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1970
The Maverick was first sold as a 1970 model on April 17, 1969, for $1,995, which is about $13,921 in 2021 dollars. It was first made and sold as a subcompact "import fighter" to compete with newer Japanese cars for North America, mostly from Datsun and Toyota at the time. Since 1960, the Falcon has been Ford's compact car and its main competitor to the Chevrolet Nova and Dodge Dart. When the Mustang came out in 1964, it killed the sales of the Falcon, and even though it was redesigned in 1966, it still couldn't meet the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) safety standards that would go into effect on January 1, 1970. So, Ford stopped making the Falcon in the middle of the 1970 model year and made the Maverick its compact car, giving the Nova and Dart a new rival. For the second half of the model year,[9][10] the Falcon was a renamed, lowtrim version of the Fairlane. After that, the Falcon was no longer made.
The Maverick was styled like the Mustang, with a long hood, fastback roof, and short deck. It had a 103inch (2,616 mm) wheelbase and rear side windows that popped out.
1971
A fourdoor model was introduced for 1971, available with a vinyl roof. Mercury also revived the Comet as a rebadged variant of the Maverick. Also for 1971, an optional 210 hp (160 kW) 302 CID V8 was introduced for both the Comet and the Maverick. The Comet was distinguished from the Maverick by using a different grille, taillights, trim, and hood.
The Maverick Grabber trim package was introduced in mid1970. In addition to larger tire fitment, the package included graphics and trim, including a spoiler. It was offered from 1970 to 1975. In 1971 and 1972, the Grabber came with a special "dual dome" hood.

1972
In 1972, the "sprint" package came with twotone paint in white and blue with red pinstripes and a special colorcoordinated interior. A stylized U.S. flag shield was on the back of the rear quarter panels. This trim package was only available for one year and was a nod to the 1972 Olympics.
A trim level called "luxury decor option" (LDO) was added at the end of the 1972 model year. It had reclining bucket seats made of soft vinyl, plush carpeting, woodgrained instrument panel trim, radial tires with deluxe wheel covers in the same color as the car's body, and a vinyl roof.
The Maverick LDO option was one of the first American compacts to be marketed as a cheaper (and American) alternative to the more expensive European luxury and touring sedans made by MercedesBenz, BMW, Audi, and others.

1973
Jumping gas prices and increasing demand for smaller cars resulting from the 1973 oil crisis caused the Maverick to grow in popularity. Minor changes were made from 1973 to 1975. For 1973, the 170 CID engine was dropped, making the 200 CID I6 the standard engine. Additionally, improved brakes and a previously optional chrome grille became standard. An AM/FM stereo, aluminum wheels, and a slightly larger front bumper to comply with federal 5 MPH regulations were also standard.

1974
In 1974, the Maverick was unchanged except for new larger federally required 5 MPH bumpers for both front and rear, which required new rear quarter panel end caps.

1975
Maverick production continued for 1975 with the release of its intended replacement the Granada as a more Europeanstyle luxury compact (the Granada and Maverick shared the same basic chassis).
The Maverick received minor trim changes for 1975 that included new grilles and the replacement of nameplates on the hood and trunk lid with Ford nameplates, in block letters.

1976
In 1976, the Grabber was dropped, and a "Stallion" package was introduced. The Stallion option came with special paint and trim. Standard Mavericks received new grilles and gained front disc brakes as standard equipment along with new footoperated parking brakes that replaced the old underdash Thandle units. Sales continued to drop.

1977
In its final year, the Maverick remained unchanged for 1977 except for a police package, which was not sufficiently upgraded for police work and sold less than 400 units. Up until 1979, the Maverick was made in Brazil. The 1978 Ford Fairmont pretty much took the place of the Maverick in Ford's North American lineup. Since the Maverick was supposed to be replaced by the Granada in 1975, it didn't change much in the last few years of its life. Ford, however, decided to keep selling both lines until 1978, when the Fairmont came out.