dad had.
For most kids to think it is cool it would have to have a zoom zoom muffler and a coffee can sized tail pipe and 20 some inch wheels 🙅
Don’t forget the obnoxious boom boom stereo.
I agree with every word of this….but at the same time, I can see some dad in 1970 saying with disgust, “For most kids to think that Road Runner is cool, it would have to have Cragars, 60 series white letter tires and Thrush mufflers”.
However, I despise 20 inch “spinning center” wheels as much as anyone here.
I never had a connection to this kind of car, yet I can certainly see me putting this kind of money into this car if the situation was right. It perfectly exemplifies an era of automobiles that will never come again, the car is very scarce in this condition, and it’s a good, honest car that requires you to drive it. . .not just aim it in living room comfort. It’s a wonderful, unpopular, unloved, unvalued time machine. And I would love it.
It seems to me that Mavericks appeal mostly to people who owned them back in the day. My uncle had several, including an early Grabber with a V8 and 3-speed stick. A neighbor had a small fleet of them, as well. This one has been thoughtfully and thoroughly over-restored, and it deserves a home with someone who will appreciate it. Good luck!
This Maverick is in incredible condition to say the least. My hat is off to the father and son. It’s my understanding that Ford never offered a factory 302 4-speed, only a 3-speed stick as the post above by CCFisher regarding his uncle seems to indicate. It was common to convert them to a 4-speed though. A non-Grabber Maverick with a 302 3-speed stick was featured on here not too long ago that was out in OR I believe. I think to bring any big money it would take a factory 302 3-speed stick Maverick as they are pretty uncommon today.
What’s the value of the time spent between father & son on a project like this? Priceless!
I think any car in this condition would be worth north of $10k. I had a Grabber years ago, and found it to be a very good driving car. They were very similar to the older Mustang’s ( before they became over sized and over weight ). Too bad I’m not in the market just now.
I myself would rather buy a nice unrestored anything. 1975 was not a good year for American autos, period. I see this car as a sentimental purchase for someone who remembers owning or seeing one back then. This one surely needs to be un-frumped with the magnum wheels etc. Gotta love that Supertuner!!
I wish my car looked like this! In all reality, I think with all the money spent on this, go for it!
gorgeous! are the inside doors supposed to be blue? looks a lil strange to me?
It wasn’t unknown to have warm and cool tones on the same vehicle. It wasn’t done much – we don’t do it now for the most part, but it does make it period-interesting. Although I’m an AMC guy through and through, this car is becoming more appealing to me with each passing day.