First introduced in the 1970 model year, the 'Grabber' option was a real attention getter for the younger generation of car buyers. This was already an economically priced vehicle, and could be made to a customer's specific order to give the car a personally simular to the owner.
The Grabber package added $194 to the Mavericks 1970 base price of $1995.
The Grabber package was not initially marketed as a "performance" package, but more of a trim package. This was because the 302 V8 was not an option yet. The biggest engine available in 1970 was the 250 ci six. This ad lists the 200 six as standard for the Grabber in 1970, but the 170 six was the standard engine for the base Maverick.
The Grabber was designated as trim "62A" in 1970 as were all other Mavericks that year. In 1971 the Grabber got its own trim designation "62D". There are still ways to tell if a Maverick is a true 1970 Grabber:
1. Grabber rear spoiler
2. Blacked out stock hood
3. Blacked out stock grille
4. Blacked out headlight bezels
5. Blacked out taillight panel
6. Black all-vinyl interior
7. Grabber stripes-non reflective (mostly black, but a few were white in color)
8. 14 inch wheels
9. Dual sport mirrors
10. Bright taillight trim-not black
11. Late 1970 build date (Feb or later)
Nobody is sure how many 1970 Grabbers were built, but there is a 1970 Grabber registry held by Craig Selvey http://www.maverickcorral.homestead.com
1971
In the 1971 production year, the 302 2v V8 was introduced. This engine could be added to any maverick, Grabber or not, 2 door or 4 door models. The 1971 Grabber seen a few changes as far as options go. You could now order a Grabber (or any 2door Maverick) with optional bucket seats and a floor mounted gear selector. This was a more popular option with the Grabber models as it seemed to add a bit a 'sporty-ness' to them. The highly recognized 'Grabber hood' was introduced in 1971 along with a black Grabber grille that now housed sport lamps. These came on all Grabber's no matter what other options were ordered, along with all of the Grabber's options as 1970.
The Maverick itself was also given a 5 lug suspension for any car that housed a 250 ci engine or 302 ci engine. All other Mavericks still kept their 4 lug suspension, even up untill 1973, at which 5 lug was added to all models.
1972
The 1972 Grabbers had everything the '71 model year had to offer. There was basiclly no changes between these two years except for a 'Fasten Seat Belt' indicator light in the dash that was only features in all 1972 cars but was short lived and didnt carry over to the 1973 model year. I believe a few more colors options were available in '72 as well but for the most part these cars were the same as '71 models.
1973
With higher safety standards coming around the automotive industry, Ford had to comply with a '5 mph' impact resistant bumper. So for all 1973 Mavericks and Comets alike, even the Grabber, these cars features a slightly larger front bumper for better absorbtion in the event of an automobile accident. The rear bumper remained the same but had different brakets that moved the bumper away from the car about 2 inches or so. The Grabber hood was no longer available in '73, instead a person received a standard hood with a painted on stencil that said 'Grabber'. This was also the last year for the Grabber spoiler. The striping along the car changed as well. The Sport Lamp grille was now standard equipment on all '73 Mavericks and was now used for parking and turn signal indicators instead of just for decore. Forged Aluminum wheels were now an option as well.