1974 Ford Maverick

The Ford Maverick was introduced on April 17th, 1969, as a 1970 subcompact model. It assumed the position left by the Ford Falcon, discontinued in mid-1970 due to declining sales since the introduction of the Mustang in 1964. It was redesigned in 1966 but was unable to comply with the forthcoming U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration motor vehicle standards that went into effect on January 1st of 1970.

The Ford Maverick was positioned as a competitor to the Chevrolet Nova, the Dodge Dart, and the compact Japanese automobiles from Honda, Datsun, and Toyota.

The Mustang's popular short deck, fastback roof, and long hood were applied to the Maverick and featured pop-out rear side windows and a wheelbase of 103-inches. The combination of compact size, fuel efficiency, and Mustang styling helped the Maverick achieved nearly 579,000 sales during its introductory year. By the time production of the Maverick ended in 1977, over 2.1 million sales had been achieved in North America.

A four-door model was added in 1971, available with a vinyl roof. By 1974, the Maverick was offered as a 2- and 4-door sedan, and a w-door Grabber. Prices began at $2,745 for the two-door sedan and rose to nearly $3,100 for the eight-cylinder Grabber. The two-door sedan accounted for 139,818 sales, the four-door version with 137,728, and the Grabber with 23,502 sales. The total 301,408 sales was an increase of nearly 10,000 over the previous year. It significantly outsold the 1975 model year which had 162,572 total sales.

The six-cylinder, overhead-valve 200 cubic-inch engine had a cast-iron block, Motorcraft one-barrel carburetor, seven main bearings, and delivered 82 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. The 250 CID six-cylinder engine, a $42 option, brought horsepower to 91 hp at 3,200 RPM. The 302 cubic-inch V8 was a $122 option and had overhead valves, an 8.0:1 compression, five main bearings, a Motorcraft two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 140 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. A Cruise-O-Matic was available for $212.

Changes for the 1974 model year included a minor frontal restyling with mandated energy-absorbing bumpers, and a horizontal slot located above the center of the face bar, in the former license place indentation location.

Optional equipment included an AM radio, Luxury Decor Group on all body styles except the Grabber, power steering, and white sidewall tires. The Deluxe models received side moldings with vinyl inserts, and wheel cutout trim moldings. Deluxe models with vinyl roofs had the Maverick nameplate on the rear roof pillar. A similar nameplate was found on all models located at the left-hand side of the grille.

The energy crisis of the early 1970s helped ensure its future for a few more years, as it had been scheduled to be replaced by the new Granada. Ford management decided to continue its production. It was replaced in the North American Ford lineup in 1978 by the Fairmont.

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