Ford Maverick

The Ford Maverick had several different models. Initially, only the standard coupe was available. Early models lacked a true glove box to save on costs, but the glove box was added in 1973. A four-door sedan on a 109″ wheelbase was introduced in 1971 and was also well received despite lacking the distinctive fastback of the coupe, as it had significantly more room in the back seat and roll-down rear door windows. A rare station wagon version of the Maverick was introduced in Brazil in 1975, not as a regular option, but at a local dealer who made it from the four-door sedan. In the first half of production for the 1970 model, there were only two available engine options, a 170 cid I6 and a 200 cid I6. A 250 cid I6 was added mid-year. Commercials compared it to the smaller Volkswagen Beetle for $1,995, even though the somewhat similarly-styled Ford Pinto would later be Ford’s real subcompact entry. The four-door model was introduced in 1971. Also available was a vinyl roof. Mercury also revived the Mercury Comet as a mechanical clone of the Maverick. A 210-horsepower 302 cid V8 was also introduced for both the Comet and the Maverick. The Comet featured a new grille, taillights borrowed from the Mercury Montego, trim, and hood. The muscle car-themed Grabber trim package was introduced in mid-1970. The package included special graphics and trim, including a spoiler. It was offered from 1970-1975. In 1971 and 1972, the Grabber came with a special “Dual Dome” hood. A similar package for the Mercury Comet, the Comet GT, was also offered from 1971-1975 and had “muscle car” trim akin to the Maverick Grabber, plus its own distinctive hood scoop. A Sprint package was offered in 1972. The Sprint had a special red, white, and blue paint job with a matching interior. Similar packages were offered on the Pinto and the Mustang. A new “Luxury Decor Option”(LDO)trim level was introduced late in the 1972 model year that included reclining bucket seats in a soft vinyl material, plush carpeting, woodgrained instrument panel trim, radial tires with body-color deluxe wheel covers and a vinyl roof. The Maverick LDO option (also offered on the Mercury Comet) was one of the first American compacts to be marketed as a lower-priced (and domestic) alternative to the more expensive European luxury/touring sedans from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and other makes.