Barn Find! 1971 Ford Maverick - Total Revival

This 1971 Ford Maverick had been put away since 1996. The previous owner “Owen” had started restoring the car and after rebuilding the engine and ordering lots of parts he didn’t finish it. He casually mentioned to us one day he had this taking up space and was looking to sell it. A few months went by and here we are! Warm weather ahead it was just the right time to drag this thing home and begin the process.
The car has a 200 inline 6 (3.3L) and I’m unsure of the transmission type though it’s automatic.
With lots of brake work, carb tuning, tank cleaning, interior assembling , paint buffing , body panel aligning etc etc ahead of us, we hope you stick around and let us know what you think.
Thank you all for watching and supporting our channel over the years. It means so much to us with every new comment , like, and subscription.
Stay tuned to see more on this Maverick, we are far from finished, but just out of time and parts for this episode.
Jay Smart (Maxx)
PO Box 713
Chesnee SC 29323

[@bobware3966]

Nicely done. Back in the day, I viewed the Maverick as a budget-friendly car, but then a buddy’s dad got a Comet GT with the 302 and a manual tranny. What a fun car.

[@beboboymann3823]

I bought a 1973 Maverick with 302 V-8 and three speed manual on the column. It was solid blue and was very much fun to drive after I put glass pack mufflers on it. It sounded awesome. A hail storm came thru and chipped the paint. Nationwide Insurance paid for a repaint and I had it painted in blue over white like the Grabber. I got a lot of compliments on that car.

[@finrod8432]

Thank you so much for doing this video. Early 70s maverick is my favorite classic car and i just love the body style. Thats also a beautiful color, looks like gulf stream aqua or a metallic teal. Great job on the resto!!!!

[@sleepervega71hill28]

Yessir s. Fellow Carolinian can lift a finger to help someone. 👍. Born in NC.

[@RobertDickens2002]

I have a lot of kin folks from NC

[@carlosarellano4]

Mann that engine that sounded so goood 😮 Your evil laugh after your buddy says Man that is a quiet motor! Has me deing lol Cha Ching is all your heard What a cool FN Car

[@justsumguy2u]

I always liked the Maverick, good-looking car. I'd daily drive that

[@ohernandez13]

My grandpa had that exact car it came out great! Such an awesome barn find J!

[@motocrossedful]

Really love this video. Love the Maverick, one of the best designs to come out of the Ford factory. Jay, nice job on the compounding. More of the Maverick.

[@tk848]

I had a 73 Mercury Comet with a 302. I had so much fun with that car.

[@jamespn]

Ford Mavericks were everywhere when they came into the market in 1970. They were priced under $2,000, with a 3 speed stick and an inline 6 cylinder engine. No glove box, but it had carpeting and a cigarette lighter.

[@GeminiWoods]

Swwweeeet car! Time to drop a 302 in it!!

[@laarshegdish6016]

After it was all cleaned up, it looks amazing! Love the color and that '70s body style!

[@alexisg311]

Yo aprendí a conducir en un Maverick 4 puertas de 1973. Gran coche.

[@leekissel6151]

Jay, the most enjoyable video I ever watched on your channel, you and your Dad working together is priceless . !! Great job

[@leekissel6151]

I forgot, the motor sounds so quiet !!!!

[@GraphicDesignerStephen]

When I was growing up, my neighbor had a Maverick with the 302. It was loud, fast and I always thought it was kind of cool because it was so different. He was one hell of a guy - Vietnam and submarine veteran, and one of the kindest, gentlest, best men I’ve ever known. RIP John.

[@Tmax-ub5br]

Sharp maverick I like that model year 71 my favorite.

[@Jay-Moneyshot]

You did a good job on that. Keep videos like these coming. Thanks for the post

[@redwinstead7873]

Amazing job ❤❤❤

[@davidkohler7454]

Winner winner chicken dinner boys. I had several 70...74. Mavericks. Mostly straight six auto. But I also had one with 3 on the tree and my favorite was a 72 Grabber Maverick. 5 hole wheels and a 302..4 speed. I planned on keeping that one but it got stolen in 1985. This definitely brought back some good memories.

[@seangallagher455]

That dodge putting in some work today!!!!!

[@higheriam]

Nice work. Good find. 😊 Floor pans, little this and that.

[@RohanSanjith]

your videography skills are amazing

[@skinnerhound2660]

Great find, great buy. You both did a stellar job piecing her back together Jay, kudos. Use to see a lot of these on the road back in the 70's. Had a classmate that drove an orange "Grabber" with a 302. When these were introduced, Ford had a television advertising campaign touting $1995. MSRP. Peace.

[@intrepid5684]

I love this car!

[@danieladdison7322]

She is a peach!! Very cool , beautiful turquoise colour

[@richgwozdz8580]

I just picked up one yesterday in the same color and condition for $5600 with some 500+ cubic inch motor that the guy had forgotten the specs on but had the dyno sheets proving that it makes 650hp with a shitty knock of elderbrock carb and 790hp with a demon carb the guy tried making me trailer it home when I literally lived an mile away so I told him it’s on your trailer already to come drop it off and he said no so I said no problem I don’t have a trailer and no cop is going to catch me within the second my foot hits the pedal so unstrap her and I’ll show you how I do things I had the guy asking me how I made it do a wheelie 10 minutes later lol and I said it’s called my balls are obviously dropped and yours are still in your mom 😂

[@warthogA10]

Dirty Duck would be a great name or plate for this car.. 😁👍

[@laarshegdish6016]

I always loved these cars! I remember when the Maverick was a brand-new model back in the early 70's, when I was in high school.

[@terrytye6497]

My first car was a 1970 Ford Maverick the same color as that one. Boy that brings back so many memories. I would Love to find another one as nice as that one .

[@Ulford]

What a beautiful car Jay. Great transformation done by you and your dad.

[@alanprather8399]

needs some paint, but damn what a score. body and everything is in great shape.

[@stevenl47]

OMG. My first car was a 1971 Maverick. It was light blue, with a yelliw hood, and no grille. This car is so similar that it immediately took me back 42 years. I would love to have another one.

[@michaelcox9855]

Absolutely gorgeous car. You got a real score there, and nothing looks better than cars from the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Well done.

[@gerry-p9x]

Those grabbers were wicked fast in 1972

[@NoBudgetGarage661]

Just came across your channel. Diggin the maverick

[@christopherdickenson374]

That engine is so smooth running and sounding. Not a rattle that I heard. That is one sweet little rig.

[@davidmiller6726]

Great episode! I have always liked the Ford Maverick!

[@Blueblur444]

I always really liked this body style, especially before they got the big 5mph bumpers. Great color and yeah i'd keep those wheels. Fantastic little driver quality classic.

[@timmatheny-lo9ze]

Sweet, very underrated cars.

[@richardeagan3156]

I just now found your channel, glad i did. Being a fan of cars in general, and the restorations of "barn finds" I actually enjoy the road trip videos more. Automobiles and road trips just go hand in hand.

[@joecassell9655]

Love the 2 door maverick

[@sasax7777]

I can tell how excited you guys were to start workin on this thing. Makes me really happy. I used to work on cars with my dad too, unfortunately he isn't here anymore, but it sure is fun watching you two work on them!

[@RickyB-jm9sy]

I love it! Great job! I also really like your hair cut looks so much better shorter, I also like your little tummy you’re getting.😂

[@neilschipper3741]

Now that was a trip down memory lane..... I purchased the same car back when it was new , it was built as the simple machine... And the cost was 1995 !

[@oscartheg6674]

Absolutely worth every penny and amount of time that you sunk into it it's a keeper it's an a to b car. Acoustics, there's something about a Maverick on the inside every one I've ever sat in the acoustics were phenomenal.

[@kcsavers]

Owned a '71 2door, 200 6, auto. Nice car, yours reminds me of mine. Also owned a '74 maverick v8 auto 2 door. Liked both cars.

[@jamesdamron2065]

I had a couple grabbers,, even had the comet mercury version with the scooped hood! Cool cars

[@jackb1000]

Great buy! I just loved Mavericks. That one's got good bones and is a great car to learn and play with. Run the 6 for a while and if ya feel like it drop a small block 8 in it. Have fun.

[@markamcampbell5795]

had a 72 maverick. it was orange with a black stripe. it had a 300-six with a three on the tree. drove from Spokane to Olympia and still had a 1/4 gas left. paid 75 bucks for the car i had to sell it later for my nephews' first car and I was going overseas for a job. It was a nice car with lots of power.

[@russellhanlin9510]

What an awesome video I had a 70 maverick

[@ChrisLee66]

I really didn't care for Mavericks back in the day but now older and seeing this one I've changed my mind. Good job.

[@PizzaMan-ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Same

[@stevevarholy2011]

I always thought the Mavericks were very unappealing, too. The non-huge body rub trim strip cars look better to me now. You haven't lived until you have gone from SC to DC and back for the holidays in a college friends I-6 Maverick that consumed a quart of oil every 75 miles. Stop, check and add oil. Stop, get gas, check and add oil, repeat...

[@ChrisLee66]

@@stevevarholy2011 lol, I had an old VW Bug back then and my Dad just threw a case of oil into the trunk for me so I wouldn't bother him. Good times.

[@richardbates2367]

Maverick and comet, and the 67-73 mustang and the 94-98 mustang sn95 cars and my favorite version of them is probably the 71-73 mustang and the 79-86 mercury Capri cars

[@LarsonFamilyFarm-LLC]

Ditto...looks better than I remember.

[@dwaynecollins4974]

That's a good looking old car. I took my driver's test for my first license in a Maverick just like that one only it was yellow😊 oh and it had a 302 V8..

[@chrisnoeske8904]

What a nice little trip down memory lane. Very sweet little car. I bought a 1976 Maverick brand new off. The lot paid about $3500 for it. Ford should have never taken the Maverick name and put on a ugly little truck. You talk about sacrilegious. Enjoy that little car. They were fun to drive.

[@JackVegetables18]

I agree 👍💯

[@ricardocarmona5210]

I had a white one with a blue racing strips on the hood. Back in the 80s 🤘

[@BillyJoeJimBob28]

Yep. I had a red 70 6 cyl. Maverick. It was a pretty nice ride. Good job on this blue one. I like it! 😎👍

[@warthogA10]

I said the same thing when I first saw their new ugly trucks They should have brought the original Maverick back.. they would have sold huge.. I always liked the body style if these

[@BeamerMT1979]

@@warthogA10cars don’t sell unfortunately 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@robis40]

Awesome car, my first car was a 74 Comet with the 200 and factory a/c. Loved the bench seat for dates. I’d love to get one like this.

[@davida.p.9911]

Looks awesome Jay!! I can dig it!! 😎 I forgot just how much they resembled a mini Mustang. Looks really good!

[@richardoswalt1009]

Good job saved another one..

[@tommyboy8524]

What a cool car Jay. Good luck with it.

[@KINGLEFU5706]

I had a 71 with a 390 4 barrel carb 4 speed and that little thing would fly and don't pay attention to the people on the internet I think yall did a great job!!!

[@BillyJoeJimBob28]

A 390 in a Maverick? Wow! I bet it hauled azz! 😎👍

[@GorillaCookies]

I have a 71 maverick I built with a 408 w stroker , Tremec TKX 600 close ratio 5 speed and 3.73 geared 8.8 LS rear diff. Fun doesn't begin to describe the car. Love the little mavericks. They can be built to handle amazingly well too. Nice acquisition

[@lostnfoundranch]

BEAUTIFUL 😍

[@Ridendrty]

Thats a great result in very little time. Yall got a little gem there.

[@pedroarroyo9684]

Beautiful

[@larrytrygar80]

I love the car what a sharp looking car I'd love to have one a drive one I've always liked ford mavericks they are awesome cars

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

love maverik's awesome bodystyle

[@bearwalton]

Great find!

[@jamesdamron2065]

Best year maverick!!😂 looks Awsome

[@joeandrews3064]

love the car.

[@MrX-pj1dy]

Jay, when she all put back together, she's a keeper

[@gerry-p9x]

Get a spoiler and factory good scoop. Hood make it look like a grabber

[@RohanSanjith]

you and rural vermonter are unique

[@evanjohnson8682]

good work Jay!

[@kenh8925]

The 1971 was my first car back in 1979. Never had any issues with it.

[@Thisappaintreal]

Always wanted one to do a turbo 5.0 and a 5 lug swap. Sweet car

[@roncarlton1882]

I had a new 1972 Maverick Grabber with the 302 V8. Wow what a quick car. Loved it. Grabber Blue with the graphics and fake hood scoops.

[@ToddMills801]

What a sweet old girl I often wonder why these gems get parked

[@tombob671]

These were solid basic transportation cars back in the day. Pretty much what we need nowadays going forward in this crushing inflation times

[@BakedRBeans]

Best transportation cars now would be maybe 10 year old Honda Civic or Toyota Camry, They will just run and run.

[@tombob671]

@@BakedRBeans true. Sadly so as Detroit is lacking in quality control

[@oscartheg6674]

I watched somebody take a can of paint and sprayed it just to make it look like it's been gone over he wanted it to look nice. I think Henry would say you were expecting something else,in another word it runs really good I love them straight six.

[@DeeEva548]

Good looking car. Now I have the newer version the truck.

[@jamespn]

I always like seeing you working with your dad, I’m sure he remembers when these cars were everywhere.

[@markzimmerman6517]

I would love to have this little car😊

[@m.pav.8397]

I will definitely watch move videos if this continues.!!

[@AintScaredGarage]

I had a 71 Grabber with a 200 6 cyl and a 3 on the floor, I loved that car

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

I had a ‘75 Merc Comet, with a 3 on the floor and 200 ci inline 6, great little car,

[@robertwest3093]

You lucky dog! Looks like a pretty solid car to start with. I’ve been looking for one myself but NO luck. I used to have a 1972 Sprint edition but that was thirty years ago.

[@DaveGreg100]

What a treat. I always enjoy your content. My Grandmother bought the first Maverick Grabber in the Chambersburg area right off the show room floor. Bright yellow. Black interior. Radio, heater, whitewalls, 200 in six. Unboosted steering. It turned heads. $2600 out the door. Thanks for this. What a great find.

[@rosscop65]

Nice Find

[@dan19120]

Ive been watching your videos from the beginning and i still get excited when you upload 😀

[@jonathanmiddleton1141]

Hey Bro, don’t let all the internet “ experts “ get to you. All an “expert” is, is a “Has been, under pressure “!!!😉 Totally LOVE the car!!!!

[@alexblanco9687]

I am not a big fan of mavericks but between this one and the crispy comet I’m learning to love these little beasts.❤

[@AbcDef-iq4no]

In the early 80s a good friend of mine had almost this exact same car. His was sky blue with black interior and the 6-cylinder engine, and I think his was a 1970. It was a good, reliable car.

[@JasonCole-wl4nm]

First video I have seen and like it bud.

[@psully311]

Awesome find & revival! My dad was a Ford fanatic & had a 1970 Grabber Maverick he raced at Motion Raceway back in the day. Good luck with the channel, got my sub!

[@billdenton530]

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Awesome I love a Maverick!!!!!

[@billthomas8994]

Been over 40 years since I last saw my ‘71 Maverick, but instantly recognized the York compressor, washer bottle, air cleaner, and radiator

[@BakedRBeans]

Hello, Jay! You said the car had 195/70/14 tires on it. You should consider 195/75/14 as replacement. The taller tire will give you a much smoother ride, and better braking with the manual brakes.

[@JeoffreyAdams]

Nice car

[@rogerstephens8019]

I don't know but that looks just like one my college roommate had and we went in it to a BLACK OAK ARKANSAS concert at KENTUCKY DAM STATE PARK !!! We had a blast.in that car and got to meet the band in person ! 😊😊😊

[@theramquest4advanture.]

Love the sound of the Dodge Magnum V8 why I can't get rid of my '97 Ram 1500 with a 360 V8, because it sounds so good. Also like those cars too.

[@richardbates2367]

My magnum 318 sounds good as well but does have the power or torque yours and Jay's 360 has lol

[@m.pav.8397]

You got a deal. Brings back memories.

[@3374jj]

Thats gonna be a fun little project for sure

[@joecostantino3684]

This reminds me of my 71, bought it back in 02 for $250 tried restoring it but never had the time and it needed more then i had $$$ to spend for it.. Same engine too, yours sounds better then mine did, mine was a bear to get started it would rarely if ever fire right up on a cold start I always had to fight with it, started fine once it was warmed up. Mine had the 3 on the tree which had a bad bushing because it wouldn't find 3rd gear sometimes it would go back to 1st which isn't fun at 40 mph..

[@Danzilly]

Morning Jay! Yall had to dig for that prize! Dirty dodge sounds good!

[@johnbarker5009]

Man, I want one of these things BAD! And yes, Maverick shock towers can have all the same weaknesses as Mustang shock towers. In fact, many of the front suspension and steering components are shared with 67-70 Mustang and you can do all the same mods/upgrades to them you can with a Mustang. It's just narrower.