1971 Ford Maverick

The success of the Mustang-inspired Ford to explore the economy and compact marketplace even further, introducing the Maverick on April 17, 1969, exactly five years after the 1965 Mustang. The company's 'Total Performance' factory racing program was ending, replaced by more economical products designed to adhere to tightening emissions, insurance, and safety regulations. Accordingly, Ford reorganized its model lines and re-emphasized economy at the expense of performance. Ford's compact model during the 1960s, the Falcon, was shifted to the newly redesigned Torino line as a lower-priced, mid-size offering. In its place was the new Maverick, initially available as a smoothly designed two-door five-passenger sedan.

Ford's new subcompact was very popular, ranked among the most successful new-car launch in the company's history, selling nearly 580,000 in the first year and coming close to eclipsing the Mustang's 1965 sales record (619,000 units). Put simply, it was the right car at the right time. Demand was so great, in fact, that Ford left the Maverick essentially unchanged for 1970.

The new Maverick was based on the existing Falcon chassis with power from a 170-CID inline six-cylinder engine and a choice of a three-speed, column-shifted manual transmission or a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic. Options were few and economy and practicality were paramount, as with the original Falcon a decade earlier. The Mercury Comet stablemate arrived for 1971 and reprised the first-generation small Mercury. Special edition Mavericks included the Grabber, Sprint, and Stallion.

Ford continued to improve the Maverick year-over-year, updating the compact with staggered rear shocks, 5-lug spindles and axles, improved brakes, Grabber-style front grille with fog lamps, 'grab-handle' armrests and a glove compartment to replace the original instrument-panel package tray. In 1974, the Maverick adopted new federally mandated equipment in the form of front and rear 5 MPH bumpers, which included bumper guards and a chrome finish to complement the Maverick's sporty long-hood, short-rear-deck styling popularized by the Mustang. Between 1969 and 1977, Ford's North American Maverick production reached 2.1 million units.

The 1971 Ford Maverick

The 1971 Ford Maverick remained unchanged from the mid-year 1969 and 1970 model years, except for the addition of a four-door sedan and a 'Grabber' version of the two-door sedan. It continued to rest on the Falcon chassis with a 103-inch wheelbase and standard power being sourced from an overhead-valve, six-cylinder Thriftpower engine with 170 cubic-inch displacement, 8.7:1 compression, seven main bearings, a Motorcraft one-barrel carburetor, and 100 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The 200 CID six produced 115 horsepower and the 250 CID six developed 145 hp at 4,000 RPM. A manual transmission was standard and a Cruise-O-Matic automatic was optional.

1971 was the first time Ford offered the Maverick with the optional 302 CID V8. It had overhead valves, five main bearings, a Motorcraft two-barrel carburetor, 9.0:1 compression, and developed 210 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The Maverick Grabber trim package had been introduced in mid-1970 and continued into 1971. It was offered on the two-door sedan and came with larger tires, a spoiler, and unique graphics and trim. The Grabber was offered from 1970 to 1975 and during 1971 and 1972, it had a special 'dual dome' hood.

The two-door sedan was priced at $2,175, the four-door sedan at $2,235, and the two-door Grabber at $2,350. The addition of the 302 CID V8 boosted the base price by approximately $170. The two-door sedan was the most popular with 159,726 examples sold, followed by 73,208 of the four-door sedan, and 38,963 of the two-door Grabber.

by Dan Vaughan

Replacing the Falcon, the Ford Maverick was introduced in 1970 and became the only car to sell as competitively as the Mustang.

The name Maverick has been used on several models during the 70's, the Grabber, Stallion, and Sprint. The Maverick name has also appeared on several different SUV's in both Australia and Europe.

Even after it's potential was met in the U.S., Australia released an SUV based on the Nissan Patrol GR from 1988 to 1998.

From 1993 to 2001 a completely different Maverick was sold in Europe under the same name. Built at Nissan Motor Espana, despite the badge, the Nissan Terrano II had no Ford parts.

Brazil released its own Maverick version from 1973 to 1979. A rare station wagon version was introduced in 1975 in Brazil though generally the Maverick was only found in 2-door and 4-door versions.

The purchase price was US $1,995 in 1970, this original rear-wheel-drive compact 2-door sedan was built in the USA, Canada, and Mexico until 1977.

During it's first production year, the two-door coupe came with only two available engine options, the 170 I6, and the 200 I6.

1971 brought the introduction of the four-door model with available 250 I6, 302 V8.

Improvement on the vehicle began in 1973 as the 200 I6 and LDO grill became standard on the Maverick. Better more dependable brakes also became a permanent feature along with AM/FM stereo, aluminum wheels and the federal bumper.

In the following year, the high rise in gas prices increased the Maverick's popularity as sales soared to 10,000 units sold from the previous year.

1976 brought along an updated new grill and front disc brakes that became standard.

The release of the Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch hurt sales, and in 1977 the Maverick reached its prime and was replaced by the Ford Fairmont.

by Jessican Donaldson