The Future of Reproduction Parts.

How many is a lot?? I would guess maybe 20 people tops would pay $200 to $300 for a console. That is the problem. No manufacture is going to make tooling for 20 consoles.

As far as reproduction parts encouraging more people to restore these cars........Classic "which came first...the chicken or the egg........"

 

Heres an example of what a reproduction console would cost, and this one will out sell any Granada console any day without even trying.
http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock...rior&mscssid=5C4E9574DF624FF2A43CA58ADE505E8E

 

When I am in the middle of each Maverick project, I want to be able to buy the parts I need when I need them, not when I finally find one of good enough quality. That is why I will pay a little more, just to keep the project going. When I look at a new car to purchase, I will look at which parts I am going to need to find to restore. I tend to always go for good sheet metal, but even some of those I will look at the price quite critically if I know that I am going to have to find parts like Grabber hoods, door panels and valences. Even dumb little things like knobs and finish pieces make such a big difference when you just put really nice paint and a clean interior in a car. I would spend a little more for the cars if I knew the parts were being reproduced.

 

But you fall into that 3% of people that would, just look at the list of cars under your avatar, the problem is getting that other 97% of people to come to the plate and say "here's my money" thats where it ends..

 

To Dan's list:
1) battery side fender apron
2) lower 1/4 panel patch
3) lower fender patch

I would add:

4) floor pans
5) trunk pan
6) radiator support
7) fuel sending unit for the '76-'77 tank and only because these tanks are already mass produced, available, and can be put in the earlier model Mavericks and Comets.
8) maybe new dash pads, not just the caps, and
9) front, retractable 3-point seat belt assemblies for the '74-'77 models. They can easily be adapted to the earlier models and their design is more conducive for front seat back-'n-forth movement than the after market 3-point belts.

However, I have the resources and the ability to fabricate nos. 1-6. I know others don't and my work time would be shorter if I didn't have to make them. So, that's why I'd like to see them. My 7 and 9 in the list are wanted by me right now and probably by most with '76-'77 cars. However, as I stated, those parts could have a good place in the earlier models. A 3-point, retractable seat belt will get worn more often than those dang pieces that hang up top and most likely get taken out.

From my own observation, most folks customize these cars. These Mavericks and Comets never came with any factory sizzle to warrant restoring them to factory original. Maybe a Sprint and Stallion would be worth restoring. Look at Dan's Grabber. Most of us would agree that it is probably the closest to a "concours" Maverick as there is. Yet, it is not completely original: disc brakes, four-bbl, four-speed instead of three, and 3.25 gears with posi have been added to his car. If Ford had built the Grabber that Dan did, it would be a car that would be talked about right along with the Mustang, the Camarao, Chevelle, etc. It would have had the sizzle to "restore."

Most other parts like headliners, carpets, weatherstripping, glove boxes, z-bars, etc., are already being made and have been available. Derrick is reproducing the Grabber hood and spoiler kit, in carbon fiber, and they are great. Jamie got a set of shorty headers made just for Mavericks with 302s. Joe has already made available several good pieces. I think the list for what is really needed and would be in big demand is short. The list for what is wanted is all over the place and will be hard to justify making due to the few who would want them.

My idea of a great Maverick or Comet is have the original look and body lines, but more modern on drive train, suspension, and safety features. After all, aren't they to be driven...daily...often?

Let me say, that the plan Joe has for introducing new parts is probably the safest and least economically disastrous way to do this. Great idea. I would add a Dan Hines and Doug (DAB) to the inspector list.

 

Every one has raised good points on the matter.That said...Whats the biggest thing that will turn someone off on a mav purchase if they are looking to buy one to build???Untill that question is answered,We will continue to bounce around on the subject.A common view/concensus if you will is: "What is needed to really move the whole community forward".Yes used parts are available,yes NOS parts can be had,yes we all have opinions on all of it...Cost...availability...etc...We need to get on the same page...Only then can we progress the Maverick/Comet movement(korny I know)
Without having a common perspective we cannot start in a progressive direction,and Joe will be forced to move ahead hit or miss and cost everyone time and money.Pick a direction people...

 

Very good idea to have them look them over....because most aftermarket items are junk and the quality is never as good as factory parts!!!

 

$$$its All About Cost$$$

Im not trying to be an a-hole, but I also think the battery trays were GREAT but overpriced.
I would have paid $40-50ish, But im not going to pay $79ish dollars for one when the Mustang parts are sooo much cheaper.

Yes the quality was great, the finsh was great, but I got a repop from a mustang vender(67 has the same tray) for $10 on sale. the tray was corect, only had to change the bracket.

I understand the costs involved, but a Maverick is not worth that kind of money. It's not like its a fastback gt or a Shelby

I got my Maverick BECAUSE it was a lower by-in price, I've been priced out of the Mustang Market.

I think a Mustang might have cost LESS in the long run.
At least the parts are available from many different sources.

 

That is the $64,000 question. I will start the list with what I think is the number one turn off on these cars - areas prone to rust - and y'all can add to it.

1) Floor pans due to rusted out cowl vents
2) Lower quarters due to leaking and open trunks
3) Lower fenders
4) Battery trays, battery side aprons, and radiator core supports due to battery corrosion.
5) Possibly a need for door skins.

Having solutions readily available to these problems will extend the life of a lot of Mavericks and the sanity of a lot of owners.

Another wild haired, off-the-wall, I can't believe he even thought of that idea I had is this. It would be nice for there to be a piece ready made and a template available to repair rusted out hood lips

 

Actually ... it's a Fairlane Battery Tray that's used in a Maverick ... with a different bracket.

 

Yes you can get a Mustang tray cheaper.Yes the ones Joe put out are not cheap,But you must understand the premis:The part comes out of the box,and gets bolted on the car...period.No muss, no fuss,Time is money,if you are building a mav/comet and need to farm things becuase you cant do it all your self,you become very aware of cost.FWIW the mav trays cost less if you need to farm things out.Ask Ray parrish what he would charge you to re-do your exising tray or make a mustang one work.I think you will find the mav tray to be cheaper.If you do it all your self like many of us(myself included)The cost is minimal compared to the work involved.I dont like having to deal with "making something work" when parts like this are available.I dont crap cash and have had my mav for 23 years and finally I am at the point in my life where I can do"some" of what I want to do on it.I still have to budget the money for it and "only spend where it is needed" so monet is tight with me as well.This component is worth the money.Justifying the purchase is the real issue.

 

But the point is ... RPS could have bought 100 Fairlane trays wholesale for maybe $5 each ... stamped out the correct bracket for $2 each ... put two spot welds on them and sold them for $30 and still made a nice profit ... there is no need to re-invent the wheel ...

 

Very true Mr.Hines,Was that info put out when the subject originally came up though??? Like i said "we need to get on the same page" The tooling for the bracket alone would be enough that the bracket would cost more than 2 bucks.

 

my thoughts are on the same line...in the begining the batt. tray bracket is what was needed...the tray was already being made..

just about every part in the...parts wanted section...end with.."Cheap"

Frank

 

Parts? Who needs parts??? Just do like me and fill your back yard up with parts cars!!!
Actually I just brought my green one home today. I've had it stored at the shop since I moved out of the Katrina house. Had to make room for an extra bodyman I just hired so there went my storage space. Oh well, maybe I can get started on taking it apart now. This poor car was 100% submerged by Katrina but I gotta save it. I've had it since high school (1974) so I'll do whatever it takes. I wanna make a cruiser out of it this go round...with a/c and all.