Blue My Mind, 1972 Ford Maverick

[GrabberGT]

looking good. Sorry to hear about the bumper fiasco.

[cobragt]

I've seen a few people do the Shelby taillight conversion. I'm still on the fence about it, I actually like the stock taillights. Love the Carbon fiber hood. Are you going to leave it bare or paint it? Personally I'd paint it but leave the center bare CF.

Today is the first time since September of 2009 that my Maverick has had the sun shining on it! I made a dolly for the car to be able to make it mobile. It is now off the lift and able to roll around. I still have some bracing to do on it, and finish up some welding. But it was nice to push it outside and finally be able to stand back and have a look at it from a distance.

I have been working on making the rear Grabber spoiler taller. More of an aggressive look. As you can see in the pictures I have made progress on the rear spoiler. I am probably only 50% done. This was the easy part, now comes the tedious nit picky part, making them look right. The spoiler is a full 2" taller than the stock Grabber height.

You can also see on the front that I have had to suspend the progress on the front valence. Since I got boned by a seller on another board for five weeks waiting for a front bumper that didn't come. I need the bumper to make sure everything will fit nicely together.

[Bryce]

Looks great!!!

[Crazed]

can you post bigger pics of all the inner fender stuff from page 2?

[HotRod47]

I am really beginning to hate that other forum. Some people there are really helpful, while others just like to crap on everyone.

looking good. Sorry to hear about the bumper fiasco.

I've seen a few people do the Shelby taillight conversion. I'm still on the fence about it, I actually like the stock taillights. Love the Carbon fiber hood. Are you going to leave it bare or paint it? Personally I'd paint it but leave the center bare CF.

I appreciate your view. Me however, every time I look at the back of a Maverick all I see are Pinto taillights. To me they don't add to the style of the car. The carbon fiber hood will be painted. I don't like the bare carbon look. I got it because they are nice hoods. You and I have opposing tastes!!

[HotRod47]

can you post bigger pics of all the inner fender stuff from page 2?

Here you go, hope this helps! If you need anything more specific let me know.

[Crazed]

That is awesome, thanks. I am going to be doing the same front end in a 64 fairlane and have never liked the patch panels

[cobragt]

I am really beginning to hate that other forum. Some people there are really helpful, while others just like to crap on everyone.





I appreciate your view. Me however, every time I look at the back of a Maverick all I see are Pinto taillights. To me they don't add to the style of the car. The carbon fiber hood will be painted. I don't like the bare carbon look. I got it because they are nice hoods. You and I have opposing tastes!!

No worries, everyone has different tastes. I'm sure however you finish the car it will look killer. Besides I'm working on a 78 Cobra II. It gets no love from anyone but me. My wife doesn't even like it. :(

[CptKlutz]

I appreciate your view. Me however, every time I look at the back of a Maverick all I see are Pinto taillights. To me they don't add to the style of the car.

Couldn't agree more. However I think the Shelbys are too wide for the Maverick body but that's probably a Euro/US taste issue. US cars have sometimes had monster wide taillights where we have been more conservative over here. Personally I'd like to try a 70-72 Camaro rear panel.

[HotRod47]

That is awesome, thanks. I am going to be doing the same front end in a 64 fairlane and have never liked the patch panels

All I did was make a pattern of what I wanted out of poster board. It had all the right bends etc. One for each side as they are different. I then cut out the stock fender wells and brought them and the patterns to a fab shop near me. He bent up both sides for $200. They fit perfectly. I got the patch panels that come with the kit from R&C Motorsports. They don't fit well and the bead rolls differ greatly from the factory lines. They were a mess. This way makes a nice clear look.

[showme]

This is a cool build! My daughter has saved all summer for a muscle car or something close.We found her a rust free 49000 mi v-8 maverick last fall and have been working on it ever since.It's not a Grabber but it is a factory 302 car.We will be watching this one.

[ModedCB2]

Glenn, great work & I appreciate the dedication to your vision, no matter what the random nay-sayer chimes in with.

* I love the hood. maybe the letters "GT" in relief, showing the CF, just a hint of CF showing? I don't remember the exact grabber GT paint/decal layout.. just thinking out loud.

* Never make excuses for running an 8".... the 8" is stronger, lighter, & easier to service than the 8.8" & you have REAL axle retainers. 9" are overrated, overweight (big time) & 90% of the time unnecessary. The 8" has Currie, Moser, & Strange behind it.. all kinds of gear sets.. Aubrun Pro-differential will never let you down.. I love all 3 I have.

* The GT40p heads will give you head-aches. The port-configuration is not std ford small block. So unless someone makes a specific GT-P shortie/swap header... loosing battle. I you have reg GT40 heads available, they are better anyway. After that.. hell a well ported set of E7's from Patriot Performance will out flow the GT40p's.... The GT40p's were an Explorer V8 only head trying to add some life into a VERY restrictive engine compartment. The exhaust side revamp was to get as much flow through a crappy exhaust header/manifold location... simple truth.

* LOVE the tailight panel

* would like to see full size pics of the dash alterations... might give me some ideas for my King Cobra.

*promise us you won't do Bullitt/Torque-Thrust wheels! PLEASE DO NOT do that!... lol I think 17" Magnum 500's would look killer!

keep the updates coming!

Rob

[streetrods]

The GT40p heads will give you head-aches. The port-configuration is not std ford small block. So unless someone makes a specific GT-P shortie/swap header... loosing battle. I you have reg GT40 heads available, they are better anyway. After that.. hell a well ported set of E7's from Patriot Performance will out flow the GT40p's.... The GT40p's were an Explorer V8 only head trying to add some life into a VERY restrictive engine compartment. The exhaust side revamp was to get as much flow through a crappy exhaust header/manifold location... simple truth.

The early explorers had the regular GT 40 heads..half way through 97 they went to the P head.. Stock the P heads flow as good as the GT 40's.. headers can be an issue but like the OP said he has more room in his engine bay so he can use 5.0 mustang headers..either the ford racing ones made for it or maybe some 5.0 long tubes..

[HotRod47]

Glenn, great work & I appreciate the dedication to your vision, no matter what the random nay-sayer chimes in with.

* I love the hood. maybe the letters "GT" in relief, showing the CF, just a hint of CF showing? I don't remember the exact grabber GT paint/decal layout.. just thinking out loud.

* Never make excuses for running an 8".... the 8" is stronger, lighter, & easier to service than the 8.8" & you have REAL axle retainers. 9" are overrated, overweight (big time) & 90% of the time unnecessary. The 8" has Currie, Moser, & Strange behind it.. all kinds of gear sets.. Aubrun Pro-differential will never let you down.. I love all 3 I have.

* The GT40p heads will give you head-aches. The port-configuration is not std ford small block. So unless someone makes a specific GT-P shortie/swap header... loosing battle. I you have reg GT40 heads available, they are better anyway. After that.. hell a well ported set of E7's from Patriot Performance will out flow the GT40p's.... The GT40p's were an Explorer V8 only head trying to add some life into a VERY restrictive engine compartment. The exhaust side revamp was to get as much flow through a crappy exhaust header/manifold location... simple truth.

* LOVE the tailight panel

* would like to see full size pics of the dash alterations... might give me some ideas for my King Cobra.

*promise us you won't do Bullitt/Torque-Thrust wheels! PLEASE DO NOT do that!... lol I think 17" Magnum 500's would look killer!

keep the updates coming!

Rob

Thanks for all the input and comments on the car. I am having a blast with this project. Sadly right now it is on hold. I am in the middle of a couple side jobs. I need that money to continue on the Maverick. Non (well, very little) of the money spent on this car has come from our house bank account. It has all been paid for by doing side work.

Sometimes it's hard to be proud of things like an 8" rear when reading some of the other builds on here. I am doing what I can with the $$'s I have. I am not ashamed, just can't compete with some of the big dollar stuff.

The wheel of choice as of right now is Billet Specialties Vintec Dish rims, 17"and 18"ers. I like the classic, timeless look of them. I wouldn't mind Rushforths or something like that, but they are just way out of my price range.

I will post up better pictures of the dash over the weekend for you. I think it is clean and simple. I like being understated and subtle.

The early explorers had the regular GT 40 heads..half way through 97 they went to the P head.. Stock the P heads flow as good as the GT 40's.. headers can be an issue but like the OP said he has more room in his engine bay so he can use 5.0 mustang headers..either the ford racing ones made for it or maybe some 5.0 long tubes..

I appreciate your comments as well. I am going to look into the Ford Racing headers. As you stated, I have plenty of room now, the only issue being the steering shaft.

[Tincup]

Nice build, seem like a shame to cover up that carbon hood.......

[Daren]

That hood is awesome, I'm surprised you can even get that for a mav. Carbon fiber has become rice unfortunately. Kudos to you for painting it. If you wanted to shoot some clear over a portion of it, as mentioned earlier, to expose the CF I think that would look awesome. Either way, as a ford/lincoln guy and a mav fan... Cool build!

[Twentyover]

.........Me however, every time I look at the back of a Maverick all I see are Pinto taillights. To me they don't add to the style of the car. ......... You and I have opposing tastes!!

That's why I really like the Comet taillights

[kmdracer]

Awesome ideas here. I always kinda liked the old Mavs. Never had one, and as for me, I'm really liking the way the Shelby panel and the spoiler look. Very nice! The 'Maro front is going to look great as well! In my mind, I'm wondering what other head lights would look good instead of the 7in rounds...hmm..food for thought.

[HotRod47]

Thanks for all the positive feedback guys!! It does help to keep me focused and moving forward with the project. Now if I could just get the 32 roadster (side job) out of my garage so I can get back on the Maverick it would all be good.

I have Mascol Designs working on a rendering for me now. I will post it up as soon as he is done with it so everyone can see my vision.

Glenn

[ModedCB2]

what I was referring to is that the actual Port configuration of the GT40p heads is NOT a std for small block pattern. Space in the engine compartment is not the issue at all. Its being sure to have the correct head flanges. I was referring to the engine compartment heing cramped in the Explorer.



I'll see if I can find a copy of the mega cylinder head comparrison from MM&FF or 5.0 mags.. I can't remeber who did the testing.

I am sure someone could adapt a set of GT40p head flanges to an aftermarket header set.

Rob