Gary Scranton Sr. of Wallingford and his 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
It was Ford’s entry in the compact car segment during the 1970s. While more than 2.1 million examples of the inexpensive Maverick were sold from the 1970 through the 1977 model year, they’re not as well remembered these days as other Ford models from the era, such as the everlasting Mustang and the notorious Pinto.
Gary Scranton Sr. has a sporty 1972 Ford Maverick “Grabber” edition in bright yellow with dual hood scoops and a 302-cubic-inch V8 engine. “We take it to car shows and some people don’t know what it is, and it makes me feel good,” he said recently while talking at a weekend car show at the Connecticut Street Rod Association’s clubhouse not far from his Wallingford home.
Article continues below this ad
The 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber owned by Gary Scranton Sr. of Wallingford.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
“I bought it brand new. Bought it for my wife as a present to my wife. She put all the mileage on it and now I don’t let her drive it.”
The Maverick had arrived at the local Ford dealer on a Friday and Scranton and his wife, Charlene, went shopping the following Monday. “I said to her, ‘If our three kids fit in that back seat, I’m buying that car.’ I just loved it from the minute I saw it.” he said, reporting that it currently has 139,000 miles on the odometer.
Article continues below this ad
The Grabber trim package added graphics, larger tires and a spoiler, and it gives the Maverick a more aggressive look. Besides having it repainted once and replacing some parts, he’s also tweaked it a bit for comfort and looks, including adding air conditioning.
The interior of the 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
“I bought the bumper guards on it. They were an option and I found a place that had ’em. I had to buy new bumpers because I didn’t want to drill holes in the old ones. I’ve got the old ones home,” Scranton said.
Make CT Insider a preferred source on Google to see more of our journalism when you search.
Add Preferred Source
The Maverick was also in storage for a spell; likely in the 1990s. “I had to have a new gas tank put on it. It’s got new gas lines. Got new brakes,” he said.
Article continues below this ad
The car has been reliable. “It drives good. It’s got power steering it. The only problem, it sits too low. If I’m going to go anywhere I have a cushion I put in so I can sit a little bit higher. When I get out of it, I’m on my knees. It really is built low to the ground but it drives good,” Scranton said.
The 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber is powered by a 302-cubic-inch V8 engine.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
Its durability can be traced to the way it’s been maintained and treated. The Maverick has always been garaged. “We took good care of it. Changed the oil when it needed it and didn’t beat it up, and still runs beautiful,” he said. “We don’t eat in it, either. If I take her (Charlene) down to get a hamburger, we stand outside eating it. I don’t eat in my cars.”
There is likely a good reason why Mavericks are seldom seen. They were somewhat disposal. “People just bought ’em and they didn’t take care of them. That’s what happens to ’em and then they’re in the junk yard and they rust out. They’re gone but this car I kept inside all the time and it’s in good shape.”
Article continues below this ad
The 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber has flashy graphics and larger wheels than a normal Maverick model from the era.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
The Maverick did unexpectedly get abused once years ago by Scranton’s son, Gary Jr. At the time, the family had a summer cottage in Moodus near Connecticut Dragway.
“Our son took the car one Sunday. He was going with his girlfriend fishing. When he came home he had a trophy. He went to the drag strip and ran the car down the line. I almost killed him but he got a trophy for it so I couldn’t,” said Scranton, who also once took home a trophy himself for the Maverick after trailering the Grabber to the Carlisle Ford Nationals meet in Pennsylvania in 2011. It took first out of 20 entries in the Maverick category.
Bumper guards have been added to the 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
In addition to the Maverick, Scranton also has a wood carving replica of his car done by an artisan in South Carolina that he met when on vacation. “We met him down at Myrtle Beach camping and we were talking. He made old carriages by hand. I asked him if he’d ever think about doing a car. He said, ‘I’ll give it a try. Send me some pictures when you go home,’ so I did,” Scranton said.
Article continues below this ad
The wood replica turned out beautifully. “Looks exactly like my car; right down to the marker plate,” he said, referring to the “MOMS 40” plates front and rear which refer to his wife and her year of birth. He added that at home he has a Jeep that also also personalized plates to recognize his service in the U.S. Marine Corps and his year of birth. They say “Semper Fi 38.”
The 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber has dual hood scoops.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
The sportier 1972 Ford Maverick edition says “Grabber” on either side.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
Besides dual hood scoops, the 1972 Ford Maverick Grabber has a black graphics trim package.
Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut Media
Asked the best part about owning the Maverick, Scranton had a suitably compact answer. “Being the original owner,” he replied. “Makes me feel good that people appreciate what I have here.”
Article continues below this ad
Harwinton native Bud Wilkinson writes about classic cars and motorcycles for Hearst Connecticut Media. He previously reported for The Columbus Dispatch in Ohio and was columnist for The Arizona Republic in Phoenix before reporting for KSAZ-TV in Phoenix where he won a Scripps Howard National Journalism Award and an Emmy Award for commentary. He may be reached by email at budw@ride-ct.com.