What's One More Iron In The Fire!

[Steven Harris]

The Maverick came out real nice.

Actually - that is what I started with. It is actually still one of the irons in the fire but it is coming out real nice.

I plan to update the progress.

[Mustangmike]

Wow...that's amazing Steven...like I said, Arizona has been nice to those cars. It's nice to hear from you again!

[JTS71 Mach1]

Man Steven I remember fondly my near mint, 70 Maverick, Cherry red, not the typical mud red most Mavericks were, I stuffed it full of 69' 351 Windsor, full 2" duals, then put a huge 2 barrel from a 429 on it, and really woke it up. I also fondly remember My 67 Ranchero, a rough and ugly version, that I think had seen about as much air time as the General Lee did, before I got it. I stuffed a 71' 400 Ford in it, with another big 2 barrel, it's amazing how hard things can run on a simple 500 CFM 2 barrel. All in all they were both, quite a lot of fun. Thanks for stirring the memories.

Merry Christmas to you and yours JTS 71 Mach1

[Steven Harris]

The story of the Maverick build, although it has yet to be completed.

I actually purchased the car for my oldest daughter to use. It was purchased in Vail, Arizona as an original un-molested six cylinder three speed manual in original (although third coat) yellow.

It had sat for a few years and did not run. A tow back to a friend's yard and a quick drop of the fuel tank and a unplug of the gummed fuel lines and she ran on her own power. Once tested for reliability I drove the Maverick to Ohio for our first daughter's use as college transportation. After repeated problems with the three on the tree linkage leaving her on the side of the road we opted for an Escort.

My intention was to keep the Maverick from the start as my own replacement to my 1970 GT Torino of high school days - kind of a mini Torino GT.

I had promised our second son that he could have my 1978 F-250 Super Cab 4X4 but we worked out a trade for the Maverick as it was much more transportable to Mexico where we were ministering. The F-250 was sold and the Maverick became his car.

Here are a few pictures of the original Maverick.

[JTS71 Mach1]

A solid, tough little car without a doubt. I enjoyed every mile I put on mine. One summer day we were one our way to Centerville Drag strip, in Centerville Arkansas. I was setting at a red light, and beside me pulled a 68-72 L88 427 4 SPD Corvette. It was slobbering all over the place, you could see the black smoke belching out the side pipes as the Rochester carb was flooding over as usual. I told my wife and kids to sit down and get hold of something, my wife says why? I said just hang on. The light went green and the 351w screamed and jerked the front end to the end of the shock towers and took off, The guy stomped on the Vette and it puked all over, to much fuel, Then you could hear it gather itself up and it started comming, after he finally got into second gear he was comming on strong. Just before he hit third gear. we had to shut down for the next light. (I was still ahead by a long shot) He pulled alongside and asked what the HE!! I had in that damn thing. I told him it was stock. He said, I don't know what you call stock, but that's one fast Little Red Car. When the light turned Green, I beat him across the intersection and a little bit more, but he had the Vette cleared out real good, and drove past me when he grabbed second. But without a doubt he was impressed, by a Little Red "Stock" Maverick. Well it was "Stock", stock Ford anyway, I can't help it Ford didn't put a 351w in the Maverick to begin with????? But I did! Oh the memories! JTS 71 mach1

[Mustangmike]

Great story JTS...nothing worse than a poorly tuned or oversized carb impeding your car's performance. So here's one to the little Red Maverick that could!

Merry Christmas!

[Steven Harris]

Great memories.

The 5.0 EFI with the 5-speed does wonders in my son's little Maverick.

[JTS71 Mach1]

Great memories.

The 5.0 EFI with the 5-speed does wonders in my son's little Maverick.

Yeah I'll bet the 5 spd is an absolute blast, and the 302 EFI is an excellent little engine. Is it an HO, or even a roller motor? JTS 71 Mach1

[Steven Harris]

Yes, an HO roller. Straight transplant out of a 90's Mustang GT.

[JTS71 Mach1]

Yes, an HO roller. Straight transplant out of a 90's Mustang GT.

NOW, I'm jealous! JTS 71 Mach1