To keep or to sell......

Hey guys!

I am a new registrar to the newsgroups (located in Dayton, OHIO), but have been spending the last few weeks reading hundreds of your posts. I love the comraderie and enthusiasm which permeates the message board - and even into what seems the "real world".

Last summer I was in dire straits when I wrecked my late model Mustang. I needed a car- and decided to take the opportunity to serverely lower my car payment by purchasing a used car.

An elderly gentleman (about 81), a friend of the family; pointed me to a 1973 4-door Ford Maverick w/ vinyl top which had been sitting in his girlfriends? garage for the past 20 years. For the past 10 years he was recruited to start it up, keep the oil clean...etc. photo below

After cleaning out the pin and using a little bit of ether I drove it around the block and futher scrutinized it. The body was in oustanding shape with original paint job. The only (slight) rust detected was on the corner of the wheel wells. Engine seemed to run smooth, but idled a bit high. Interior was 99% immaculate with no tears or burns. Only 16k miles. I couldn't pass it up for $1000. What a nice feeling to pay cash for a car.

My dilemma: After about two months I couldn't bring myself to add any more to the mileage. I found another used car and put the Maverick into storage.

I really like the Maverick, but am a customizer at heart and would really like to swap wheels, give it a new paint job, new hood..etc. However, do I dare touch a 30 yr old, all original, outstanding shape vehicle?

Are there enthusiasts/ collectors out there who would purchase such a car? What would be a good asking price if I decide to sell?

I appreciate and thank you for your comments in advance.

 

you know i dont want to drop my ballot in the box, cause there is no sell it too hotrodtemptress for 1000$ choice. heres my thing. why have something if your not gonna enjoy it. i feel soo sorry for those ppl that spend thousands of dollars fixing up cars to never drive them. what good it is when all it does is travel from show to show on a car carrier?? its like having a million dollar home and only looking at it through the windows. JMO

 

PS i live just a hop skip and a jump away if u decide u want to sell it. i just had another baby and my 2 door barely is fitting us

 

First of all, welcome! This is the place to be for any Mav enthusiast.

Secondly, that's a very nice looking original car you have there, but just because it's original doesn't mean you can't have some fun with it.

I was in the same place you are. My first Mav was an original '75 4 door car with 25k on the clock. It was my daily driver all through college and when I finally bought another vehicle for regular transportation I treated the Mav to a facelift. It got new paint, a grabber hood, sport mirrors, bucket seats, new wheels and tires, chrome goodies under the hood, dual exhaust, and other minor touches. My goal was to dress it up without detracting from the originality of the car. In about 3 hours time I could revert it back to bone stock original. You could go the same way with yours, just keep all the original parts you take off.

There's no reason you can't drive and enjoy your car the way I've enjoyed mine over the years. Below is a pic for inspiration. Have fun!

Sam

 

Do with it as you wish...

...if you want to modify it, go for it.

Just my toe-steppin'-on 2 cents coming up....

having 4 doors rather than 2 will ALWAYS
limit the number of buyers and therefore
the value.

Customize it as much as you like, I don't
think you are going to kill the value.



Seth

 

i cant stand haveing an original frist thing when i got my lancer i took the stock turbo charged inline v6 and put in a 4.3 liter v8 from a lexus and a TDO4 turbo and put some 17's on it.

its your car why dont you go have fun with it. trick it out and have fun. you can find alot of insperation form this site.. and the other maverick/comet sites

but dont let it get stolen!!!

 

the only thing better that a stock mav is a custom one

 

before seeing the picture i'd say modify it... but man, after seeing what it looked like, (and this comming from someone that don't leave anything stock) i'd leave it stock... that thing is like way clean!

but do as you want

 

Welcome and that looks like one nice car. You could still do do suttle things that are easily reversed if you so decide. JMO, but I tend to like 4 drs in stock form. If you decide to sell, I dont think you will have any problems making a little bit of profit on that one. Its hard to put a price on it because 4 drs generally dont sell as well as 2 dr models. But then, that is a nice one!

 

Thats quite a find to say the least, I'm also of the opinion that 4 doors look better stock...not to say that some things couldn't be done to enhance its looks, but you just don't see Mavs or Comets in that kind of original condition very often.
I'm restoring a 72 comet 4 door back to original condition, what I wouldn't give to have it look like yours.
Good Luck with anyway you decide to go with it.

 

Sam, that's one sharp looking 4-door. Cool pic.

 

Thanks for the replies and kind comments! I really do appreciate experienced opinions. It sounds like several of you can relate.

Here are a few more pictures and information:

- Does have AC. Had to drop about $150 to charge it and fix a line.
- Does have Power Steering.
- "Bench" front seat.
- It idles much better now, but takes about 2-3 times to turn over.
- I have to replace drivers side front door handle.

It does have a vinyl top which is in great condition. I plan to take the advice of others on the board and check the gas tank and cowl for rust.

 

Nice Maverick

Armothe, It looks like you have found a very nice orginal Maverick with super low miles and in near perfict condition. This does not happen to often. I would leave it the way it is except to make inprovements and repairs. You could get an appraisal and if you decide to sell, I sure you could make money. Modifications like wheels/tires an aftermarket stereo is OK but, keep the orginal equipment. Once the orginality is gone, it can never be brought back. Also a restored to orginal car is still not orginal. I would buy another Maverick to Modify, mabe a two door. It might be easyer to sell. Modidications are not cheep. Bottom line is that you must do what you realy want because you will be the one that will be happy! Whatever you decide, there will be someone that will disagree. Welcome and enjoy!

 

I say keep it and modify it and make it your own or sale it and buy a two door. There hasn't been much interest in Mavericks until recently, and I don't see a four door having a high collectable dollar value, but then again who knows. There a alot of mods that you can do to it that can be easily undone like new rims and tires etc. which would make a big cosmetic difference, without damaging the originality of the car later.

Good luck either way.

 

you talk like you are not a 4dr. person. if you were there wouldn't be any ??? about keeping a nice one like that. i say sell the car and make a 4dr. person very very happy. take the monies and buy a 2dr. j.m.o....frank...