In 2021, Ford revived the Maverick nameplate for a compact pickup truck slotted under the Ranger. However, this new vehicle has nothing in common with the original Maverick, which was a compact car.
Introduced for the 1970 model year, the Maverick replaced the Falcon, which could not meet the forthcoming NHTSA standards. Pitted against the Chevrolet Nova and Dodge Dart, the Maverick was also Ford’s answer to the newer Japanese imports from Datsun and Toyota.
The Maverick’s design was heavily influenced by the Mustang and included a long hood, fastback roof, and short deck. Notably sportier than the Falcon by appearance, the Maverick was a big hit. Ford sold nearly 579,000 Mavericks in 1970. For reference, Mustang deliveries came in at only 191,239 examples that year.
Sales dropped below the 300K mark from 1971 through 1973 but bounced back in 1974 when economy cars became popular. Ford offered the Maverick with minor changes until 1977 and sold a whopping 2.1 million examples over eight model years.
Like most high-selling rigs from the era, the Maverick was viewed as a throwaway vehicle. Most were sidelined or taken to the scrapyard as soon as newer automobiles became available. But it seems that at least one owner decided to take advantage of its compact size and reduced weight and take the Maverick drag racing.
Found in a salvage yard by YouTube’s “Corner Classic Car Hunter,” this beefed-up Maverick doesn’t come with a story about its drag-racing days, but the updates confirm it played the quarter-mile game at some point. The fat rear tires and the skinny front rubber are the most obvious hints, but the big scoop also suggests the Maverick did not rely on a stock inline-six engine.
The scoop reminds me of the Hurst SC/Rambler that AMC built in 1969. Based on the Rambler American, the SC/Rambler was a factory dragster and one of the most daring compact vehicles of its time. Perhaps whoever built this Maverick used the SC/Rambler as inspiration?
The car’s interior appears largely stock at first glance, but the Maverick sports a smaller steering wheel and aftermarket gauges on the center dash. The center tunnel also received extensive modifications, and I also noticed traces of what many have been a roll bar. But I bet it was more of a Sunday fun car than a proper drag racer for NHRA events.
Unfortunately, this Maverick may not race again. The two-door has been sitting for a very long time, and the condition of the underpinnings is unknown. And it’s not like collectors are crazy about the Maverick, which still is a throwaway classic as of 2024. Restored and highly original examples rarely exceed $15,000, so this old dragster isn’t worth much. It’s still a cool take on the Maverick, though.