Mighty Maverick
Years of Production:
1970 - 1971
Country of Origin:
US and Hong Kong
Casting Variations:
US vs. Hong Kong Differences
Interior and Glass Colors:
US
* Black Interior
* Clear Glass
HK
* Black or Brown Interior
* Blue Glass
Paint Colors and Variations:
US - Painted White Racing Stripe
HK - White Sticker Racing Stripe
| Normal Production Color | US | HK |
| Aqua | Common |
Common |
| Blue |
Common |
Common |
| Copper |
- |
Uncommon |
| Gold |
Rare |
- |
| Green |
Common |
Common |
| Light Green |
Common |
Hard to Find |
| Lime |
Uncommon |
- |
| Magenta |
Uncommon |
Uncommon |
| Olive |
- |
Hard to Find |
| Orange |
- |
Uncommon |
| Hot Pink |
Uncommon | - |
| Salmon Pink |
Hard to Find | - |
| Purple |
Hard to Find | Hard to Find |
| Red |
Common | Common |
| Rose Red |
Hard to Find | Rare |
| Yellow |
Common | - |
Hong Kong Black Roof
| Color | Rarity |
| Aqua |
Uncommon |
| Blue | Most Common |
| Copper | Uncommon |
| Green | Uncommon |
| Light Green |
Hard to Find |
| Olive | Uncommon |
| Orange | Uncommon |
| Red |
Uncommon |
| Purple |
Killer |
Brown Interior/Wing
| Color | Rarity |
| Copper |
Rare |
| Orange | Rare |
Other versions of same Casting:
1973 CIPSA Mighty Maverick
1973 Street Snorter
1975 Flying Colors Mighty Maverick
1976 Super Chromes Mighty Maverick
Discussion:
Released for Mattel's 1970 line of Hot Wheels, this smartly stylized muscle car is based on a real car built by the Ford Motor Company: the 1969/70 Maverick.
1970 Ford Maverick with Grabber Package
In it's first full year of production, 1970, the Maverick broke the first year sales record previously held by the Mustang! The 1969 Maverick was built using a
lot of Falcon parts, and was only available with a straight 6-cylinder engine. Although most people would agree that the car had nice lines, nobody confused it
with a muscle car! The "Grabber" option was introduced in 1970, but was basically an interior and exterior trim package in it's first year. The Grabber really
became a force when the 302 c.i. V-8 became an option in 1971, and Ford began to market the Maverick as a performance car. Production continued through 1977.
Mighty Maverick
The Hot Wheels rendition of the Maverick underwent some serious "California Style" customizing! The hood acquired a whopping "power bulge". The exhaust was
rerouted through massive side pipes along the rocker panels and a wild spoiler wing was added to the rear trunk lid! The hood opens revealing a big block V8 engine
instead of that puny stock straight 6. The wheels are large caps in the rear and medium caps in the front giving the car a true muscled bound stance.
Mighty Maverick : US(L) vs. Hong Kong(R)
Although body castings are quite similar, there is one notable difference between the US and Hong Kong versions of the Mighty Maverick.
The side pipes on the US version are set closer to the body along the rocker panels, whereas on the Hong Kong version the pipes are spaced away
from the body. The US model sports a wider painted racing stripe whereas the Hong Kong version has a narrower white sticker for the stripe.
On the HK car, the "hood scoop" sits a little bit farther back from the front edge of the hood, and at the top of the tail-light panel, there is a
slight notch, presumably to facilitate the interior and wing assembly.
Mighty Maverick : Front and Rear
Both the US or Hong Kong versions have orange painted tail lights and black painted grilles in front. On the US version, the headlights are blacked out.
HK vs. US Base
Along with the obvious text differences, the bases also differ where the HK base is wider making the side pipes project beyond the body a bit more than the US version.
Somewhat Rare Hong Kong Brown Interior and Wing
Nearly all US and Hong Kong version have black interiors and wings. A very rare brown interior and wing version has been found on some few Hong Kong cars. The
wing assembly was molded with the interior as a single piece. During the assembly sequence, before the base was attached, the wing was folded around the back of
the car and and held in place by pegs that fit into slots on either side of the rear window. This design precludes replacement of a broken wing assembly. The US
interior/wing component is a consistent black color, while some HK wings have a slight brown tint swirling through them, and are slightly translucent on the edges.
Rare Hong Kong Black Roof Mighty Mavericks
A rare variation of the paint scheme is found only on the Hong Kong version. The roof is painted flat black, simulating a black vinyl roof that was popular in the day.
US Mighty Maverick in Pinks!
As for value, US hot pink and purple Mavericks aren't particularly difficult to find, but are very popular and desirable colors, so a mint car in those colors will command
a premium price. The condition of the stripe also is important and affects the value, but this car is all about the wing! A missing wing decreases the value by at least 50%,
probably more. A reproduction wing will only add the cost of the repro wing (about $15). A damaged wing, i.e. missing flap or completely separated at the trunk fold, will
affect value nearly as much as a missing wing. Partial tearing or cracking at the trunk fold is very common, especially on HK cars, and will affect the value of the car.
HK Mighty Maverick Rainbow
More Mighty Mavericks!
US Mighty Maverick in Blister Pack
Prototypes:
Pantograph Pattern for the Mighty Maverick
The Pattern piece used in the manufacturing process for the Mighty Maverick has survived. The "shell" and other parts have not been found.
Mighty Maverick Pantograph Pattern
Brass Mighty Maverick Prototype
Photos courtesy of Bruce Pascal
Brass models of Hot Wheels were made for testing purposes prior to releasing the tools for production. Very few original brass models have survived.
Bruce Pascal Collection of Redline Prototypes
Blank Base of the Brass Mighty Maverick Prototype
Mad Maverick Base
Mattel's Mighty Maverick casting was designed in 1969 and produced in 1970. The car was initially called the "Mad Maverick" but
the name was changed because of a trademark issue with Topper Toys, makers of the competing Johnny Lightning cars. Only a few of
the early "Mad Mavericks" are known to exist, along with a few cardboard case boxes with "Mad Maverick" stamped on the side.
Black Stripes
A few US Mighty Mavericks were finished with black stripes, these are likely pre-production cars.
Howard Reese's Autograph Sheet
Photos and info credits: Alex and Eric Moll and Ted Gray
| All |
1968 |
1969 |
1970 |
1971 |
1972 |
1973 |
1974 |
1975 |
1976 |
1977 |
| Customs | |
Gran Prix | |
Heavyweights | |
Spoilers | |
Super Chromes | |
Alternate Colors | |
CIPSA | |
Home |
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