Unicorns DO exist. I found one. A beautiful young woman who went out and bought a cool old car for no other reason than she loves old cars. Meet Chris, and her '72 Maverick, Holly

If Holly wasn’t your first choice, what was and why?

My first choice was not a Maverick, I had no idea this car actually existed. But I’ll get into that later. My dream car was a Chevy Nova. I was a freshman in high school and one day I was getting on the bus after school and when I looked out the window there it was. A shiny chrome silver. 5 star rims and two black stripes down the back. I was completely in love and I searched it quick before the bus took off for its name/model anything that could tell me what I had just fallen in love with. On the grill I saw the letters SS and on the side in the nicest font I’d ever seen on a car was the word Nova. I googled it as soon as I got home and from that day on I would tell everyone I was going to buy a Nova.

How did that hunt for that car go, and will you try for that car again someday?

 Finding a Nova was very difficult. Last summer I worked almost every day as a waitress (still working as a waitress) and since tips were good and I’m young – meaning not many bills for me since I still live at home – I saved every paycheck that summer and lived off my tips. The end of summer came and I had enough for a car. I searched everywhere online, even made somebody I knew with a Nova an offer to buy it. The results were negative. The ones that were in good shape were way more expensive than I thought they’d be and I wasn’t even close to that amount. The ones I could afford needed much work that I wouldn’t have the time or money for since I was returning to college that fall. I don’t forget this car though, and definitely plan to try again for it someday. Maybe I’ll be rich one day and I’ll get one exactly like the one I saw after school that day, it was perfect!

Was there a moment that had you think, I need to get a cool old car, and can you tell me what that was?

As a kid, my parents would take my brother and I to Chicano Park Day every time it came around. My family was there mostly for the food and music. But my eyes were glued to the cars. It was love at first sight. All the low riders with the shiny sparkly paint, just dripping off so smoothly. The motorcycles, the fast cars, even bicycles that were completely tricked out. I saw how they were all part of a group/club, and that was so awesome to me. It was eye candy I couldn’t get enough of. Then, I was around 13, we went to another family event where they had old muscle cars and low riders. And it happened. I heard one of the car owners rev their engine. That was the moment I knew I had to have one. I had to have a cool old car and I had to fix it. I had to make it my own and rev the engine.

How did you go from that 1st car you had in mind, to finding Holly?

Since I was not finding a Nova, I was still looking for a car, at this point any car, because I needed one to get to school. I currently had my first car that I had bought my first year of college. An old Nissan Maxima with 250k miles on it. Yeah, it was giving me hell. And someone offered me $800 for it. I guess they were more desperate than I was. I accepted and was car-less for a week.

Then one night I went on OfferUp and looked under the car section. I didn’t scroll far when I saw a post for a “1970 Ford Maverick - $4,000.” I saw the pictures and I fell in love once more. Like I stated before I had never seen a Maverick or knew about them! I clicked quick to read the description and realized it hadn’t been more than an hour since the owner posted it for sale. I was lucky!! I read the post about six times making sure I didn’t skip anything that said “isn’t running” or “needs motor” like the plethora of posts I had read before. Nope all clear!

 Runs smooth 110k miles on it, got it from an auction, hadn’t been moved for a long time because previous owner passed away. The current owner got it for his teenage son but he was misbehaving so there it was. Up for grabs. I contacted the owner in that moment and asked to see it ASAP. I had my dad contact him as well and act as another interested buyer asking to see it.

 Was your purchase a smooth experience, or was it an uphill battle to get the seller to come to terms? 

 When I got to the house the car was covered up and the unveiling was unbelievable. My dad checked under the hood, etc. I asked to drive it, it was perfect. Next question: take $3,500. for it? He was hesitant at first but I tried to explain the situation to him. Getting the car under my name was going to be costly because it had several fees on it that summed to more than $600. He thought for a minute then he shook my hand and deal!

Was your first day with your Maverick memorable? Did you have a thing planned for day one with your car?

Okay when I test drove Holly she was perfect; as soon as we hit the freeway it shut off. I was thinking the worst. Luckily my dad who was following me, recognized it was due to a dirty carburetor and we stopped for a cleaner at the nearest Pepboys. I was so happy to see it run smoothly after that but I wouldn’t have more time to spend with it, I had to go to work! I still remember that day however, I was so happy!

 Since you’ve been driving an old car, what’s the best or worst experience with it?

 No worst/bad experience, even when I’ve had to spend lots to fix things or spend some time on the side of the road. I absolutely love owning an old car and can’t complain. I’ve had so many awesome experiences with it, it’s hard to choose. Every day it’s something new. Something really memorable was having the owner of the Nova, the one I asked to buy, ask to buy my Maverick! It was my turn to say “Sorry, she’s not for sale.” Also, I park Holly right in front of the restaurant where I work and the glass walls allow me to see so many of my customers stop by in awe and take pictures of it! It’s amazing to me that when I was so young I would dream of these things happening to me, and now it’s real.

Are you changing the oil yourself or taking it in someplace? Have you had to do any other maintenance, and do you have a garage for that, or is it all simple things done in a parking lot? 

 My brother helps me change the oil and we luckily have a garage that we rent behind where I live so we can work on our cars. (His car is way newer but he upgrades it all on his own)

How many times a week do you get a thumbs up when out driving? 

 I would say about ten times a week I get a thumbs up while I’m out driving. And at least three times a week I get asked “Is that your car? Not your grandfathers’?”

Have you got a plan for a roadside assist? AAA, family? & have you needed to use it yet?

Instead of AAA, I have MMM. It’s the funniest thing. My dad’s name is Mario, my brother’s name is Mario, and our good family friend (mechanic) is named Mario. It’s been them all the way! 100%! My brother has been there every time my car has run out of gas (gas meter doesn’t work properly – am currently working on that) or when the battery died. My dad finds any part I’ve ever needed for the lowest price possible for me. For anything else, our mechanic family friend has been there to help/install new parts.

 Did you get advice about buying an old car from anyone or any online source?

 I absolutely got no advice for buying an old car because nobody believed an old car would be a good buy/smart purchase. Especially for a young girl like me that gets her nails done every other week.

What advice do you have for anyone else getting their first old car? 

 My advice would be this: If you are getting your first old car you have to be really into it / in love with it; because unless you are rich and can get it fixed up so easily, it’s going to be hard work, sweat, and tears.

 Do you have an intention of upgrading your car, or intend to leave it mostly the same and continue to use it as a commuter? 

 For now I plan on dropping her a tiny bit, putting new wheels/rims and a good sound system. Maybe upgrade the lights if I have enough money. In the future I plan on a new motor and exhaust but of course I will have to save up for this.

Have you gotten more interested in Mavericks due to your car, or more into old cars?

 Of course! Since I found out about Mavericks I have been looking for them everywhere. I have only seen two in San Diego! I have to go online to see the rest. I like that they are just like the Mustangs but different exterior/shape.

 Have you, or do you plan on, bringing it to car cruises or car shows? 

 I have not taken it to any car shows but I definitely plan on it, once it is fixed how I envision it. It will be the best day ever for me because when I was growing up that’s all I would dream of.

 Have you had anyone offer to buy it from you yet? Are you going to keep it or sell it?

I get offers left and right, especially once they see she’s in great shape. So authentic in and out, and runs so smooth. But my answer will forever be the same: “Sorry, she’s not for sale!” Someone always stops me to say “I used to have one!” or “I used to own a 69 Ford, 72 Bel Air, etc”, and my thought is always: What do you mean you used to! Where is it!?

 Any joke, anecdote, praise for mechanic/fam, story about owning it? 

 Only thing I can think of when I think of Holly is how grateful I am. It used to be a dream that I didn’t see achievable at such a young age. She has given me confidence and although she is a car I find myself relating to her a lot. She is simple and not a Lamborghini but she is authentic all the way! I can be having a bad day but as soon as I get to driving I get a big smile on my face. She is like a trademark of mine, because people will say “Chris? The girl with the Maverick?” and that is such an awesome feeling.