Autos, Retrospect: Ford Maverick, 70s version

Self-tutoring about cars from the past: the tutor remembers the Ford Maverick.

In the Maritimes from 1970-86, I don’t recall seeing Ford Mavericks very much. However, when I moved to Victoria in 1986, I started seeing a lot of them.

In the Maritimes, because of the salt on the roads in winter (I assume), cars didn’t last very long. In Victoria, where some years there wasn’t any snow at all, they lasted much longer. Therefore, when I arrived out here in ’86, a lot of 70s cars were still on the road. Dodge Darts, Ford Mustangs, Toyota Corolla, Datsun 510, and Chevy Nova were examples, as well as the Ford Maverick.

A lot of teenagers drove 70s cars out here in the late 80s, since of course they were second or third-hand. Ford Mavericks were among those. A few teenagers I knew by sight, but not by name, drove Ford Mavericks; eventually one of my friends got one in 1988. It was worn out, but I guess okay as a daily driver. It was that dark-green color that a lot of them seemed to be.

For some reason, I didn’t know until today that Ford made the Maverick. Most Ford models – the Mustang, for instance – had ardent fans driving them. Yet, I never heard anyone speak proudly of their Maverick. On the other hand, I never heard someone complain about one. I never knew anyone who restored a Maverick, either. I had a license back then, but didn’t drive, so I’ve no opinion about it.

It’s been years since I’ve noticed a Maverick, a Dodge Dart, or any of those 70s cars. However, on an early spring day like this, I recall all those cars in the school parking lot, most of them 10+ years old, owned by students who could barely wait for the exit bell. A few of those cars were Ford Mavericks. Fifteen minutes after the exit bell, the student parking lot would be sunny, dusty, and well-nigh empty.

What became of those teenage owners of Ford Mavericks? Do all of them even recall they drove one? It’s nice to contemplate on a sunny spring day, 35 years later.

Source:

wikipedia