GR8 4 Collecting Pension.

[RobT]

I agree about doing lacquer. I did the front valence on my Metro last year, also champagne beige, and it looked a lot better than just leaving the paint. Also adds a bit more protection from stonechips, probably.

[I_am_Diesel]

What a great car, and what a great job you are doing resurrecting this beauty. You have my ultimate respect, good on you Sir!

[Angrydicky]

^^^ Thanks!

 

I haven't done a huge amount on the Maestro recently due to being snowed under with uni work (should really get off Autoshite and get this essay finished) but sod it, here's an update anyway.

 

I got fed up of seeing the rotten wings so spent a couple of hours removing them. I was amazed how easy they were to get off, none of the bolts sheared and apart from one that needed to be wire brushed before I could get the socket onto it, all came out without a fuss. I suppose this is what comes of working on a 28 year old car instead of the 50-60 year old cars I usually work on. It's nice, I like it! At least they aren't welded on, that would have been a ballache.

 

 

 

Inner wings are jolly good despite the dismal factory rustproofing, the arch liners probably helped a lot. I was expecting to find rot at the front of the sills but it was like new under the dirt, which was nice. I've given it all a really good clean and plan to do it with zinc rich primer and beige hammerite to ensure longevity. I have big tins of both at home.

 

 

Old wings:

 

 

 

Which now make pretty good wall ornaments.

 

 

 

I then started fitting the new dealer bits! The new sticker was a right pain to fit but it looks pretty good.

 

 

 

It was pretty nerveracking drilling the holes in the new front plate but it looks good.

 

 

 

And lastly a picture of the tasteful* brown interior

 

 

While I was fitting the rear plate I noticed the exhaust back box is looking very tired, I haven't inspected the rest of the system yet but Gary said it was blowing from somewhere so it will probably need a new system in the near future. Hopefully I can bodge it up enough to get an MOT as I don't fancy grovelling around under the car fitting a new one. I suspect it is the original, so not too bad an innings.

 

 

It is a horrible car, with laughable build quality, in quite possibly the most OAP-spec colour and trim spec. But I love it, and get a real sense of achievement from saving something so maligned and rare.

[dollywobbler]

Lovely progress. Didn't get on with my Maestro, but doesn't mean I don't appreciate your efforts! 

[vulgalour]

Those inner wings do look good, very clean indeed.  Excellent to see this little trooper being given some much deserved attention.  Maestro build quality, panel fit and all the rest is pretty useless but they still have a satisfying clunkiness about everything.  I can see myself getting another Maestro one day if I can get better/earlier seats fitted.

[Angrydicky]

Do you want an update? Well you're getting one anyway.

 

I have a problem with rust bubbles on cars. I can't own a car with bubbles, I always end up poking them which usually results in some ridiculous weldathon. Bubbles had sprung up on the Maestro in a few places since I sold it. So I spent a bit of time poking today.

 

This is solid enough.

 

 

This isn't, and will be a job for the MIG. Fortunately the ariel needs replacing anyway, and the headlining needs to come out as it's sagging, so I'm hoping it won't be too difficult a job.

 

 

Strangely, three of the doors on this car are mint and rust free, yet the N/S/R door was bubbling on the top and bottom of the door skin. Another hole here, I'm quite surprised this had rotted out and I'm wondering if there's a thoughtful* piece of BL sound deadening sponge under here for some reason. Note the brilliant* fit of the passenger door.

 

 

And these are the scabs at the bottom. The metal is pitted but wouldn't succumb to the prod from a screwdriver. The inner frame of the door looks good.

 

 

I was wondering if I could get away with a splash of rust converter, then a skim of filler on the bits that aren't holed...any advice?

 

I also bought an old AA badge for it and fitted it today.

 

 

Here's a better picture of the new front plate from DMB Graphics.

 

[phil_lihp]

It's looking good, great to see so much care and effort going into it.  Beige really does suit the Maestro.

[Angrydicky]

Thanks Phil. I really need to find some new wings for it soon, so if anyone sees any steel bumper wings for sale without repeater holes could they let me know! The guy who said he had some for me has gone quiet.

[Angrydicky]

Good news! I haven't been neglecting the Maestro (much) and have been collecting parts for the restoration. First job was to locate a replacement carb with the original autochoke mechanism still intact, as I'd decided to put it back to original. A guy over on the owners club site said he had one that he thought was NOS, and he was only in Ashford, so I took a drive down to collect it.

 

The old carb.

 

 

 

Fortunately Chaucer Motor Factors in Canterbury had one Maestro carb gasket set left on the shelf, which meant I could get the job finished that afternoon.

 

New one on the left, showing the autochoke stepper motor and diaphragm valve thing. 

 

 

Fitted!

 

 

Of course it still won't start, but it's a step in the right direction, and at least it's original.

 

I also had a bit of a breakthrough with the hunt for some replacement front wings. A friend of Craig the Princess's messaged me over on the Maestro forum saying he'd bought these new wings for his van, and was intending to cut holes in them for the repeaters. However when he saw my plea, he thought it would be better to sell them to me as I have the correct car for them. The only problem was how to get them down from Kings Lynn to Kent. Fortunately my dad collected them from the fens while he was in Norfolk a couple of weeks ago, and I collected them from him in Southend when I went back last weekend.

 

 

They are pattern rather than genuine wings, but the price I paid more than makes up for having to fettle them a bit to fit! Firstly I painted the inner wings with zinc rich primer, then gave them a coat of Champagne. I also did the inside of the new wings with the zinc rich primer, so they should last longer than the originals. The original AR paint coverage and was very poor, and rustproofing non-existent, so I hope I've improved on it.

 

 

 

 

 

There's a bit of a gap between the wings and the lower valance, and the shut line between the bonnet and passenger side wing needs further adjustment. But overall I'm very pleased with them. Sadly it'll have to wait until the weather gets a bit warmer before I can paint them. Painting even small areas with aerosols is very difficult in a lockup in winter. I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I rubbed down the bits of welding Gary had done on the rear arch/sill areas that were undersealed and painted them the correct shade. It looks loads better, and doesn't catch the eye as much as it did before. I also located a replacement ariel (still in its MG Rover box!) from Rimmer Bros, which will be fitted once I've removed the broken original and welded up the rust around the ariel hole.

[HMC]

Rare to see a true base spec maestro. Youve made great progress AD, those inner wings came up well and those dealer plates set it off a treat!

[vulgalour]

This was already a good example but you're making it more betterer.

[rml2345]

This is a smashing old tub and it's great to see it getting some fettling. I don't want a Maestro but I like the fact that other people have them so I can get warm gooey nostalgic feelings.

Thanks!

[Angrydicky]

Well I spent a few hours down at the garage today. I adjusted the new wings to get them fitting better, they are pretty good now apart from the bonnet to wing gap on the passenger side which is still a bit small, but the bonnet does shut now. I then went over a few of the scabby bits with rust converter, fitted the indicators and bumper end caps, and tested all the lights. I knew Barrett had a puncture when he was using it, so the next job was to get the flat tyre out of the boot and go and get it repaired. However, on inspecting the tyre I noticed the inside of the wheel rim was badly buckled, not sure how Barrett managed that, maybe he hit a rock or something? Fortunately a local tyre place were able to beat out the damage and fit a new budget. The original spare was then returned to the boot, despite Gary's concerns about the age of it I examined it carefully and couldn't find any perishing or bulges, it's got good tread and holds air so I might as well keep it! While I had the wheel off I inspected the disc and pads and they are in excellent condition with minimal wear, which is something.

 

Here's how it looks at the moment.

 

 

 

New tyre on NSF.

 

 

 

Browntastic!

 

 

Sadly I've conceded I don't have the necessary expertise (or tools) to get the engine running again, so at the end of the month (hopefully) Mr Scruff of this parish will come and drag it back to my parents house in Essex so my dad can have a play with it. I know it needs a pair of new rear seatbelts and possibly an exhaust for a test (Gary told me it's blowing but I can't be sure where from yet). Once it's back on the road dad will blow over the front wings with his compressor and then I've got the fun* of welding up the rust hole in the roof, replacing the headlining and fitting my shiny new ariel. And fixing the heater, and sorting a few other cosmetic areas of rust. Good news though, the poverty-spec radio still works!

[Split_Pin]

Just read this whole thread and it's a jolly good read. There's something special about base ARG cars that I cant put my finger on. I think it's the rogue buttons and blanking plates.

 

Old Man_L went through a phase in the 80s of buying base model Metros for my mum and I always wished he could stretch to a Cityx model at the time.

 

Good work on this motor, it definitely looks very clean and straight now.

[garycox]

What's wrong with the belts? The one on the driver's side jammed sometimes, but twiddling the knob thing on the reel could release it. The other one was always OK... plus you could just remove them for the MOT obvs.

[Angrydicky]

The one on the drivers side is jammed up completely and the one on the passenger side pulls out but won't retract. I did assume they were fucked as they just came out of some old nail in the scrapyard. I'll have another look at them though, thanks for the info. They're not expensive to buy fortunately.

[Angrydicky]

With thanks to Alexg and his excellent Giffer shite trinkets thread I was alerted to someone on Ebay selling these awesome NOS 70's seat covers. As much as I love the brown interior, it is a bit dark and I thought a set of these honey seat covers would brighten it up a bit, as well as looking very period obviously. The kind of thing an old giffer would have removed from his Allegro outside the Austin-Rover dealership before trading it in for his new Maestro, and fitting them to the new car.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400643092741

 

Soon these arrived:

 

 

Yes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm so pleased with them, they fit very well and are very nice to sit on. Excellent quality as well.

 

I also rubbed down the rear bumper that was speckled with rust scabs and gave it a coat of rust converter before giving it a lick of satin black, which has tidied it up. I then fitted this cool sticker I got off Ebay a while ago.

 

 

[Angrydicky]

It's been ages since I updated this thread so here's what I've been up to with the Maestro!

 

Got a bloke from Shiply to collect it from my lockup in Canterbury and deliver it back to my folks in Essex so my dad could help me get it running again. Also having the car back home would mean I have access to power tools and a welder, which would make things easier.

 

 

 

A compression test revealed no compression on No 1 and 2 cylinders, so it was off with the head! I decided to kill two birds with one stone and fit an unleaded head from a later Maestro while I was at it. The old head put up a huge fight to remove, it was seized onto one of the head studs as the head gasket had been leaking for quite a while and it was very rusty. Had to get a new stud and nut from Minispares. Got it off in the end though, and pleasingly the bottom end looked ok with no obvious bore wear.

 

 

Still not sure if it was the HG that had failed or that the head had warped, suspect the latter. Having said that, although the HG wasn't obviously blown, it did look pretty manky and delaminated.

 

 

Old head on removal.

 

 

I didn't think I'd be able to locate an unleaded head easily, but fortunately 'shiter M'coli had one he was willing to sell me. So one sunny afternoon last week, this turned up!

 

 

The only problem with it was a seized thermostat housing that required use of the angle grinder to remove it. Swapped it for the original housing, original studs and also swapped the rocker gear and pushrods from the original head.

 

After a really good clean of the mating surfaces on it went, with a new gasket.

 

 

 

While I was waiting for the new 'head to arrive, I decided to make a start repairing the rusty bits. The worst, and ugliest part was the O/S/R arch, which was a mess at the front edge, where it had been plated for an MoT. I began chopping, but soon realised it was a lot worse than I thought, and the rust had spread into the outer sill, and even the inner. After much cutting I was left with this.

 

 

Not much to work with is there! To complicate things I couldn't find an O/S wheelarch repair section, so cut the rear part out of the N/S section I bought ages ago for this job.

 

Starting work:

 

 

 

 

After I'd welded the outer arch in, and cleaned up the welds.

 

 

 

I'm quite pleased with this! No filler in there yet, but it should only need a light skim. I plug welded the inner and outer arch together and the inner/outer sill, and sprayed weld-thru primer around liberally. I will rustproof this area extensively once it's back on the road, it won't be rusting again!

 

 

 

The finished arch with the rubbish I chopped out, which was twice the weight it should have been.

 

 

GRIM.

 

 

That was as far as I got before I had to go back down to Kent, but my dad was fiddling with it yesterday. He stripped down the new carb I bought, replaced the missing needle valve from the old carb, swapped a couple of plug leads that were somehow in the wrong order, filled the coolant and it fired straight up! It was a bit rough to start with and there was a bit of smoke, but it hadn't run since September or so. A bit of adjustment to the carb and it now starts first turn of the key from cold. Fortunately the carb I bought does indeed appear to be NOS, he said it was much cleaner inside than the old one and the autochoke works well, but at the moment it's not shutting off properly, which he thinks is down to a temp sender. Anyway it runs up to temperature with no overheating, smoke or anything like that, which I'm really happy about. There is a slight exhaust blow which appears to be coming from the exhaust centre section, so I've ordered centre and back boxes for it. Once the welding is done, and the new exhaust fitted, and the knackered rear seatbelts removed, as long as the emissions are ok, it should be good for an MoT. It will be going for a test in the near future, although it'll have to wait a bit longer before it gets a respray, and becomes all one colour again. It still needs a new heater matrix, as it's been bypassed, and an engine mounting, and the headlining, so even once it's MoT'd there will be plenty to be getting on with, but at least it will be a running restoration then.

 

Still, things are looking up, and it's a huge enthusiasm boost to have it actually running and driving. It was getting depressing having a rusty non-runner taking up space, so I'm very pleased.

[RobT]

Top work there Richard. Nice to see a povvo spec car having money and time lavished upon it, rather than the usual O-MG variants

[Wilko220]

Cracking job on that wheel arch!

[oman5]

Fantastic job! threads like this are the antidote to getting angry at banger racers.

[Angrydicky]

Ok. Been hard at the Maestro for the last few weeks and we actually have some decent progress.

 

I had a good poke with a screwdriver underneath and it didn't take me long to find this jacking point at the N/S B post. Hm, that'll be a failure then. 

 

 

Of course the rot had spread into the floor above, so I had to roll back the carpet and chip away the sound deadening paint to repair it. Not the best weld, but it's solid, and no one is going to see it anyway.

 

 

 

Jacking point repaired. I was quite pleased with the way this came out.

 

 

 

 

As you can see from the picture above it also now has a complete new exhaust system fitted, the original was well past its sell-by date and was blowing badly.

 

I took one of the rear lights out and it was in incredible condition. That's the fingermarks from the Cowley worker who pressed the seam sealer into the corner, which is pretty amazing I think.

 

 

The next problem was that one of the front shock absorbers was leaking. Fortunately I managed to get a pair of new ones off Ebay for 99p or something, both of which went on. Not too bad a job, but a special tool had to be made to remove the lock nut, which involved cutting up an old nut.

 

 

 

One of the new ones going on.

 

 

Back to the welding.

 

 

 

 

 

For some reason I didn't really take many photos of the repairs on the passenger side, but the arch and rear of the sill were pretty much the same as the drivers side, maybe a bit worse.

 

 

This was unexpected though. Just when I thought I'd repaired all the rot I noticed a small hole in the front of the sill, which predictably became a very large hole after being attacked by the grinder.

 

 

 

Finished, quite pleased with that. All rot cut out and new metal let in. I threw lashings of weld-thru primer in and filled it with Dinitrol for good measure. Surprisingly the other side was like new.

 

 

The rust hole behind the ariel also bit the dust. I fitted the genuine new MG Rover ariel after repairs had been completed, although the cable still needs routing through to the radio.

 

 

 

And the rust hole on the rear door top.

 

 

Mechanically the car has had a full service, including no fewer than three! coolant flushes, oil change, air filter, new top engine mounting, new carb, head gasket and unleaded head. It runs like a sewing machine now on the original autochoke, and is lovely to drive.

 

 

The final job for today was painting the wheels, a job which only took a couple of hours but took me several years to get around to doing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Found this guide to the M25 which I think is a similar age to the car!

 

 

Period AA sticker added.

 

 

 

 

I'm pleased to say it's ready for the road now. Tomorrow I'll phone up and insure it, and book the MoT for Tuesday afternoon hopefully. It'll be a while before it gets its respray, but it is rock solid and well sorted mechanically now. I'm certainly not expecting a fail! We'll see.

[Jim Bergerac]

Top work.

[Lankytim]

This looks great! I've always fancied a 1300 maestro. I had a dabble with one very similar to this one a few years ago, advertised as rust free it was in fact a total rust bucket, new sills tacked over rotten originals and holes everywhere. I weighed the thing in, I still have the sills and arches I cut off in my shed.

[vulgalour]

I am envious of your beige car.

[Noel Tidybeard]

Browntastic!

 

 

i'm going to say thats "brushwood" rather than "bitter chocolate"

[junior44]

Great work. I really should round to sorting out the arches on my maestro.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Absolutely cracking work AD, 19.6/10

[Angrydicky]

This looks great! I've always fancied a 1300 maestro. I had a dabble with one very similar to this one a few years ago, advertised as rust free it was in fact a total rust bucket, new sills tacked over rotten originals and holes everywhere. I weighed the thing in, I still have the sills and arches I cut off in my shed.

I seem to remember someone on here buying that beige C reg 1.3L (something like C191 FNA) a few years ago on RR. Think it came from the south coast, Bournemouth maybe? Was that you Tim? Sills are very rare and arches are going the same way, they are well worth hanging onto. Sadly the factory rustproofing was non-existent and most rotted away years ago through age and neglect. It is a bit of a problem, and quite expensive to keep an old Maestro on the road now if you can't weld! 

[dollywobbler]

Lovely progress. Great to see you attacking all these small problems before they become car-killing big problems. My Maestro was entirely a disappointment, but I still have a fondness for these odd looking hatchbacks.