Blue My Mind, 1972 Ford Maverick

[HotRod47]

Too bad you won't be at Reinbeck, I was looking forward to seeing this beauty in person. Syracuse is nice, but it is so damn hot, and not many trees...

I'm disappointed as well. Everyone from work was passing around the schedule to figure out who was working the PPG booth. It was a bummer knowing I won't be able to make it. But, you only have one time to attend your first kids high school graduation!

There will be many more shows.

[HotRod47]

Been busy lately doing things that don't add up to much for an update. That and a weeks worth of travel for work make it difficult to get things done. So here is the latest with many mini updates in one.

I finally got the rear brakes installed and the cables run for the e brake.




Here is the E brake and the battery.



Tank installed and all fuel lines hooked up. Just need to install the tank level float.



After getting the new front seat foams out of the box, my upholsterer and I were talking about how cool it would be to get another set and make it look like it has four bucket seats. So, of course I ordered another set right away. Here is a quick mock up of them in place.



And here is the teaser of the front seat bottom. Black vinyl and b/w Houndstooth.




Today I got the drivers door sanded and buffed, then hung in place. I love this reflection and definition of image.




Also installed the Ring Brothers door handles and the door lock.






After that, I had to finally make a upper radiator hose. when I installed the March Performance serp kit it made the stock V8 hose not work. I have tried in vain to find something that would work, but no luck. So, with the aid of some pieces I was able to tack all these individual steel tubing together. I will bring it to a friend and have it all tig welded, then smooth it out. Not sure if I will paint it or have it coated when done.




It came out nice, and I am happy with it. But I really just wanted a simple black rubber hose. It seems like nothing on this car has gone that way, not sure why I expected this hose to be any different.

[wfo guy]

Doing good, man. Anybody that's driven a stock mav should be allowed to go for a ride to see the transformation.

[HotRod47]

After getting the upper hose tacked and fitted to my liking, I had a friend tig weld it for me. I ground the welds and then had the hard decision as to what to do to it. In the end, I'm a paint guy, so paint it I did.







I also got the trunk sanded and buffed. Installed the chrome striker with the polished washers from Eddie's Motorsports.

[HotRod47]

I also got the NOS door glass installed in both doors along with the Nu-Relics power windows. Love them!! Then I sanded and buffed both front fenders. I only installed the passenger fender for now. Still leaning over the driver side and don't want to risk any issues.













I had thought the front end was too low before, so I raised it a bit. Now I'm looking at this and thinking I may have gone too far. I will wait for the entire car to be assembled and then reassess.

[wfo guy]

Looking good.

[HotRod47]

Engine compartment is now done! All the wiring is complete and everything is now plumbed. Just have to add fluids and it is almost time to crank it over. Just a little more wiring to do under the dash.







and lastly, my upholstery guy sent me this tease shot of the front seat done. Once the car is running I will bring it over too him to make the back seat and door panels.

[wfo guy]

Getting close.

[nitroracer]

That engine bay has a lot of time and thought put into it - the result looks great!

[HotRod47]

That engine bay has a lot of time and thought put into it - the result looks great!

Thank you. Definitely a lot of time and energy into making it neat and tidy.

[HotRod47]

So while wiring continues, I have also been assembling the front end.

Looking more and more like a car every day!


Maverick's are notorious for not having a good place to mount front speakers. Since the aftermarket doesn't do custom kick panels, I made these.






First time I have taken the front bumper out of the wrapper since getting it back from Advanced Plating. I am in LOVE with how they came out.

[wfo guy]

I had a guy who is very knowledgeable tell me that there was none better than Advance Plating. He also said they get paid well. Looking good.

[HotRod47]

I had a guy who is very knowledgeable tell me that there was none better than Advance Plating. He also said they get paid well. Looking good.

In my estimation, there is no one better at chrome! They certainly aren't afraid to charge for that reputation, but like everything in life, quality costs good money! While the cost of these two little bumpers was a small fortune, I am very satisfied with the job they did.

[HotRod47]

The assembly continues........


As mentioned in the post just before this one, I missed my slot at the upholstery shop. Lucky for me I have a good guy that was still willing to help me move forward. Last Sunday he came to me and installed the headliner! Only took him 2 hours, and there isn't a flaw or wrinkle to be seen!









Then I took the car off the Quick lift and got it on the ground. This is the first tie seeing it like this with the drivetrain in it and all painted. Exciting for me!




Still very much unsure about the painted rad support. As a painter I like the extra effort it takes to color match everything. And who will be looking at the car from this angle anyway?! Still, I may end up painted it matte black. Time will tell.






And the other night I installed the new windshield and NOS back glass by myself. Nerve wracking to do this alone, but it went well.





And this has to be one of my favorite things. Now with the glass in, seeing the stripe continue through it and onto the dash. Lots of extra effort, but this is the detail I was so looking forward to seeing completed.

[wfo guy]

1st, paint a piece of cardboard black to make your decision about the radiator support. I think it looks good blue but maybe if you had a black accent around the radiator but not the whole support it might be just enough. 2nd. The stripes are great. That's rare and a great idea. 3rd, unless you come a whole lot closer, I'll never get to see this in person. For that I'm sad. The average person will walk by and say "nice car" but won't know all the changes that went into making it sooo good. I'm waiting for the drive video.

[HotRod47]

1st, paint a piece of cardboard black to make your decision about the radiator support. I think it looks good blue but maybe if you had a black accent around the radiator but not the whole support it might be just enough. 2nd. The stripes are great. That's rare and a great idea. 3rd, unless you come a whole lot closer, I'll never get to see this in person. For that I'm sad. The average person will walk by and say "nice car" but won't know all the changes that went into making it sooo good. I'm waiting for the drive video.

First off, thanks again for all the positive comments about the car. They are very much appreciated, and help to motivate!

Its a funny thing, there is another thread that just got started on here about how some of the cars being built now are going way overboard. I completely understand where the OP is coming from. To me, the best modifications are the ones that go unnoticed. It is my belief that Boyd Coddington said it best in an early interview, when his career and style was first blossoming, that when looking at a car, no one thing should jump out at you. It should be a seamless and subtle look from end to end. I agreed with him then, and still do. Yes some cars have wild paint, or what ever. But all in all no one modification should be glaring.

Take the Ford script I put on the inside of the doors, I actually hope most people don't really notice that. But the few that do, they will get it and it will be those people that I did it for. Does that make sense?

As for the rad support. I would never do the entire thing anyway. I think the very top "bar" for lack of a better term would stay blue. But the face of it would go black. Still up in the air. This winter I plan on making a close out panel for it that will cover the opening between the grill and the rad support.

[wfo guy]

Glenn, I agree with your statement about Boyd. The last 3 projects I've done would need to be next to a stocker for most to see the changes. I had a friend who was involved in a discussion about cool. He and I determined that if the most uninformed person walked up and said "that's cool", then you got it. If you have to tell someone it's cool, you missed it somehow. Cars like yours that are slick are there. The flow has to be right. The general layout has to be cohesive. If anything sticks out, it may be a negative instead of a positive. IMHO.

[HotRod47]

So I have not been doing much on the car in the last few weeks. I am so incredibly disgusted with it right now its pretty hard to even look at! For the first time during this entire project I have been letting someone else work on the car in the hopes it would help me. Well, that didn't work as planned. The guy is a friend that has wired dozens if not 100 hot rods over the years. I don't know why now, or what has changed. But he is dragging this project out. Started wiring in early March, and it still isn't done! On top of that, look at this rats nest of wires!!!! So because of the delay I have missed my turn at the upholstery shop and that guy had to take the next car in line, understandably. So now I am to a point where I am about to rip all this out, buy a new harness and start over and just do it myself. Such ugliness I can't take it.

This looks like an 8 year old did it.

One step forward, nine steps back.........

[beater65]

But all in all no one modification should be glaring.

Take the Ford script I put on the inside of the doors, I actually hope most people don't really notice that. But the few that do, they will get it and it will be those people that I did it for. Does that make sense?

.

Haven't checked in for a bit, WOW this is turning out absolutely amazing. The attention to detail you have put into it is killer.

I think you both have nail on head with subtlety to mods, my thought are 90% of people aren't going to "get it" and that's ok. Its the 10% that KNOW mavericks well that can pick out all your detail. And that's the ones you really getting the praise or respect from that make it worth the effort. Well executed sir.




Lastly.
OUCH on the wiring, I can't imagine that staying like that after all the careful planning and building thus far. That's a rough set back. No doubt you will rectify it

[wfo guy]

There's no doubt in my mind that you can wire this car. Not trying to tell you what to use but I used a Centech because the fusepanel has screw terminals. That allowed me to install it flat against anything. I will do anything I can to help with this. I want you and your child to be satisfied knowing the car is safe and reliable. Your friend has lost the ball completely. For most people, 2 days will wire a car the 1st time. GGRRRRR!