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Thread: Blue My Mind, 1972 Ford Maverick
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11-22-2009 #1
Blue My Mind, 1972 Ford Maverick
I have been a street rodder forever. I have a nice 47 Ford coupe that the family and I love to take out and go to some shows. In 2008 my father and I drove the 13 hours in the 47 to Columbus for the Goodguys event. Needless to say I was blown away!! While walking through the Pro's Pick area and seeing all the cars up for the SMOTY award I really got charged up for a new project. Of course, I will never own a car that can compete on that level. My pockets are no where near that deep. Nor am I that talented of a builder.
So 2 months ago I picked up 1972 Maverick. This particular car lived life in Alabama until 1988. It then came to Connecticut and spent only 2 years being driven in the New England weather. In 1990 a friend of mine bought the car and put it in his garage. It never saw the light of day until I pulled it out in September!
So what I have here is a fairly rust free car that I can play with. It does have rot in the bottom of both quarter panels. Other that that it's all good news.
This will be a budget minded build. No big dollars here. I got the car free. I just aquired an 89 Mustang that I scavenged a great running 5.0 and the AOD out of. So far $0 investment! I also had a friend donate a 5 lug 8" rear with axles. I know some of you high tech. guys probably just rolled your eyes, but for the price invested I will stay with the 8". I just ordered the coil over front MII front end from Rod & Custom Motorsprts. It should be delivered this week.
So here is the plan,
Suspension:
I have already bought and installed the Rod & Custom coilover front end. I have acquired an 8" V8 Maverick rear that came without the center section. As luck would have it I found a newly rebuilt center section at a local swap meet in the fall. It had the 3.80 gears that i was looking for too. I am also planning on adding rear disc brakes soon. I have taken the rear springs apart, sand blasted them all individually and then painted them all. I picked up a set of 2" lowering blocks and have plans to install CalTracs as well. Right now the car is sitting on my scissor lift without any suspension at all.
Engine:
My Brother in law donated an 89 5.0 and it's AOD trans. It came out of a good running car. I pulled the motor completely apart to inspect it. Everything looked really good so it all went off to the machine shop. After getting tanked and checked out the guy determined that all the cylinder walls needed was a honing. He cut the crank by ten thousands, installed new bearings and freeze plugs for me. I picked everything up and started assembly. I installed the GT40P heads that I found all rebuilt, also installed the Ford Racing E cam. I also found a good deal on a Explorer GT40 intake. Going to keep the injection.
Body:
I plan on leaving the body fairly stock. The biggest exception to that would be changing the rear body panel to that of a 68 Shelby so it will accept the Shelby taillights. I plan on picking up a Grabber spoiler set as well as a Grabber hood. I am not sure yet if I will try to find a good steel one or buy Maverick Mans carbon fiber hood. Time will tell there. I already bought the billet grill for the car. I am also planning on changing out the stock side lights for the flush mount lights that Hagen Street Rods sells. My goal here is not to alter the cars look, only to enhance. Again, in my eyes.
Paint:
Paint has finally been decided on. I am going with a Ford Blue Met. with Ice Blue stripe. The paint scheme will be a cross between the Brazilian Mav. and a 70 Boss Mustang. I will be using all PPG products for this project. Top of the line everything. I am also going to be using the new Envirobase water system. I plan on clearing it with the PPG's Global D8152 Glamour Clear. Sanding it all down and then flow coating the whole thing.
Interior:
I am going to modify the dash and run aftermarket gauges. Still unsure on the final layout. My goal would be to run some of the newer quad gauges so that I can istall them in the stock location. If that doesn't work I will run the typical speedo and tach. in the stock location and then mount the other gauges in the dash angled toward the driver. I found a set of nice 90-91 Mustang GT seats. They are comfortable and have good support.
Wheels and tires:
I have no real idea on tires make or sizes yet. I am looking at Billet Specialties rims for the car. 17" front and 18" rears.
This car is being built for me to enjoy for a few years, then when my 8 year old daughter (Hot Rod Hannah) turns 16 it will be hers.
So follow along if you like....
Thanks,
Glenn
Glenn
1955 Chevy BelAir
1951 Chevy 3100
1987 Chevy Silverado
My last project....
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...my-72-Maverick!!