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Dec 18, 2006 19:03:23 GMT
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I remember the Maestro coming out, was a way better car than anyone ever gave it credit for. Of course BL-bashing was as fashionable back then as Rover-bashing was in the mid 90's (the motoring press have a lot to answer for IMHO) so it's no surprise that it wasn't the success it should have been.
One of my mates had a Maestro Advantage back in the late 80's, would run rings round a lot of supposedly faster cars, especially on the twisty bits.
I LOVE that VDP, it's fantastic.
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G51NAV
Part of things
Posts: 87
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Dec 18, 2006 21:19:12 GMT
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Thanks for all your kind comments. I know old Maestros are not everyone's cup of tea, particularly beige ones...I'm struggling with that myself: would much prefer it to have been red or something ;D. I respect those who prefer other similar cars from the same era, such as the Golf or Escort: it would be boring if we all liked the same cars. However it heartens me that having posted-up pictures of my 'babies' on a forum whose many members own a hugely diverse range of legendary vehicles, that my cars are no longer just instantly dismissed as the "BL rubbish" they would have been just a few short years ago. Happy Motoring, whatever your ride   |
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’84 Austin Maestro HLE · ’87 MG Maestro EFi · ’89 MG Maestro Tickford Turbo #502 of 505
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Dec 19, 2006 13:29:13 GMT
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the beige one is pqrticularly fantastic. Love the wheels! I havent seen any of those early maestro wheels for years.
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT! |
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G51NAV
Part of things
Posts: 87
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Dec 19, 2006 14:55:27 GMT
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;D Yes at launch in '83 those "twelve hole" steelies were standard on all Maestro variants except the 1.3 base and the MG 1600. The 1.3 base had narrower steelies of a different design and the MG 1600 had a particular design of 14" alloys colloquially known as "cheese-graters". Additionally, 13" "cheese grater" alloys were factory options on the HLS and Vanden Plas. Few buyers opted to pay the extra and the 13" alloys are now an incredibly rare find second hand. As standard, the Vanden Plas had the same twelve-hole steelies covered by full-diameter chrome-rimmed wheel-trims (like on mine)
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’84 Austin Maestro HLE · ’87 MG Maestro EFi · ’89 MG Maestro Tickford Turbo #502 of 505
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Dec 19, 2006 20:57:53 GMT
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i absolutly loved my 1300 meastro, once id bunged some montego 14" steelies on it, the original 13",s with 155 tyres where atrocious but the fatter tego wheels transformed it.
very chuckable afterwards and i prefered it to all the golfs ive had .
ooo controversy ;D
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"quote hairnet"
I'm not paying nine pound for a pi$$!
[/quote]
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G51NAV
Part of things
Posts: 87
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Dec 19, 2006 21:40:13 GMT
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nah I totally agree with re the wheels, the skinny tyres do it no favours. Even the 13" 165SRs on the VP are notably better, and of course the MG Turbo is in a different league in all respects...
Early base 1.3 models had even skinnier tyres: 145!! That must've been like driving a "fast" 2CV (I use the word "fast" relatively).
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’84 Austin Maestro HLE · ’87 MG Maestro EFi · ’89 MG Maestro Tickford Turbo #502 of 505
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Dec 19, 2006 21:50:56 GMT
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My 1.3 handled like Bambi on ice. It was shocking! Didn't keep it long enough to sort it out though so yes, get some fatter rubber on if you want to enjoy yourself!
Sorry mate but a 2CV is MUCH better when it comes to handling. And steering! 2CV rolls more too although my Dad's Monty seemed to roll like an ocean liner when I first drove it as a wee 17 year old!
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1986 Citroen 2CV Dolly Other things. Check out my Blog for the latest! www.hubnut.org |
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G51NAV
Part of things
Posts: 87
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Dec 19, 2006 22:00:15 GMT
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lol no offence was meant re 2CV  Was more meaning it appearing the same with skinny tyres. Yeah I've heard 2CVs handle very well indeed. Prolly lack of weight? |
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’84 Austin Maestro HLE · ’87 MG Maestro EFi · ’89 MG Maestro Tickford Turbo #502 of 505
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Dec 19, 2006 23:27:29 GMT
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beiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii [ge] |
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Dec 19, 2006 23:39:48 GMT
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i don't think i've ever seen such early and tidy examples. rather cool.
well done for preserving them
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G51NAV
Part of things
Posts: 87
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Dec 20, 2006 10:30:04 GMT
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I don't think i've ever seen such early and tidy examples. rather cool. well done for preserving them Curiously it's a darn-sight easier keeping the earlier ones in good nick than the laters ones (87 on). Maestros from E-reg onwards seem to dissolve in water. Granted it's mainly 'cosmetic-rot' and Maestros of any age rarely suffer from serious grot in structural areas (obviously the early ones are nearly 24 years old so a bit of attention is now to be expected), but the door-bottoms, tailgate lip and rear wheel arches of later cars dissappear before your very eyes  |
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Last Edit: Dec 20, 2006 10:36:38 GMT by G51NAV
’84 Austin Maestro HLE · ’87 MG Maestro EFi · ’89 MG Maestro Tickford Turbo #502 of 505
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Dec 20, 2006 15:12:52 GMT
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lol no offence was meant re 2CV Was more meaning it appearing the same with skinny tyres. Yeah I've heard 2CVs handle very well indeed. Prolly lack of weight? Lack of weight, specific tyres from Michelin and the crazy body roll seems to help as well. Am almost getting my Maestro kicks in my new Leyland Daf van. Having fun spotting the same bits of interior all over the place! |
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1986 Citroen 2CV Dolly Other things. Check out my Blog for the latest! www.hubnut.org |
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G51NAV
Part of things
Posts: 87
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Dec 20, 2006 20:00:30 GMT
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Am almost getting my Maestro kicks in my new Leyland Daf van. Having fun spotting the same bits of interior all over the place! ;D ;D ;D I find myself doing the same thing in Fairway/Austin FX4 taxis. Same dash as an Austin Metro. I probably need to get myself a life... |
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’84 Austin Maestro HLE · ’87 MG Maestro EFi · ’89 MG Maestro Tickford Turbo #502 of 505
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Am almost getting my Maestro kicks in my new Leyland Daf van. Having fun spotting the same bits of interior all over the place! ;D ;D ;D I find myself doing the same thing in Fairway/Austin FX4 taxis. Same dash as an Austin Metro. I probably need to get myself a life... I do the same in Land Rover Discos too! |
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Dec 21, 2006 10:33:32 GMT
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such underrated cars. have been working for mg rover dealer since i was 18. first car i ever pdi'd was a maestro diesel. have had minis mg maestros and mg metros ever since. never broken down or failed to start. even the turbos been reliable and thats my only car now.
ok so odd bits of trim have made a bid for freedom but that only builds character!! i know the turbos are rare but when did anybody see an early vdp or hle etc.
had a golf gti once...... never again!!
great work keep it up
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you wanna end up like john? you cant stay 17 forever
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Was more meaning it appearing the same with skinny tyres. Yeah I've heard 2CVs handle very well indeed. Prolly lack of weight?
