40 Years of the Austin Maxi:
The Austin Maxi is 40 years old. The Austin Maxi was Britain's first
five-door, five-speed hatchback. You can adjust the seats to provide
relatively comfortable sleeping accommodation. The Austin Maxi was
the last car to be designed by BMC, at the helm was Sir Alec
Issigonis.
The Maxi was an excellent drive but the engine was too noisy. The
early Maxi featured a not very precise cable gear change. You didn't
quite know if you were in second gear, third gear or even reverse.
BL did listen to the complaints and as early as 1970 offered a
longer-stroke 1750cc engine option. Also they changed the gear
selector and treated buyers to a timbered fascia.
In 1972, the 1750 HL arrived, which with its uprated engine and twin
carbs, it was more powerful than the standard 1500's, knocking out
95bhp. Here was a Maxi with sporting pretensions and you could buy
one in sports red.
Maxi's were designed to be a useful family car. They sold quite well
throughout the 1970's. But they would of sold a lot more if BL had of
upgraded the Maxi.
In August 1980, BL introduced the Maxi 2. There was new improved
bumpers and side trims, plus intermittent windscreen wipers. These
alterations worked surprisingly well. But for some reason, BL axed
the Maxi in 1981.
Now the Austin Maxi has achieved classic status. The Maxi's styling
did account for some criticism. This was mainly due to misguided
effort at economy. For example, the doors from a 1800 Landcrab were
built onto the Maxi.
If Maxi's are locked after well, they can be really reliable. Once
you have one Maxi, they tend to grow on you.
An averaged to good conditioned Maxi will cost in the region of £650.
Maxi's that qualify for free road tax can fetch even higher prices.
Specifications of
a 1500cc Austin Maxi:
Power-75bhp @ 5500rpm
0-60-17 seconds
Top Speed-87mph
Fuel Consumption-25-30mpg
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