I made a parts run today to NAPA to get some parts, just to find out the parts were not correct for it,,, So I searched on this site for a VIN decode in an earlier post I had read. I had always thought that the car I have was a 72, HMM,,,, after decoding the VIN, I found out I have a 1970! I wanted to say, what a great site this is!! I appreciate all the helpful insight and responces I have gotten here. It has been a while since I have messed with cars, I got lost for 15 years restoring old tractors for a hobby,,,, I guess I should have went to the safe and had a good look at the title of the maverick and never assumed,,,, LOL! So, does this mean I have a car in style, or??? Now, maybe I can get things right from now on, Thanks again to all! ChadS
A 70 is very easy to identify because its the only year with a drop in gas tank which becomes part of the trunk floor. All other years had a trunk floor and the tank is held underneath with straps.
Yep, thats the way this one is! It threw me off due to the turn signal lens being in the grille, from other pictures, arent they supposed to be in the front lower valance below the bumper? The date codes say it was made in October 1970, in St. Thomas, had AC, no power steering, with a 283 gear ratio. Its missing the gas cap, It was on there,,,, but where it went to, I have no idea,,,, What are some of the other differences between the 70'S that stood out? Chad
the grill is an easy swap. and being plastic, gets broken easy. the grabbers of 71 - 72 had the blinker under the bumper and the grill with the lights in it, but the lights were wired in to be fog lamps instead of directional indicators. just an FYI on that.
What are some of the other differences between the 70'S that stood out? Chad[/QUOTE] ignition should be on the dash,not the column.non staggered shocks,in the rear,tranny tunnel will be a little more narrow,than the other years.also if i'm not mistaken,70's had a 7 1/2" rear,with a removable cover plate in the rear of the housing.
There is a difference in the backup lamp size. Gas cap is different due to the system venting. I am sure California cars have other changes Not sure what year the seat belt lamp appeared in the dash 70 was never offered with bucket seats so the floorpan is different 70 was never offered with a v8 so unless it was swapped it will have a single hump transmission crossmember and no under engine crossmember There was also some differences in the speedometers with the red line above 70mph
My orange 1972 did not come with the dash light. The wiring harness had a spot for it...but something else was plugged into it. Mine is a real early 1972.
I didnt say they all had them, I just said it was a 72 only. Probably a mid year thing. Also I think they only came with the retractable front belts.
My Comet doesnt have the seat belt light and every time I see one on a car I'm grateful It was made November 30 1971 according to Marti report. Tim
Yes....my 1972 did not have retractable belts or the dash light. The wiring harness was set up for both...so Ford must have know it was coming.
thats nothing for annoying, the 73 4door LDO i owned had seat belt buzzers with weight sensors in the seat. when my grandfather owned it he would leave the seatbelts connected so if you put groceries on the seat it didnt set off the buzzer. gotta love the 70s
