Hello I'm New. I have a 64K mile 71 Grabber.

Hi guys,

My name is Dan. I am 27 years old. I've been building and racing/enjoying cars since I was 17. I am very excited about this web site. I am currently working on my 1971 Maverick Grabber that has 64K original miles. This car is VERY special to me becasue my Parents are the original owners. My Dad gave me the car when I was 12 years old. He passed away two years later in 1991. He had already done some very tasteful upgrades to the Grabber in 1980-1982. The grabber received a Custom Paint Job using the oringal Grabber Blue/gray Color scheme and used very expensive paint. A ford dealership painted it becasue my Dad was the parts Manager at the dealership so he got a "hook-up" on the labor. He used the Best Paint Money could buy and it still shows. It also received Custom Upholstery--very taseful. The has been in storage for a total of 20 years. It has Zero Rust, never been in a accident, and has never been modified except for the paint and seats. The paint job is 20 years old and I still get complements on it! My Dad did an awesome job with this car and now I am going to finish the project. The car has the original 200ci straight six and a factory floor mounted 3 speed manual tranny. It still has the 8" rear with 3.00 gears. I am now building a very streetable (somewhat mild) 347ci V8 with a TKO 5 speed tranny. I am not sure what I am going to do with the Rear End yet.
Ok, here is the best part. Since my Dad was a FORD Parts Manager he ordered just about one of everything for the Maverick and I have it all in storage! Everything is new in the orignal ford boxes. I have yet to go through it as I promised myself I wouldn't build up the maverick until I had enough money to do it right-like my dad would have wanted. I know I have a brand-new Dash pad but beyond that I'm going to have to look and see. I think there is about 15-20 boxes of parts--some large, many small. Of course my Dad only ordered things that he thought would wear out and need to be replaced someday.
I hope to be a very active member of this web site and am very excited about interacting with many of you. I've been in the car scene for a long time but with other types of cars. After building many cars, it is now time to build the 71 Maverick Grabber.

I'll post pictures on this thread later.--Dan Glenn

 

Welcome to the board Dan ...a wealth of info to be had here and some great people too Sounds like you got a great project to work with...Good Luck!

 

Thanks! Yes I've noticed several very informative posts in just a few visits.--Dan

 

Nice to meet you and welcome to this great brotherhood of the Mav.

I am also 27 and got my car when I was 15. My father and I are redoing a Mercury Cougar as well. Be proud of your ride sounds nice. Post some pics
My Maverick is 70 grabber clone built to go fast but not as fast as the big boys around here Good Luck need any advice ask away as there are so very many talented guys on this board.

 

Dan, ditto on the welcomes! It would be great to see some pics when you get a chance!!!

 

My first attemp at posting pictures, fingers are crossed.












Note: The Sunlight on the drivers seat makes the fabric look fadded but it is not. The bucket seats are from a mid 70's Mustang I believe. I have pictures of the seats before they were reupholstered for the Maverick. I also have 1 or 2 pics of the Maverick about a year after my Mom bought it in 1970-71. It had the single gray stripe on the sides. Now of course the paint scheme has been altered to my Dad's taste. --Dan

 

Dan, you have one sharp looking car there!!!
I agree your dad must of been on smart guy, with great taste!
I love those bucket seats! They sure do look like they are at home in there!

 

SWEEEEEET...Very Nice all around...them seats are great

 

welcome to the board dan. sure is a nice looking maverick. can't wait to see what you do to it.

 

Thank you all for the complements. I am very excited to actually make this maverick as quick as it looks. My last old car that I built from the ground up was a 500hp 11 second Dodge (picture below) so you can imagine how non-exciting a 120hp engine is. I sold the Dodge on Ebay last Summer. It now resides in VA.

I will be asking A LOT of questions in the tech section very soon as I am getting ready to redo the suspention and brakes and then attack the drivetrain. Once again thanks for all of the kind words and I hope to be helpful to you guys someday soon as well.--Dan

Dodge Picture:

 

Man thats a sweet grabber. Welcome to the board

 

nice maverick you got there! glad you switched to the darkside and got rid of the dog.. oh i mean dodge

hope to see you down here in so cal one day

 

Excellant work! Am very moved at your attitude and desire to carry on your dad's fine qualities. He would be very proud of you. These guys here will give you all the info you need to complete your project.