Maverick Grabber

So I am more than likely going to buy this car at the end of this week or soon but I got a few questions I would like help with that im having a hard time finding the answers too.

First things first. Here is the car. 1971 Maverick Grabber



He claims it is a factory Grabber which I believe although I want to check the vin on it. Although I know a Grabber had a special hood and spoiler what else did the grabber package guarantee? What in the vin will tell me it is a true grabber?

Also he says that the car had no drivetrain when he bought it although he did his research and says it came with a 250 I-6. Could you get an inline six in a grabber? Also he says it came factory with a 3 speed although he has two c4's for it I will get and no 3 speed. What 3 speed would have been original in this car. Column or floor shift?

Thats all I can think of now. Thanks for all your help!

 

Looks like a Grabber to me.

The third and fourth digits in the vin should be 93 if it is a Grabber.

Yes, Grabber could come with 6 cylinders - V8 was an option

It depends on how it was ordered as to what style of shifting three speed it came with. 3 speed on the column was standard and 3 on the floor was an option.

Hope this helps,
-Corbin

P.S. Looks like you are in Orcutt! I'm currently going to school at Cal Poly, SLO, so I'm just up the coast from you. If you want another opinion, help, or someone to check it out with you, let me know - I'll always help another Mavericker. In the worst case you pass on the deal, let me know as I could be interested (I've really got way too many projects though, so hopefully you get it so I can't even consider it ).

 

Corbin is correct...and it definitely looks like a true Grabber. The vin will tell the story. Good find!

 

Nice find!

The hood, spoiler, and stripes were the biggest part of the Grabber package.
However they also had the sport mirrors and "Sport lamps", which appear to be in that pic as well.
There should be a toggle switch mounted on the dash that is marked "Sport lamps".

You should be able to look at the car and tell right away if it was floor or column shift.

 

Thats too cool that you live that close. if and when i get the car i may want and or need your help. haha. maybe we could have a night cruise. im up your way a lot!

 

although I will check for the switch friday when i get to see the car sport lamps? May sound stupid but what sport lamps? The turn signals in the grille?

 

Sweet. Let me know through the board if I can be of any help and I'll give you my phone number or something. Unfortunately, my Mavs are back at home at my parents while I am in school (I have an older 4Runner as a DD), so I wouldn't be able to join you in the cruise . Did you get that 73 LDO Mav you were looking at a while ago (That was you, right?)?

 

Grabbers had the turn signals under the bumper.
The lights in the grille on those Grabbers were called Sport Lamps by Ford.
They were lights that today might be called fog lights or driving lights.
However, I found them to be pretty much a curiosity.
They are not really good enough to be either fog or driving lights.
Just something neat to flip a switch on.
At least that's how my 72 was...

 

Yes that was me and no I didnt get it. It was around for like 3 months and I just didnt have enough money to put out the cash. Wanted hat car bad. I hear its still around and the old man just gave up on selling it.

And yeah. My daily driver is a 77 f-250. Ouch. hahaha

 

Sweet! I had no idea that the turn signals were down there

The sport lamps ought to be like my fog lamps. They dont do anything but look cool if your a car coming towards me on the road. Were they clear? I bet you could put amber lights in them though,

 

Bummer about the 73, but this one looks sweet too. Do you see many Mavs driving around down there? I've only seen 3 Mavs and 1 Comet in 4 years up here in SLO.

 

Exactly right. The sport lamp lenses were clear and there were amber bulbs in them.

 

Other than that mav for sale I have seen one other green 4 door once. There is a guy (who I belive is on here) that is selling me this mav who owns a blue 2 door you can see in the background. I have yet to see it in town and I saw one on ebay that was beautifully restored but never saw it running around either.

I think the people who have them leave them parked in theyre garages.

 

Still leaves me with one question though. The 3 speed trans. surely the shifter (column or floor) doesnt change the trans. The only things I could find were transmissions to replace the 3 speed.

 

The 250 was only available with a C4 in 1971 so if it is a 6 cylinder manual tranny car it would be a 200 CI originally. The vin will tell for sure.