Guys, here are the
real facts on Mavericks, broken down by year:
"Early" 1970 cars: These are known as "1969.5" Mavericks by enthusiasts, though are technically 1970 model year cars as indicated by the VIN. These cars were the first Mavericks built beginning in April of 1969 through the fall of 1969. These very early Mavericks are easily identifiable by the ignition switch being located on the package tray with a steering column similar to '69 Mustangs. These cars were available with I6's and 3 speed manual or C4 automatic transmissions. All of these cars have 7.5 rearends and 4 wheel drums.
"Late" 1970: The ignition switch was relocated to the steering column. Again, these cars were available with the 170/200/250 I6's only. Some of the very late 70's had 8 inch rearends, while most had 7.5 rearends. All 69.5/70 cars were 4 lug. The Grabber option became available in 1970 also, though these cars lacked bucket seats and the famous Grabber hood, they simply had stripes on the sides and hood.
1971: The 302
2v became an option in 1971. The Grabbers received the Grabber hoods with the scoops, along with bucket seats. A 3 speed manual or C4 was available, column shift or floor shift. The V8 cars were 5 lug, while the I6 cars remained 4 lug. All cars from 1971 and on had 8 inch rearends, regardless of engine or number of lugs. 4 doors became available in 1971. 1971 was also the first year of the Comet, and the Comet GT.
1972: Basically the same as '71, with minor differences such as the upholstery on the Grabber bucket seats. The Maverick Sprint was available in 1972, which had a unique red white and blue color scheme. '72 is the only year for the Sprint.
1973: Starting in 1973, the front bumper increased in size slightly due to government safety standards. The rear bumper remained the same size, but was moved out slightly with modified bumper brackets. The Grabber hood was no longer a part of the Grabber option. The glove compartment dash was introduced as a running change mid way through the 1973 model year. Early production 73's have the early style package tray, while late 73's have the glove box. All Mavericks and Comets from 1973 onwards are 5 lug, regardless of what engine they have.
1974: The bumpers increased in size for the second time. Both front and rear bumpers were much larger. The Grabber spoiler was not longer part of the Grabber option. Front disc brakes became optional in 1974 for the first time.
1975: This IS the last year of the Grabber option. From 1975 on, all Mavericks and Comets had catalytic converters.
1976: The Grabber is no longer available. The Maverick Stallion became available. The Maverick Stallion was only available in 1976. Factory 302/3 speed manual Stallions are considered extremely rare. Power assisted front disc brakes are standard on all 76 Mavericks and Comets.
1977: The last year the Maverick was produced in the United States. The Stallion was no longer available, and as mentioned, the Grabber hadn't been available since 1975.
Some quick facts:
- The Maverick was NEVER available with any V8 other then the 302 2v. NO Maverick every rolled out of the factory with a 4 barrel carb, there were no other options, if you wanted a V8 Maverick you got the 302 2v engine and that's it.
- The Boss 302 was NEVER available in a Maverick from Ford, and the cars could not be special ordered that way, period.
- The three speed manual and C4 automatic transmissions are the only two transmissions ever available. There was NEVER a 4 speed manual available as an option, and no Maverick could be special ordered with one.
- The 8 inch rearend and 7.5 inch rearends were the ONLY rearends available in a Maverick. The 9 inch was NEVER an option, and you could not special order a Maverick with one. The only gear ratio's ever available in Mavericks were 2.79:1, 2.83:1 ('70 models only), and 3.00:1. Those are the ONLY rearend ratio's available, and you could not special order a Maverick with any ratio other then those.
- Grabbers and Comet GT's were appearance packages only, they were mechanically exactly the same as any other Maverick or Comet.
- ALL Mavericks and Comets, regardless of year, engine, or options, had single exhaust. A factory dual exhaust was never available, period.
- Mavericks and Comets were built at 4 different plants: Wayne, Michigan (VIN code W), Dearborn, Michgian (code F), St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (code X), and Kansas City, MO (code K). The majority were built in Canada or Kansas City, though the Michigan cars are pop up every now and then, with Dearborn being the fewest and farthest between.
- The 3rd and 4th numbers of the VIN on ALL Grabbers will be 93. 91 is a standard Maverick, and 92 is a 4 door. If your Maverick dosen't have 93 as the 3rd and 4th numbers it is NOT true Grabber.
The above bullets also apply to Comet GT's, except for the last. Comet GT's are not identifiable by the VIN.
I'm sure I missed some fine details, however these are the real facts about the most commonly miss understood parts of these cars.
Jamie Miles
Owner of:
1969.5 Maverick
1972 Grabber, factory 302/power steering/air condition/floor shift automatic car
1972 Maverick
1973 Maverick
1973 4 door Maverick
1974 Maverick Grabber
and two 1976 2 door Mavericks.
Today
