Yeah, it is a compact. Actually Ford called it a subcompact in 1969 when it was released. It was the smallest car in the lineup. Then the pinto came around and it became a regular compact.
2 door Maverick, at 103 in wheelbase is a compact. (100 to 104" wheelbase is a Compact). The 4 door is an 'Intermediate'.
THIS WAS ON A MAVERICK ADD 1970 I HAVE MAVERICK FORDS NEWEST BETTER IDEA PLUGS THE BIG GAP BETWEEN COMPACTS AND IMPORTS....WITH A WHEELBASE EIGHT INCHES SHORTER THEN A 69 FALCON EIGHT-AND-A-HAFT INCHES LONGER THAN A V W 1500 AND 21 INCHES SHORTERTHAN THE AVERAGE FULL-SIZE CAR NOW AMERICANS WHO WANT SMALL CAR ECONMY DON,T HAVE TO SEND U.S. DOLLARS OVER-SEAS. IT,S THE END OF FOREIGN INTRIGUE
actually with the maverick weighing in in the 2600-2800 lb range, with all the trucks and suv's out there, I would say that the mav would be well in the category of compact, even by todays standards
I couldn't find the article, but Ford introduced the Maverick, in part, to compete with the Volkswagon. One particular statement I remember from the article was that the turning radius of the 'new' Maverick was nowhere near the VW (the writer didn't particularly care for the Maverick). Anyone else see this article (and can post it)? I did a keyword search and couldn't find anything (the actual text is in jpg or gif format I believe - which might explain the reason for not finding the text. I'd say since they were competing against the VW, it was DEFINTLEY "clasisified" as a compact. My 2.
Charlie is right. It was classified as a compact. What was a compact then is midsize now. The Dart, Valiant, Nova, and everything similar sized were compacts also. Funny thing, though...Ford made the Maverick as a response to the rush of foreign compacts being imported. Goes to show you what the American credo was...bigger is better!
I guess I've got to be honest: Back when I was shopping for my first car (circa 1974), I was looking for an economical, compact car. Having driven my dad's gas-guzzling, 3-ton, 130-inch wheelbased station wagon for a year, I wanted something different. I had studied all of the Consumer Reports books and had decided to get me a Dodge Dart! Ironically, I never found a clean enough Dart, so I bought a Maverick! Little did I know my life was going to change forever based on this decision.
The specs I showed are current, the 2 door would still be considered a compact car now. Maybe the article you are referring to is one from my site? http://articles.maverickgrabber.com
Little did I know my life was going to change forever Hey Doug, sounds like a screenplay for a movie!
ahhh, the darts, got to love them They are Dodges "maverick" Our family has had two 74's, a four and a 2 door, a four door 65 dart and we currently own a stick shift 64 2 door dart and a 66 convertible valiant with a new top, new paint, new interior, and soon to be a new engine!
