1970 Ford Maverick

Owner(s): Chase Spencer

City / State: Monroe, Iowa

Club: Goodguys, ISRA

Builder: Chase Spencer(myself)

Engine details: 302 CI, 1996 Mercury Mountaineer block with 1988 F-150 heads

Carburetor: Holley 600cfm 4 barrel with Lokar throttle cable

Headers: Hooker Competition Headers 6901HKR

Exhaust / mufflers: Flowmaster FlowFX 71226

Transmission: Borg-Warner T5 (1997 Mustang) with MalWood USA hydraulic clutch setup

Rear-end / ratio: Ford 8.8 rear end / 3.0 rear gears

Front suspension: Stock 1970 Maverick

Front Brakes: 10in. drum from 1971 Maverick Grabber

Rear suspension: Stock air shocks and leaf springs

Rear brakes: 10in. drum from 1971 Maverick Grabber

Wheels: 2017 Mustang 17x7.5

Body modifications: Original gas tank swapped to 1966 Mustang 16 gallon tank

Hood: Stock 1971 Maverick Grabber

Paint type / color: Faded Ford, "Thanks Vermillion" with Rust-Oleum accents

Gauges: Equus

Interior goodies: Ignition on dash(only Mavericks made in 1969 have that)

Custom pieces: 3D printed window cranks with Maverick logo on them, and custom built center console

Awards:

"Young Guys" award at 2021 Pella Bologna Nationals in Pella, IA

Top 25 at Old Settlers Car Show in Monroe, IA

Cool story:

In September of 2023, my dad and I drove out to the Rocky Mountain Goodguy Nationals in Loveland Colorado. It was an amazing road trip and we didn't have any problems. I drove it up 12,000ft in Estes Park and it never had a problem. A very memorable trip!

I was at the 2022 Ford Fest in Ottumwa, IA when a super nice guy approached me with a quick question. "Do you like your bench seat?" At this time I had the original black plaid bench seat that was ripped and very worn. So worn in fact, that you sink in 4 inches. I had always had the intention of putting in bucket seats I just hadn't found the right ones and for the right price. I told him I wasn't a huge fan of it and he went on to tell that he had old red high-back Maverick Grabber bucket seats that he had pulled out of the car back in the 80s and had intended to put them in a project car of his own. Naturally, I had the feeling they were going to be out of my price range if they were decent, but I had to ask, "how much do you want for them?" He told me that he just wanted to see them go to someone that could use them and that if I came up to get them, I could have them. Pretty cool!!! I went up the next day and got them and after some cleaning, shampooing, and scrubbing they looked brand new!!! Thank you so much (you know who you are) for helping a young hot rodder make his rod even cooler!!!

When I was planning out what I wanted this car to be I decided I wanted a manual transmission. I had never driven a car with a manual and when the time came to drive it I assumed that I would be able to drive it first try. How hard could it be right? The first time I drove it was not a great experience. I killed it multiple times, grinded some things, and tried to figure out the quirks of a new build. I kept thinking, "I spent how much to make this move under its own power and I can't even drive it?!" Then after a couple days of practice it clicked and it was one of the greatest feelings of achievement I have ever felt.