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I bought a 1971 Austin Maxi 1750 in 1973. It served as our super reliable family transport for 13 years. I sold it, still a runner, with 203,000 miles on the clock. Named 'Monty the Maxi' by my four kids (now grown up), It is still fondly remembered by all of them! Thank you for putting the record right about a classic car design.
60 yr old UK guy here. It's refreshing to see someone so young, yet so knowledgeable enthusing about cars of this era. I never drove a Maxi, yet remember vividly the polarisation of opinion of drivers / owners. A sales rep who worked for the company I was employed by described it as ' A toilet on wheels'. However, a freelance contractor who worked for us, thrashed one mercilessly round the UK, never had a moment of trouble with it, and sang its praises. Excellent video young man. You have a new subscriber.
This is my mate ben's car,, it is one of four old classics he has lovingly restored to its former glory. He has spent a lot of time and expense over the last year's restoring these old cars and it's thanks to people like him we can still appreciate these smashing old cars,, keep up the good work Ben
My son spent a couple of years restoring an MG Midget the cost and time involved will never be recuperated, I knew someone who spent years restoring a Ford Consul Farnham Estate, This Maxi is a beauty sir.
@@markbagshot277 Never again, met a chap a few yrs ago he bought a early Mini, £2.500, a complete like new restoration, the seller must be gutted, thing is buy one already done.
I think your passion for Bmc and Leyland cars for a young enthusiastic is great all credit to you.I passed my test in a 1974 Maxi 1750 Hl my Dad's car which was bought as an X demonstrater, it was passed on to me later and I loved it, stupidly I sold it to get a Mk5 Cortina, big mistake! 6 years ago I managed to get a maxi 1750 which is totally original in Teal blue, 1975,will never part with this one, hope to meet you at a show one day, all the best with your videos.
Hi from New Zealand! My parents bought a new Maxi in 1971 that was White with a black interior and later replaced it with another one that was green with brown interior. At the time Dad was in the police force and through the Public Service Garage there was a group discount and payment system that facilitated the purchase. The Maxi was a revelation especially compared to the rusty Austin Westminster station wagon that it replaced. (i remember this car being collided with by another vehicle when parked on the street and there being piles of rust left on the ground as a result). The gearchange wasn't wonderfull ( a bit like stirring a pot of molasses with a 2 foot long spoon, but no worse than my mates Alfetta GTV) but the car itself was great, comfy and roomy.I remember Dad trying to argue with a Traffic Officer that he had come to a complete halt at at compulsory stop and it was the hydrolastic suspension that gave the impression that it hadn't.. nedless to say he didn't win that one!
I owned a 76 'P' reg Maxi 1750 back in 85 when I was 17. It was with me through college and it was and is one of the best cars i've ever owned. As a student the double bed seats were fantastic and coupled with a great heater, came in very useful. Not only was it quite quick, it also regularly returned 37-38 mpg, and was really reliable and cheap motoring. I miss my Maxi and despite having since been mainly a BMW & Mercedes owner, I would love to own another.
I had a Maxi (VHC 368T) during the 80s, it was the same year and colour as this one. It was an extremely versatile car- I was a semi-pro musician and getting all my gear into the Maxi was no problem at all. I also slept in the car many times on trips around the country. One day, there was a knock on the door- it was a chap from a TV production company who was interested in borrowing my Maxi for a TV programme- Never the twain, starring Windsor Davies and Donald Sinden. They had one car already but needed a second one that they could slightly crash, and mine was an exact match. They hired it for 3 days and gave me a Renault to drive, took my Maxi away, serviced it and after filming it with a crumpled front wing they repaired the damage and returned it in better condition than it had been in before they borrowed it, plus £80 per day. I recorded the episode featuring my car- I didn't think much of the programme itself, but at least my car got its few minutes of fame, but the recording hasn't survived. Sadly, my Maxi was written off after some fool pulled out from a side road into my path. I loved driving and using the Maxi as it had acres of space inside, especially in the back and could do anything I asked of it. A great and very underrated car.
Oh god the Maxi. Memories of my dad driving us to Dover then Brittany ferry. My grandma in the front passing back endless boiled sweets , four of us in the back, luggage in the boot. Wasn’t that bad but I think these days you could drive to Singapore in the same amount of time!
The mk1 maxi (1500cc only) had a cable operated gear change linkage which was its Achilles heel. This was done away with when the mk2 came out with a rod linkage that was 100% better. Definitely a car ahead of its time, I’ve literally worked on hundreds of these as a rectification mechanic at the Cowley plant where they were produced.
Totally agree about this car. I owned both a Morris 1500 and a Morris Nomad (sort of a little Maxi) in Aus and I always wished the Maxi had been sold here. What a brilliant, spacious, practical car. My cars had the early cable operated gear change and worked absolutely fine as long as they were adjusted correctly. Poor BMC (at that time) had to do product development on fly due to lack of money and they were sold to hapless customers before some of the bugs were ironed out such as the gearbox interlock to prevent 2 gears being selected at the same time. I hope there are still some left in the land of savage corrosion. I would have one now for sure. Cheers.
Great channel you have here love looking back at the old cars. It's great someone so young knows his stuff about the old classics. Keep up the good work.
Yes, I don't know how old he is, but he reminds me of me at about his age. My first car was an Austin 1300, and from then on, I have obsessed myself with various British cars settling mostly on Austin/Morris and Vauxhall cars from the 60's and 70's.
Oh wow, memory lane. My dad traded a 77 Chrysler Alpine for a T plate 1750 Maxi in a metallic bronze colour. As a yoof I devoured the brochure and to my dismay only the HL had twin SUs and an electric screen wash. On the 1750 it was a push pump button on the dash! Come 1982 I learned to drive in it and I think back then the only other British car to have a 5 speed box was the Rover SD1. My old man was a South of Scotland Power Engineer and he got that car to almost every power line breakdown in the borders in winter conditions. He put it down to the front wheel drive and torque response of the motor as well as his experience. The family went camping to France and Spain in 1982 and the maxi was my bed for 2 weeks. great memories and another top video from Twincam
Love it. Like all the Issigonis' design it's brilliant. Such a shame that these cars never were a big success, they should have been. A car showing the vision of one man, excellent!
Im 62 now (hell, where did that go? In my head Im still your age) and my brother had a Maxi in 1970/71 . It was a superb car and yes, reliable. It was in 'Harvest Gold', the colour of the HL in that brochure. You're absolutely right in your sum up of this car, a great and intelligent review. As for that gearbox, no problem at all; you very quickly got used to its 'stirring porridge' manner and it was never an issue. Again, you're right about that. Thanks for this video, really watchable - you have a great presentation style - and really enjoyable. Happy memories of what was indeed a very reliable car.
I had a 1750 in the early 80's (a 1974 bought off the father in law) and while it was reliable, incredibly practical and good to drive I thought it very noisy, both wind and engine, even the standards of the day. Had it had a seperate gearbox and front mounted radiator I think it would have been a far quieter and better car but I look fondly at the odd one I still see in use.
Harvest yellow. I used to make the paint for BMC. Sandglow, bloody sandglow batch after batch of it. They had horrible pastel colours because they hide the imperfections. A dark say royal blue high gloss would have shown the pisspoor panels and orange peel spraying . So they painted them in mud colours. Even the Jags were just chucked together back then. and. Every car was covered in rust.
That one has a lovely orange paint-job. Very General Lee Orange!!! ;) It's a very nice example indeed. The Maxi was unique just for its five-speed gearbox. Most BLMC budgets never extended past 4th gear. ;) I have often thought that the Mini and the 1100/1300(all flavours) could have really used a 5th gear. You CAN buy five-speed kits or drop-in replacement 5-speed gearboxes for those A-series based cars, but they are NOT cheap!!!!! About five grand last time I looked, just for the gearbox.......
GRN751S - my first car, and I loved it - absolutely loved it. Full load, including a wheelchair, and just trotted up Honister Pass in the Lake District, whilst newer cars simply shuddered in its' wake - still miss my old faithful - wonderful car.
I ran two Maxis, both of which were bought second-hand with fairly low mileages. The only major problem that I recall having with the first was that the distributor drive sheared, the timing went wrong and there was a monumental 'bang' in the exhaust system. This blew up and expanded the silencer box of a recently-installed stainless steel exhaust system that I'd fitted myself. Amazingly, the supplier replaced the rear section of the exhaust for free. Oh yes, and the gear selector shaft seal retracted out of its recess, resulting in a bad oil leak, which fortunately was obvious and quickly rectified. The second, FRW 281T, and I remember its registration for good reason, was a 1750HL and I had problems. It needed a recon engine and a recon gearbox after I'd had it for only a couple of years. The recon engine was heavy on oil and had to have the pistons replaced under warranty. With the family on board, the recon gearbox failed on the M5 and I was very luck in being able to coast safely onto the hard shoulder. A simple locking tabwasher had failed and this allowed a retaining nut to unscrew. This, in turn, allowed, as I recall, the output gear to come out of engagement, causing substantial damage. After some argument with BL, the damaged internals were replaced, despite the fact that the gearbox was just out of warranty. What assisted me was the fact that I was able to get the tabwasher investigated as a "foreigner" by the metallurgy lab at R-R Bristol. It was proven to be excessively hard, so that when the it was bent onto the flats of the nut, it cracked. Oh yes, and i did have the Hydragas suspension fail on me, so that I had to drive the family home with the car listing heavily. Having described my problems, I did like the functionality of the Maxi.
My first car - a K reg in harvest gold Maxi. Magnificent for transporting all my crap to university in the early 80s including a fashionably over the top large drumkit. Once after the brakes seized and I couldn't get them free I did just about the stupidest thing I have ever done in a car... I was so desperate to see my girlfriend for our 21st birthdays (one day apart) that I took the front pads out and drove from Enfield to Reading on the handbrake and thence to Poole where I confessed to my dad who got the local garage to fix them. The hairiest moment was the penultimate T junction from a downward slope side road where heaving on the handbrake barely stopped it. I lived to tell the tale obviously (as did everybody else thank God) and went on to change both the clutch (self) and the head gasket (with friend) so learnt some good mechanical stuff. Hank finally died from terminal sill rust after 4 of my most formative years. I agree with all who cite it as an ahead of its time practical classic. One fact I used to quote to my friends at the time which was greeted with wet themselves laughter was that my "Car" road test data had my 1750 beating a contemporary Porsche 911 from 30-50 in fourth!! and that wasn't even the HL.
My first Maxi was a 1500 gear cable change loved this car toured Scotland 3years running never let me down snow berry white unfortunately it was written of in a bad accident. Second maxi was a 1750 the gear change was rod wasn't so positive as the cable but still very reliable when I sold it had 22000 on the clock and apart from some rust still ran like a watch. Third was the 1750 HL a good car but the hydroelastic was failing a lot but still very comfortable and the SU carbs on all of them were easy to set up. Clutch was very easy to change as long as you didn't follow the Hayes manual.
I worked in a BL dealership. The Maxi was by far the best car in the range, it wast head and shoulders above the rest of the junk they churned out. It was much beloved by Welsh farmers, they loved it's practicality, and yes the reliability was second to non. It was really great to work on too, with roads of room around the engine.
My first car, Austin Maxi 1750HL. Loved the food down bed seats, great when I went diving and camping, no camp tent. Cracking car, well presented review.
Remember growing up, we had three 1750 maxis, my dad loved how they convert from a family car to a load carrier, holidays,days out,shopping, to and from work, Sun,Rain Snow The Maxi never stopped, Brilliant car.
I watch all of his vids. Find him very well informed and well researched. The bit that gets me every time is the way he puts everything into historical perspective as if he's lived in that era while in reality he's a youngester with nothing more than a great enthusiasm and real talent for what he does. Excellent chap. Keep it up mate.
You are so right about the Maxi. It does everything well and answers all the criticisms of modern family cars. Namely space, visibility, practically, and comfort. I think it was a good decade or two ahead of it's time and you are absolutely right in blaming the dumb customers of the time. How can a prehistoric Cortina be a more sensible alternative? Well said.
Many people buy because of image, style, price, or because it’s the same as they always had. A number of those issues pushed people away from cars like the Maxi. The Cortina had nothing on it objectively, but it was considered to be more stylish and more conservative. Unfortunately for BL, that’s what sells cars.
Ah the memories of the Maxi. We had an HLS that had some engine wizard give it electronic ignition, high lift cam, four branch manifold with wrapping, dual-double barrel Weber carbs, an air ram and drilled flywheel. It was amusingly quick the wheel spin and understeer was a learning curve 😝 my father reckons it was good for around 130HP we never had any problems with it, my mother drove it after Dad got a BMW. Thanks for the video, it brought back memories of the early 1980s - I do think the Maxi is under appreciated. It's a versatile, comfortable, usable car, even as a daily driver despite being over 40 years old. Not many cars from that era would be this good.
This same model entered Buenos Aires back in 1979. Beautiful car for the time. Even now good car! Few entered with the UK import. Greetings from Buenos Aires! Good report!
To add more meat to the bone, the Austin Maxi was a BMC designed car, the concept was put down by chairman George Harriman who wanted a smaller car but using the 1800 doors. BMC had a styling studio and its designers Sid Goble and Fred Boubier were given a width and the 1800 doors and worked around it. The initial design in 1965 was like the Mini with a boot lid, but because of the sloping roof they decided to join the boot and backlight to create the tailgate to get the proportions right at the rear and it got approval! Issigonis was in overall charge of design with his usual concept of smallest exterior package which was also the reason in using the E series engine.
Great review for a young lad like yourself to be so passionate about classic cars. I spent most of my childhood sat in the back of one. When my mum owned one in the 70s. I have been in the motor trade from a young age I will soon be turning 50 and I'm still restoring classics. at the moment a rover p6. Keep up the good work you are doing well 👍👍👍
My Dad had two of these, they were great cars.I remember one of the British car magazines called it "The answer to the question nobody asked": how can you be that wrong about anything? This was the basis for so many modern family cars
Great review as always! My Dad owned two Maxi 1750 HL's, both bought from new. I drove both of them several times back in the day. The first was a 1973 M plate in white with a beige interior, the second a 1977 R plate in metallic blue with a dark blue interior. The white one had a sloppy gear change and drank oil, the second had a tight gear change, a super smooth engine, but both were quick. I recall CAR magazine getting a 10 second 0-60 time out of a 1750 HL which was good going for the mid 70s. They were super practical, super comfortable cars that handled well and in HL form, had plenty of performance for the time. I loved them!
Thank you indeed, I learned to drive in an 1750 HLS back in 1989, an absolute legend of a motor, no problems ever, my parents had two, it had some serious space for a car of its era. 💯
I owned two Maxi's the first was a standard 1750 that I must admit was a dog of a car. The second one was a 1750HL that my brothering law gave me. That HL was a really good car. Not only was it quick, but it stuck to the road like glue. And because of the front wheel drive It would pull you out of everything. I remember one snowy winter morning going to work and everyone was outside trying to get there cars out of the snow. I just turned the key the car was straight off running, and it pulled me out of the snow like it wasn't even there. The maxi was indeed a very underrated car. I would own an other one now.
Probably a bit before its time, compare it to the market leader at the time and see which one is closer to a modern car, 5 gears, 5 doors, 5 seats, independent suspension, overhead cam.
Brought back memories of my dad's Maxi some good some bad. Only car that he had which the engine fell out on a busy Edinburgh street in the late 70s. Well done young man 👍😁
My dad bought an early maxi 1500 around 1974. He was a bricklayer and used it every day for work until 1981. It was brilliant, I remember us loading half a ton of bricks in the back and driving from spalding to wisbech, about 30 miles, when he traded it in it had over 200k on the clock and it was still mechanically sound, it even had the original clutch!
Oo, the HL, very flash! My dad had a W reg 1500 in chocolate brown with a beige basket-weave vinyl interior. It would never have been described as rapid and with a CI Sprite 4-berth caravan swinging off the back progress was snail-like. Something went dreadfully wrong with one of the rear struts on the Severn Bridge once en route to a camping holiday in Wales, and rather than get fined for breaking down on the bridge my brother and I in the back rode the bump stop at a stately 30mph to the nearest garage. It's funny what you remember of cars from your childhood, for me with the Maxi it's the little shiny inverted metal insert in the window winder, the door handles and the imprint of the burning hot basket weave on the back of your legs in summer shorts. Love the vids, thanks for the memories!
Very good review I worked as a apprentice at a Austin/Daimler dealership in 1970 the first 1500 model had a issue with leaking gear change cables we had many a owner complaining about oil leaking onto there garage floors and we were having to keep replacing them under warranty the later models have a rod change Linkage
"Gearbox just a little vague" I had one of these and I couldn't get a smooth gearchange to save my life. It got to me in such a way that I actually felt depressed at the prospect of having to drive it. I did have a windscreen shatter for no apparent reason, which I believe wasn't uncommon. Apart from that it was a perfect car, easy to drive (once you found a gear), good on the motorways with the 5-speed box, great at carrying loads. On one motorway trip I kept the throttle constant for miles and when I lifted off on the off-slip the throttle cable had jammed. It took me 30 minutes to change the clutch and you didn't even have to get underneath the car, the most difficult bit was removing the battery box. The sills did succumb to the rust-bug though.
Had 2 maxis in my time a 1500 and 1750 I kept mine for years never had any problems , would buy one today just for old times sake , nice to see a youngster so knowledgable on these old cars keep it up 👍
Great video, my father had company cars back in the 70's that were replaced every year. All Maxi's, absolutely loved them. The company allowed 1 family member to be on the driving list so when I passed my test in 1977 I got to drive them. Also had hidden storage space under the back seat as well as the boot/trunk.
.A great review of this great car. I'm the proud owner of a 1980 1750 HLS in similar condition to the one in the video. You're right, they were massively underrated. Keep up the good work. Your reviews are eloquently delivered and you obviously research your facts well. Well done!
I had one of these, same colour as the video. Once did a trip from Northampton to John 'O' Groats - 630 miles. The engine used a lot of oil, needed topping up every morning. I was with a mate and we did try out the sleeping arrangements. It was okay, but we were a lot younger then, and could have slept anywhere.
The 1st car I learned to drive in the early 80s. Regarding the gear box, I remember reversing & the gear box undoing itself. My father was not pleased. An expensive repair ensued😬. Well done on your professional video👍
I recall when the new (BMW) Mini Clubman came out, I found it was larger in all dimensions than the Maxi, hard to believe! My dad had a 1750HL, N Reg in white. Fantastic car and super cheap to run and maintain. They are pretty strong bodyshells too - remember a monster truck meeting at Detling, Kent, and they were using old cars as tug-o-war. Essentially showing off the power of the trucks by tearing cars in half! Until they used a Maxi. They gave up after quite a few pulls, it was mangled, but didn't pull apart :-)
Great review. A 5 speed hydraulic suspended OHC hatchback. I never realised the original MINI clubman front end is the same theme as the MAXI. Someone must line two of these cars up as a comparison. Hit the nail on the head about replacing the 'plughole of doom' with a blue oval....
It’s the perfect symbolisation of what could’ve been a new age for Austin cars. Mini and Maxi, sharing a family front-end. Such a shame what ended up happening. An interesting note is that the indicator/sidelights are the same unit as the Clubman, so Maxi owners could put the units from a Clubman on their car.
I was at my local Morrisons petrol station last week and i seen this beautiful cream colour Austin Maxi and i complemented the guy that the car was beautiful for its age! ❤️🙏🏽 lovely car. Im 26 but i wish this was my first car!
Back in the day I needed car to take 3 children and twin babies. I couldn't afford a Renault space which would have been ideal so I bought a 1750 HL Maxi. The twins went in a moses basket on the rear of the car with my 3 other children on the back seat. We had 2 sets of twins and a single child hence the need for a car to take us all. That car served us very well for a number of years. It would use oil a bit but apart from that and not having the best of gearboxes it was a very good car for us at the time.
Maxi Hack : When making it into a bed, lift the rear seat cushion forward to find the under seat storage space. You will find what looks to be a small metal box at the rear in the centre. Reach in, and holding it by the bottom, swing it up on the hinges. This little seat raiser now allows the bed to be completely flat.
Thank you for this, I always thought that there was something wrong with me because I actually liked the Maxi. I had 2, the first was an older, and to be fair, very tired, one, but the second one, a 1750 HL, was newer and I ran it for a few years. As you say there is loads of space in them, and they were an incredibly comfortable car to travel in. The 5th gear was an overdrive, which helped with the economy on long drives, as well as reducing the engine noise at motorway speeds. It's main attraction for me was the versatility of it's space, it had a good sized boot, and with the seats folded down you could move large items, although I must confess that I never tried sleeping in it (neither have I heard of anyone who tried the bed out). Surprised that it's actually smaller than the current Fiesta, it just goes to show how much bigger cars are nowadays.
I had a dealership and sold the maxi from 1969, the first 18 months were more basic cable oil leaking gear change, crap dash board and 1485 cc. They quickly improved seating dash gear change 1750 engine at the end of 1970. I sold dozens of these cars, always running one as a demonstrator which with two small children was an ideal car. Nostalgic to see this feature done by a very young guy.
My works manager had one of these when I was an apprentice engineer back in the early seventies. I got to drive it regularly as a delivery hack all round the south of England. We also ran a VW Transporter and the Maxi could easily carry the same amount with the seats down! Happy days 😊
I had one - bought with engine and gearbox in bits in boxes in the boot. Rebuilt the bits and ran it for several years. As big inside as the 1800, and with the twin SUs, the nearest thing to a sports car I shall ever own. Never, ever, let me down.
Magnificent review! I totally agree on how you consider this car and on what you think about it! And indeed, nothing is perfect. I LOVE the front end and the front Maxi 1750 badge.
Thanks that Maxi brings back some great memories! My dad hah a couple one I later inherited and drove her like a 17 year mad man, in its day that Maxi was a brilliant handling car a good 10mph faster than a 1.6 Viva HB around the Clatterbridge roundabout on the Wirral! Thanks and great videos.
This video brings back thoughts of some very kind people I lodged with in a B and B in 1979- their family car was an Austin Maxi supplied directly from Solihull where the guy was a charge-hand, so would imagine it was a company employment perk. The amount of kit plus their family they were able to comfortable accommodate you rarely see now. You really do make people's day mate with your brilliant knowledge and smooth commentary and must just say the light was fine for me and I expect for all your other followers.
Loved both my Maxis - so nearly a great car. Yes the bed is a bit lumpy but what other car can you go out for the night and sleep properly. The 5th gear ate the miles at a prodigious rate and in such comfort. That's the good bits. My first 74 1500 was mechanically perfect but suffered badly from tin worm when I bought it in 84. The second was an 1980 1750 with NO RUST, but was not great mechanically - I blew the engine at 75,000 and fitted one from a 78. Yes it was a work of genius - if only it wasn't built by BL.
The one and only time I ever thumbed a lift circa 1980 I got one in a Blue Maxi. Social worker travelling from Liverpool to London. I was off to buy a Honda CX500 from a chap in Watford. Lucky for me the Maxi driver hammered it all the way to watford, Id lost much time waiting for a lift. My contact almost gave up on me showing up, but thanks to the Maxi and my driver we made good time. Cracking car actually. I have fond memories of that day. Thank you Mr Social worker and your Blue Maxi should you read this. :-)
I fondly remember my dad's Maxi (GTG 179N). Similar colour, but with brown vinyl interior. He then went and sprayed it in Hammerite silver. Definitely one of a kind.
I had a '73 dark blue 1500 and a '76 green 1750, back in the mid 80'es. Wonderful family cars, very spacy interior, very comfortable driving and quite fast on the roads. I remember they had problems eating up flexible exhaust downpipes, which didnt last very well, probably due to weak engine mounts. Also the headgasket was a weak point. Replaced them on both cars after some 150Kkm and had to weld fill a small gap between cylinders on the block.
Great video. Your a very knowledgeable chap. In fact I like all your videos. I owned 2 Maxi 1750’s from 1975 - 1979. One Glacier White and the other Harvest Gold. Lovely, comfortable and practical vehicles. Never had any problems with them at all! I used the double bed a lot 😉 And don’t forget when the rear seat was folded forward the boot truly was cavernous. Perfect to carry my mobile disco around! I’ve still got that brochure, in perfect condition! My white Maxi was a 1971 model. I sat in it at a car show that year, and bought the very car in 1975 after the first owner was finished with it. Great memories.
My dad bought a maxi in 1970, the early ones were a 1500, it was still going strong when I left school in 81 with nearly 250 thousand miles on the clock which in those days was a lot. In the end the rust got the better of it but it was a very underrated car, he even carried 500 bricks in it that he had liberated from a building site up the road. There can't be many left now.
Well researched and delivered with some good opinions from a Young 'Un. Well done! I worked on the 1750 TC carburetter tuning as a BL Apprentice. We used the A38 from Rednal to Lydiate Ash on the M5 as a test-track. We kept putting in different main jets until it would pull cleanly up the hill to Rubery. then off to Gaydon for the final sign-off. The 1750 OHC engine was good for its day and never seemed to me to get the recognition it deserved. Issigonis should have put the gearbox on the end though as the Golf had done by mid-1974.... There was enough room under that bonnet and even in the Allegro, but he seemed to cling on to the gears-in-the-sump idea for too long. It made it compact, and clutch changes simple, but servicing the box meant the engine had to come out and the gear change always too bothersome. Very good interior packaging though and I wish my modern cars had this much visibility.
The family car we had as a kid, love it and vowed i will have one, one day. Six of us often went on holiday in ours, 4 adults and 2 kids. It was easy to knock what BMC and its regenerations produced but the others companies, with the tech and motoring needs/expectations of the time we held our own. I feel we didn't have such a great PR department! Great vid, love your enthusiasm.......the future is in safe hands!!
You won't be disappointed when you do own one. I had one for 4 years and never a single problem with it. Good on fuel a comfortable drive and ride and plenty of room for the family and luggage.
A 1973 Blue Maxi 1750, was my first "proper" car. Up to then my wife and I had been driving Reliants on our motorcycle licences. But with twins now toddlers, the Robin was too small. We both took 5 driving lessons, to iron out bad habits and passed our tests first time. That was 1984, and the car we chose was the Maxi. We wanted something big and practical (and cheap!) to get the twin buggy in and all the paraphernalia that goes with young children and the Maxi fitted the bill. The idea of a 5 speed gearbox was appealing. It was big and comfortable and you said the gearbox was ok, it just wasn't slick. I don't remember having any serious issues with. The only thing was the heavy steering at slow speeds because it was front wheel drive. I kept her for around 3 years and then gave her to my brother in law, who were struggling a bit for money and their car had broken down.I'm still into bikes though and have my own TH-cam channel featuring my two Royal Enfields, along with my Harley Davidson Road King, 1980 Kawasaki Z650 and my now sold Moto Guzzi V7 Classic.This is the first video of yours, I've watched and I must say, was taken back by how young you are. But I really enjoyed it and will subscribe.
Had 3 Maxis. They were very practical cars with a young family. No. 1 was white (ex Drs car). After buying it I soon moved to Denmark and took the car with us but after a year had to return it to the UK to sell it to avoid the very high Danish car tax. No. 2 was sand colour and was LHD. I bought it on a scheme where I could pay the Danish car tax in monthly payments. But after 2 years the remainder (50% I think or was it 75%) was due as a lump sum. We decided at that point to return to the UK but it was hard to sell the Maxi. Eventually I went cap in had to the dealer I bought it from, hoping I would get enough to pay the tax outstanding. He offer to take it if I bought a new red Maxi and as I was buying it tax free to export in he fact *paid me* the difference - enough to almost pay the balance of the loan. (I have the feeling British Leyland were about to pull out of Denmark so he may of been glad to clear stock) I returned to the UK with the no. 3 LHD red Maxi and drove it for about 2 to 3 years before deciding to convert it to RHD. Over a weekend I changed the steering rod and dashboard (2nd hand) and moved the pedals and steering wheel over. Luckily the wiring loom came from the right hand A pillar so I simply had to fold it back from the left side to the right. New speedo and brake pipes completed the job. Looked perfect except the hole in the carpet were the steering column was but car mats hid that!). Eventually sold it after many more years. I was quite open with the buyer. Nice to see a young person enthusiastic for these cars.
My late father-in-law had one. I particularly remember a holiday in the lake district for the family. I was allowed to drive the car on occasions and always loved it. Definitely a practical family car. A really good video young man!
my first car, fitted twin su's to it. Great for camping with the bed and in the snow. Only problem I had in 4 years owning it was the gear stick coming off in my hand whilst overtaking on the M1. There was me trying to overtake a lorry with no power (came off mid gear change) and holding the gear stick in my left hand wondering what was going to happen next.
. The best family car of the decade and a clever adaptable interior design, I used every aspect except as a bed but carried some wood that needed all that internal length. The beautiful OHC engine ran as smooth as a sowing machine so smooth that the oil can I left on the cam cover was still sat there after a journey and I had no problem with gear selection. The hydro-lastic suspension was outstanding. The only place mine started to rust was the top of the wheel arch near the windscreen ‘A’ pillar because of mud buildup on top of the trunking to the side fresh-air vent, that of course doesn’t happen these days with the plastic inner arches
My first car second hand in the early eighties, bought for £350. Was the tan colour shown in the catalogue with brown vinyl seats. Could get a whole 4 person band and their kit in it, adverts said you could fit two grandfather clocks in the back! Good for sleeping in after parties too, great memories. Front wings had a bracket above the wheels that collected muck and the wings rusted out from the inside. I understand they are super rare now.
Misty eyed .... Thanks for this ... Took me down memory lane to holidays in Cornwall Wales and Scotland with my uncle years ago... Brilliant car filled to capacity with uncle a cousin my brother and me with camping gear etc.. comfortable reliable workhorse. Happy days !
Having driven a lot of Maxis when I was in the trade in the 70s, I can vouch for the comment about it being underrated. It was a very comfortable drive, certainly not underpowered, enormously spacious and not a bad looking car for the time. At the time, it was classed as a bit of an old mans car, nodding dog for the back sill and tartan travel rug for the back seat. I have very fond memories of the Maxi, less so for the Allegro.
I had a 1750 HL when we first got married.The pre engage starter was dodgy, but I got removing it, and refitting it down to a fine art (even had to do this on the way to hospital when my wife was in labour. I really would love to have another. Have never managed the journey from Peterborough to Barking as quickly in any other car as I managed that day when I was in a hurry and didn't realise that the speedo wasn't working properly (and that was when you had to drive through Ilford).
In the US, Nash and Rambler seats made into a bed as early as the late '40s, and at least until the late '60s. Fathers wouldn't let their daughters date boys who drove Ramblers because of it.
By popular demand, I have now set up a Patreon page!
If you enjoy my videos, then please do consider supporting Twin-Cam with a donation.
www.patreon.com/twincam
And you have lefthanfin left 😮
Lefdid yes
I bought a 1971 Austin Maxi 1750 in 1973. It served as our super reliable family transport for 13 years. I sold it, still a runner, with 203,000 miles on the clock. Named 'Monty the Maxi' by my four kids (now grown up), It is still fondly remembered by all of them! Thank you for putting the record right about a classic car design.
60 yr old UK guy here.
It's refreshing to see someone so young, yet so knowledgeable enthusing about cars of this era.
I never drove a Maxi, yet remember vividly the polarisation of opinion of drivers / owners.
A sales rep who worked for the company I was employed by described it as ' A toilet on wheels'.
However, a freelance contractor who worked for us, thrashed one mercilessly round the UK, never had a moment of trouble with it, and sang its praises.
Excellent video young man. You have a new subscriber.
This is my mate ben's car,, it is one of four old classics he has lovingly restored to its former glory. He has spent a lot of time and expense over the last year's restoring these old cars and it's thanks to people like him we can still appreciate these smashing old cars,, keep up the good work Ben
My son spent a couple of years restoring an MG Midget the cost and time involved will never be recuperated, I knew someone who spent years restoring a Ford Consul Farnham Estate,
This Maxi is a beauty sir.
Yes, please do keep doing the restorations.
@@markbagshot277 Never again, met a chap a few yrs ago he bought a early Mini, £2.500, a complete like new restoration, the seller must be gutted, thing is buy one already done.
Looking at the 'RN' registration, it looks like it was registered in the Preston area.
It’s lovely, a great example my grandad had same model in burgundy red 1978 model. No finance it was a cash job 🤠
Someone give this young man a TV show. He does a great job. Forget Clarkson and many others.
Thank you Vincent :)
I think your passion for Bmc and Leyland cars for a young enthusiastic is great all credit to you.I passed my test in a 1974 Maxi 1750 Hl my Dad's car which was bought as an X demonstrater, it was passed on to me later and I loved it, stupidly I sold it to get a Mk5 Cortina, big mistake! 6 years ago I managed to get a maxi 1750 which is totally original in Teal blue, 1975,will never part with this one, hope to meet you at a show one day, all the best with your videos.
Hi from New Zealand! My parents bought a new Maxi in 1971 that was White with a black interior and later replaced it with another one that was green with brown interior. At the time Dad was in the police force and through the Public Service Garage there was a group discount and payment system that facilitated the purchase. The Maxi was a revelation especially compared to the rusty Austin Westminster station wagon that it replaced. (i remember this car being collided with by another vehicle when parked on the street and there being piles of rust left on the ground as a result). The gearchange wasn't wonderfull ( a bit like stirring a pot of molasses with a 2 foot long spoon, but no worse than my mates Alfetta GTV) but the car itself was great, comfy and roomy.I remember Dad trying to argue with a Traffic Officer that he had come to a complete halt at at compulsory stop and it was the hydrolastic suspension that gave the impression that it hadn't.. nedless to say he didn't win that one!
I always loved the Maxi back in the day. I thought it looked fantastic, was practical, roomy and is definitely one of the unsung greats of its era.
I owned a 76 'P' reg Maxi 1750 back in 85 when I was 17.
It was with me through college and it was and is one of the best cars i've ever owned.
As a student the double bed seats were fantastic and coupled with a great heater, came in very useful.
Not only was it quite quick, it also regularly returned 37-38 mpg, and was really reliable and cheap motoring.
I miss my Maxi and despite having since been mainly a BMW & Mercedes owner, I would love to own another.
I had a Maxi (VHC 368T) during the 80s, it was the same year and colour as this one. It was an extremely versatile car- I was a semi-pro musician and getting all my gear into the Maxi was no problem at all. I also slept in the car many times on trips around the country.
One day, there was a knock on the door- it was a chap from a TV production company who was interested in borrowing my Maxi for a TV programme- Never the twain, starring Windsor Davies and Donald Sinden. They had one car already but needed a second one that they could slightly crash, and mine was an exact match. They hired it for 3 days and gave me a Renault to drive, took my Maxi away, serviced it and after filming it with a crumpled front wing they repaired the damage and returned it in better condition than it had been in before they borrowed it, plus £80 per day. I recorded the episode featuring my car- I didn't think much of the programme itself, but at least my car got its few minutes of fame, but the recording hasn't survived. Sadly, my Maxi was written off after some fool pulled out from a side road into my path.
I loved driving and using the Maxi as it had acres of space inside, especially in the back and could do anything I asked of it. A great and very underrated car.
Oh god the Maxi. Memories of my dad driving us to Dover then Brittany ferry. My grandma in the front passing back endless boiled sweets , four of us in the back, luggage in the boot. Wasn’t that bad but I think these days you could drive to Singapore in the same amount of time!
The mk1 maxi (1500cc only) had a cable operated gear change linkage which was its Achilles heel.
This was done away with when the mk2 came out with a rod linkage that was 100% better.
Definitely a car ahead of its time, I’ve literally worked on hundreds of these as a rectification mechanic at the Cowley plant where they were produced.
The best car I ever had.
In four years 220,000 km.
Never any problem, only four new tires and a new exhaust.
Still miss it.
I loved it!
Surely a new exhaust EVERY YEAR. That's what my maxi demanded in the 1970/80s
Totally agree about this car. I owned both a Morris 1500 and a Morris Nomad (sort of a little Maxi) in Aus and I always wished the Maxi had been sold here. What a brilliant, spacious, practical car. My cars had the early cable operated gear change and worked absolutely fine as long as they were adjusted correctly. Poor BMC (at that time) had to do product development on fly due to lack of money and they were sold to hapless customers before some of the bugs were ironed out such as the gearbox interlock to prevent 2 gears being selected at the same time. I hope there are still some left in the land of savage corrosion. I would have one now for sure. Cheers.
Great channel you have here love looking back at the old cars. It's great someone so young knows his stuff about the old classics. Keep up the good work.
Yes, I don't know how old he is, but he reminds me of me at about his age. My first car was an Austin 1300, and from then on, I have obsessed myself with various British cars settling mostly on Austin/Morris and Vauxhall cars from the 60's and 70's.
Oh wow, memory lane. My dad traded a 77 Chrysler Alpine for a T plate 1750 Maxi in a metallic bronze colour. As a yoof I devoured the brochure and to my dismay only the HL had twin SUs and an electric screen wash. On the 1750 it was a push pump button on the dash! Come 1982 I learned to drive in it and I think back then the only other British car to have a 5 speed box was the Rover SD1. My old man was a South of Scotland Power Engineer and he got that car to almost every power line breakdown in the borders in winter conditions. He put it down to the front wheel drive and torque response of the motor as well as his experience. The family went camping to France and Spain in 1982 and the maxi was my bed for 2 weeks. great memories and another top video from Twincam
Love it. Like all the Issigonis' design it's brilliant. Such a shame that these cars never were a big success, they should have been. A car showing the vision of one man, excellent!
This is the best maxi review on TH-cam! The maxi one of my favourite underrated classic cars!
Im 62 now (hell, where did that go? In my head Im still your age) and my brother had a Maxi in 1970/71 . It was a superb car and yes, reliable. It was in 'Harvest Gold', the colour of the HL in that brochure.
You're absolutely right in your sum up of this car, a great and intelligent review.
As for that gearbox, no problem at all; you very quickly got used to its 'stirring porridge' manner and it was never an issue. Again, you're right about that.
Thanks for this video, really watchable - you have a great presentation style - and really enjoyable. Happy memories of what was indeed a very reliable car.
I remember that gearbox, if memory serves me right they used a cable instead of rods?
I had a 1750 in the early 80's (a 1974 bought off the father in law) and while it was reliable, incredibly practical and good to drive I thought it very noisy, both wind and engine, even the standards of the day. Had it had a seperate gearbox and front mounted radiator I think it would have been a far quieter and better car but I look fondly at the odd one I still see in use.
Harvest yellow.
I used to make the paint for BMC.
Sandglow, bloody sandglow batch after batch of it.
They had horrible pastel colours because they hide the imperfections.
A dark say royal blue high gloss would have shown the pisspoor panels and orange peel spraying .
So they painted them in mud colours.
Even the Jags were just chucked together back then.
and. Every car was covered in rust.
A writer once compared the Chrysler K car manual shifter to stirring a bucket of ice cubes with a wooden spoon. Renault Daupine/Caravelles were worse.
@@sambrooks7862 the first Maxi had cable gear change they were not very good the later models had rod change
The Maxi was actually a very useful car.
Thomas was a very useful engine... I agree, a useful car.
That one has a lovely orange paint-job. Very General Lee Orange!!! ;)
It's a very nice example indeed. The Maxi was unique just for its five-speed gearbox. Most BLMC budgets never extended past 4th gear. ;)
I have often thought that the Mini and the 1100/1300(all flavours) could have really used a 5th gear. You CAN buy five-speed kits or drop-in replacement 5-speed gearboxes for those A-series based cars, but they are NOT cheap!!!!! About five grand last time I looked, just for the gearbox.......
@@Tourist1967 Thanks. :) I fail to see how they classify what is obviously an orange, as a red, but there you go! :D
GRN751S - my first car, and I loved it - absolutely loved it. Full load, including a wheelchair, and just trotted up Honister Pass in the Lake District, whilst newer cars simply shuddered in its' wake - still miss my old faithful - wonderful car.
This Lad is Really Good , excellent videos .Should Have His Own TV. Show no doubt , have subscribed of course.
agree. great knowledge & sweet presenting
Much better than the shouting clowns that now present Top Gear!
I ran two Maxis, both of which were bought second-hand with fairly low mileages. The only major problem that I recall having with the first was that the distributor drive sheared, the timing went wrong and there was a monumental 'bang' in the exhaust system. This blew up and expanded the silencer box of a recently-installed stainless steel exhaust system that I'd fitted myself. Amazingly, the supplier replaced the rear section of the exhaust for free. Oh yes, and the gear selector shaft seal retracted out of its recess, resulting in a bad oil leak, which fortunately was obvious and quickly rectified.
The second, FRW 281T, and I remember its registration for good reason, was a 1750HL and I had problems. It needed a recon engine and a recon gearbox after I'd had it for only a couple of years. The recon engine was heavy on oil and had to have the pistons replaced under warranty. With the family on board, the recon gearbox failed on the M5 and I was very luck in being able to coast safely onto the hard shoulder. A simple locking tabwasher had failed and this allowed a retaining nut to unscrew. This, in turn, allowed, as I recall, the output gear to come out of engagement, causing substantial damage. After some argument with BL, the damaged internals were replaced, despite the fact that the gearbox was just out of warranty. What assisted me was the fact that I was able to get the tabwasher investigated as a "foreigner" by the metallurgy lab at R-R Bristol. It was proven to be excessively hard, so that when the it was bent onto the flats of the nut, it cracked. Oh yes, and i did have the Hydragas suspension fail on me, so that I had to drive the family home with the car listing heavily.
Having described my problems, I did like the functionality of the Maxi.
My first car - a K reg in harvest gold Maxi. Magnificent for transporting all my crap to university in the early 80s including a fashionably over the top large drumkit. Once after the brakes seized and I couldn't get them free I did just about the stupidest thing I have ever done in a car... I was so desperate to see my girlfriend for our 21st birthdays (one day apart) that I took the front pads out and drove from Enfield to Reading on the handbrake and thence to Poole where I confessed to my dad who got the local garage to fix them. The hairiest moment was the penultimate T junction from a downward slope side road where heaving on the handbrake barely stopped it. I lived to tell the tale obviously (as did everybody else thank God) and went on to change both the clutch (self) and the head gasket (with friend) so learnt some good mechanical stuff. Hank finally died from terminal sill rust after 4 of my most formative years. I agree with all who cite it as an ahead of its time practical classic. One fact I used to quote to my friends at the time which was greeted with wet themselves laughter was that my "Car" road test data had my 1750 beating a contemporary Porsche 911 from 30-50 in fourth!!
and that wasn't even the HL.
My first Maxi was a 1500 gear cable change loved this car toured Scotland 3years running never let me down snow berry white unfortunately it was written of in a bad accident. Second maxi was a 1750 the gear change was rod wasn't so positive as the cable but still very reliable when I sold it had 22000 on the clock and apart from some rust still ran like a watch. Third was the 1750 HL a good car but the hydroelastic was failing a lot but still very comfortable and the SU carbs on all of them were easy to set up. Clutch was very easy to change as long as you didn't follow the Hayes manual.
My Mother and Father had a murky-green colour one, and seeing the interior brought back memories of holidays as a kid in the mid-seventies. Thank you
I worked in a BL dealership. The Maxi was by far the best car in the range, it wast head and shoulders above the rest of the junk they churned out. It was much beloved by Welsh farmers, they loved it's practicality, and yes the reliability was second to non. It was really great to work on too, with roads of room around the engine.
My first car, Austin Maxi 1750HL. Loved the food down bed seats, great when I went diving and camping, no camp tent. Cracking car, well presented review.
Thanks mate ☺️
Remember growing up, we had three 1750 maxis, my dad loved how they convert from a family car to a load carrier, holidays,days out,shopping, to and from work, Sun,Rain Snow The Maxi never stopped, Brilliant car.
I watch all of his vids. Find him very well informed and well researched. The bit that gets me every time is the way he puts everything into historical perspective as if he's lived in that era while in reality he's a youngester with nothing more than a great enthusiasm and real talent for what he does. Excellent chap. Keep it up mate.
You are so right about the Maxi. It does everything well and answers all the criticisms of modern family cars. Namely space, visibility, practically, and comfort. I think it was a good decade or two ahead of it's time and you are absolutely right in blaming the dumb customers of the time. How can a prehistoric Cortina be a more sensible alternative? Well said.
Many people buy because of image, style, price, or because it’s the same as they always had.
A number of those issues pushed people away from cars like the Maxi. The Cortina had nothing on it objectively, but it was considered to be more stylish and more conservative. Unfortunately for BL, that’s what sells cars.
@@TwinCam I was buying cars at that time and I still find hard to understand the pull of the Cortina. Oh well, maybe I was ahead of my time too?
Ah the memories of the Maxi. We had an HLS that had some engine wizard give it electronic ignition, high lift cam, four branch manifold with wrapping, dual-double barrel Weber carbs, an air ram and drilled flywheel. It was amusingly quick the wheel spin and understeer was a learning curve 😝 my father reckons it was good for around 130HP we never had any problems with it, my mother drove it after Dad got a BMW. Thanks for the video, it brought back memories of the early 1980s - I do think the Maxi is under appreciated. It's a versatile, comfortable, usable car, even as a daily driver despite being over 40 years old. Not many cars from that era would be this good.
This same model entered Buenos Aires back in 1979. Beautiful car for the time. Even now good car! Few entered with the UK import. Greetings from Buenos Aires! Good report!
Thank you! ☺️
To add more meat to the bone, the Austin Maxi was a BMC designed car, the concept was put down by chairman George Harriman who wanted a smaller car but using the 1800 doors. BMC had a styling studio and its designers Sid Goble and Fred Boubier were given a width and the 1800 doors and worked around it. The initial design in 1965 was like the Mini with a boot lid, but because of the sloping roof they decided to join the boot and backlight to create the tailgate to get the proportions right at the rear and it got approval! Issigonis was in overall charge of design with his usual concept of smallest exterior package which was also the reason in using the E series engine.
Great review for a young lad like yourself to be so passionate about classic cars. I spent most of my childhood sat in the back of one. When my mum owned one in the 70s. I have been in the motor trade from a young age I will soon be turning 50 and I'm still restoring classics. at the moment a rover p6. Keep up the good work you are doing well 👍👍👍
My Dad had two of these, they were great cars.I remember one of the British car magazines called it "The answer to the question nobody asked": how can you be that wrong about anything? This was the basis for so many modern family cars
Absolutely. Although I may be slightly biased, another theme of BL was being too far ahead of the curve for their own good.
Great review as always! My Dad owned two Maxi 1750 HL's, both bought from new. I drove both of them several times back in the day. The first was a 1973 M plate in white with a beige interior, the second a 1977 R plate in metallic blue with a dark blue interior. The white one had a sloppy gear change and drank oil, the second had a tight gear change, a super smooth engine, but both were quick. I recall CAR magazine getting a 10 second 0-60 time out of a 1750 HL which was good going for the mid 70s. They were super practical, super comfortable cars that handled well and in HL form, had plenty of performance for the time. I loved them!
Thank you indeed, I learned to drive in an 1750 HLS back in 1989, an absolute legend of a motor, no problems ever, my parents had two, it had some serious space for a car of its era. 💯
I owned two Maxi's the first was a standard 1750 that I must admit was a dog of a car. The second one was a 1750HL that my brothering law gave me. That HL was a really good car. Not only was it quick, but it stuck to the road like glue. And because of the front wheel drive It would pull you out of everything. I remember one snowy winter morning going to work and everyone was outside trying to get there cars out of the snow. I just turned the key the car was straight off running, and it pulled me out of the snow like it wasn't even there. The maxi was indeed a very underrated car. I would own an other one now.
Probably a bit before its time, compare it to the market leader at the time and see which one is closer to a modern car, 5 gears, 5 doors, 5 seats, independent suspension, overhead cam.
I owned one from 1977 when our first child arrived. A wonderful, spacious, practical, versatile car
when I passed my driving test in 77 this was my first car never let me down
Brought back memories of my dad's Maxi some good some bad. Only car that he had which the engine fell out on a busy Edinburgh street in the late 70s. Well done young man 👍😁
They were a great car and very underrated but did everything you asked of it
Remember first seeing it in 1969 when i was a kid at the time it looked really modern
i liked them
My dad bought an early maxi 1500 around 1974. He was a bricklayer and used it every day for work until 1981. It was brilliant, I remember us loading half a ton of bricks in the back and driving from spalding to wisbech, about 30 miles, when he traded it in it had over 200k on the clock and it was still mechanically sound, it even had the original clutch!
Oo, the HL, very flash! My dad had a W reg 1500 in chocolate brown with a beige basket-weave vinyl interior. It would never have been described as rapid and with a CI Sprite 4-berth caravan swinging off the back progress was snail-like. Something went dreadfully wrong with one of the rear struts on the Severn Bridge once en route to a camping holiday in Wales, and rather than get fined for breaking down on the bridge my brother and I in the back rode the bump stop at a stately 30mph to the nearest garage. It's funny what you remember of cars from your childhood, for me with the Maxi it's the little shiny inverted metal insert in the window winder, the door handles and the imprint of the burning hot basket weave on the back of your legs in summer shorts. Love the vids, thanks for the memories!
Very good review I worked as a apprentice at a Austin/Daimler dealership in 1970 the first 1500 model had a issue with leaking gear change cables we had many a owner complaining about oil leaking onto there garage floors and we were having to keep replacing them under warranty the later models have a rod change Linkage
"Gearbox just a little vague" I had one of these and I couldn't get a smooth gearchange to save my life. It got to me in such a way that I actually felt depressed at the prospect of having to drive it. I did have a windscreen shatter for no apparent reason, which I believe wasn't uncommon.
Apart from that it was a perfect car, easy to drive (once you found a gear), good on the motorways with the 5-speed box, great at carrying loads.
On one motorway trip I kept the throttle constant for miles and when I lifted off on the off-slip the throttle cable had jammed.
It took me 30 minutes to change the clutch and you didn't even have to get underneath the car, the most difficult bit was removing the battery box.
The sills did succumb to the rust-bug though.
Your talk to camera work is coming on really well. Lovely car. I never looked at them but you are right they were ahead of their time.
Had 2 maxis in my time a 1500 and 1750 I kept mine for years never had any problems , would buy one today just for old times sake , nice to see a youngster so knowledgable on these old cars keep it up 👍
Great video, my father had company cars back in the 70's that were replaced every year. All Maxi's, absolutely loved them. The company allowed 1 family member to be on the driving list so when I passed my test in 1977 I got to drive them. Also had hidden storage space under the back seat as well as the boot/trunk.
.A great review of this great car. I'm the proud owner of a 1980 1750 HLS in similar condition to the one in the video. You're right, they were massively underrated. Keep up the good work. Your reviews are eloquently delivered and you obviously research your facts well. Well done!
I had one of these, same colour as the video. Once did a trip from Northampton to John 'O' Groats - 630 miles. The engine used a lot of oil, needed topping up every morning.
I was with a mate and we did try out the sleeping arrangements. It was okay, but we were a lot younger then, and could have slept anywhere.
The 1st car I learned to drive in the early 80s. Regarding the gear box, I remember reversing & the gear box undoing itself. My father was not pleased. An expensive repair ensued😬. Well done on your professional video👍
A very good Maxi review,and refreshing to see a video where the good points of a BL car is highlighted.Well done.
Thanks mate :)
I recall when the new (BMW) Mini Clubman came out, I found it was larger in all dimensions than the Maxi, hard to believe! My dad had a 1750HL, N Reg in white. Fantastic car and super cheap to run and maintain. They are pretty strong bodyshells too - remember a monster truck meeting at Detling, Kent, and they were using old cars as tug-o-war. Essentially showing off the power of the trucks by tearing cars in half! Until they used a Maxi. They gave up after quite a few pulls, it was mangled, but didn't pull apart :-)
Great review. A 5 speed hydraulic suspended OHC hatchback. I never realised the original MINI clubman front end is the same theme as the MAXI. Someone must line two of these cars up as a comparison. Hit the nail on the head about replacing the 'plughole of doom' with a blue oval....
It’s the perfect symbolisation of what could’ve been a new age for Austin cars. Mini and Maxi, sharing a family front-end. Such a shame what ended up happening. An interesting note is that the indicator/sidelights are the same unit as the Clubman, so Maxi owners could put the units from a Clubman on their car.
I was at my local Morrisons petrol station last week and i seen this beautiful cream colour Austin Maxi and i complemented the guy that the car was beautiful for its age! ❤️🙏🏽 lovely car. Im 26 but i wish this was my first car!
I had a Morris 1800 landcrab.................great useful reliable and fun massive slab of a motor
Back in the day I needed car to take 3 children and twin babies. I couldn't afford a Renault space which would have been ideal so I bought a 1750 HL Maxi. The twins went in a moses basket on the rear of the car with my 3 other children on the back seat. We had 2 sets of twins and a single child hence the need for a car to take us all. That car served us very well for a number of years. It would use oil a bit but apart from that and not having the best of gearboxes it was a very good car for us at the time.
Maxi Hack : When making it into a bed, lift the rear seat cushion forward to find the under seat storage space. You will find what looks to be a small metal box at the rear in the centre. Reach in, and holding it by the bottom, swing it up on the hinges. This little seat raiser now allows the bed to be completely flat.
Thank you for this, I always thought that there was something wrong with me because I actually liked the Maxi.
I had 2, the first was an older, and to be fair, very tired, one, but the second one, a 1750 HL, was newer and I ran it for a few years.
As you say there is loads of space in them, and they were an incredibly comfortable car to travel in. The 5th gear was an overdrive, which helped with the economy on long drives, as well as reducing the engine noise at motorway speeds.
It's main attraction for me was the versatility of it's space, it had a good sized boot, and with the seats folded down you could move large items, although I must confess that I never tried sleeping in it (neither have I heard of anyone who tried the bed out).
Surprised that it's actually smaller than the current Fiesta, it just goes to show how much bigger cars are nowadays.
Probably more INTERIOR room, though.
I had a dealership and sold the maxi from 1969, the first 18 months were more basic cable oil leaking gear change, crap dash board and 1485 cc. They quickly improved seating dash gear change 1750 engine at the end of 1970. I sold dozens of these cars, always running one as a demonstrator which with two small children was an ideal car. Nostalgic to see this feature done by a very young guy.
This car is immaculate!
My dad had 2 and I learned to drive in one loved it
My works manager had one of these when I was an apprentice engineer back in the early seventies. I got to drive it regularly as a delivery hack all round the south of England. We also ran a VW Transporter and the Maxi could easily carry the same amount with the seats down! Happy days 😊
I had one - bought with engine and gearbox in bits in boxes in the boot. Rebuilt the bits and ran it for several years. As big inside as the 1800, and with the twin SUs, the nearest thing to a sports car I shall ever own. Never, ever, let me down.
Magnificent review!
I totally agree on how you consider this car and on what you think about it!
And indeed, nothing is perfect.
I LOVE the front end and the front Maxi 1750 badge.
Thanks that Maxi brings back some great memories!
My dad hah a couple one I later inherited and drove her like a 17 year mad man, in its day that Maxi was a brilliant handling car a good 10mph faster than a 1.6 Viva HB around the Clatterbridge roundabout on the Wirral!
Thanks and great videos.
I had two Maxis, the first a 1500 and the second a 1750 HL with twin carbs and high-lift camshaft. Lovely cars, both of them!
This video brings back thoughts of some very kind people I lodged with in a B and B in 1979- their family car was an Austin Maxi supplied directly from Solihull where the guy was a charge-hand, so would imagine it was a company employment perk. The amount of kit plus their family they were able to comfortable accommodate you rarely see now. You really do make people's day mate with your brilliant knowledge and smooth commentary and must just say the light was fine for me and I expect for all your other followers.
Loved both my Maxis - so nearly a great car. Yes the bed is a bit lumpy but what other car can you go out for the night and sleep properly.
The 5th gear ate the miles at a prodigious rate and in such comfort.
That's the good bits.
My first 74 1500 was mechanically perfect but suffered badly from tin worm when I bought it in 84.
The second was an 1980 1750 with NO RUST, but was not great mechanically - I blew the engine at 75,000 and fitted one from a 78.
Yes it was a work of genius - if only it wasn't built by BL.
I remember these from new. What could have been! This is the story British industry. Lack of Investment! Near-sightedness. You name it. Great video.
I don't understand people's problems with Maxi, I had two over the years and totally loved both of them. Wonderful cars !
The one and only time I ever thumbed a lift circa 1980 I got one in a Blue Maxi. Social worker travelling from Liverpool to London. I was off to buy a Honda CX500 from a chap in Watford. Lucky for me the Maxi driver hammered it all the way to watford, Id lost much time waiting for a lift. My contact almost gave up on me showing up, but thanks to the Maxi and my driver we made good time. Cracking car actually. I have fond memories of that day. Thank you Mr Social worker and your Blue Maxi should you read this. :-)
ash trays for the kids , they sure were the good old days
That's what I thought watching this
You can't whack a tab
It is just about possible that adults might be sitting in the back! ;-)
I fondly remember my dad's Maxi (GTG 179N). Similar colour, but with brown vinyl interior. He then went and sprayed it in Hammerite silver. Definitely one of a kind.
This is a very well presented film. I loved every minute of it.
I had a '73 dark blue 1500 and a '76 green 1750, back in the mid 80'es.
Wonderful family cars, very spacy interior, very comfortable driving and quite fast on the roads.
I remember they had problems eating up flexible exhaust downpipes, which didnt last very well, probably due to weak engine mounts.
Also the headgasket was a weak point. Replaced them on both cars after some 150Kkm and had to weld fill a small gap between cylinders on the block.
Great video. Your a very knowledgeable chap. In fact I like all your videos.
I owned 2 Maxi 1750’s from 1975 - 1979. One Glacier White and the other Harvest Gold. Lovely, comfortable and practical vehicles. Never had any problems with them at all! I used the double bed a lot 😉 And don’t forget when the rear seat was folded forward the boot truly was cavernous. Perfect to carry my mobile disco around! I’ve still got that brochure, in perfect condition!
My white Maxi was a 1971 model. I sat in it at a car show that year, and bought the very car in 1975 after the first owner was finished with it. Great memories.
My dad bought a maxi in 1970, the early ones were a 1500, it was still going strong when I left school in 81 with nearly 250 thousand miles on the clock which in those days was a lot. In the end the rust got the better of it but it was a very underrated car, he even carried 500 bricks in it that he had liberated from a building site up the road. There can't be many left now.
Well researched and delivered with some good opinions from a Young 'Un. Well done! I worked on the 1750 TC carburetter tuning as a BL Apprentice. We used the A38 from Rednal to Lydiate Ash on the M5 as a test-track. We kept putting in different main jets until it would pull cleanly up the hill to Rubery. then off to Gaydon for the final sign-off. The 1750 OHC engine was good for its day and never seemed to me to get the recognition it deserved. Issigonis should have put the gearbox on the end though as the Golf had done by mid-1974.... There was enough room under that bonnet and even in the Allegro, but he seemed to cling on to the gears-in-the-sump idea for too long. It made it compact, and clutch changes simple, but servicing the box meant the engine had to come out and the gear change always too bothersome. Very good interior packaging though and I wish my modern cars had this much visibility.
Thanks mate ☺️
This video was a long time ago now, and I’m sure I’ve improved since this one! 🤣
I had two Maxi's harvest gold and pageant blue both great for the time brilliant ride
My Mum had one .Great car with loads of space and also very reliable. After 10 years it was a rust bucket like most 70's cars.
The family car we had as a kid, love it and vowed i will have one, one day. Six of us often went on holiday in ours, 4 adults and 2 kids. It was easy to knock what BMC and its regenerations produced but the others companies, with the tech and motoring needs/expectations of the time we held our own. I feel we didn't have such a great PR department! Great vid, love your enthusiasm.......the future is in safe hands!!
You won't be disappointed when you do own one. I had one for 4 years and never a single problem with it. Good on fuel a comfortable drive and ride and plenty of room for the family and luggage.
A 1973 Blue Maxi 1750, was my first "proper" car. Up to then my wife and I had been driving Reliants on our motorcycle licences. But with twins now toddlers, the Robin was too small. We both took 5 driving lessons, to iron out bad habits and passed our tests first time. That was 1984, and the car we chose was the Maxi.
We wanted something big and practical (and cheap!) to get the twin buggy in and all the paraphernalia that goes with young children and the Maxi fitted the bill. The idea of a 5 speed gearbox was appealing. It was big and comfortable and you said the gearbox was ok, it just wasn't slick.
I don't remember having any serious issues with. The only thing was the heavy steering at slow speeds because it was front wheel drive. I kept her for around 3 years and then gave her to my brother in law, who were struggling a bit for money and their car had broken down.I'm still into bikes though and have my own TH-cam channel featuring my two Royal Enfields, along with my Harley Davidson Road King, 1980 Kawasaki Z650 and my now sold Moto Guzzi V7 Classic.This is the first video of yours, I've watched and I must say, was taken back by how young you are. But I really enjoyed it and will subscribe.
Had 3 Maxis. They were very practical cars with a young family. No. 1 was white (ex Drs car). After buying it I soon moved to Denmark and took the car with us but after a year had to return it to the UK to sell it to avoid the very high Danish car tax.
No. 2 was sand colour and was LHD. I bought it on a scheme where I could pay the Danish car tax in monthly payments. But after 2 years the remainder (50% I think or was it 75%) was due as a lump sum. We decided at that point to return to the UK but it was hard to sell the Maxi. Eventually I went cap in had to the dealer I bought it from, hoping I would get enough to pay the tax outstanding. He offer to take it if I bought a new red Maxi and as I was buying it tax free to export in he fact *paid me* the difference - enough to almost pay the balance of the loan. (I have the feeling British Leyland were about to pull out of Denmark so he may of been glad to clear stock)
I returned to the UK with the no. 3 LHD red Maxi and drove it for about 2 to 3 years before deciding to convert it to RHD. Over a weekend I changed the steering rod and dashboard (2nd hand) and moved the pedals and steering wheel over. Luckily the wiring loom came from the right hand A pillar so I simply had to fold it back from the left side to the right. New speedo and brake pipes completed the job. Looked perfect except the hole in the carpet were the steering column was but car mats hid that!). Eventually sold it after many more years. I was quite open with the buyer.
Nice to see a young person enthusiastic for these cars.
The thing I really remember about the Maxi was the possible bed in the back - oh and the 5th gear!
You've convinced me. I want a Maxi...
My late father-in-law had one. I particularly remember a holiday in the lake district for the family. I was allowed to drive the car on occasions and always loved it. Definitely a practical family car. A really good video young man!
my first car, fitted twin su's to it. Great for camping with the bed and in the snow.
Only problem I had in 4 years owning it was the gear stick coming off in my hand whilst overtaking on the M1. There was me trying to overtake a lorry with no power (came off mid gear change) and holding the gear stick in my left hand wondering what was going to happen next.
I had one in 1992. It was ten years old, one owner, 112,000 miles with full service history! (I called HIM Max).
. The best family car of the decade and a clever adaptable interior design, I used every aspect except as a bed but carried some wood that needed all that internal length. The beautiful OHC engine ran as smooth as a sowing machine so smooth that the oil can I left on the cam cover was still sat there after a journey and I had no problem with gear selection. The hydro-lastic suspension was outstanding. The only place mine started to rust was the top of the wheel arch near the windscreen ‘A’ pillar because of mud buildup on top of the trunking to the side fresh-air vent, that of course doesn’t happen these days with the plastic inner arches
My first car second hand in the early eighties, bought for £350. Was the tan colour shown in the catalogue with brown vinyl seats. Could get a whole 4 person band and their kit in it, adverts said you could fit two grandfather clocks in the back! Good for sleeping in after parties too, great memories. Front wings had a bracket above the wheels that collected muck and the wings rusted out from the inside. I understand they are super rare now.
Misty eyed .... Thanks for this ... Took me down memory lane to holidays in Cornwall Wales and Scotland with my uncle years ago... Brilliant car filled to capacity with uncle a cousin my brother and me with camping gear etc.. comfortable reliable workhorse. Happy days !
Cheers Terry :)
I had an automatic MAXI and it was one of the most comfortable cars I've ever had. A great car.
Having driven a lot of Maxis when I was in the trade in the 70s, I can vouch for the comment about it being underrated. It was a very comfortable drive, certainly not underpowered, enormously spacious and not a bad looking car for the time. At the time, it was classed as a bit of an old mans car, nodding dog for the back sill and tartan travel rug for the back seat. I have very fond memories of the Maxi, less so for the Allegro.
I had the single carb 1750 Maxi. Bought it secondhand. Had problems with rust and rear brakes - but I loved that car.
I had a 1750 HL when we first got married.The pre engage starter was dodgy, but I got removing it, and refitting it down to a fine art (even had to do this on the way to hospital when my wife was in labour. I really would love to have another. Have never managed the journey from Peterborough to Barking as quickly in any other car as I managed that day when I was in a hurry and didn't realise that the speedo wasn't working properly (and that was when you had to drive through Ilford).
The double bed on wheels!! Which was revolutionary for 1969 Gt Britain.
In the US, Nash and Rambler seats made into a bed as early as the late '40s, and at least until the late '60s. Fathers wouldn't let their daughters date boys who drove Ramblers because of it.