Upon its introduction into the Ford lineup as a 1970 model, the base Maverick was an ideal choice for buyers seeking an efficient compact at an affordable price, and it delivered ably in this capacity until U.S. production ceased in 1977. In stock form, these cars can appear somewhat bland, but their appearance can improve significantly once a few custom touches are applied. This first-year Maverick here on Craigslist seems like excellent project material, with the potential to keep mild or go wild, or anything in between. It’s located in Nevada City, California, where the owner has posted an asking price of $4,500, and we’d like to thank reader Tony Primo for spotting this one and bringing it to our attention!
We get a pretty good history of the Maverick’s past whereabouts, as the seller tells us he purchased the car from the original owner’s nephew about five years ago. He calls it a California barn find and mentions that it’s been off the road for the last 25 years, with not one spot of corrosion that has been found yet anywhere. There is some paint fading, but the exterior appears complete, with the panels all seeming to be in great shape. Hopefully, only a minimum amount of body prep will be needed before this Ford is ready to respray in whatever color the future owner chooses.
This one originally came with a six-cylinder and a three-on-the-tree manual transmission, but plans were to change things out to something of the V8 variety. The seller has a few engines available for an extra cost, such as a running 1964 dated 289 with a C4 automatic, which can both be added to the purchase for $700 more. There are also several other parts shown among the photos, so maybe it’s worth checking everything out and perhaps putting together a package deal. Another idea is to just purchase the car only, then source whatever your heart desires elsewhere to stick under the hood!
The interior appears pretty basic, and with as much attention as will be needed to restore the front bench, it’s probably worth considering switching out for something more exciting. It’s great to see how solid the rockers and inside trunk area appear, so hopefully, the platform will be just as good, although no photos from underneath are provided. I feel this 1970 Ford Maverick is at a great starting point to transform into just about anything the buyer envisions, or keeping it a six-banger and blue is also a viable option. What would you do here?
Mike’s concluding statement is fitting: these early Mavericks can be restored to stock, or they respond particularly well to restomodding. They were very, very basic but did sport the long hood-short deck styling of the times. My small-town dealer sold quite a few of them, and as I recall, many were equipped with the same set of options (200 six cylinder, automatic, AM radio, Accent Group– which included full wheel covers and bright exterior trim–, and whitewalls).
A friend’s older sister had one, in this color…. is it Hulla Blue?
These were largely based on the Mustang-Falcon platform, so most Mustang parts will fit as bolt-ons. The 302/5.0L V8 wouldn’t be available on the option list until later, but otherwise is a bolt-in affair, with minor brackets for the transmission kick-down linkage (passing gear) needing to sourced or fabricated. You would need to do a lot more work to drop in a Coyote motor, as it wouldn’t fit between the shock towers without significant modifications.
Though it’s not inexpensive, if the body is as described and there truly is no rust the price isn’t bad.
I’d skip the engines and transmissions listed in the ad. Instead I’d look for a factory roller cam 302 preferably out of an Explorer and a later World Class T5. The tools and parts mentioned, but not shown are what I’d want to see, if they were something I could use maybe try to include them in the negotiations.
Steve R
It is Hulla Blue. I bought one new in 1969, Hulla Blue with no options at all for the amazing price of $1995.00
Thats something else. That would be 17,400 in todays dollars. At least according to the calculator I found online. There’s not much out there new for that price today.
Mrobin I also bought one in 1969 order larger 6cly 3 on tree vinal interior ww tires with wheel covers was $2200 difference with the 1970 built after Jan 1 was key moved from dash to steering column
The Pinto appeared a year later, in 1971, also advertised for the same $1995.00 base price. In 1972, the Maverick, Mustang and Pinto were all available with an optional red, white and blue color scheme called the “Sprint” option. It was white, with blue inserts and red pin striping and a USA Shield decal on the rear quarter panels with a matching interior, with white seats with blue inserts and red piping on the seats (see link below).
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/spirited-spirit-1972-ford-mustang-sprint/
Exactly what I was thinking about a later 302. I have a ’99 Explorer with the 5.0 and love it. I know where two more are for $500 a piece, hmmmm
I like that idea Steve. Mild hot rod Maverick w T5 dogleg be very cool 😎
That goes through,,,oh, this site,,,had such a nice, LONG comment about Mavericks foolishly thinking the site was fixed, and bupkis. I guess we can count on that, huh, STAFF!
Hang on there Howard. Please don’t give up. I know I like hearing from you.
Dave
No rust what do you call that on the roof? OK maybe not penetrating but still, patina maybe? I remember riding to high school in one of these, only gold . Five of us and not a short one in the bunch.
Try fitting 5 in a modern mustang or camaro.
With that empty dash, it makes no sense having the hv(ac) controls to the left of the steering column.
Judging by the sport clips on the hood the owner most likely intended to thurn it into a fuelie, which is a very nice option. I wonder if the original 6cyl was trashed (hence, no photos under the hood)?
Friends growin up had one. The dash was boring, like a Nova. Economy cars that rusted away here near Philadelphia. ( the rear splash pan was first to rust and fall off.)
Like Mustangs and Mopars. the torsion bar pockets ir frame would rust out and it was done. They had a really nice Comet too, but the frame was rusted out, when they went to get it inspected.
I have always like the body style of the early ones. I got hooked when Mom rented one for a few days. It was equipped with a 302 and a C4 transmission. It scooted pretty well. My sister bought a 6cyl. version and drove it a long time. Lowered with the wheel wells filled with tire is where these need to be in my opinion. Room under the hood for anything that you could stuff in a Mustang. Which is what it is underneath.
Do you have any pics of the underside of this car?
You should probably contact the owner on the Craigslist link provided by Mike.
Thanks Jack—
As solid as this one is said to be, though it hasn’t run in 25 years, it’s a bit pricey by about 1/2 in my opinion.
Nice project though. I’d leave the 6 in there, hop it up some and find a 4spd to back it up. Cleaned up and made road worthy this one would make a great road car. By cleaned up I’m not talking about a full paint job, just something arrest the roof rust.
But 4,500 for a non runner that will need a lot of elbow grease and lots of basic parts, plus the tow home, to get it back on the road? Nah
I’m not sure how you can “hop up” that six cylinder, the intake manifold was cast into the cylinder head! That was true for the 170, 200 and 250. The truck motors had bolt-on intakes, so there may be more options on those, but the car motors were only set up for a one-barrel carburetor!
That’s why the 302 is such a popular swap, it was available as an option from the factory, so it’s an easy swap. The 351 might also fit, but might be a little more work.
Good point. I did not know that. So then finding a 300 6 inline to drop in would be the way to go. (I’ve recently seen a lot of info about 300s.) Or find an aftermarket head and intake?
I bought a similar one nearly 40 yrs ago backed up in the corner of the fenced in lot like this one for $75. It was butterscotch colored with a vinyl top. Hadn’t been started in a couple of years. Took jumper cables, poured some gas in the carb, started it up and drove it home. The top had leprosy but mostly pressure washed off. Tuned it up and sold it to a mechanic who worked for me. He rigged up a windshield washer bottle and pump in the trunk with soapy water spraying on the right rear tire wired to a toggle switch in the car. He’d pull out of the local hangout and really impress the guys with its burnout capabilities. They all said it was the baddest 200 6 banger ever built.
This whole craigslist ad was a scam- I contacted Gold Country via phone and they said they had no such vehicle in stock—
Robert Atkinson, Jr.
Clifford Research (6=8) makes multiple carb. adapters for the Ford head/manifold combo. Weld on the carb. mounting plate and bore out the “manifold” Needless to say that the cylinder head needs to be off the engine for that surgery. “Best to include with a valve job!” I have had a couple of friends do the modification and have been pleased with the results. Also, if doing the modification to a 200 6 cylinder. Also weld in the center exhaust divider. (Common center exhaust port works better in “Individual ” mode.)
I’ve seen the Clifford intake for the four-barrel swap on the DeLorean OHC six cylinder, but not the mods for the Ford I6 engines. I don’t doubt that it’s possible, but it sounds like an awful lot of work. The 302 swap sounds much easier, but to each his own. I’ll take a look at the web page. Thanks for the tip!