Full Description
FOR SALE
An unrestored museum piece Austin Maxi 2 1750L with just 19,420 miles.
EQUIPMENT
All steel unitary construction, Hydragas suspension, lift-up full tailgate, underbody protection, wax injected body sills, twin door mirrors, anti-burst door locks, side rubbing strips, removable trimmed parcel shelf, full-width matt finish burr walnut veneered fascia, face-level fresh air vents, twin sun-visors with driver’s ticket flap and passenger vanity mirror, fully reclining front seats, rear seats foldable to make double bed, front and rear ashtrays, cigar lighter, lockable glovebox, electric washers, two-speed wipers, flick wipe, hazard warning lamps, rear fog guard lamp, courtesy lights, radio, twin wind-tone horns, Austin MW/LW radio.
EXTERIOR
‘Loads better’ as the original sales brochure boasts for the all-new Maxi 2 in 1980 which is certainly the case with this unrestored exceptionally low mileage example! The stunning Champagne Beige, (Code LMK), paintwork is factory original throughout which is almost unheard of for any 45 year old classic, particularly a British Leyland product! The paintwork is simply astonishing with close scrutiny detecting nothing other than a few light markings to the drivers door edge, chips and a thumbnail size area on the front wing where the paint has rubbed slightly upon some overzealous polishing. All panels are factory original, pin straight and in perfect structural condition, as is the underside that has never seen any repairs carried out. The door shuts and flawless seam lines are in superb condition, as are all trim section, glass, lights and badges. Supplied through the famous Patrick Motors Group dealer network, the car still wears their branded number plates and rear screen sticker. An almost inconceivable rare survivor against adverse odds, this is a very special car.
INTERIOR
The long-legged Maxi was designed to offer unrivalled levels of comfort, space, economy and versatility and Austin claimed it was Britain’s ideal family car for business, pleasure, holidays and shopping! The fully reclining front and rear seats are famous for transforming into a double bed with vast luggage space and the seats are upholstered in Marle knitted nylon cloth in Terracotta colour scheme, (Code CAF). In keeping with the mere 19,420 miles covered and cossetted existence, the interior can rightly be described as in time warp condition. Indoor storage from new has seen the upholstery protected against degradation with only minor fade to the carpet and the lack of use sees the cloth in fine condition and seats retaining correct shape. The equally wear free carpets are bright and the PVC door cards are spotless as is the headlining. Traditional British Leyland craftsmanship is evident with the perfect matt walnut veneer fascia and crackle finish plastic as well as the instantly familiar BL switchgear, all well preserved. The steering wheel and gear knob displays the prominent factory veins found only on such low mileage examples. The boot area is clean with some light damage to the side panels caused by a British Leyland typically ill-thought-out design of the parcel shelf removal! Astonishingly well preserved.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Powered by the British Leyland ‘E’ Series 1748cc overhead camshaft engine fitted with a single SU HS6 carburettor producing 72bhp at 4900rpm. The engine bay is mind-blowingly clean with all stickers, plates and stampings clearly visible. Such originality is remarkable even down to clearly defined inner wing spot welds, VIN stamp, Unipart labels original rather than reproduction and even the green Unipart HT leads! The four-speed gearbox is light and precise. Splendid!
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Full width L specification styled wheel covers unrestored with no cracks and show only age-related aging and marks. Matching premium brand Uniroyal 155/80 R13 tyres show masses of tread. The servo assisted braking system with discs upfront operate well with all maintenance up to date.
HISTORY FILE
The 1980 Maxi 2 was the final incarnation of the model before production ceased in 1981, 12 years after the Alec Issigonis design was first introduced in 1969. This very late example was supplied new by Austin, Morris, MG, Rover and Triumph main dealership, Patrick Motors Group, on the 1st August 1981. The Patrick Motors Group were heavily involved in the motor industry under stewardship of several generations of the Patrick dynasty. A museum called the Patrick Collection in Kings Norton, Birmingham, opened in 1962 and was a major collection covering over 100 years of motoring. This exact Maxi was selected to be on display in the collection owing to the originality, condition, and ultra-low mileage as well as the fact it was known to have been supplied through their very own dealer network! The car passed into a private collection after the museum closed in 2018.
All servicing and maintenance is up to date and there is a neat file of invoices and MOT records as well as an original sales brochure and vehicle handbook. An unrepeatable and rare opportunity to buy surely one of the best examples of British Leyland motoring history.
MOT March 2027, HPI clear.
