Ford Maverick (Americas)

The Ford Maverick was a compact vehicle the American automaker Ford that was built for the North American market from 1969 to 1977 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. A very similar version of the car, which was sold to South American markets, was from 1973 to 1979 in Brazil.

North American version

In the model range, the Maverick between the ( somewhat later come out ) subcompact Ford Pinto and the midrange model Ford Torino filed. The name Maverick known in English generally an outsider or price cutter.

Model development

First, the Maverick was only available as a two-door hatchback coupe with straight-six engines of 2.8 or 3.3 liter engine; in the summer of 1970 was added a 4.1 - liter inline six- cylinder. Initially, there was the model in only one variant, in early summer 1970, in a set put up sporty version called Maverick Grabber with decorative stripes and rear spoiler. The Grabber version accounted for in the last two model years.

For the model year 1971, for a four-door sedan coupe added to a longer wheelbase. At the same time the Maverick could now also be ordered with a 4.9 -liter V8.

In model year 1972 Ford offered in addition to the Maverick with Sprint package; this had a special red, white and blue paint and a color- matching interior. In the summer of 1972, a luxury package came into the program, included the sports seats with adjustable backrests and leatherette upholstery, carpeting, wood sheet on the dashboard, radial tires, Chromradkappen and vinyl roof.

From 1973 to 1975, there were minor changes to the Maverick annually. 1973 accounted for the 2.8-liter, whereby the 3.3 -liter became the base drive, also the brakes were improved and the previously subject to surcharge chrome grille was now standard. New extras were stereo radio and alloy wheels. The new statutory safety regulations in accordance with the Maverick received a stiffer front bumper. From model year 1974, a safety bumper was also installed at the rear. 1975 only detail changes were carried out at the Maverick, the Maverick logos were replaced about on hood and trunk lid by Ford lettering.

For 1976, the Grabber dropped from the program and was replaced by the Maverick Stallion with special paint and sporty features; the Stallion package II was also available for the Pinto and the Ford Mustang. The Maverick received a new grille and standard front disc brakes; the parking brake was no longer actuated by a lever under the dash, but a pedal.

1977 was the last year for the Maverick in North America. Was newly introduced a special police version, but sold only about 400 times.

Production

In 1975, the Maverick should be replaced by the newly introduced Ford Granada, with whom he shares a number of technical components. However, since the demand for compact cars rose sharply as a result of the oil crisis, Ford retained the Maverick three years next to Granada in the program. For model year 1978, he was replaced by the Ford Maverick finally Fairmont, which - based on Ford's new Fox platform - as many future middle class models of the Group.

Derivations

In the model years 1971-1977 Ford's sister brand, Mercury offered their own version of the compact car to under the name Comet. The vehicles were technically and outwardly largely identical. The most striking distinguishing feature was the radiator grille: Whereas the Ford Maverick a straight-running, simple grill had, the Comet had a prominent grille with a revised bonnet, who took up the Ford temporarily manicured style of Knudsen grills. The Comet did not reach the production of the award- values ​​lower Maverick. In seven model years came only 487 182 Comets, which corresponded to less than a quarter of the Maverick production.

Production in Brazil

As of June 1973, the Maverick was produced in barely modified form also in Brazil and should compete with mid-range cars such as the Chevrolet Opala there.

However, the Maverick in Brazil struggled, especially after the wake of the oil crisis, fuel prices rose - the Maverick was not a economical car. In April 1979 his production was eventually discontinued after he sold more and more sluggish.

Prior to launch, Ford Brazil had a select group of 1300 people paraded three models for consideration, the British Ford Cortina, the Maverick and the German Ford Taunus, which was held by the work itself as ideal for Brazil. However, the preparatory measures for the production of the Taunus would have been very time consuming and would be attracted to 1975; as Ford but hastily took a mid-range model, a decision was made instead to technically undemanding Maverick to produce, where you also could use the existing Willys- Overland Motor, a company that Ford Brazil had bought in 1967. This decision saved Ford an estimated 70 million U.S. dollars.

To bring the elderly three-liter low- compression six-cylinder under the hood of the Maverick, some technical changes were necessary. In addition, the Maverick was to have with the 4.9 -liter V8 imported from the USA.

The Maverick family consisted initially of the base model Super, the Super Luxo (SL ) and the GT. Super and SL were available as a coupe to buy and a four-door. The GT represented the top model and was equipped with the V8, which made ​​195 gross or 137 net horsepower.

1975, front disc brakes as standard, plus there was a new entry-level engine, a 2.3 -liter four- cylinder with 97 PS; the Willys- three liters accounted for. At the same time it was replaced in all models front bench seat and column shifter by individual seats and center crank.

1977 were revised chassis, grille, seats and rear lights, the GT received air scoops on the hood. Air conditioning and automatic transmission were available for the four- how for the eight-cylinder versions.

By April 1979 108.106 Maverick were made ​​( 85 654 coupe, four-door 11,879 and 10,573 GT) in Brazil.

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