INTRODUCING: THE TRASH PANDA - My 1969 1/2 Stick Shift Street Car Maverick

[@TurboRanger351]

She said "stop looking at my butt" ! I was like yes ma'am and looked away for a second 🤣 thought I got caught.

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

😂🤣😂

[@mitchellholroyd2837]

Dude it's kinda difficult to not look.

[@Motor-City-Mike]

@@MissMidnightMaverick Hi Tess! Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year!!!! First up - Don't beat yourself up over being a little spooked right now in the car. That was a HARD hit on that far wall, at a buck sixty! Anyone with survival instincts is going to have something like that haunt them for a while. I tumbled a couple pretty good and I was the guy my pos'se said had a death wish - well, those tumbles spooked me fierce, like got shakey sometimes driving to work. They teased me pretty good on the first one - right up until one of them tumbled HIS car, he was able to walk away and he still quit racing. Just a few OG things, un-modified T5s are difficult to shift quickly, I won't go all tech on it but it has to do with how their synchros work - that's why the shifter 'stops' as it goes across neutral, so they Are a little tricky. The other T5 thing is as long as you lift (even only halfway) on the shifts it'll hold up longer. That 8" isn't a bad axle but you need to go inside - on the one burnout it only spun the right rear tire. Out back again, a set of 70/30s should let it plant the tires and not hop - if a set of adjustables are in the budget, better yet. Tess, I have to admit, I ADORE YOU, not That way (Hope Tony gets this)... I adopted you as my 'KZbin Baby Sister' (LOL!) - 'baby' only because of the age difference, I love your enthusiasm, you're humbleness, your skills (with tools and as a driver), just your whole demeanor - you even have that sparkle in your eye when you don't feel well and your working under the car. Yup, you're that baby sister I always wanted to be proud of! I really really enjoy you as a personality on here. 💛❤

[@jcnpresser]

😆

[@jonathonwhite2813]

apparently it only looks good in yoga pants

[@denniswatkins23]

Keep at it young lady, my first car I ever owned was a 1970 Ford Maverick, great learner car, bought it for $700, straight body clean interior put in another $1000 to make it a little faster, it ran perfect. Those were the days, wish I never sold it.

[@young11984]

I think you did good for being first time at the track since your crash AND adapting to a manual trans, everybody has a learning curve when its something new outside their norm so keep at it

[@mau6457]

Great job with this car! Really enjoyed watching the improvements you made and being in tune with them. More seat time and tuning will have you in the 10s in no time! Just a reminder, along with your performance tuning also keep your safety upgrades going too ( driveshaft loop, rear end upgrades etc.). You all are doing a fantastic job with these cars, I always have felt the Maverick was an overlooked muscle car back in the day so great job bringing them out. I raced a Super Gas ‘68 Cougar back in the early 80s and always got a lot of attention with it because it was different… My Dad bought that Cougar brand new off the showroom floor in ‘68 and my now wife and I dated in high school driving that car before I tube chasied it. We now have an original ‘68 XR-7 Cougar that we enjoy showing 45 yrs later. Keep up the good work and enjoy those Fast Fords!!!

[@jamiestevenson6119]

It's awesome to see you and Tony working good together to achieve each other's goals,nothing more inspiring to see a good power couple in todays world.

[@ElamCreekFarms]

Miss Mav, I really love watching you & Tony's videos: especially the ones you guys do w/the great people at #SRC & #OldMansGarage. I'm serious, if you & Tony ever tried a LENCO 4-SPEED (w/OD), or 5-SPEED, you'd never want anything else!! They are BULLETPROOF & as streetable as a Powerglide. No more grenaded transmissions, or missed shifts. Keep up the great work!👍🇺🇲

[@bluegizmo1983]

Nice! I'm also in the process of building a 1970 small bumper Maverick! Just finished building out a brand new early 70's block 351W engine, bored .060 over to a 363 with Keith Black flat top pistons, AFR 185cc heads with 58cc chambers (should be around 11.2:1 compression), a Howards Cam Big Daddy Rattler camshaft, RPM Airgap Intake, Long tube headers, and a Holley 750 DP carburetor. It's gonna be hooked up to a 3 Speed Toploader manual transmission. I bought this Maverick from a guy in AZ who owned it since high school (about 10 to 15 years), and there isn't a single spec of rust anywhere on the entire car! The body is straight and has perfect glass as well as the car was garage kept.

[@SKA343]

I have a 73 302 automatic all original

[@jodywells7519]

Cool to see someone build something different! Especially the way you guys build stuff

[@kennethchapman9564]

Back right after high school I had a 1970 Maverick that started life as a six cylinder with 3 on the tree was from North Carolina with just 20k miles on it. It was the same blue as yours. My family has owned a few Mavericks. I even owned a beater maverick while I was in the service.After a Boss 302 crate motor was put in with mustang five lug front spindles and disc brakes and Detroit locker in rear diff with a Ford top loader four spd with Hurst comp Plus. Rousch headers and oil filter remote. Motor was bone stock down to the dual point distributor and Ford part number tag on the Holley carburetor. Had 15" Cragar S/S all the way around with N50 Mickey Thompson on the rear. Won quite a few street races, humiliated a couple of big block Chevelle's with it, a 69 440 charger and a 72 Trans Am and a 67 GTO. A blast for an eighteen year old to blast around in. Should have never sold it

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

They really are great little cars and so underrated! It sounds like yours was a blast!

[@werdevo6]

Very well done Tess! Cruising this car around the street would even get you more acclimated and comfortable with driving stick shift. Merry Christmas 🎄 and a Happy New Years🎉, to you and Tony!!

[@keithphillips6111]

You did fine Tess! I didn't realize I watched you guys work on that car when you 1st got it. I guess that means I've been watching from the beginning!!! And btw, we all told Tony to be a creeper so it's not his fault!!!!! Just concentrate on shifting and Tony can run the camera!!!! Any way happy holidays and much love!!!!!

[@xozindustries7451]

First off driving a high horsepower stick car at the track isn’t easy, we have been trying to dial in my friends 67 mustang with a 408 Clevelor for a while now and it’s still won’t leave correctly, some Calvert springs are the next step. That being said, Great job, glad to see you back driving. Just drive that as a daily for a few months, you’ll have the muscle memory to shift like it’s second nature. Slicks will definitely break something! Merry Christmas

[@Le_Brick420]

My first car was a 76 Maverick with a 1 barrel carb on it. I got my license with that car. That is cool you are mechanical and patient with cars. Kind of a rarity in todays world. I enjoyed watching this, thanks. Great job you.

[@RnRStreetcars]

Merry Christmas to you guys, gotta get the mav going so we all can see a friendly grudge race with you, Tony, and all the SRC Family. That would make a good episode.

[@gregstacey7925]

You did fine Tess. Coming back after a crash will be in the back of your mind no matter who you are. Love the street car. Always have loved the early Mavericks. Good luck moving forward. You got this girl!👍

[@stevestauff2220]

Absolutely love this car. Don’t get down on yourself enjoy the learning. Especially in such a cool car

[@wizza2315]

Love that chopping sound of the Maverick with the new cam! It's a beautiful car!

[@rayrussell6064]

You two are legends in my mind MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR and as always be safe 👍

[@jamessharp4361]

Bing-Watched all of your videos. It's really fun to watch you guys working together, improving. Can't wait to see your next installment.

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

Thank you so much! That really means a lot! ❤

[@rileythalacker1583]

@@MissMidnightMaverickis it possible to build a corvette faster than a Bugatti ?

[@3rdpig]

That brings back memories. When I was a kid my Dad bought a brand new 1970 Maverick for my Mom. 200 inch six, three on the tree and bench seats. Oh and the color? Anti Establish Mint. lol, have fun with it!

[@Iaminsaneone]

Love that you are back at the track! 11.69 second time at the track, is a big improvement, especially with that chatter in the rear end. Keep hammering away at your stick shifting, it will all fall into place quicker than you think. Cameraman, definitely has a creeper issue, lol, but nobody is complaining, lol, love the Maverick, wish we had them in Australia, we got the Ford Capri, and they were similar, but not as neat as the Maverick.

[@Iaminsaneone]

@_MissMidnightMaverick no underscore slash at the start of MissMidnightMaverick

[@johnludlam2796]

Tess you are a DragRacers dream partner love how you jump in and get it done bravo to you and Tony

[@jemshobbies]

i have a 89 coupe with 347, f cam, edlebrock heads and t-5. I love your set up. For me to launch consistently i run a switch on my clutch pedal hooked to the floor for a 2 step and when i shift i never go to the floor. i can't wait to see you creeping up on 10's with that mph. Good luck

[@MrShark4488]

I hope all of you are staying warm here in Hebron Ohio.......Wow it is cold Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to You and Tony and the whole SRC Family

[@paulm627]

Great Vlog! I think Tony has thee best camera skills out of anyone on KZbin 🤣It would be cool to see you take that car to Ohio and show the boys a thing or 2. I hope you haven't turned into a Popsicle at Bill and Vicki's and You and Tony have a Merry Christmas and Fabulous New Year!

[@NITROUSnBIASPLYS]

That 347 sounds goooood!! Stick shift H pattern racing is coming back strong 💪🏽 💯

[@philmagwood6321]

Proud of you for getting back at it! You will definitely get quicker and more confident soon. Love how you work on your own car. Good luck and go get em. 🤩😎

[@douglasbuckland8280]

Tess, I am technically a senior citizen, so kind of old school. I enjoy watching you wrench and drive. You guys make me laugh, which make watching your videos fun.

[@orlandoteoneto]

I'm Brazilian, I see that in America the Maverick is not a desired car for customizations. In Brazil, Maverick is very desired and valued. There are excellent projects developed for this car.

[@trevorsmith9251]

Seat time will definitely make you faster, sitting in the car stationary and practicing fast changing over and over and over will get your reflexes perfect 👌 merry Christmas guys 🎄

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

That’s a great idea! I really do think I just need to keep doing it until I can shift without thinking about it. It’s just crazy to me that I can drive a 4 second radial car, but this 11 second stick shift car is stumping me. Haha.

[@entropy156]

An excellent debut for Trash Panda. Such a cool car. Already that quick and can be driven anywhere, any time...even in the absurd A.V. summer heat. I have *so* much catching up to do...😄

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

We need to go to Mom’s soon!

[@entropy156]

@@MissMidnightMaverick oh...say when! 😁

[@GiletheCarGuy]

Good job out there! Little by little you'll work the kinks put of the car and yourself. Keep at it! 💚

[@essinem4130]

Love seeing Tonish in your videos, reminds me of my younger days. Used to street race with him way back when, he was driving dog nuts stickshift fox body and blowing everybody's doors off.

[@Mike-m3j]

I really enjoyed watching your progress your determination is strong to finish your build all the woman on KZbin taking the initiative to do something different with there lives is very incredibly important and probably relaxing not doing the same old thing. Looking forward to more of you.

[@dobs7464]

Looking forward to seeing you behind the wheel again Tess. Merry Christmas to you and the gang.

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@longbob9545]

your doing awesome for just starting doing stick, i have a 10 sec miata ive built and had it for years and i still miss shifts or slip off every once in awhile. love the channel and your content and thanks for making it so honest and raw

[@georgemos5993]

Merry Xmas to you both, you did Great shifting, Tess, you Will keep getting better each pass love from Melbourne Australia 👍

[@arturozarate1752]

Awesome the way you jumped up on the fender to pry the intake off!❤❤❤❤ You may have done this already, 3 month old video, but get some girdles on those rocker arms. Even with an ARP 7/16" there's a lot of deflection. Add a thick wall 5/16" pushrod(0.100" or bigger), if you cant fit a 3/8", and you'll get in the 9's naturally aspirated.

[@PitBullEngines]

Line lock, shocks and more perfect practice and you will run 10s. Oh I did get to see you guys at no mercy I enjoy talking to you all and I was the guy on the 3 wheel scooter.

[@pearlguy6351]

I have that exact same Ford dealership sign in my garage there incredibly hard to come by mines cracked though in one section got it for $700 a couple of years back love the maverick got a 72 Gran Torino sport fastback in garage 351W C6 450 hp street machine

[@ronaldeastman8167]

Imagine working on your car for several hours and it's so clean your hands don't even get dirty lol

[@davidvaughn7778]

I've never been drag racing, but would love to one day. I'm 45 so if I'm gonna do it, I had better get on it. I think you did a fine job running a stick car on the track, little more practice will get you there in no time.

[@Canadianchucknorris69]

That what’s great about stick cars…takes some learning, any having Tony guide you ..10’s will come soon! Thanks for sharing!

[@zAvAvAz]

A 13.25 is no slouch. Of course you were dissapointed since you knew it was capable of much quicker E.T. Great job on the maverick thus far, it is awesome! 🙂 i am had a 73 comet GT i am trying to find. And that 1st to 2nd gear shift on that 11:69 at 120mph was shredding it and you held 3rd good going into 4th awesome driving! Hey, you all do fantastic thanks a ton for sharing some of us out here can only dream of this, thank you for giving us hope of ever even having a life r. aaaaahhhhhh just a sigh, show us your heaven. i am just want my heaven not yours, yet yours is inspiring and may you have greater heavens also. Thank you for sharing.

[@79tazman]

It takes practice the more you get the better you will be. I know it took me a while to get off the light and my shifts right and I was running junk when I got into it so it made it much harder to do too.

[@fabiow88]

Great video. I really enjoy the process and the approach you take to racing. We all know you are going to be rocking the stick shift in no time. Keep killing it! 💪🏼

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

Man, I hope so! It’s definitely not anything like driving the radial car.

[@caveman6141969]

Hey Tess, If anyone has any bad comments on your stick shift driving abilities just remember you’ve won more races than most of the keyboard racers on here. Tess is the best.

[@l.e.s.4181]

@@MissMidnightMaverick UR the best💯

[@jameshendrickson8159]

Im grateful to see a woman whose so passionate about her car, and is down to earth, and knows her car and engine by every bolt, past and present, btw, does anyone make geardrive cam gears for small block ford? I did that on my sbc, and ill never go back.

[@DonaldLawson-pp7gp]

The more practice you get shifting the better you will be you will see. Nice car. Take it for a rip every day and watch your shifting be as smooth as a automatic transmission.

[@R.B_B]

The Ford Maverick here in Brazil IS one of if not the most desirable muscle car. We have a various restored and crazy customs.

[@montenelson2917]

No shame in letting off early. Always smarter and safer to baby step up to where you want to be. Great Job.

[@WheresWaldo05]

If interested in buying a 2001 svt cobra with only 73k miles, only issues are it has a small coolant leak but is still drivable. Also needs a new driver door window seal. But if not using gas station car washes, it is fine. Other than that it is in extremely good shape.

[@jimritter7945]

That’s a nice running car. Love the lope threw flowmaster mufflers. Not to bad of a time for just starting the stick shift life. You’ll get it and I don’t doubt you’re gonna see low 11’s to high 10’s without any real mod’s besides the shocks that is. Good luck.

[@bigchrisb59]

People who have wrecked before know exactly why you lifted. Thats hard to come back from. Some people never make it back so good on you!

[@ssoffshore5111]

First time viewer. I just want to know where do I find a woman like this?!?!?! Everything about her is amazing! Such a great personality, humble, knowledgeable about cars (and not afraid to work on them), and beautiful on top of it...They sure as hell don't make them like this in CT! I wonder if she has a single sister? 😅 BTW, I haven't seen a Maverick in a loooong time, never mind one that clean, very nice!

[@davidanderson2393]

Naming the car Trash Panda just cracked me up, nothing like banging gears on a stick car once you get the hang of it, good luck. Happy Holidays

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

A friend actually named it after I painted the grabber scoops black on the grey hood 😂 she was 100% right, it looked like a trash panda. Haha. I definitely just need more seat time and I think I’ll be able to get her into the 10s! 😊

[@terrymcmullen1948]

Awesome video! Love that car! You did a super great job editing. Better and better! Great to see y'all last night.

[@allanlee5196]

Don't be too hard on yourself. It's a learning curve for sure. You'll get the hang of it

[@Tsunam1Rahc]

The first pass You definitely distorted the numbers on that run. Excellent launch run everything. Definitely better than the previous run before the upgrades.

[@Tsunam1Rahc]

11.5 that really great. That car is a beast. Some tuning upgrades a turbo blower or nitrous that beast will possibly hit mid low or high 9's.

[@Tsunam1Rahc]

Hi. Thanks. I really feel that that is really awesome and cool at the same time. Please do Me a favor? There are person's out there with a lot of promise and upside and hope and life.. please do Me a favor and donate My gift to someone special. I would really super duper appreciate that. Thank You so much. I appreciate You. And stay safe be well.

[@taylormade710]

sweet ride, nice driving. hell everytime i line up my hand shakes no matter how many times i've lined up.

[@adamcartwright6220]

Man that Anderson cam sounds mean! I love the street Maverick! Also, Tony is a lucky man and that’s all I will say about that. 😂 Great video! Thank y’all!

[@richardnorwood3574]

I’m a big fan of Mavericks and women wrenching and racing ! Looking forward to more videos

[@ellarry5441]

That blue looks great. I hope it gets a full paint job in that color. Those wheels work well too. Awesome street car. Great content and love the work with SRC!

[@timmaxwell5008]

You did fine...for never having a stick car. That's quick to so you be proud of the car and yourself.

[@jeffnewman8457]

I'm so jealous!! I want a Maverick bad!!

[@word1ist]

Keep you head up you got it, you did what you could with the setup you had that will help you even more down the road when it is all perfect 🤘

[@robholmes2129]

Get you a shifter handle that makes you feel confident with quickshifting,it will help a lot

[@joshuabuxton7502]

Great video.. Time, practice and a few more adjustments and you're definitely going to have it flying like it should be.. Only suggestions that I can make are 1. Put a TKO in it 2. Upgrade to a 9inch and go from there.. I really think you're going to like the TKO better because it will actually handle more power and torque with less stress and strain on the clutch and transmission.. Always love watching yall.. Happy Holidays and God bless yall

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

The plan is to eventually put the 8.8 from my black car into it, I just know this 8” is going to explode before the t-5 does, I’ve been through three of them with my black car. Haha. We’ll probably put a TKX in it too, my main goal with this car is for it to be as streetable as possible, and I want to keep a synchronized trans in it.

[@88TRUNKBACK]

I think it’s got a 10 in it, that’s a soft leave and your shifting will get faster with practice

[@vinmandich7756]

Tony you do realize you are possibly the most envied man on KZbin idk a man that is in to cars that don't dream of having his girlfriend or wife with ever one work on her and your car with you.. impressive tess your definitely a rare breed ..

[@jeanlawson9133]

Trash Panda,,, baseball team in Huntsville Alabama 😎..... Love the Maverick....

[@csharp57]

I have no idea why youtube suggested this video, but I’m glad they did. Good content. Keep up the hard work 👌🏾

[@robertobetancourt7881]

That Car sound so beautiful

[@SS454JF]

Its hard coming back from a crash. You did great. 👍👍🤣

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

Thank you!

[@chrisgibson6960]

Keep banging those gears young lady, you’re doing fine. Merry Christmas to all of you guys.

[@larryjackson4539]

Tess shift them gears like you're mad at Tony. Merry Christmas to the both of you.

[@davidgough1161]

Like the cam change, that will be a fun car on the street!

[@Tsunam1Rahc]

Shifting is a doozie. No lies. Real talk. I watch funny car all the time and these Guys got that scientific art form down to a Tee. Practice definitely makes perfect in that regards. Familiarity and oneness with the performance vehicle definitely comes into play here. Races are won and lost off of the Tree. That is the meat and potatoes to running the strip. Be safe. Be well. Thanks.

[@paulpoor202]

Love the Grabber! Sounds great with new cam.

[@natejames5720]

I can't say I have ever seen a woman in a engine bay with nothing on her feet LOL. I LOVE IT!! Your cars are beautiful right a long with you. Stay safe

[@jasonthompson7230]

I'm still surprised that more people don't run Mavericks. My mom had one from 72-82. I thought it was pretty cool when I was a kid.

[@williamstamper442]

Great looking ole' Maverick! These cars have always had a mean street/strip vibe to them and this blue one just looks right inside and out. 11.69/120 is really scootin' for how little seat time you have with it so far. Get a full size practice tree, hook it up to a throttle or clutch switch, then sit in the car and practice practice practice! Row thru them gears like that trans owes you money. Won't take long until it's just a walk in the park. Love what y'all are doing here in the midwest with SRC crew too! I'll tell ya what y''all picked one heck of a year to spend Christmas away from Cali all the way over in Ohio during a freaking polar vortex cyclone bomb stupid windy crazy weather Christmas this year! As I write this at 6am on Christmas Eve here in Detroit I'm pretty sure it's minus 1000 outside. Wish you both the very best in the coming new year and Merry Christmas to all!

[@ashleybowen1999]

You doing great Tess keep at you and Tony will have it rolling. 👍

[@justinandnickybrock7463]

I think a short throw shifter would help you out a lot.

[@ponypwr]

The 11.69 pass was a solid pass with solid driving ! Perfect fun street car IMO a 8.8 4.10 gear and spintech mufflers ftw!

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

An 8.8 is in the plans! Going to put the one out of my black car in it 😁

[@georgeshotrodbarn2113]

Nice car, in the early seventy's a friend had a grabber and was tired of making the payments so he ran the car off the road down a ravine hoping to total the car out and he jumped out of the car at thirty-five miles per hour breaking his leg and the insurance paid to fix the car.

[@mwhitelaw8569]

Well ya got time , and Tony can help with shifting I'm sure. Practice, Practice, practice I get the whole gunshy after that wreck You're doin great tess Thanks for filming tony

[@brody5563]

Dont be afraid to brake a trans. Flat foot it, kick the clutch between gears and rip on that shifter. Seat time makes it easier. And maybe a smidge less wheel hop. Youll get it figured out. Keep moving forward

[@travismelton4680]

I'm not a Ford guy but I'm a stick shift, guy and you got a pretty good start keep, at it and give Tony a run for his money lol

[@smavtmb2196]

Hi from Vancouver BC Canada Trash Panda is an interesting name aslong as no one thinks its ok to "trash talk" Tash Panda. Yes my sad attempt at being funny. That engine clearly has enough Hp/ torque to break a stoke T-5. I'm so happy you have a manual transmission in the Maverick It definitely makes it more fun to drive in my opinion. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your shifts got much better. Keep it up I think your car is very cool especially since I also have 69 -1/2 Maverick. Mine is currently an original 3 speed manual car with a 200 6cyl I'll be upgrading to a 5 or 6 speed manual and a new V8. Mavericks are under rated cars with a sporty body shape and endless potential. Unfortunately some people can't see potential in a car unless some ad campaign tells them its cool. Mavericks are more unique and not just another Camaro or Mustang. Don't get me wrong I like those cars, but there are so many of them everywhere. Have a Wonderful Christmas 🎄

[@komradkolonel]

These jobs are almost always a lot harder than they look too. Engine swaps/removal/installations almost always make you encounter problems that you didn't count on and can test your patience in big ways.

[@pipelineraustralia]

Keep at it Beautiful, you will get there! Merry Christmas to the both of you.

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@jdrods1519]

Awesomeness!!! Merry Christmas to you and Tony!!!

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

Thank you!! Merry Christmas to you too!!

[@David-dd7qe]

Nice build/rebuild! You'll get it! Love the chop!

[@ericgatlin678]

Can run low 10s, keep it up! I'm a chevy guy but that's a sweet little ride.

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

That’s the goal! 10s would be a dream!

[@Big_Country0179]

Knocked that number down lower an lower each time awesome build. Thank you for Tony typical BA man 😀😂 Love it.

[@Mike-m3j]

Borg warner world class T-5 is probably what you were shooting for 😁

[@jcnewbee8124]

Great vid ....your right a bias slick will get ya down to a 1.50ish 60'...... easy a 10.90 car.

[@MissMidnightMaverick]

Ooohhh that would be amazing!

[@keithgriffith6002]

. Always good videos Merry Christmas !!!!! going to be fun watching you improve, one thing nice you have the best by your side

[@keithgriffith6002]

@text6152 ya just never give up. Good luck with someone else. Scammer

[@daleruse7582]

I watched the build on Team D Performance channel. Was waiting for it to appear on your channel.