Ford introduced the Maverick compact five years to the day after the Mustang pony car. Destined to replace the aging Falcon, the Maverick sold in big numbers, too, and also had a sporty flair. But it was purely an econobox that was first advertised at just $1,995. The seller has a 1973 2-door coupe, which used the same body as the rest of the 1970-77 run. It’s been treated to a V8 swap, but that wasn’t done recently, and more work is needed for a daily driver. Located in Bremerton, Washington, this interesting project is available here on craigslist for $3,700. Another great tip from the prolific tipster, “Curvette”!
Because the Maverick was a “cheap wheels” car, you don’t see many as survivors today. A Grabber edition with a 302 cubic inch V8 would have been the one to have. The seller has a Plain Jane ’73 Maverick that originally had an inline-6 and an automatic transmission. The seller says the I-6 was a 240 CI motor, but that would have been a truck engine, so maybe a 200 CI was more likely. Whatever the case, a 302 V8 from 1968 sits under the hood now and was installed using a proper swap kit. Because of its vintage, the engine chosen wasn’t encumbered by the emissions controls that plagued a 1973-era V8. The compression ratio is higher, so the output is also greater.
The goal with the swap may have been to create a lightweight muscle car, as some goodies were added with the exchange. The 302 has a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, aluminum intake manifold, and HEI ignition. At 169,000 miles, the C4 automatic could be original to the Maverick. The parts are included for a custom dual exhaust system that the buyer can take care of. The column shift linkage is a bit funky, so the seller says converting to a floor shifter would be advised.
Patina is prevalent in the car’s presentation, and the seller replaced the clunky cowcatcher 1973 front bumper with the slim version used in 1970-72. There is a bit of rust, but not bad for its 52 years. While no interior photos are offered, the seller says the front bench seat “desperately” needs replacing. It’s likely the V8 transformation was done some time ago, and the car was used little, if at all, since then. Mavericks don’t have the collector status of Mustangs, but perhaps this one has potential because of the work done thus far.
A great project at pretty decent price though one might like to look underneath first just to be certain. It’s had some lifesaving attention, it appears, so a little love and hard work will make this all the better.
GLWTS
Should have left the suds on her. But, for $3700? That’s almost free, in today’s outrageous pricing.
Im pretty sure 73 had big bumpers?
Look at front pics ,skinny bumper on big bumper car
That is not a 1973.
The text in the posting stated that the big federal bumpers were replaced with the earlier thin bumpers from an earlier 1970-72 model. A close look at the pictures confirms this, as the large gap between the bumper and the grille is because the filler panel for the Federal bumpers wouldn’t fit the contour of the older bumpers, so the owner just left the gap filler panel off of the car. It gives the car a somewhat awkward appearance, as the large gap and ill fitting lower valance panel look strange without the “Bash Beam” bumpers! It makes the car look like it has a severe underbite, without a chin, LOL!
The fix is to fit the gap filler panel and lower valence panel from a 1970-72 example, but keep the later grille-mounted turn signals, as they are brighter and look better than the turn signals from the older models.
I usually don’t like engine swaps…unless they’re “period correct,” something an enthusiast could have done when the car was new or near new. If you’re going to hotrod a 1973, do what you could have done in, say, 1975. This matches that requirement.
There are two sets of wheels on the car in the photographs. One set has dog dish presumably steel wheels. The other wheels are custom but not of that era. Put some Torq Thrust wheels on it with Polyglas or Wide Oval on it.
A four-speed swap would be necessary and bucket seats, but don’t worry about a center console swap-in.
And regarding the bumpers. The Maverick didn’t get them until 1974.
1973 Mavericks had a bigger front bumper than prior years, but only about half as massive as the bumpers (both front and rear) on the ’74s and later.
So, the ’73 Maverick bumper design was for one year only.
This could well be a ’73, but retrofitted with the first model-year bumper profile.
If you want to be period correct, get a set of bucket seats from a Maverick or Comet with the Luxury Decor Option (LDO). I think they were the same seats from a Mercury Capri, so you might find them in one of those as well.
Curbside Capsule: 1974 Ford Maverick – Peak Bumper – Curbside Classic https://share.google/oSoAeug4iNNsmMGzz
“US Federal Safety Standard FMVSS-215 went into effect on September 1, 1972 (a Friday, in case you were curious). This standard mandated that all vehicles be able to take an impact from a 5 mph crash barrier on the front (2.5 mph on the rear) without sustaining any damage to safety, lighting, or fuel system components. In 1974, this standard was further amended to raise the rear impact requirement to 5 mph. So began the era of 5 mph bumpers.”
Ad mentions that the heavy bumper was replaced with an older skinnier one. Seller is also including the old front grill that does not have the large turn signals.
This is basically an unfinished project that comes with some of the parts to complete it. Seller also mentions that some parts are included to convert to a floor shift because the column shift does not work correctly.
Looks like a 1972 . Seems like a cheap project here. If it was a Mopar they would want 5 times as much
hats off to another craigslist ad loaded with good pics of everything on the car. great job! NOT
I have seen a number of these turned into pretty hot looking cars. The body line is very nice and definitely amenable to customizing.
Great that front bumper was changed. How about the rear bumper? 4 or 5 lug?
Great that front bumper was changed. 4 or 5 lug?
The seller’s CL states he changed out the front bumper/ grill to the older type…it looks like the valance needs to be changed as well.
I was always a fan of the Maverick/ Comet. My neighbor buddy would get a new one every weeknight when we were growing up as his dad was a wheel at the local Ford plant. When it was a Grabber or GT, we would be all over them or take them down the road for a short drive at 13-15 years old.
I wish i had room for it!
C’mon guys! Read the article. Clearly stated that the front bumper was swapped.
It’s a beater with a heater (maybe) it’s really inconsequential as to whatever engine swap was done..
Can’t honestly understand why anyone would care about what isn’t original equipment…
That said..
It’s twin beat out (by a fairly large margin) a Chevy Luv, S-10 pickup and a police Crown Vic in multiple categories when judged to be the best beater for an 18 year old.
I’ve owned and currently own some pristine vintage cars and motorcycles and a couple beaters that come out to play from behind the barn that remind me of my days long ago when all I owned were barely legal beaters.
Here’s the beater showdown:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e2kNB-nXg8A
Bumpers were changed. Read the changes on Craigslist post.
Loved mine, door panels were the first thing to go back east can really take it’s toll!
I had a ’73 which was hit on passenger front. Replaced the apron and other assorted parts. The one year bumper was a tough bone-yard find around 1980. I imagine much tougher at this late date. They looked good compared to the ’74 and up versions. It was a good car.
The grille swap was a popular backyard upgrade, as the post-1973 grilles were easier to find than the 1970-72 examples, simply because they made more of them with the big bumpers. The turn signals in the grille were brighter and easier to see that when they were mounted below the bumper from 1970 to 1972. It’s an easy bolt-in swap. We did it on my Mom’s 1972 Maverick when the original grille was damaged in an accident. It took me less than ten (10) minutes to do the job, with nothing more than a socket wrench and a Phillips-head screwdriver back in the day!
i had a ’65 Custom sedan with a 240, so not just for trucks
This one could have a 250 in it, as that was the biggest six-cylinder you could get before stepping up to the V8. The 170 was standard, with 200 optional in the first year (1970), the 250 and 302 V8 came later. As the emissions rules began to bite harder and the power output of all engines declined across the board, the 170 was dropped, the 200 became the base engine and the 250 was the upgrade path before you had to pay big dollars for the V8. Mom’s car had the 250. All of the sixes used in the cars (170, 200, 250) had the intake manifold cast as part of the cylinder head, the truck sixes (240, 300) had bolt-on intake manifolds.
So many people commenting about the bumper without reading the ad. Disappointing. If we expect the authors to research the cars they feature, how can we comment without doing due research?