Maxi 1750HL/Austin 1100 (and organs!) (31/03/10)

[theorganist]

Hi,

 

Here are some pictures of my 1977 Maxi, which I bought for £200, it was about to be scrapped. I took it for a MOT and it passed. Since then it has had a new clutch and a service. After a new steering rack I am going to look at the bodywork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also have a 1966 Austin 1100, which I will post some pictures of shortly. Unfortunately the suspension went down on the drivers side over the weekend so it is a bit of a sorry sight at the moment.

 

Peter.

[mnde]

That looks lovely. Great save! Mark.

[Minimad5]

Hi pete,Thanks for showing us that lovly Maxi !Well done for saving it from the scrapper !

[barrett]

Nice one, had to squint a bit to see those pics but it looks lovely! Can't really beat the combo of green coachwork and brown interior can you?

[theorganist]

Thanks, It has only done 54,000 miles and had one owner since 1978!.He had given it to his grandson who had stored it on his friends farm to work on. He never got round to it so decided to sell it.Peter.

[VWPowered]

awesome what a save looks very tidy too

[meggersdog]

That looks quite nice.The 70's sporty steering wheel looks ace.All it needs is foot high white stickers on the tailgate proclaiming to be a MAXI (not)

[Timewaster]

That looks quite nice.The 70's sporty steering wheel looks ace.

Standard fitment on the HL.Reminds me very much of my dads P reg blue one. It returned an impressive 22mpg until he found a garage that had a SUN tuner.

[theorganist]

Nice one, had to squint a bit to see those pics but it looks lovely! Can't really beat the combo of green coachwork and brown interior can you?

Hi,Didn't realise they were that small, here is the link to my flickr page, I think you can enlarge them.http://www.flickr.com/photos/48758436@N05/I agree the green and brown mix is what endeered it to me the most.Peter.

[Pete-M]

I do love the steering wheels in these. Not seen one for ages, so good save.

[saabhappy]

I like that, Peter. Maxis are underrated.

[wuvvum]

That really is rather nice. I do need to own a decent Maxi at some stage - the only one I've ever had was a complete heap.Are you actually an organist then?

[bigstraight6]

Very nice Maxi It only seems like yesterday when they were everywhere.....

[theorganist]

Maxis are underrated

Definately are. Its a lot better to drive than some people think, although the gearchange is a bit obstructive sometimes, but that is part of its character. Had the last laugh in the recent snow when some of my neighbours had abandoned their modern cars at the bottom of my street.

I do need to own a decent Maxi at some stage - the only one I've ever had was a complete heap.Are you actually an organist then?

There are several for sale on the owners club site and there is nearly always one on e-bay and the classic car sites.I am a real organist, not as a job but on Sundays (when I am not in the choir) and the odd wedding. Peter.

[dollywobbler]

Cor, I like Maxis and Organs. Nice mix!Maxi seems a steal. Drove my first fairly recently (took long enough!) and I was really impressed. Apart from the gearchange - and this was a 1981 example!

[theorganist]

Apart from the gearchange

I think the gearchange on most Leyland cars at the time was awkward. My friend had an Allegro for his first car and that had a baulky gearchange. I have heard that Princesses were awkward too.We had a 1973 Maxi 1750 in the mid eighties and me and my sister used to laugh at dad contantly shouting "get in" whenever he changed gear driving round Stourbridge Ring Road, and have found myself doing the same .

Cor, I like Maxis and Organs. Nice mix!

Yes definately a great mix! Organs are great, not just as instrument but as a piece of engineering. They are so versatile from being solemn and peaceful to being thrilling and full of life.

[Heidel_Kakao]

Nice Maxi, looks proper bargainous for £200 I am just down the road in Brierley Hill so if I ever see you about I will give you a wave lol.

[theorganist]

I am just down the road in Brierley Hill so if I ever see you about I will give you a wave lol.

Will look out for you, go that way quite often.Had a guy in a lovely Rover P6 wave at me in Blackheath this evening.Pete.

[wuvvum]

Yes definately a great mix! Organs are great, not just as instrument but as a piece of engineering. They are so versatile from being solemn and peaceful to being thrilling and full of life.

Here's my organ (Ooh er Mrs etc...). Bought off eBay on a whim about three years ago for 99p, and I've been trying to teach myself to play it ever since.

 

[Cavcraft]

Kwal, that's a right nice one for the money. Fancy starting a green Maxi owner's forum?

[theorganist]

Here's my organ (Ooh er Mrs etc...). Bought off eBay on a whim about three years ago for 99p, and I've been trying to teach myself to play it ever since

That IS a real bargain what make is it? I bought my 1980 Norwich organ in 2002 for about £1,000!!!If you want any tutoring books I have a couple here I could send you?Pete.

[theorganist]

Kwal, that's a right nice one for the money. Fancy starting a green Maxi owner's forum?

Definatley . Not sure how many this colour have survived? Have seen one on e-bay and one on the owners club since. The one on e-bay had been in store for about 15 years and was pretty much only suitable for parts by the look of it.Pete.

[michiel]

Wow, nice Maxi! High on my list of dreamcars, somewhere between the Bugatti 35 and an XKSS... really.

[mouseflakes]

That Maxi is bob-on - just right. Perfect colour combination too.

[Mr H Sceptre]

Fantastico!Just out of interest, where did you get the clutch from & how much did it cost (if you dont mind me asking)? Did you fit it yourself?

[wuvvum]

Here's my organ (Ooh er Mrs etc...). Bought off eBay on a whim about three years ago for 99p, and I've been trying to teach myself to play it ever since

That IS a real bargain what make is it? I bought my 1980 Norwich organ in 2002 for about £1,000!!!

It's a Baldwin. I think it's a copy of a Hammond of some description - it's got a Leslie speaker anyway. The rhythm section doesn't work, and nor does the on/off switch (you have to switch it off at the mains), and it doesn't have a particularly great selection of stops, but it works well enough for what I use it for. I've more or less mastered the Widor Toccata now, and Karg-Elert's Nun danket alle Gott, and I'm now trying to have a bash at the Suite gothique by Boellmann.

 

What kind of books have you got? I could do with something that explains more of the theoretical side of how to play an organ - I can manage the playing the notes bit, but sit me down at a big pipe organ console and I'm completely lost.

[theorganist]

Just out of interest, where did you get the clutch from & how much did it cost (if you dont mind me asking)? Did you fit it yourself?

 

I got it from a classic car parts supplier down in Devon (I found them on the internet). I forget the name but will look up the receipt and let you know.

 

It was £60, but I seem to remember him saying it was the only one he had. I have seen them advertised in the Owners club magazine since.

 

Unfortunately fitting clutches is a bit beyond me, I don't really have the space or equipment anyway. I can do some jobs but generally the more simple ones. I can understand the theory but I am not very practical!!

 

I once tried to change the rear brake shoes on an old Fiesta I had. I tested the car after and found that the brake pedal went to the floor before the brakes started to work, when a proper mechanic removed the rear drum the shoes fell out, I was quite young then but decided brakes were one thing I would leave alone!

 

Following instructions I tried tuning the carburettor on a Mark 1 Astra I had and ended up having to call the AA out!

 

My local garage has a mechanic who has several old Austins so he understands these sort of cars and is very enthusiastic.

 

Pete.

[Lankytim]

That looks smashing, the spit of Cavettes Maxi too, I hadnt seen a dark green Maxi before Billy's and now heres another one!

[theorganist]

I've more or less mastered the Widor Toccata now, and Karg-Elert's Nun danket alle Gott, and I'm now trying to have a bash at the Suite gothique by Boellmann

I have given up with the Widor for now, the Boellmann may be next. Have you tried the Dubois Toccata it is impressive with a not too taxing pedal part?! My favourite composer is Herbert Howells I am currently trying a few of his pieces.

What kind of books have you got? I could do with something that explains more of the theoretical side of how to play an organ - I can manage the playing the notes bit, but sit me down at a big pipe organ console and I'm completely lost.

I have a useful book called the "Oxford Organ Method" (don't you just love the names of Organ book!!). It is useful and covers what you are looking for, I could send it to you if you want?Pete.

[scooters]

wonderfull - I love maxis - great save m8just be careful parking nose onto the kerb - sump is the 1st thing that hits the pavement!