Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
|
Author |
Message |
Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:05 am Post subject: Classic? |
|
|
This is my new car. Now to me it is definately a classic, but then I am strange and like most vehicles from Veteran cars to things like this (although no exotica). It is simple to work on, and when was the last time you saw one? This car is low mileage (29,000), one owner and it probably would have been chopped up for parts for an MG Maestro if I hadn't bought it. It will replace my '86 2CV which was sadly written off last week when a girl in a KA ran into the back of me in traffic. Needs a small amount of work for the MOT after sitting in a garage since 1999.
I just wondered what you guys on OCC thought?
If it's not welcome here, it won't be posted again
 _________________ Richard Hughes |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
AustinAnnie

Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 41
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Out of the 15,000 + cars that have driven into our yard for tyres in the last four years, none of them was a Maestro, so I'll certainly say that it's unusual!
When I learned to drive in the late 90's I had a '74 Imp, and remember that causing some contention with people who considered to be an old, everyday banger rather than a classic (probably some still do. It was a shed).
Your Maestro must be just about celebrating its 25th birthday now - I think it probably deserves a slice of cake for getting this far (hee hee!)
I like the term "classic and cherished" as you can pretty much include anything in that. I used to live next to a bloke who showed his modern Fiat Coupe at several local rallies, it used to get as much if not more interest that some of the more traditional classics on show. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22777 Location: UK
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sorry to hear about the 2CV!
I still see Maestros about from time to time, but yes they are quite thin on the ground. A classic? I guess it's all down to individual tastes and interests. If I'm honest it isn't my "thing", but equally plenty of people have no interest in old foot pumps or ancient trailers, so who's to say really what is and isn't a classic or collectable!?
I think a lot comes down to what cars you remember growing up with, and your thoughts of them at the time. If I'd grown up in the 1960s, surrounded by Austin Cambridges and crusty Ford Pops, I might well have no interest in them now. But as they pre-date me somewhat, I'd call them classics.
Keep posting updates
R _________________ Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Riley Blue
Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Not my cup of tea - a bit too new and too beige - but each to their own, I don't have an issue with it appearing here. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
AustinAnnie wrote: | Out of the 15,000 + cars that have driven into our yard for tyres in the last four years, none of them was a Maestro, so I'll certainly say that it's unusual!
When I learned to drive in the late 90's I had a '74 Imp, and remember that causing some contention with people who considered to be an old, everyday banger rather than a classic (probably some still do. It was a shed).
Your Maestro must be just about celebrating its 25th birthday now - I think it probably deserves a slice of cake for getting this far (hee hee!)
I like the term "classic and cherished" as you can pretty much include anything in that. I used to live next to a bloke who showed his modern Fiat Coupe at several local rallies, it used to get as much if not more interest that some of the more traditional classics on show. |
It has just celebrated its 25th birthday on the 14/5! Tax exempt now...or not. Glad you like it. Interesting about the Imp - any Imp is a definate classic now, and they really are incredibly rare. There was a "Husky" Imp based estate around here, in hand painted lilac, but I haven't seen it for a couple of years
As far as I know there is only one other Maestro in regular use around here, a later blue one that has been converted into a van by a plumber.
Rick wrote: | Sorry to hear about the 2CV!
I still see Maestros about from time to time, but yes they are quite thin on the ground. A classic? I guess it's all down to individual tastes and interests. If I'm honest it isn't my "thing", but equally plenty of people have no interest in old foot pumps or ancient trailers, so who's to say really what is and isn't a classic or collectable!?
I think a lot comes down to what cars you remember growing up with, and your thoughts of them at the time. If I'd grown up in the 1960s, surrounded by Austin Cambridges and crusty Ford Pops, I might well have no interest in them now. But as they pre-date me somewhat, I'd call them classics.
Keep posting updates
R |
It was sad about the 2CV. But I got a decent payout from the insurance (the other driver admitted liability) and the accident showed just how poor structurally it was, the chassis actually sheared off through rust and the back panel was revealed to be full of filler and completely rotton as well. It is a shame as it was very good mechanically. I'll be putting it on Ebay soon, spares or repairs.
Exactly. It's all down to personal taste. At a classic car show last year about 1/4 of the cars there were under 10 years old, there were even brand new Aston Martins there! But the Maestro is 25 years old, it is a rare early base spec model in original condition and has been well looked after. And they are very quickly disappearing. I was brought home from the hospital when I was born in 1991 in an almost identical B reg Maestro (although that was a gold 1.3 L), so it is nice for that reason as well.
riley541 wrote: | Not my cup of tea - a bit too new and too beige - but each to their own, I don't have an issue with it appearing here. |
It's not beige, it's "Champagne" Yup no problems R541  _________________ Richard Hughes |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Keith D
Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 1164 Location: Upper Swan, Western Australia
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
You've depressed me Richard! You were born in 1991! That seems like only yesterday to me! I'd already had my A40 for nearly twenty years then!
(Ancient) Keith |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
AustinAnnie

Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 41
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
It is a funny ground, isn't it - what is classic and what isn't, and something that I'm sure has been debated many, many times before on this forum.
I think, Richard, that you're in a very good position to judge what is deemed "classic" in today's terms - you are a driver and car owner, but youthful enough that most 70's and a lot of 80's cars weren't common on the roads when you were a boy. I'd never knowingly seen an Imp before when I got my first one - it was (if you can believe this) exotic to me and my friends! Totally retro and unusual!
I remember a good 12 years ago, the lady owner of a spankingly good MK3 Cortina being made to cry at a mixed-marque car-club meeting when she was told her car wasn't welcome as it was too new (and, it was inferred by some of the more stuck-up members, "too common"). Surely that is not the sort of behaviour that any hobby/group would like to encourage? Anyway, I would've given my right arm for that motor. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
AustinAnnie wrote: | I remember a good 12 years ago, the lady owner of a spankingly good MK3 Cortina being made to cry at a mixed-marque car-club meeting when she was told her car wasn't welcome as it was too new (and, it was inferred by some of the more stuck-up members, "too common"). Surely that is not the sort of behaviour that any hobby/group would like to encourage? Anyway, I would've given my right arm for that motor. |
That doesn't surprise me at all. Thankfully I think this sort of behaviour is much less common than it used to be.
And she would have had the last laugh anyway, the way MK3 Cortinas have increased in price since Ashes to Ashes! No matter what you drive, if you think it's a classic, it's a classic It doesn't matter what other people think, and I would suggest this "car club" was full of MGB's, Stags and TR6's, things of the sort that are a LOT more common than MK3 Cortinas. _________________ Richard Hughes |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob2
Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 1728 Location: Malta
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
keep posting rich, i remember thinking that they were a nice car when new. In Malta they were quite a common site but nowadays you rarely see one, a friend had an Mg one with a 2.0 na, lowered, alloys, nice interior and it really was quick.
I personally wouldnt mind that for a daily.
cover it in waxoil and it should serve you well |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
bob2 wrote: | keep posting rich, i remember thinking that they were a nice car when new. In Malta they were quite a common site but nowadays you rarely see one, a friend had an Mg one with a 2.0 na, lowered, alloys, nice interior and it really was quick.
I personally wouldnt mind that for a daily.
cover it in waxoil and it should serve you well |
Thanks Bob, it will certainly be getting a very good rustproofing as I have seen first hand the rust these old BL/AR Group cars can have! This one needs a couple of patches by the rear suspension mounts and a bit on the end of the passenger sill, but apart from that it is very solid. The MG variants do fetch a lot of money these days in good condition - I wouldn't mind a very early one with the talking dashboard  _________________ Richard Hughes |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
peter scott

Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Richard,
It does look in lovely condition, especially the interior. I have no idea what the first vehicle I travelled in was but you are definitely the right custodian for this car. Old unrestored cars in good shape are lovely.
Peter _________________ https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
PAUL BEAUMONT
Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1281 Location: Barnsley S. Yorks
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nice looking motor! I had 3 of them as daily drivers and they were reliable and functional with great boot space that was well accessible. They marked a significant change of direction for BL and they were radically styled so they deserve a place in the preservation scene. Well done for rescuing it.
I personally do not have a great deal of time for folk who turn their noses up at what they want to call or not call classic. The motor industry is evolving all of the time and it is our hobby's job to keep that chain alive. Enjoy the Maestro with the comforting thought that running and repairing it with have a green footprint about one millionth the size of the manufacturing of a new, modern day equivalent!
BTW I may still have a spare wheel somewhere!!!
Paul |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
buzzy bee

Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi
If some of the vehicles I like, were around when I was growing up I would be over 100! hehe Then again, I would have been like Richard, remembering cars from the early 90's but that period of car in general doesn't excite me, nothing to say it isn't worthy of being on the forum though in my oppinion. (I was born 1985 (but sometimes wonder if it was actually 1895! hehe)).
Cheers
Dave |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Richard H
Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2150 Location: Lincolnshire, UK
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
buzzy bee wrote: | Hi
If some of the vehicles I like, were around when I was growing up I would be over 100! hehe Then again, I would have been like Richard, remembering cars from the early 90's but that period of car in general doesn't excite me, nothing to say it isn't worthy of being on the forum though in my oppinion. (I was born 1985 (but sometimes wonder if it was actually 1895! hehe)).
Cheers
Dave |
Hi Dave, well I like a very wide range of vehicles, but really the cutoff date for me is mid to late 80's, and even then it's pretty select cars, mainly BL, that I am interested in. I'm not really sure why I like the Maestro, perhaps because they are so unloved by nearly everyone, and the standard reaction to telling someone you've just bought a beige Austin Maestro is "UGH!"  _________________ Richard Hughes |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
poodge
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 687
|
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 4:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Richard,I think you're doing the right thing,preserving what must already be a very rare car,certainly one with such a low mileage.
The term "classic"is in the eye of the beholder,I think.There are several clubs here in New Zealand that cater for early Japanese cars.Although they wouldn't appear in my "dream Garage",I'm sure their owners love their cars as much as any other hobbyist.
Btw,the Maestro model was never sold here,only the late MG estate version,and then only in very low numbers,because it was pitched against the likes of BMW,etc.I haven't seen one for years. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
php BB powered © php BB Grp.
|