Blue My Mind, 1972 Ford Maverick

[Boss 5.0]

So before I started on the outside of the car I figured I would continue forward and do the dash and lower panel that will surround the column.

This isn't mine, but it shows the mundane stock dash…..





I will spare you all the fab pictures and move right on to what I came up with. Here I have made out of sheet metal the new gauge panel that bolts in just as the factory two gauge panel did. I instead wanted a full gauge set for the car.


Not liking the factory lower shelf the Maverick had I made this lower panel to house the stereo and the switches. I want the dash itself to be clean and simple.






Here you can see the layout for the gauges as well as the holes in the lower panel for the lights, wiper and ignition switches. This picture also shows the area that will cup the column as it comes through the dash and lower panel.




Here is the panel in primer after body work has been done. This shows the gauges I have now for the car as well as the panel that has the gear selector along with the engine light, hi beams, turn signals etc.

[Boss 5.0]

What I haven't mentioned yet is that I am a former body paint guy by trade. I have this 36x28 shop in my back yard that I am building the car in. In order to fund it I do side work on hot rods for friends. This way the entire cost of the build is not funded from my regular pay or savings. That is why this has been a drawn out process.

Here is some of my stuff….




First up is my 32 Ford coupe. I have had it for a while and been having plenty of fun with it, but last winter decided a makeover was in need.

So I went from this…...




And after all this……

I am lucky to have a booth to "borrow" when needed.








Fresh Viper Yellow…..




Me laying flames….




9 hours of masking…..




]






I ended up with this….

New wheels and tires, windshield frame, mirrors, and taillights all added up for a completely new look.

With the new look and all the work I won a few best paint awards at some car shows this year. As well as Goodguys "Hotest Hot Rod" and NSRA "PPG Outstanding Use of Color" awards too.

[Boss 5.0]

I recently picked up this 70 F100 for a good shop truck. Once the weather breaks this spring I plan on lowering it and adding disc brakes. Other than that this is a really good solid rig.

[Boss 5.0]

In an effort to get rid of the factory taillights I decided to swap out the rear tail pan. I love the Shelby lights, but didn't want to just bolt them on, or use the factory style fiberglass panel that Shelby used.

Lucky for me just as I was getting ready to do this they started to repp the tail pan in steel for the guys like me that wanted to not use the "glass. It didn't take that much fitting to get it to look good on the Maverick.

[Boss 5.0]

Now it was time to start the body work.

I got lucky and fond a pair of NOS quarter panels for the car. And because these are not highly sought after vehicles NOS parts are still available pretty cheap comparably.


After fitting the quarters I stripped the E coat primer off and painted the insides body color….






Along with the trunk floor drop offs…





After patching up the outer wheel house lips I primed all the hidden areas with PPG DP epoxy….

[Boss 5.0]

Same was done on the passenger side….

[Boss 5.0]

Since the factory fuel tank is unavailable for a Maverick I had to do something. I hated to cut a perfect floor pan, but decided my best option was to install a drop Mustang tank set up for fuel injection.

Here is my cutting of the floor and making the drop panel so the tank will sit level…..




templates made of poster board….







And now in steel…..

[Boss 5.0]

Here si the final color scheme for the car. I want to run my version of the Ford Grabber stripe on the hood and something down the side, but I really want the stripes on the subtle side. And yet, not ghosted.

Something that doesn't have to be stared at to be seen, and yet not so bold that they will be seen from 100 yards away.

[tones2SS]

Originally Posted by Boss 5.0

I recently picked up this 70 F100 for a good shop truck. Once the weather breaks this spring I plan on lowering it and adding disc brakes. Other than that this is a really good solid rig.

Not to derail your thread, but that is a sweet looking rig!
Very nice. Going to look killer lowered.

[Boss 5.0]

Originally Posted by tones2SS

Not to derail your thread, but that is a sweet looking rig!
Very nice. Going to look killer lowered.

Thank you!