How good were the Ford Maverick's/Mercury Comet's of the 1970s? (manual transmission, tires)

[Mopac1980]

How good were the Ford Maverick's/Mercury Comet's of the 1970s? I'm starting to become a big fan of these cars and they seem to be increasingly rare as time goes by

[cottercutie]

My grandmother and mother both had a Maverick. I remember both vividly because they were always breaking down. I recall my mother having to pull the stupid choke lever like 50 times every day to start it. I recall many days sitting on the side of the road in them waiting for a tow or for it to decide to run again.

My grandmother traded hers in for a Plymouth Volare in 1978, my mother kept hers until it went to Maverick heaven.

[Omaha Rocks]

Everything I've heard about them leads me to believe they were pretty much crap. A glorified Pinto.

[hoffdano]

Crude, unrefined, and ugly (to me) transportion. There is a reason so few have survived.

[Mopac1980]

One thing what I also love about the Ford Maverick's/Mercury Comet's is that they're easy to modify and a big block motor will easily fit underneath the hood.

[Tennesseestorm]

The powertrains were good... especially the 6-cylinder models and those with the 302s. They were lower-level cars (cheaper), which is why they didnt match the Lincoln or LTD in fit-n-finish, but could be dolled up with options. There was a very luxurious option offered beginning in 1973.... see below:




Dash panels were cheap looking, etc on the base models.... the higher end models were better at least.

The next step up Torino was a much better car imo.

My mom had a 1977 Maverick 4dr (last year) and it was a decent car. Fairly nice optioned... it had A/C, vinyl top, deluxe hubcaps, 250 6-cylinder, etc. That was in the mid to late 1990s. I drove it a few times and I dont recall any issues we had with it.

Ironically, I saw another Maverick just yesterday.... like most old cars, there are still a few around here.

For more on the Mavericks/Comets...
http://www.lovefords.org/71bic/maverick.htm
http://www.lovefords.org/71bic/comet.htm
http://www.lovefords.org/72bic/mav.htm
http://www.lovefords.org/72bic/com.htm
http://www.lovefords.org/73bic/maverick.htm
http://www.lovefords.org/73bic/comet.htm

unfortunately, above links dont seem to be working now.

try this...

http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/main.php?g2_itemId=45468

[Deez Nuttz]

Originally Posted by cottercutie

My grandmother traded hers in for a Plymouth Volare in 1978, my mother kept hers until it went to Maverick heaven.

LOL trading a Maverick for a Volare.

Is it me or did Mavericks not ever come with a spot in the dash for a radio?

I don't consider a Maverick a glorified Pinto. In fact if you remember in the 60's the low dollar economy car was the Falcon, which lasted until 1970 when the Maverick finally replaced it. I read they actually had a delay in getting the 70 Maverick into production so they kept the Falcon going long enough to tide over the low dollar econo car spot.

A Pinto is IMO is/was a cheap car that was a gas sipper for the days to be where gas rationing and the oil embargo would take place.

I don't know how good the Mavericks really were....they did look rather cheap and cheesy. I know they used to be, and somewhat still are a popular car for drag racing, and most of the ones I've seen in the last 10 years were track stars.

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

LOL trading a Maverick for a Volare.

Is it me or did Mavericks not ever come with a spot in the dash for a radio?

I don't consider a Maverick a glorified Pinto. In fact if you remember in the 60's the low dollar economy car was the Falcon, which lasted until 1970 when the Maverick finally replaced it. I read they actually had a delay in getting the 70 Maverick into production so they kept the Falcon going long enough to tide over the low dollar econo car spot.

A Pinto is IMO is/was a cheap car that was a gas sipper for the days to be where gas rationing and the oil embargo would take place.

I don't know how good the Mavericks really were....they did look rather cheap and cheesy. I know they used to be, and somewhat still are a popular car for drag racing, and most of the ones I've seen in the last 10 years were track stars.

I have forgotten all about the Maverick replacing the Ford Falcon, I've always liked the Ford Falcon's alot, didn't the Maverick use the same powertrain as the Falcon? Also which car was bigger between the Maverick or the Falcon?

[Deez Nuttz]

Originally Posted by Mopac1980

I have forgotten all about the Maverick replacing the Ford Falcon, I've always liked the Ford Falcon's alot, didn't the Maverick use the same powertrain as the Falcon? Also which car was bigger between the Maverick or the Falcon?

I think the Maverick was slightly smaller than the Falcon. I believe the Maverick used the same inline 6 as the Falcon, not sure about the other engines.

I always thought the 1964-65 Falcons were the best looking ones made.

[sailordave]

Loved looking at the options list and interior photos. Those low seat backs explain the frequency of whiplash in older cars. Loved the option of a cigar lighter and rear seat ashtray. The performance tires were 14 inch tires. The manual transmission was either 3 on the tree or 3 on the floor. Vinyl seats and roof were in the luxuary options. A mistake I hope they never bring back again. I had a car with vinyl seats. As they deteriorate they crack. You don't want to sit on vinyl seats wearing shorts in the summer or anytime when they're cracking. Vinyl tops look great until the roof begins to rust underneath.