1989 Austin Maestro 700 L Van 1.3 to 2.0 Turbo

Just managed to drop off my sump guard template to the fabricators and discussed what materials to use. The only alloy he had was 3mm checker plate and he said it wouldn't really be good enough, wanted 4-5mm at least. He advised just to use steel so going to get it done in 3mm steel will definitely be man enough! Hopefully won't be too heavy, but can cut some holes out if necessary. Should have it back in a fortnight or so after i get this sorted I can sort out the new stance finally

Good work so far, at least the gout has gone.

Best MG fabric ever, FACT. BX windscreen seal a surprising choice, I wouldn't have thought it was anything like the right thing given how different a shape the screens are. Looks really nice now you've had all that done.

So I finally got round to lowering the maestro van a bit more!

First up was getting the new sump guard to fit. I had a local fabrication bend it up from a template I made. Then I offered it up and cut out the slots and a bigger hole for where the gearbox mount hangs down and it looked like this.









I gave a a few coats of paint and a bit of stone chip on the front, (although I knew it was gunna scrape off underneath but what the hey!) then I could fit it on. I slid it up between the engine mount on the front crossmember, and bolted it up through the sub frame, which had some convenient holes Seemed to fit quite well and feels very sturdy!














With that on I set about winding down the coilover on the front which was relitively easy just made sure the height was equal each side by measuring it regularly. kept lowering a bit, then letting it down and checking the gap etc. When I was happy it had room to settle but was low enough I took it out for a test drive; and straight away scraped the sump guard coming out a small bump on the way out of the workshop! Drove down the lane to the main road and skimmed the floor in a couple places but nothing major as it is a very uneven surface. Went round the block which is perfect for finding rubs as its a typical un even country lane. No arch rub so ideal. Only thing that happened was the mud flap touched the ground on a steep turning, and there is a very harsh dip and tapped the sump guard on the road when I floored it, but just have to watch out for that bit!


Next was onto the rear. For this I had already fitted 2" blocks but had ordered some 1.5" blocks as the difference in wheel diameter compared to the previous tyres is just over an inch each side. Also there had always been in difference in height between each side, so have enough to cut a bit off one of the the blocks and even it out. Started on the previously higher (passenger) side and the whole 1.5" fitted in the gap and got the nuts on just past the nylock so ideal, but wasn't that confident it would fit without touching the arch... Then did the other side and cut the difference of the block (14mm) and put that one in too. Then the moment of truth as the back was now 3.5" lower in total! Lowered it down and the fitment looked great, then my mate watched for clearance whilst I jumped on the back to try and get it to touch, but result it didn't, which I was surprised about. As it turns out I am basically running on the bump stops! Anyway took it out round the block again and it didn't rub the arches and I did chuck some stuff in to simulate a load in the back.

Enough Waffling, here it is.....













And Just for a bit of comparison, this is what it was like before on the passenger side





I have put the Volvo wheels back on until I get the tracking re done hopefully this week...

Thanks At the moment it's about 60mm from the ground but I think there is room to bring it up 10mm or so.

Yeah I need to get the toe done as lowering directly effects it, think it's 0 degrees if I remember correctly.

As for camber I have it like that to keep the tread under the arch! But does not cause any premature wear as long as the toe is correct. But what I do have fitted are camber bolts for a mk2 golf, they fit in the top hole and are eggcentric shape so gives you more adjustment, and makes it easier to get an accurate setting.

Nice. I have an annoying soft spot for maestros, I think it stems from the even more annoying soft spot for allegros and other BL boxes. I had a van years back and repainted it in dulux high gloss for extra shine. Swapped it for an XR3 on the bumpstops but later I was told the sub frame was cracked on the van... lucky escape.

Potentially useless bit of information, but someone used to make Maestro sump guards commercially. All the Forestry Commission vans used to be fitted with them, quite a big lump of dural from memory.

Just have to say that This is an epic thread.
I have one of the other 7 maestro 700s left on the road. Bought off the original owner in brum in order to be a mongol rally car.

how was the final fitting of the cross brace? Do you still have the template for your skid pan?

My poor van is gunna be raised and modded for cross country/world survival but will need to fit those bits to mine too

I haven't got around to fitting the brace yet as it's a bit daunting drilling holes in the strut tops! I may have the template if I look for it, give me a pm



Also will update the thread soon, not much changed but just a few bits here and there 😎