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Can you think of a better way to feature a Redline drag car then with the real deal? A 1-to-1 racing machine. Dan Spaudling of Harrisville, Rhode Island has such a ride. Some of you know Dan from the Hot Wheels events from coast to coast, but he’s also a weekend drag racing ace. Dan started with a 1970 Ford Maverick coupe, built from scratch, by Dan and his Dad. The Blue Oval Rocket is powered by a 351 Ford Windsor with a single carburetor running no nitrous, best ET is 10.26 @131 mph in the 1/4 mile. The car has been featured in numerous publications including Mustang Illustrated, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords magazine.

Now lets talk about the little Maverick that could. The Mattel version, released in 1970 as the Mighty Maverick was based on a re-proportioned concept of the Ford Maverick by Howard Rees. It had a metal base and lift up hood that revealed a metal engine with 8 carbs. It was available as a Hong Kong or USA casting with a plastic interior with blue or clear glass. One of the coolest features was the black plastic spoiler on the rear deck and the white racing stripe on the roof. Its flawless finish was available in 15 spectraflame colors. This casting is very hard to find in a C7 or better condition, and as you might imagine, are very pricey.

Here’s a quick casting comparison:

USA casting:
Clear windows, opening hood, wide stripe on roof, interior in black with molded dash, steering wheel and rear wing.

Hong Kong casting:
Blue windows, opening hood, thin stripe on roof, interior in black with molded dash, steering wheel and rear wing.
Optional Brown interior and wing, only found in copper and orange spectraflame. Also, some HK’s have been found with satin black roofs.

I would like to thank Jim Lombari and Dan Spauding from the Rhode Island Hot Wheels Club, and Scott Jones (via the web) from California for their contributions this months post.

Note: Frantic Ford drag car-Dan Spaulding. Aqua, Apple Green, Pink-from: Jim Lombari collection. Packaged Olive & Blue, Red, and 75 reissue with tampo-from: Scott Jones collection. Balance: RK Stickels collection

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