My Mother got a 1973 Ford Maverick from Friendly Ford in Decatur, Georgia where my Dad worked at the time. As I was turning 15 years old, that May, I got my learners license and drove her car most of the time.
She never really liked to drive so she told me that if I ran the errands, like getting groceries, and take her the places she wanted to go, I could have the car when I got my drivers license. It was a 4-door with a 302 V8 and light green in color. I added the necessary components like a new stereo, cassette deck and CB radio, complete with white whip antenna.
The Maverick was a compact sedan in 2 and 4 doors manufactured from 1970 – 1977. It had a rear wheel drive and was designed to be a rival to the Datsun and Toyota. It came with a choice of Powertrains, 170 cu in Thriftpower I6, 200 cu in Thriftpower I6, 250 cu in Thriftpower I6 or a 302 cu in Windsor V8.
Commercials and advertising compared the Maverick, at $1,995, to the smaller Volkswagen Beetle, which was about $500 less in price. The 1971 four doors had a 109.9 inch wheelbase and were available with a vinyl roof.
Our car was 193,9 inches long, 70.5 inches wide, 53.4 inches high and weighed 3,011 lbs. It had the Ford C4 automatic transmission. It was a nice, tough car and lasted for many years and miles.
