The Ford Maverick used to be a small car produced in the 1970s. It wasn’t particularly nice or fast, and as such it lasted only eight years, from 1970 to 1977. Yet the Maverick name is back, and this time it’s the furthest thing from a small sedan as possible. The new 2022 Ford Maverick is a pickup truck, and a hybrid one at that. Why did Ford revive the Maverick name, and what are the major differences between the 1970 Ford Maverick car and the pickup of today?

Was there a Ford Maverick car?

Yes, there was a Ford Maverick car, a compact, two-door sedan. It eventually became a four-door car, but in the beginning, it was pretty much as far from the pickup truck that it is today as possible. The Maverick name comes from Samuel Augustus Maverick, a Texas pioneer, according to The Desert News in 1969. Maverick didn’t allow his cattle to be branded, which at the time was proof of ownership. Ford adopted the Maverick name as a show of similar independence.

It makes sense that Ford would want to revive the Maverick name. Even though sales of the Maverick car may have been just okay, there remains a strong emotional connection to it today. Many automakers are bringing back old car names in an effort to connect today’s consumers with the past.

How much was a 1970s Maverick and what is the difference between today’s?

The original Ford Maverick cost just $1,995. It came with a 170 cubic inch straight-six engine that made 105 hp and got 22 mpg. It weighed 2,411 pounds and sold nearly 129,000 models in its first year. Even the original Ford Maverick colors were pretty incredible. Some of these were Anti-Establish Mint, Hulla Blue, and Original Cinnamon. There’s also Freudian Gilt, Thanks Vermillion, and Meadowlark Yellow, according to Jalopnik. So what happened?

The Ford Maverick stopped being produced in 1977. It was largely unchanged from the beginning of the Maverick, though it went from a 2-door car to a 4-door car. Several packages were introduced, but none were changed for the Maverick’s final production year except for a police package which didn’t sell particularly well. The Maverick was replaced by the Ford Fairmont.

Can you buy a Ford Maverick right now?

The new Ford Maverick is hugely popular already. It has a hybrid powertrain and makes up to 250 hp. Consumer Reports notes that, “Ford has upended the truck scene with its new Maverick, a small pickup truck that starts at only about $20,000 with a hybrid powertrain. This compelling combination has driven such strong demand that the automaker said it was suspending taking orders this week. ”

While more expensive than the old Ford Maverick, the new Maverick truck is still pretty inexpensive. It starts at $19,995 plus a $1,495 destination fee, Unlike the fuel-powered Maverick car, the new Maverick truck has a hybrid powertrain.

Unlike many new trucks, the new Maverick lacks a push-start button and electric side mirrors. It does, however, have an 8” touchscreen. If you can live without those niceties, you’ll likely be very happy with your 2022 Maverick. 

The 2022 Ford Maverick may be much different from the Ford Maverick car, but is that enough to make its sales better than the 1970s Ford Maverick? It’s looking like it will be wildly better, as the Maverick truck’s reservations number well beyond what Ford can produce. With its hybrid powertrain, the new Maverick has a unique advantage over the old Maverick car. The fact that it has an entry-level price can only help to secure its fate as the more successful Ford Maverick.