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good detective work in getting to the other maxi and blagging the bits can’t believe how those seats cleaned up In the pic from when I picked them up you can see the state of the rear seat, the front seats looked even worse, grubby, covered in cat hair and various bits of crud, and I know from previous experience how delicate the centre material is. I really didn't hold out any hope they'd be any good. I used a hoover for the loose stuff and a wide roll of super sticky double sided tape to lift the dirt off, and some vanish to Finnish them off. The main problem with the rear seat is rot in the material, holes and oil patches. Not alot I can do about that unfortunately.
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Apr 25, 2024 17:11:06 GMT
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Put the blue seats in today. Only the fronts as the rear is a little tired, but they don't look odd, they're just surrounded by black so the black rear seat looks fine. These were the Austin Ambassador seats. More supportive, headrests, and match the maxi rear seat. But sit far too high. And what I have now. Less supportive, no headrests and soft and squishy. But they sit at the right height and makes it feel more like a maxi. And the blue looks really good in there. I likey.
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Thats a really cool little car. And I learned today that Austin 7 and reliant parts are interchangeable.
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Apr 24, 2024 19:14:59 GMT
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Today marks 55 years since the Maxi started production, so to mark the occasion I decided to pop down to my cars birthplace, dad's old lockup. Same place almost 35 years ago. The original TTN at the back So glamorous Then I got a vaguely suitable beer 🍻
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Last Edit: Apr 24, 2024 20:42:10 GMT by bmcnut
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Apr 23, 2024 12:20:58 GMT
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Ain't it just. Its weird how these things seem to have a habit of falling into my lap.
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Apr 22, 2024 20:35:56 GMT
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A busy few weeks with the car, serviced the brakes front and rear, changed the sparkplugs and fitted new air filters which were slightly overdue It was running very rich but the filter changed improved things, I've slowed the idle down and weakened it off abit but the carbs still need balancing, it's running a lot better now and doesn't stink which is a good thing. Another maxi came up for sale in banger circles on fb, was offered in maxi-land but got snapped up by another racer. A maxi person managed to trace where it had gone abd contacted me to let me know as it wasn't too far away. So off I went. The car was a blue '76 hl with blue interior. It was absolutely rotten and had been parked outside for a couple of years with a window open and had become a home for the local cats. Still, I got me some bits. I was hoping for the blue interior but most of it was rotten and filthy, but I got the seats as the frames were straight, and some other bits including bumper irons and bolts, as the irons on mine were slightly bent and missing afew bolts. Also rear quarter windows abd rubbers, badges, wipac fog lights, steering wheel centre, the wheel itself was knackered, and some other bits abd bobs, all for a drink 😁 I didn't take any before pics of the seats as they were so filthy that I didn't hold out any hope that they would clean up OK. But I had a go. The rear seat isn't perfect but its good enough, the front seats however. .. .. and will be going in the car when they're dry. I wanted to change the seats as dad put ambassador seats in which look great, but sit far too high. Finding these blue one so soon is slightly awesome. And I've been out driving it. Still afew bits to do but I'm really enjoying it, and reminding myself how much dad thought about when he built it. It's got competition bump stops on it, and makes it more like driving a big mini. Next jobs, bumper and seats.
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Apr 18, 2024 17:31:53 GMT
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Yup. It really is that bad
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Apr 18, 2024 12:46:25 GMT
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Definitely more practical than a prowler, though similarly ugly-ish. What's the black one? Rebodied Caterham? Yeah. Austin 7 body on Caterham chassis. Very cool because the original lotus seven was based on an austin 7.
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Apr 17, 2024 17:23:49 GMT
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The wrangler prowler. Prangler? Apparently a testbed for the chassis before the body was finalised. Part of me likes it, maybe it's because it reminds me of this Which I definitely like.
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Apr 13, 2024 12:34:25 GMT
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When the previous owner had my maxi he kept it outside uncovered. The paint has failed in places buy that probably would've happened anyway. Some of the window rubbers have suffered and although the car was built in 92 using all new parts, its still old stock rubber from the 70s. The important thing is its still 100% watertight and the interior smells as fresh as the day I sold it. I think using a cover is all down to personal choice and the condition of the car along with the location. Under a tree, in the shade of a house, near a railway line or main road are all factors.
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Got outside today and had a go at the brakes. Only did one side befire it rained. Discs are slightly pitted in places but after a good sanding should last abit longer. They're not too easy to get, the pads are fine and are easy to get and are the same as dolomite pads. Removed the austin letters and the bumper, it needs a bit of straightening and while it's off i'll be removing the overriders. And fitted the new badge. Thought it was a plastic one but it's a metal one. Proper ebay bargain. Also last week I got a bit artsy on my phone
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Mar 31, 2024 21:50:52 GMT
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Another day of not getting the brakes done because I'm too busy messing around with shiny bits. Took the austin letters off the bonnet, which wasn't a 5 minute job as they've been on there for years and the sticky had sort of bonded with the paint. Once all residue was off I lightly sanded the front edge of the bonnet and polished it. And then stuck an S badge on. Then added more shiney bits Then took the shiney bits off and stuck the austin letters on the chrome trim under the grill. Although I like it with no grill badge I'm tempted to get an early shield badge that has a silver Cross instead of the red checks. And the overriders might be going and may be replaced with mini clubman underriders, or nothing.
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Last Edit: Apr 1, 2024 10:39:18 GMT by bmcnut
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No badges , no spot lights , keep the over riders . Think you’re gonna get a few different opinions on this 😂 👍 I've got the same different opinions going on in my head 😄. Once I find the nut for the other spotlight I'll try them properly. I've got a couple of badges that might make their way onto it but I like the clean look. It might even loose the austin letters on the bonnet.
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Mar 29, 2024 21:54:26 GMT
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no spotlight and take the over riders off too 👍 Would look good without the overrides, but they're rather rare cable changer optional extra overrides that don't have the black rubber strip like later ones. My inner maxi geek likes them. Tried a spotlight Prefer without I think.
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Mar 29, 2024 20:03:46 GMT
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Had plans to have a proper look underneath today but ended up being busy so didn't get out to the car for long. so decided to give its face a clean. Took the badges off to clean the grill properly. I think they might stay off. Hmmmm spotlights or no spotlights🤔
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Mar 28, 2024 10:44:56 GMT
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Citrien 2cv So iconicly different that I'd need to know what they're like Isetta bubble car Same. So unique but not very me. Probably a hoot to experience tho. MG SV When I worked at a rover/MG garage I drove everything else, but not these. Don't want one, just one to tick off the list Mk1 mx5 Need to understand what all the fuss is about in their legendary handling. But don't want one enough to own one. Reliant Robin Just to find out how easy they are to roll over. Then I'll give it back 😁
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Mar 25, 2024 10:38:20 GMT
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cracking looking car and great that’s it’s back with you if you after buying a set of period wheels for it i have a set of dunlop in 114.3 pcd 5.5j x 13 that need a refurb ? Nice set of wheels and thanks for the offer but I'll stick with the 14s, the tyres are good and they're a spot on fitment. Thore alloys are the sort of wheels that would look awesome with the split rim treatment.
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Mar 24, 2024 11:25:39 GMT
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Could we see pics of the engine bay, please? John As you wish I've given the airbox and cam cover a degrease, and wiped the slam panel and off side inner wing, but thats it. The near side inner wing hasnt been touched and shows how dusty and grubby it was, and areas where the paint has failed. The state of the engine was one thing that made me think it had done more miles, but it still sounds healthy and is cleaning up very easily.
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Mar 24, 2024 10:23:17 GMT
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