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Modified Mustangs & Fords
Readers’ Roundup
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Often the seed is planted early in a car enthusiast’s life as to his/her preferred brand. Perhaps Dad drove a certain brand (or even a specific model), and as time passes, that affection for a particular car/brand is passed down. A perfect example of this can be seen in Chris Dominianni. At just 28 years old, the Manhattan, New York, resident can’t remember a time when there wasn’t a Ford vehicle in his father’s or grandfather’s driveway. “I come from a long line of Ford enthusiasts. My father and grandfather have purchased only Ford vehicles for over 25 years,” Chris wrote in his email to us. He read in past issues of Modified Mustangs & Fords of the need for cars for “Readers’ Roundup” and he sent us some photos of his three Fords—a ’63 Falcon two-door sedan, a ’73 Maverick four-door, and an ’04 Thunderbird. We’re sharing his story here on the Maverick.
After owning a string of Ford cars, including a 5.0L Crown Vic and ’93 Lincoln Mark VIII, Chris bought his first collector Ford a few years back. He found a ’63 falcon with a 170ci inline-six for a project. The five-year restoration project included body and paint, an engine overhaul (the 170 was replaced by a 200 inline-six, but painted to look like the original 170), new front and rear suspension, and countless other additions to make the car as period correct and drivable as possible. Thus began Chris’ love affair with classic Fords.
“Approximately three years ago, I met my fiancé, Robyn. She began to get involved in local car shows, but disliked driving the Falcon due to the lack of seatbelts, power steering, and A/C,” Chris explains. A little over a year ago, Chris found a ’73 Maverick four-door sedan on the Internet. The 250ci inline-six powered Mav was loaded with air conditioning, power steering, a white vinyl roof, and many other options. Chris had the car delivered to his home about a week later and found several fluid leaks, faded paint, and many mechanical parts needing repair or replacement. Thankfully, due to its 44,000 original miles, the interior was in perfect shape.
Chris tells us that locating many of the mechanical parts was difficult, but finding original body trim parts was even harder. However, once Chris found McDonald Obsolete Parts (www.mcdonaldparts.com), he was able to replace most of the damaged original trim with N.O.S. trim. After nearly a year, the car’s restoration was finished, including fresh paint in the original green hue that was sprayed by a friend of the family. Chris contacted Marti Auto works for an “Elite” report, indicating that this Maverick was one of one (based on the options it had, paint code, and so on). “I was ecstatic to find out that all of the hard work was worth it and that the ‘leaky car’ that needed many repairs and hard work, (that, I must admit, I was tempted to part out after receiving) turned out to be so unique,” Chris explains. Robyn is definitely happy with her new ride and joins Chris for events and cruise-ins now.
Quick Specs
Dark Green Metallic paint
White vinyl roof
Avocado Green vinyl interior (front bench)
250ci inline-six
C4 automatic transmission
8-inch rear with 2.79 gears
Factory air-conditioning
Power steering
Accent Group
Interior Décor Group
Special Value Package A
Front and rear bumper guards