1981 Austin Maxi 2 HL 1750 - Rally car
Discussion
Hey All,
I thought some of you might be interested/amused in the following:
Austin Maxi
If any one knows anyone who would like this beast please point them in my direction
I thought some of you might be interested/amused in the following:
Austin Maxi
If any one knows anyone who would like this beast please point them in my direction
Ha nice one !!
I worked on LOTS of these as a Young Aprentice in a Leading BL dealers in Woodford Green Essex, from 1977-81. They really WERE Not as bad as every one says. Gear boxes and clutches,were the main issues. I never remember that they had cooling problems. But in the late 70s build quality and steel quality were not as good as the early ones, like all BL products, inc the Range Rover.
Many owners had nothing but praise for them, the Mechanic i was Apprenticed to had one.
Also my mate who was a Top 1970s Banger racer Champion. He Headed the Banger Race scenes Driving, for the Cult Film THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY. . He had one as his every day driver , used it for all sorts inc lugging engines, sleeping in the back on Fishing and camping trips, the seats could be completely folded to make a half decent bed.( Try doing that in a Cortina. etc. They were also good in snow.
I worked on LOTS of these as a Young Aprentice in a Leading BL dealers in Woodford Green Essex, from 1977-81. They really WERE Not as bad as every one says. Gear boxes and clutches,were the main issues. I never remember that they had cooling problems. But in the late 70s build quality and steel quality were not as good as the early ones, like all BL products, inc the Range Rover.
Many owners had nothing but praise for them, the Mechanic i was Apprenticed to had one.
Also my mate who was a Top 1970s Banger racer Champion. He Headed the Banger Race scenes Driving, for the Cult Film THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY. . He had one as his every day driver , used it for all sorts inc lugging engines, sleeping in the back on Fishing and camping trips, the seats could be completely folded to make a half decent bed.( Try doing that in a Cortina. etc. They were also good in snow.
neutral 3 said:
Ha nice one !!
I worked on LOTS of these as a Young Aprentice in a Leading BL dealers in Woodford Green Essex, from 1977-81.
I also have memories of these as a young apprentice late 70s/early eightiesI worked on LOTS of these as a Young Aprentice in a Leading BL dealers in Woodford Green Essex, from 1977-81.
leading bl dealer in gants hill, Thank god they sold jaguars aswell.
Maxis were mint - and were as tough as old boots....as were a lot of the much maligned BL stuff of the period. As long as the plugs/points/oil/coolant were kept up to scratch they plodded on until the floor fell out.
I once took a Jaguar V12 engine and autobox up to Coventry in the back of a Maxi 1500. The old Hydrolastic made a bit of a groan as it was swung in with a crane, but it took it like a Man and did the job. Amazing to think it had a five speed gearbox in 1969.
I once took a Jaguar V12 engine and autobox up to Coventry in the back of a Maxi 1500. The old Hydrolastic made a bit of a groan as it was swung in with a crane, but it took it like a Man and did the job. Amazing to think it had a five speed gearbox in 1969.
velocemitch said:
Yeah amazing.... Alfa's had 5 speed boxes and disc brakes all round from 63, not to mention all aluminium Twin Cams. You can keep your Hydrolastic, I will stick with coils over dampers thanks
True enough, but they also cost at least twice as much as was being asked for the Maxi. A 1750GTV in 1970 was not far off the asking price of a 4.2 E Type coupe. Anyone remember the colour 'Blaze'? It was bright orange, and my Dad had to go and buy one in this colour! I'm not sure whether it was as bad as or worse than that strange mustard colour.
The gearstick felt like it was made of rubber, and when the car accelerated the front used to rear up like a barge!
Eventually the sills rusted to buggery, and that was that.
Still, it was better than an Allegro!
The gearstick felt like it was made of rubber, and when the car accelerated the front used to rear up like a barge!
Eventually the sills rusted to buggery, and that was that.
Still, it was better than an Allegro!
keith9849 said:
Anyone remember the colour 'Blaze'? It was bright orange, and my Dad had to go and buy one in this colour! I'm not sure whether it was as bad as or worse than that strange mustard colour.
The gearstick felt like it was made of rubber, and when the car accelerated the front used to rear up like a barge!
Eventually the sills rusted to buggery, and that was that.
Still, it was better than an Allegro!
My Mini Clubman is in Blaze!The gearstick felt like it was made of rubber, and when the car accelerated the front used to rear up like a barge!
Eventually the sills rusted to buggery, and that was that.
Still, it was better than an Allegro!
The old mustardy colour? Possibly sandglow, I had 3 minis and a marina in that colour back in the 80's
teammaxipower said:
Hey All,
I thought some of you might be interested/amused in the following:
Austin Maxi
If any one knows anyone who would like this beast please point them in my direction
Did see this in Norfolk yesterday ?I thought some of you might be interested/amused in the following:
Austin Maxi
If any one knows anyone who would like this beast please point them in my direction
keith9849 said:
Anyone remember the colour 'Blaze'? It was bright orange
We too had an orange Maxi in the early 80s. It replaced a dark blue L-reg Maxi that my dad bought new and kept until it got written off in 1981 when the caravan we were towing down the A34 toppled over when a coach overtook us.SJC103 said:
May I just drop mine here.
Actualy the Sandglow one was recently sold, but I still have the blue one.
Ive been bouncing around in them for 25 years thanks to my dad. I love the things.
excellent. Are the spotlights necessary, or for looks??Actualy the Sandglow one was recently sold, but I still have the blue one.
Ive been bouncing around in them for 25 years thanks to my dad. I love the things.
Edited by SJC103 on Wednesday 21st March 08:30
Thanks. the spotlights probably arnt nessasary as the headlights in both are 80/100w halogens with remote relays to stop the switches burning out. They were darn bright, but the spotlights made things a little bit better, also on relays. They were for looks too, both were fitted with classic lucas lights, with the sandglow one wearing the rare rear fixing ones, as seen on MK1 Mini rally cars n stuff.
Have this too. Best car I ever had. The stuff of legend.
Have this too. Best car I ever had. The stuff of legend.
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