Maxi finds its way to Maine, USA:
Liverpudlian Member, Eric Copestake, recently informed me that a Maxi had found its way onto American soil, to be precise Harpswell, Maine, USA. In the best traditions of website journalism I contacted the proud new owner, Lyn Crider, for more information about how he came to buy the vehicle. This was his reply .... webmaster.
Hi Charles. Thanks for your interest in my recent purchase. You may have already seen one of my e-mails where I mentioned that I was born & grew up in Thailand. My parents were American Christian Missionaries there.
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Wat Benchamabophit, Buddhist temple in Bangkok |
I learnt to drive on the left side of the road, because Thailand, like the UK, drive on the left. I was a car nut from the start & enjoyed car watching in Thailand & in other parts of the world that we visited.
I went to a missionary academy in Singapore & took a shop class there, for a couple of years. That is where I was introduced to British cars. My favorite engine rebuild there, was a Humber. My shop teacher was an American Navy guy - tough as nails -who drove a Riley Station Wagon, or I guess you would call it an Estate.
I returned to the USA to go to college & once there bought a very tired looking 1964 MGB. Everything was broken or quickly broke on that car, which gave me plenty of experience working with English hardware. I started to do some improvising, to try to get parts to last longer. I learned very quickly how to banish Lucas - the prince of darkness - from MGB's. Over the years I've owned almost 20 MG's & many Triumphs, Jensen Healey's & Lotus.
I currently own a very rusty 1973 MGB GT & a 1974 Lotus Elise project car, as well as the Maxi & several other more conventional cars such as a Mazda Miata (MX5 to you guys).
I always liked the Maxi's style, but of course there weren't any in the U.S. to purchase. When I started cruising UK ebay, I noticed several for sale at reasonable prices. I knew the shipping charges would be outrageous, so I tried to get a good deal on the car itself. I ended up purchasing one located in Southampton, to make it easy to get to the docks there.
I had the car shipped to Baltimore, Maryland.
When it arrived, I flew down from Portland, Maine to collect it, intending to drive it home from there (a distance of 500 miles). I had the usual hassles with the stevedores at the wharf in Baltimore - took most of one day to get it released. The battery was dead, so it took a while to get it jump started. Within a few miles the front exhaust system separated from the rear section (I roared all the way home). At one of the gas stations, a guy approached me who had an English accent & started up a conversation, as he recognized the car & thought I might be English.
As I drove thru the New York city area - drivers in other cars began to honk at me because they noticed I was driving on the "wrong side" of the car. Not long after I arrived back here in Maine, I decided I would drive the car into the nearest city - Brunswick - & on the way the windscreen suddenly exploded in my face!
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The Maxi's journey from Southampton to Harpswell |
I then began a long and seemingly fruitless search for a replacement windscreen. I hoped some Austin clubs here in the US might be of help - but no way. I began to search the UK & didn't have much luck either, so began to wonder if I would have to import a second car just to scavenge parts! Luckily I found your club & the rest is history. The windscreen has arrived - packed in a very robust wood crate. I am waiting until spring - when its warmer, to install it. I sure appreciate your clubs help with this & want to maintain a relationship with you guys, as I am kind of all alone in this - being on the wrong side of the pond!
Lyn Crider |
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Maine's most famous landmark, the Portland lighthouse. |
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| Lyn's Maxi |
Colour: Light Metallic Blue, Black interior.
Condition: Some dings around the edges of the bodywork, no windscreen and a faulty exhaust.
Moans: The gas pedal position is kind of awkward
Surprises: Lucas parts seem to be working perfectly. |
| Maine and Harpswell - the facts |
Maine is one of America's less populated states, only 1,200,000 live there.
It has an awful lot of trees though, 17 million acres to be precise, plus 6000 lakes and 3,500 miles of coastline.
Maine is home to Sugarloaf Mountain.
The largest town is Portland, the capital is Augusta.
The State produces everything from Naval Destroyers to blueberries.
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Maine, famous for its blueberries |
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Total winter snowfall averages 60" to 90". Summer temperatures average about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
One of Maine's most famous sons, was poet Henry Longfellow.
Harpswell ha
s a population of just over 5,000.
The town has the longest coastline in the state (150 miles) Within its boundaries are several large islands including Great Island, Orr's Island and Bailey Island.
Want to buy a property in Harpswell, then try this site:
harpswell.com |
| Finally |
In case you hadn't realised it, the title of this article is borrowed from the BBC Radio 4 series, Letter from America. As every radio listener will tell you, journalist Alistair Cooke, kept the British public informed with what was happening Stateside, from 1946 to 2004. At the time, the series was the longest running talk show anywhere in the world. For more information about the programme and its host go to news.bbc.co.uk |
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