The Ford Maverick is a compact car manufactured and marketed by Ford for model years 1969-1977 in the United States, originally as a two-door sedan employing a rear-wheel drive platform original to the 1960 Falcon -- and subsequently as a four-door sedan on the same platform.
The Maverick was also manufactured in Venezuela, Canada, Mexico, and, from 1973 to 1979, in Brazil.
The name "maverick" was derived from the word for unbranded range animals, and the car's nameplate was stylized to resemble a longhorned cow head.
Video Ford Maverick (Americas)
History
The Maverick was originally conceived and marketed as a subcompact "import fighter", intended to do battle with the Volkswagen Beetle and newer Japanese rivals for North America from Honda, Datsun, and Toyota. The Falcon, Ford's compact offering since 1960 and main rival to the Chevrolet Nova and Dodge Dart, had seen its sales decimated by the introduction of the Mustang in 1964, and despite a redesign in 1966, was unable to meet the then forthcoming U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration motor vehicle standards that would come into effect on January 1, 1970. Consequently, the Falcon was discontinued midway through the 1970 model year, and the Maverick repositioned as Ford's compact entry, giving the Nova and Dart a new rival. A bigger Falcon was a rebranded low-trim version of the Fairlane for the second half of the model year, then went away.
The Maverick's styling featured the long hood, fastback roof, and short deck popularized by the Mustang, on a 103-inch (2.616 m) wheelbase -- and featured pop-out rear side windows.
Nearly 579,000 Mavericks were produced in its first year, approaching the record-setting first year of Mustang sales (nearly 619,000), and easily outpaced the Mustang's sales of fewer than 200,000 in 1970.
Trim packages and variants
Initially available only as a 2-door sedan, early models lacked a glove compartment, which was added for model year 1973. A 4-door sedan on a 109.9-inch (2.791 m) wheelbase was introduced in 1971.
At introduction, exterior paint colors were named with puns, including Anti-Establish Mint, Hulla Blue, Original Cinnamon, Freudian Gilt, Thanks Vermillion -- along with more more typical names including Black Jade, Champagne Gold, Gulfstream Aqua, Meadowlark Yellow, Brittany Blue, Lime Gold, Dresden Blue, Raven Black, Wimbledon White, and Candyapple Red.
In the first half of production for the 1970 model, two engine options were available, a 105 hp (78 kW) 170 cu in (2,800 cc) straight 6 and a 120 hp (89 kW) 200 cu in (3,300 cc) straight 6. A 250 cu in (4,100 cc) straight 6 was added mid-year.
Commercials compared the Maverick to the smaller Volkswagen Beetle, interior. This trim package acknowledged the 1972 Olympics and was available for only one year. U.S. versions were given a stylized U.S. flag made into a rear quarter panel decal.
A "Luxury Decor Option" (LDO) trim level introduced late in the 1972 model year 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 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.
Minor changes were made from 1973 to 1975. For 1973, the 170 CID engine was dropped, making the 200 CID I6 the standard engine. Additionally, improved brakes and a previously optional chrome grille became standard. An AM/FM stereo, aluminum wheels, and a new slightly larger front bumper to comply with federal 5 MPH regulations. In 1974, the Maverick was unchanged except for new even larger federally required 5 MPH bumpers for both front and rear which required new rear quarter panel end caps. Jumping gas prices and increasing demand for smaller cars resulting from the Arab oil embargo did cause the Maverick to grow in popularity, selling 10,000 more units than the year before. Production of the Maverick dropped in 1975 with the release of the Granada as a more European-style luxury compact. The Maverick received minor trim changes for 1975 that included new grilles and the replacement of nameplates on the hood and trunklid with FORD nameplates, in block letters.
In 1976, the Grabber was dropped, and a Stallion package was introduced. The Stallion option came with special paint and trim. Standard Mavericks received another new grille and gained front disc brakes as standard equipment along with a new foot-operated parking brake that replaced the old under-dash T-handle unit. Sales continued to drop.
The final year for both the Maverick was 1977. Both cars remained unchanged except for a police package on the Maverick which was not sufficiently upgraded for police work and sold less than 400 units. The Maverick was produced in Brazil until 1979. Maverick's place in the North American Ford lineup was essentially taken by the 1978 Fairmont.
The Maverick had no significant changes towards the end of its lifespan, since is was originally meant to be replaced in 1975 by the Granada and Monarch. However, Ford decided to keep selling both lines until the 1978 model year introduction of the Fairmont.
Maps Ford Maverick (Americas)
See also
- Nissan Patrol for the Australian Ford Maverick of 1988 to 1994
- Nissan Terrano II for the European Ford Maverick of 1993 to 1999
- Ford Escape for the European Ford Maverick sold since 2001
References
- The Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (1989). Fifty Years of American Automobiles 1939-1989. Beekman House. ISBN 0-517-68640-6. OCLC 19556249.
External links
- Ford Maverick Webpage with History
- "Maverick: Ford's Big New Small Car." Popular Science, April 1969, pp. 83-85.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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