1969½ Maverick
The first version of the Maverick – really, a 1969½
- model was short lived. Starting with production and existing not much later than October 23, 1969, this subversion of the Maverick (marketed as a 1970 model) is very rare these days. This early version of the car was fitted with a wide array of mechanical parts that were basically lifted from the Falcon parts bin. First, the rear axle was the Dagenheim unit with the bolt on rear cover. This weak unit was only mated to the 144, 170 and the 200 inch sixes. The rear shocks weren't staggered, and there were only three leaf springs. Second, the front A arms were the physically small Falcon units, as were the drum brakes and ball joints. Interestingly, the four-stud brake drums that appeared on this 1969-1/2 car carried over to later models in the 1970 model year before they were replaced with standard Ford 5 lug wheels for the 1971 model year. Third, the ignition was a bezel that bolted to the package tray to the immediate right of the steering column and the seat belts were two-part: the lap item, and then an overhead item that separately linked up to a separate receiver on the seat. Fourth, the data plate was pop riveted to the driver's door at the rear, and the doors did not have the side impact beams that appeared in later versions of the 1970, and all following, Mavericks (both two door and four door). Fifth, though some Maverick web pages have argued that the only option for this early version of the Maverick was an automatic transmission, that is in error: The Appearance Group (carpets, stainless side window trim, chrome 1/4 window trim, carpets, Blazer trim, radio, 14" wheels) and 200 c.i. six were available:
my first car
had these options from the factory; it was the 92,500 car to be constructed on the production line which included the Torino. It is possible that my first car was a mid-production vehicle.
Here is some data on the these first-version Mavericks:
Exterior Color:
Interior Color and Material:
Starting with the first Maverick off the production line, the success of the car was due, in part, due to part to a wide array of options. First, the mechanical versions were numerous. Despite its fresh fastback
body style, the Maverick was little more than a reskinned Mustang/Comet/Falcon/Fairlane with a shortened wheelbase. The platform was a successful, if unexciting, design in its basic form. Very early models (the first 30 days of
production, roughly) came with the venerable but utterly incompetent 144 cubic inch six cylinder engine. That engine proved to be unacceptable in the market place, and was quickly replaced with the larger 177 and the still more powerful
200 inch, each with 4 main bearings. As the 1970 model year ended, the physically larger (tall deck height) and much more powerful 250 six appeared (with seven main bearings). As the 1971 model year approached, Ford finally fitted the
venerable 302 V8, even though it was hobbled with a two-barrel and single exhaust. Each engine was mated to a three-speed transmission with the lever on the steering column, with later cars (starting in 1971) proposing a floor shift as
an option. The 250 six, so much more powerful than the smaller sixes, could only be ordered with the C-4 automatic, while the 302 could be obtained with either the three-speed manual or the C-4 automatic. A floor shift for the
automatic was available as an option for either the manual or automatic transmissions. Despite unsubstantiated rumors to the contrary, no 302 was presented with a four barrel or dual exhaust, and no four speed manual transmission ever
appeared in any Maverick. Similarly, the 351 (Windsor or Cleveland) was never offered as an option. Second, the trim and
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Additionally, the
brochures tell an interesting story about the introduction and marketing of the Maverick.Though there is some disagreement about just when the 'real' 1970 Mavericks started production, the change occurred at some point. The principal change was the substitution of the 8" rear end (still with 4-lug axles), 14" wheels, steering column ignition, and other minor details. Here is some information on the 1970 Mavericks.
- Production: 2dr 451,081
- Automatic Transmission: 71.9%
- Manual Transmission (3spd): 27.8%
- Manual Transmission (4spd): 0.3%
- Power Steering: 9.3%
- Air Conditioning: 14.8%
- Tinted Glass: 22.3%
- Base Price: $1995
- Weight (shipping): 2378 lbs.
- Weight (curb): 2487 lbs.
- Automatic Transmission: $201
- Semi-Automatic Transmission: $121
- Air Conditioning: $380
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