_{1969 ½ Maverick}

My most recent acquisition is a 1970 Maverick built in June of 1969.  This car is one of the so-called1969-1/2 cars -- it has dash ignition, the Dagenheim rear end (removable rear cover plate) horn ring, the two-piece/separate seat belts, 13" wheels, rubber floor mats, all black vinyl seats, the data plate riveted to the driver's door (by the latch), and the 13"/4-lug wheels.  It also came equipped with the 170 six engine, and it is painted a subtle orange metallic called Thanks Vermillion.  With only 85,240 original miles on the odometer when I purchased it, it was a very clean, absolutely rust-free (except for the standard hood that had inexplicably rusted through at the leading edge, just above the molding), unmolested, two-owner car that spent most of its life in the northwest, coming to Utah only in 1993.  It was the 116,715^th car built in the Kansas City Ford Plant; this number is higher than that assigned to my first car   

I purchased this car in 1995 for $700.00.  It ran reasonably well but needed everything.  The restoration of this vehicle started in 1995 with some significant mechanical work, and then ceased as I consider just what I am going to do with this vehicle.  Please consult the accompanying photographs of the car for the initial work, some of which can be consulted for any future restorations of these unusual Mavericks.

At this point, the vehicle is just sitting until I finish up my other two Mavericks, my 1970 Custom and my reconstruction of the old 1972 Maverick Connection vehicle .  I have considered several options:

A). Clone my first car.  Previously, I purchased the Blazer seat cloth from a supplier in Hemmings.  I have all the parts necessary to do this except for a set of NOS full wheel covers.  This car would be built as a factory-stock vehicle, before I modified my car. 

B). Restore the car as a 1969½ Maverick.  The only problems that would be encountered are finding the rubber floor mats and the heat-formed black vinyl seat cover material for the front seat (the rear seat is mint).

C). Build one of two phantom "what if" cars:

1. a Shelby-esque GT 350 car, set up for SCCA racing.  Each of the cues from the famed GT 350R vehicle would be picked up.
2. a "Maverick GT" version, profiling a supercharged 351, four speed, four wheel disc brakes, and other features, but make the car look absolutely stock.  Only Ford factory colors and finishing schemes would be used.  This version would feature the '69/'70 Shelby rear exhaust.

While I think about those options, take a look at these photos: