Austin maxi owners club

Experiencing a Panhard PL17 was an experience on a par with entering the National Motor Museum for the first time or encountering the Genevieve Darracq in the metal — something never to be forgotten. Did you know that we insure lots of old military vehicles here at Lancaster as well as classic cars?

Not long ago, we profiled the Ford Probe. When it comes to your classic car, every detail matters. Here at Lancaster, we have been supporting car clubs for the last three decades. We love the camaraderie between owners, meeting lifelong friends and sharing vital tips and knowledge about the vehicles we love the most. To celebrate Coventry's year as UK City of Culture , we decided to look into the city's illustrious motor manufacturing history.

From their factory on the edge of the Malvern Hills, British car markers Morgan have been at the leading edge of sports and race car manufacture for over a century. Now is the time to start getting out and enjoying the marvels of the UK countryside in your campervan. Restoring a classic car can be a hugely rewarding process. This is work that requires real concentration and dedication, and will get you deep inside the working parts of your chosen vehicle.

You might think it's a little too soon to start earmarking future classics from the s, a decade that seems not long gone. When the world was young and the Ford Fiesta S Mk 1 was causing a minor sensation in outer suburbia; this writer was a devotee of Car magazine.

The Atlas is the sort of vehicle mainly glimpsed in the backgrounds of s British films rather than on the road. The Standard light commercial was a rather appealing machine in its heyday, but it never seemed to find a market niche despite its virtues.

At Lancaster Insurance, we understand that while your classic is your pride and joy, home is where the heart is. Fifty years ago, Lancia unveiled its last independently designed car. Fiat acquired the famous concern in October and for many enthusiasts the Berlina marked the end of an era.

It was also one of the most delightful sports saloons of the s. His Morris was fitted with several decadent extras: reclining front seats, hazard warning lights, an alternator and a heated rear screen. When it comes to having a favourite classic car, you might look for the whole package.

Not only can that mean the drivability, the style, the shape or the character, but also the feelings of nostalgia it may evoke in you.

The s were a thrilling time for motor enthusiasts. Morris Motors was one of the true giants of 20th Century Britain, operating through both world wars and creating a range of successful, iconic vehicles. Gowring ranted in a letter to Motor Sport:. The 20th Century in the UK was full of motoring success stories and many have endured to today think Rolls Royce, which started in and Vauxhall from However, for every 20th Century brand that is still active, there are about a hundred who are now defunct.

Classic cars become iconic for several reasons. They can symbolise bygone eras or represent strides forward for the car industry of their day.

The s so often appear to be another world — the National Anthem played at the end of cinema bills, newsagents selling Woodbines and The Daily Herald…and vehicles aimed exclusively at the female driver. They might have been seen patrolling the Mersey Tunnel, rural beats or major highways.

Driving a campervan at night brings all kinds of different challenges and risks. His passing in April , aged 90, was an emotional day for fans of motor racing. They are occasionally revived in the form of very tired piano references, but BL products are now mainly assessed on their merits. This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most important cars to bear the Triumph badge. When the Acclaim made its bow on the 7th October , it pioneered Japanese involvement in the British motor industry.

Depending on who you speak to, the s, with its big hair, big shoulder pads and even bigger personalities, was either a decade that should be fondly remembered or forgotten altogether. The death of legendary Formula 1 commentator Murray Walker, aged 97, led to an outpouring of tributes, underlining how much of an admired figure he was in the world of motorsport. As a classic car owner, you want to be able to drive your vintage motor on some of the best roads that the British Isles has to offer.

Over the decades, vintage motors have played iconic roles in many great British TV comedies. Just think: how would Del Boy have got up to his wheeler-dealer tricks without his three-wheeler?

Every car enthusiast has their favourite Ferrari. This week marks the sixth anniversary of a television channel that is a source of delight to classic machinery and cinema fans alike. From to , the USSR only manufactured one million vehicles. But it still managed to produce some memorable cars, albeit often heavily influenced by Western manufacturers.

The year is Meanwhile, a holiday in Weymouth awaits, and your home from home is a Morris Marina Suntor. Sixty years ago, Dagenham unveiled a new model that could not be mistaken for any other car. The Consul Classic was the epitome of scaled-down Americana, from its quad headlamps to its tail fins and reverse-angle rear screen. The Ace, near Wembley, which opened in , is possibly the best known.

How can you ensure that your dream Dodge is not a dodgy deal? Right up there with the plucky vim and vigour of the original Mini and the elegant power of the Jaguar E-Type, the rough and tough all-terrain Land Rover is synonymous with Great Britain.

On the 27th of April, the Morris Marina celebrated its 50th birthday, and one of many enthusiasts is Danny Hopkins, the editor of Practical Classics Magazine:. When it comes to car design, the Americans clearly believe in excess. The classic car world would undoubtedly be a more boring place without the likes of the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger roaring up to classic car shows around the country.

The Jaguar E-Type is one of the most famous cars of all time. Both during its lifetime and after, the British-market Metropolitan received some very mixed reviews. In other words — if you buy this car, you run the risk of being regarded as a vulgarian and quite possibly a cad into the bargain.

Driving is just like riding a bike; you never forget how, but after a bit of a break, you may be a little rusty. For many fans of classic cars, planning a trip to the Lakeland Motor Museum is a dream come true!

This unique place is truly devoted to all things motoring. Vauxhall is not often spoken about as a brand that builds great cars. It attracts some two million visitors each year and is, without doubt, one of the premier automotive attractions in the world. The VW Beetle has claims to be one of the best cars to ever go into production. It remained in production for more than 80 years, with Volkswagen eventually calling time in Did you know that the UK boasts more than distilleries, producing gin, vodka and whisky?

A trip to one of these can make for a very nice day out — you just need to find somewhere safe to leave the campervan so you can properly enjoy your tipple! It is hard to believe that the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk. II is fast approaching its 40th birthday, and even more difficult to appreciate how rare they now are.

His father acquired it new, and the Farina served the family and the Peloponnese seaport town Nafplio as a taxi for many years. The Morris Marina will celebrate its 50th birthday later this month, and we plan to feature an exceptional example on the actual date.

For now, here are twenty fascinating facts about a much-misunderstood car:. According to How Many Are Left? Forty years ago, they were regarded as desirable transport — well-appointed, versatile, extremely comfortable and with a certain degree of panache. More importantly, this example, co-owned by Chris Salter and Reg Duffett, was once the daily driver of a great friend to the classic community. Famous owners included but of course Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.

In , the French travel firm Groupe Cityrama commissioned the famed coachbuilder Currus to build transport suitable for a new generation of tourists. In , the motorist in search of a small estate-car had four options. The recently launched Morris Minor Traveller looked most appealing, while the new Hillman Husky was essentially a modified Commer Cob van.

The year is and, somewhere in Hampshire, a family is en route to their summer holiday near Swanage. For classic car owners and enthusiasts, nothing beats the excitement of a classic car show. This is especially true in the UK, which is home to a glittering array of world-leading classic car events. These shows provide the opportunity to see some of the best and rarest vehicles in the world up close, maybe even purchasing one of your own.

Cars make movies. Movies make cars. The two go together as well as just about anything. At lease, we hope not.

Volkswagen has enjoyed the best of times of late. But VW still has a strong fanbase — especially among classic car owners. Did you know that more than 30 million people in the UK are now using Instagram, the photo and video sharing social networking service? And numbers are growing year on year. Classic car enthusiasts are not wasting the opportunity to utilise the platform either, posting thousands of pictures of rare and classic vehicles for us all to enjoy.

Making your car stand out from the crowd has never been easier. Of all the cars celebrating their 40th birthday in , the Samba is one of the rarest, with just 19 remaining in use. They were the last new car to bear the Talbot badge - and one that represented a fresh direction for the brand.

This is not to imply that the Reliant looked at all dated, for it was a true Grand Tourer; handsome, purposeful and always looking ready for a dash along the A27 to Goodwood. In , there would have been few keen motorists unaware that Ford was planning a radical new third-generation Escort — a front-wheel-drive hatchback no less. In the meantime, there was a spate of Limited Edition Mk2s. The made its bow at the London Motor Show and by the mids Canley was already considering a more powerful version.

To help take away the stress of multiple renewal dates and cluttered paperwork, below is more information on our multi-vehicle policies and how they may help you! But, put your knowledge to the test with these ten fast facts about this brilliant British icon.

Being classic car enthusiasts, we tend to judge celebrities by the cars that they drive. If you had all the money in the world and wanted to put together the classic car collection of your dreams, which vehicles would you choose?

Every classic car lover has a dream team they would build if they become filthy rich. How do real-life millionaire car lovers spend their cash? It was a vehicle renowned for its performance, comfort, and, most notably, an innate sense of gravitas in its heyday. You can almost date a vehicle by the safety features that are built in — a fascinating area for classic car lovers. For a car that was not uncommon on British roads during the s, the 18 seems to have been largely forgotten. It deserves to be better remembered for it was a Renault of many good qualities and a more than viable alternative to a Vauxhall Cavalier or the Ford Sierra.

Owning a campervan is a real joy. It gives you the freedom to go wherever you like, whenever you like and take all your home comforts with you. It allows you to be more active, spend time in the great outdoors, and become part of a large, friendly community.

What more could you ask for? One of the many stars of the London Motor Show was found on Stand Here are seven of the most intriguing overseas interpretations:. If you want to add a modern part onto your classic car as part of the restoration project — but retain the essence of your historic vehicle — then you need to be subtle with any modifications that you make.

A brand synonymous with style and class, Aston Martin has produced some of the most luxurious and sophisticated sports cars ever to grace our roads. Stunning the motoring world when it debuted over 30 years ago, the iconic Honda NSX rivalled anything the European car makers had to offer at the time. But what started out as an experiment by the Honda team, turned out to be the making of a Japanese automotive legend.

Oozing Italian Dolce Vita charm, the diminutive Fiat was a big hit throughout Europe when it first launched in And that popularity has endured until the present today. Yesterday Ford announced the end to production in of the Mondeo - bringing to end a nearly thirty-year tradition.

It is quite bizarre to think that little over 11 years separates the launch of the first models from the last of the Cortinas, and some readers will remember how in , the debut of the Sierra caused shock-waves amongst Ford traditionalists.

Indeed, some had not yet recovered when they heard rumours of an FWD replacement. So, what are the options for finding a new home for your precious classic car after your death? For many years the Austin Allegro was the subject of myth, folklore, received wisdom and downright abuse. The s were a good time to be alive.

The Second World War had ended and people were optimistic about the future. From the stunning countryside to the vibrant cities, there are plenty of places to explore. Plus, with a host of campervan and motorhome campsites, Aires and stopovers to choose from, you can plan your route and your budget with ease.

In fact, sometimes you can find that a car will start one day without any problem and then a week later you turn the key and… nothing. However, before you reach for the jump leads, as you would do on a more modern car, just hold on — or you could potentially have a fire on your hands.

The pastime of collecting classic cars shows no signs of disappearing — however, the market is undergoing a seismic shift, with baby boomers making way for the new generation.

One way of doing that is by entering it into a classic car show or competition, such as the Pride of Ownership awards. Lancaster Insurance has today announced a new partnership with Chubb to enhance its high value offering. Understanding that a standard policy may not always provide the right cover, the new scheme will give owners the confidence to truly enjoy their prestige vehicle with a range of bespoke benefits on offer.

Born in , it has gone on to become one of the most famous roadsters of all time, with early models able to be picked up for peanuts just watch out for that rust! From the invention of the microprocessor and the opening of Disney World to decimalisation in the UK, was a vintage year for a whole host of reasons.

And many of these technological and cultural changes were also mirrored in the world of car design and production. Many car makers dropped the chrome radiator grills and wood and leather interiors of the s in favour of American coke-bottle styling and black plastic.

Light commercial vehicles and pick-ups are not just part of motoring history — they give insights into the bygone world of work, too. Part of that preparation will be to familiarise yourself with the changes that have been imposed on travel now that the UK has left the European Union.

The Jowett Jupiter, owned by Anthony Jackson, is a very exclusive vehicle and one of the most ambitious products of the post-war British motor industry. Picture the scene — a semi-detached villa somewhere in East Cheam on Wednesday 15th March His custodian Ms. Rachel Smith. Few models of car offer as much variety as the beloved Ford Escort. From small family saloons to hot hatches and rally cars, from panel vans to luxury models, the range has given us everything.

In total, some 4. Most owners choose not to drive their classic cars on a daily basis. In fact, the average historic vehicle is driven only 16 times a year, covering around 1, miles. As far as most people are concerned — including ourselves — the Lamborghini Miura is one of the best cars ever designed.

Looking back on the s, there were certainly some design disasters but also design triumphs in the world of car manufacture. With their bold, attractive looks and great performance, the hot hatchback has to be one of the high points! No, this is not a misprint, as the Morris badged version is one of the rarest and most desirable models to devotees of the Metro. Virtually any car-based light commercial of the s has a very poor survival rate, but the early Metro van is probably now a more unusual sight than an MG 6R4.

Not to mention offering considerably better fuel economy. Fifty years ago, a factory in County Durham produced the first examples of a quite remarkable new coupe. As early as , Abingdon gave serious thought to a more powerful version of the B, while the Austin-Healey was not far from the end of its distinguished career. All cars are created with good intentions. However, somewhere along the way, some cars take on dark associations. A movie appearance can do wonders for a car.

As well as making it a more desirable object, it can put some serious value on a vehicle. With many popular cars, it is the entry-level versions that so often have the worst survival rate. Many owners treated the likes of a Cortina Mk. Another is that it recently played a very important role for his family. My current metallic grey Mirafiori Sport I bought in when I was told my previous silver Sport was beyond economic restoration.

Vs and Talbot Solaras. As well as being a lot of fun to drive and a potentially lucrative way to invest any spare cash, there are a host of other benefits to classic car ownership. A few days ago, Simon took his Equipe 2-Litre Mk.

II Convertible for its first drive out after about ten years of being off the road. It is the sort of car that virtually demands that its hood be lowered, even in February, and a genuinely individualistic machine — even if too few people recognise it as a Bond.

Classic car restoration is not something that you should try to attempt without having some expert advice alongside you, guiding you along the way. We hope that this guide will be an indispensable source of information that gives you the confidence to make your classic car restoration project everything you want it to be. As a popular first foray into classic car ownership, the Triumph cars of the s and s hold a special place in the hearts of many UK classic car enthusiasts.

The club caters for owners and enthusiasts of the VW Mk1 Golf and exists to be a base for the preservation and restoration of the original Volkswagen Golf. Keeping with the times, the club has members with original swallowtails to heavily modified cabriolets.

March brings with it the changing of the seasons, as we approach spring and hopefully warmer weather, and usually it signifies the start of the classic car season.

Whilst we may have to wait a little longer to enjoy road trips in our classics, today we are launching our brand new competition which will hopefully bring a little cheer! Such reactions are quite understandable, for that elegant coachwork has no TVR badges. Having built up a wealth of experience and knowledge within the industry in the last three decades, we are able to quote for virtually every type of classic car available.

Each was based on the SL90, finished in white and wore Cosmic Mk. Luton officially approved the conversion, and they were distributed solely by the Leeds Vauxhall dealership Wallace Arnold.

The Federation was created to uphold the freedom to use historic vehicles on the road, representing the interests of classic car owners to officials, politicians, and legislators. In addition it organizes several social events during the year at national and regional level. The story begins in The Austin Maxi was an attempt to address both issues.

The car was very much seen by BMC as the latest generation of their transverse engine, front wheel drive range of cars e. The power unit for the car was initially a problem. The A and B series engines fitted to the and series did not meet the cars specification. The car was new from stem to stern, it had a new engine and transmission 5 speed gearbox , new body and layout 5 door vehicle with fold down seats.

The only thing that wasn't new were the doors which belonged to the series. The new management that took over the running and launch of the Maxi were decidedly unimpressed. Description Fact File Location Map Austin maxi blue,brown interior,tax excempt,garaged since ,two previous owners,lovingly restored to good standard as photos will show,maxi owner club since ,new front break pads and seals in calipers,new rear wheel cylinders and shoes,good interior no cuts or tears,good original carpets,engine professionaly tuned,radiator reconditioned,new electronic ignition,coil,plugs and ht leeds,new tailgate struts,original radio,head lamp besles fitted after photo,mot issued 4th april View other Austin reviews.

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