Recently, Ford teased a pickup truck with the Maverick name, with possibilities of launch in 2022. It got people excited, and suddenly the world remembered the old reliable Maverick from the '70s. Back in 1970, gas prices in the United States skyrocketed from $3 per barrel to $12 per barrel. The Americans sought more efficient means of transportation, often finding this quality in imported automobiles like Toyota, Honda, and Datsun. This was a problem for Ford as it was the poster child of American Muscle and Pony cars. Ford came out with the ‘Ford Maverick’ to tackle the fuel crisis and plummeting sales. The Maverick was an affordable American muscle car with exceptional fuel efficiency. People called it the ‘Import Fighter’ as it gave tough competition to import automobiles.

Buckle up, as we take a trip down memory lane to remind you of a very special vehicle, here is a detailed look back at the original Ford Maverick.

What Is Under The Hood Of The Ford Maverick?

1971 Ford Maverick yellow
via Mecum

Ford introduced Maverick with the engine and transmission of the Falcon. In the beginning, the Maverick was available with two engine options 170 cubic-inch (2.8 L) thriftpower I6 engine generating 105 hp, and 200 cubic-inch (3.3 L) thriftpower I6 engine making 120 hp. It had a 3-speed manual transmission. These engines proved frugal, and people flocked to buy the Maverick. However, the power was not enough to call it a muscle car.

In 1971, Ford offered ‘Maverick Grabber’ with eye-catching sporty graphics and trims, a rear deck spoiler, and large tires. Equipped with a 250 cu in (4.1 L) I6 engine that showcased a top speed of 103mph. This fulfilled American needs with American speed, but something was still missing.

The Maverick was a lightweight and rear-wheel drive that was thirsting for a V8 engine. In 1973, the fan’s desires came to fruition. Ford introduced the Maverick Grabber with a 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 engine of the Mustang, producing 220 hp. Not only that, it got all the things a muscle car should have. A dual dome hood, fatter tires, louder exhaust, air vents on either side, and additional body detailing.

Over the years, the Maverick was available in all four engine options: 170 cubic-inch or the 2.8L Inline 6, 200 cubic-inch or the 3.3L Inline 6, 250 cubic-inch, or the 4.1L Inline 6, and 302 cubic-inch or the 4.9L V8 in with a 3-speed manual transmission. After 1973 all Mavericks got equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Related: These Tiny Cars Are Fitted With Huge Engines

Exteriors Of The Maverick

1975-Ford-Maverick-Grabber
via DailyTurismo

The 2-door coupe looked smart and a lot like a baby Mustang. Not only did it look puny, but it also had a curb weight of 2910 lb. From the rear, it had the familiar mustang vibe. It was the year 1971 when Ford launched the four-door version of the Maverick. The 4-door sedan became the choice of the family with better legroom in the rear. However, it swayed a little from the Muscle car look because of the extra two doors.

In 1972, the Maverick received an optional ‘sprint’ package featuring white and blue two-toned exterior paint with red pinstripes with a matching interior. They dedicated this paint scheme to the 1972 Olympics. This package was only available for one year. From 1973 to 1977, Ford made some minor changes to the bumpers and made the optional chrome grill standard, giving Maverick a perfect Muscle car look.

Interiors Of The Maverick

1970 Ford Maverick Interiors
via: mecum.com

The interior of Maverick was very simple. Ford covered its seats in leather to separate it from the imports. Ford believed the Americans love their comfort and would shell an extra buck for better luxury. The Maverick had better interior room compared to the Japanese imports.

The dashboard housed the Fm/Am radio for entertainment and sported the Maverick logo above the glove-box. It had an analog cluster behind the steering wheel, which had switches for lights, turn indicators. The steering wheel was like a Mustang, huge and slim.

In 1972 the Maverick featured an optional luxury decor. The option involved features like reclining bucket seats and plush carpeting with a vinyl roof on the interior. The instrument panel had a wood-grained trim to make the Maverick look more beautiful and comfortable.

Related: Cheap Muscle: 10 Brawniest Muscle Cars For Enthusiasts On A Budget

Cost Of The Ford Maverick

These Classic American Cars Will Crumble After 50,000 Miles
via Mecum

Ford expected the Americans to side with power and give up on a few miles of fuel efficiency. This bet played out, and Ford sold over 2.1-million Mavericks in North America over its nine years run. Targeting the youth was the right move from Ford, as the Muscle car appearance of the Maverick made it a favorite of the masses. Unlike a muscle car, it was not expensive to drive around in.

During the initial year, 1969-1970, Ford priced the Maverick at just $1995, making it very affordable. The price of the Maverick rose in the following years. In 1972, the base variant of the Maverick sported a price tag of around $2,360. The 1974 model of the Maverick flaunted a price tag of $2,925, which was also the highest-selling year. By 1976, the Mavericks price rose to $3,190.

The value of cars from the ’70s has grown exceptionally. People loved the Maverick. It played a critical role in the fuel crisis; these factors combined make the Maverick a desirable asset. If you want to own a classic Ford Maverick today, it will cost you around $8,500 for something that requires a little work. If you are looking for a mint condition Maverick, one thing is sure, it will go heavy on your pocket and cost you north of $30,000.

Next: Here's How Much A Classic Ford Maverick Is Worth Today