If you want to express an opinion or ask fellow Maxi owners a question here's your chance, E-mail the clubs webmaster and he will publish your letter on this site. To view emails from previous editions click here.

New member Alan Lines asks the following question.

Hi My recently inherited Maxi 1750 HL (HOL 15L) took it's first outing (test drive) for 20 years on Friday. After 14 miles there was a loud "Pop" followed by rapid deflation of the off side suspension. Could you please supply me with the information on how to attach the flexible hose to the Hydrolastic Displacer Unit - I guess you saw that question coming.

webmaster: Can I suggest that you contact Morry Cook (the clubs new Technical Officer) and or Ernie Jackson. Contact details are in the club magazine (see inside cover). In the meantime please find attached, copy of an article from Issue 77 of the Club magazine, dated May/ June 2003. The article was written by Phil Marrison. Hope this helps. 

Michael Young introduces himself as the clubs newest member

Hi all, my name is Michael Young and I have just joined your club. I don't have my membership number yet, but hopefully that will come. Although I don't currently have a Maxi, I do have an Ambassador, an early Montego (with the talking dash) and a Rover Sterling (which I'm currently trying to sell). However I do hope to acquire a Maxi eventually, once I can talk the wife round that is. As for me, I live in Scotland, so I haven't seen many Maxis around. I know where there is one, in excellent condition, but I think the chap in question, is already a member. I did see a rather battered Maxi last year, but not since. Hopefully I will see some off you at shows this year or in the future. Just thought I'd say hello. Michael.

webmaster: Welcome to the club Michael. As far as membership problems are concerned, the best thing to do is to telephone the Club Secretary (Christine Jackson) on 01526 398 377. As for your Rover 800, sorry, I don't know anyone who wants to buy one. Their seems to be 2 clubs for the 800 at the moment, why not try one or both of them :
www.rover800.co.uk
www.rovertorque.co.uk

Good luck with the sale.

Postscript: Michael tells me that the Rover Sterling that he has for sale is a 1997 model and is MOT'd till May 2009. Anybody who wants to buy it, should let me know and I'll put them in touch with him.

Paul writes : Hi, would it be possible to advertise my Dads Maxi on your site. I know there must be few Maxi owners who would be grateful of seeing his advert, as these are getting rare now. If I can advertise it, could you give me some rules/guidelines on how to do so. Much appreciated.

webmaster: Thanks for the email. Just send me your advert and I'll do the rest. The service is free. If you want to know how to compose your advert, just look at one or more of the adverts on our site. For your information rules and guidelines are contained on the site at austinmaxiclub.org/for sale/rules.htm. Hope the foregoing helps.

Here are some new website(s) - that have been brought to my attention over the last few weeks:

www.ClassicCarBase.com
www.classicpartsworld.co.uk
www.furnitureclinic.co.uk

Phil Harris of New Zealand writes:

I was looking on your website today and found a reference to Austin's 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Year book entitled, "Our First Fifty Years", I have a copy of the Golden Jubilee Year book in good condition and are thinking of selling it. Could you please let me know what the current market value would be for this book ? Many thanks in advance.

webmaster: Unfortunately I have no idea what the book is worth. I seem to recall however that it had a limited distribution, so there can't be that many lying around. I'll put details on the website at the end of the month for you, when the site is due to be next updated * In the meantime you might like to try the following:
aronline.co.uk (Austin Rover on-line) 
heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/pages/contact/contact.html (British Motor Heritage Museum, Gaydon, Warwicks, England).

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

* If you know what the book is worth let me know and I'll pass the information onto Phil (webmaster)

Member Tom Hollands from Fife in Scotland writes:

Hi Charles, I was  checking my Maxi and I found that there is a hole in my front Sub frame. Do any member's know if you are allowed to weld the Sub frame or not. If not, any idea where I could purchase a sub frame. I'd appreciate any advice that can be given as the car is in good condition. Incidentally I'm the second owner from new, the car was first registered in 1978 in the Orkney islands and now resides in Fife. Thank's to all the organisers for a great Club.

webmaster: Thanks for the email. I can see no reason why the subframe on your car cannot be repaired (ie welded). Do make sure though that you employ a reputable company to do the work. If you want another opinion - and why not - contact Morry Cook (the Clubs Technical Officer), his contact details are in the inside cover of the Club Magazine. Alternatively you can always seek advice from your local MOT centre, details can be found in Yellow pages or on-line using a search engine like Google. If you want to purchase a new subframe, contact Ernie Jackson, who looks after the Club Spares (contact details (like Morry), are in the inside cover of the club magazine). Hopefully the foregoing is of help, if you want more let me know.

I was recently sent this flyer, which may interest some of you. For further details go to www.british-cars.ch

Steve Burgess writes :

Hi, Having recently spoken to my father I was looking into if there are any Maxi Owners Clubs when I came across this one. My father has a 1978, 1750 model, which he has stored for some time now, I was looking for some advice on possibly selling or club events etc. I would appreciate any help you could provide.

webmaster: Thanks for the email. Insofar as I know, we are the only club catering for the Austin Maxi, anywhere in the world. Currently we have between 150 and 200 fee paying members. If you care to glance through our website, you should get a feel for what we are about. In particular can I bring your attention to the following pages:
http://www.austinmaxiclub.org/clubnews/general.htm
http://www.austinmaxiclub.org/clubnews/maximeet2006.htm
http://www.austinmaxiclub.org/clubnews/list.htm
http://www.austinmaxiclub.org/shows/nec2005.htm
http://www.austinmaxiclub.org/howtojoin/howtojoin.htm

If your father wants to sell his car, there are a number of places that he can do so:
Shop windows (eg Newsagents, Supermarket billboards).
Specialist magazines such as Practical Classics and Classic Car.
Local newspapers.
The Austin Maxi Clubs magazine and website (there is no charge for either service).
Internet website's such as ebay (if you want to be really adventurous).

How much the car is worth, depends very much on its condition and whether there are buyers out there at the time he advertises it for sale. However as a general rule of thumb, cars are worth as follows:
Less than average condition (rust-buckets) : £50 to £100.
Average condition (runners showing their age but with MoT) : £200 - £300.
Above average condition : £500 to £1200.

Occasionally you see exceptional examples going for a lot more (£3500). If you want to advertise your fathers car on the clubs website, send me your advert (including contact details) and I'll do the necessary.

Finally Ian Gregory writes:

I wondered if you'd be able to help or assist me in any way. I have recently decided that I want to create a 'panel' of 15  photographs that will be submitted to the Royal Photographic Society, in order to attain letters after my name. I have chosen iconic cars as my subject matter and have already collated many different images of many different cars, ranging from Cadillacs to MG Midgets. As yet, I haven't encountered a Maxi on my travels and thought that an owners club would be the most direct route. I'm based in Hampshire, just outside of Portsmouth, and wondered whether it might be possible to put me in touch with a Maxi owner who may live nearby? Many thanks.

webmaster: I've forwarded your details to our Southern Area Representative, Denise Holloway, for action.