2nd October 2008

This email comes from John Lees of Stafford, who writes:

Dear Sir, I have a friend who lives in Mauritius, who owns a 1500cc Austin Maxi. Unfortunately he is in need of a new Cylinder Head Gasket. Could you tell me where is the best place to get one for him? The engine number is 14H2841E-1U050, although he says the 4s could be "U"s? Regards. John Lees.

webmaster: After giving John the names of a few people who might be able to help him (re cylinder head gasket), I thought I'd try my luck, by asking him to contact his friend to see if he would provide a few pictures of the car in situ as it were. John, who has quite a collection of vehicles (including an Austin Seven, a Messerschmitt and a VW Camper), kindly agreed. Apparently the car is owned by a friend of his son, whose wife comes from Mauritius. As yet I've not heard anything from the gent, but its early days. If you want to know where Mauritius is exactly, click here. To find out more about the island and to drool over those beaches, go to mauritius.net

21st September 2008

Some of you may remember that I wrote to Nick Ratcliffe of the Hong Kong Classic Car Club, for information about a Maxi whose owner was a member of the club in the 1990's. The car had been spotted by ex-pat Mike Cooper who had worked in the colony for many years. Well Nick has been asking around on my behalf to see if the car has survived. It seems not!. Nick writes:

Dear Charles: I have asked the committee members here and also the Mini club, but nobody has any news of a Maxi in Hong Kong. If any news comes along I will pass it to you, With best wishes, Nick.

August/ September 2008

Here are a couple of requests for links, whose websites may be of interest to you:

Hello: We have recently launched a new web-site aimed at classic car parts and accessories.  Our web-site can be found at www.classicpartsworld.co.uk. Would it be possible for you to put a link to our site from your links section? Thanks in advance. Emma Summers. IT Assistant PartsWorld Ltd

Hello: I see that the AustinMaxiClub website gives really useful information. We have created a public interest website at www.thevintagecar.co.uk/home.htm focused on restoring, running and learning about vintage cars, which I thought may be of interest to your visitors. We don't make any profit from the site but we'd like to spread the word and get the information out to as many people as possible. Links from sites like www.austinmaxiclub.org are really valuable to us and I was wondering if you could place a link to The Vintage Car? Thanks in advance. Vikki Clarke.

7th September 2008

This plea for help comes from Anwar Kazim who lives in Pakistan. He writes.

Dear Sir : I am pleased to learn that in my country, Mr Basharat Mahmood has an Austin 1800 cc, as I too own a similar vehicle (1966 model). Unfortunately it is not road worthy any longer. Could I request you to kindly let me have his email addess so I can get advise from him about my car. Thanking you. M Anwar Kazim

webmaster : Those of you who have read the feature article on Basharat's car, will know that Anwar's fellow countryman owns a Maxi, not an 1800. However not withstanding this, I contacted Basharat, who has subsequently told me that he's made contact with Anwar and promised to help him. Nice one.

18th August 2008

Ian Pennick decided to do a spot of investigating, after reading an email I received some time ago regarding personalised number plates. He writes:

Just reading the bit about Registration Transfers further down the letters page.. I followed the links and curiosity got the better of me!! And low and behold THE ULTIMATE MAXI REGISTRATION IS FOR SALE!!!!!! YES IF YOU HAVE £275,000.. YOUR MAXI COULD WEAR.. MAX 1. Just follow the link for details.. regtransfers.co.uk. I will see if I can dig up the history of MAX 1 and see if  there could be a club feature on it.. Cheers Ian.

18th August 2008

Pip Taylor sent me the following photo of the recent Lupin Farm Classic gathering . If you want to see more photo's of the classic then go to Pip's website at grytpype.co.uk/Lupin%20Farm.html