"Like many Brit's currently in their 30s, my parents used to drive Austin's (they always had a 1300 and an 1800 'S'). The difference in our case was that we lived in Germany, where these cars were comparatively rare.

When I started studying in 1989, I saw a local ad for a brown coloured Maxi which was described as being in reasonable condition. When I went to see it, you can imagine my surprise and pleasure, as a bright Reynard Metallic Maxi rolled out of the garage. The car (first photo), had covered 54,000 kms and had only minor rust spots. I eventually bought the car for 1500 DEM (approx £550). Today it has covered 117,000 kms and is still unrestored - though it did suffer a couple of accidents in the early years necessitating a partial respray and now needs some welding done on the sills.

The other Maxi (second photo) was bought after the gearbox on the first one broke and I neither had the time nor money to fix it. The car was bought for 300 DEM. It had a bent bent bumper, dull paint, a burnt valve and 240,000kms on the clock. I was the 8th or 9th owner. Even so it drove well and was astonishingly solid. After 4 years of very good service the old thing needed some welding doing for a new MOT. What was intended to be a quick fix ended up in a part restoration and a new coat of paint.

In between - my collection of BMC/ BL cars grew further (third photo). To my father's 1800 'S' and 1300 came a pair of 3 litres (one LHD) and a VP 1300 for my girlfriend.

As far as daily transport is concerned I now prefer to drive an Austin Maestro. The Maxis have retired to a pampered life in a dry garage".