Ford Maverick GT V8 302 (Brazil)
The Ford Maverick GT is Brazil's muscle car legend — a locally assembled V8-powered coupe that brought the American muscle car experience to South America. Produced at Ford's São Bernardo do Campo plant from 1973 to 1979, the Brazilian Maverick GT offered performance that nothing else in the local market could touch.
While based on the American Ford Maverick, the Brazilian version was more than a simple copy. Ford do Brasil adapted the car for local conditions and market preferences, offering both the 302 cubic inch (5.0-liter) V8 and a 2.3-liter inline-four for the base model. The GT was exclusively V8-powered, producing 199 hp — the most powerful production car available in Brazil at the time.
The 302 V8, combined with either a four-speed Toploader manual or C4 three-speed automatic transmission, gave the Maverick GT genuine muscle car acceleration. With a top speed of 190 km/h and quarter-mile times in the mid-16-second range, it was the fastest Brazilian-market car of its era.
The GT package included sports suspension, wider tires, disc front brakes, blacked-out trim, hood scoops (non-functional), and a sportier interior with additional gauges. Available as both a two-door coupe and a four-door sedan, the coupe GT was the definitive version.
In Brazilian motorsport, the Maverick GT was competitive in touring car racing, and prepared examples could extract significantly more power from the versatile 302 V8. The car established a passionate following that persists to this day.
Production ended in 1979 when Ford do Brasil shifted focus to the Corcel II and Del Rey. The Brazilian Maverick GT has since become one of the most sought-after and valuable Brazilian classic cars, with V8 coupes commanding strong prices at auction and in the enthusiast market.
The Maverick GT represents a unique chapter in Ford's global history — an American design adapted for and embraced by Brazil, creating a muscle car tradition in a country not typically associated with V8 performance.
The V8 GT coupe is the most desirable variant and commands strong prices. Check for rust (especially floor pans, trunk floor, and fender wells), engine condition (the 302 is robust but check for bottom-end wear), and transmission condition (Toploader 4-speed is preferred over automatic). Parts availability is good — the 302 V8 has a massive aftermarket globally. Brazilian-specific parts (body panels, interior) require local specialists. The four-door sedan GT is less valuable than the coupe. Documentation and numbers-matching status significantly affect value.
Assembled at Ford do Brasil's São Bernardo do Campo plant, 1973-1979. V8 302 (199 hp) for GT, inline-4 2.3L for base models. Available as coupe and 4-door sedan. Brazilian market adaptation of the US Ford Maverick. Production ceased when Ford shifted to Corcel II/Del Rey.