British Leyland

[husaberg]

I recently learned that the Maxi was the only vehicle that BL allowed to have the hatchback.
While it would have made the Allegro slightly less of an abomination, they wouldn't allow it as they believed it would steal sales from the Maxi.
It seems obvious why they went bust now, I wonder if it was that obvious back then. Clearly run by a bunch of ass hats.

I read that as well,it was in the worst cars of all time book I posted it on KB somewhere as well.
Pretty sure it was also the reason a Princess never had a hatch as well.
One odd thing I only learnt a few days ago was the old Maxi had bucket and shim OHC, I knew it was OHC. but bucket and shims a bit flash.

I think All the pommy firms were run by toffs who got their job through the class system rather than talent, they were more interested in having the flashiest JAG company car.
The poms had great designers, but the management would not give them free reign.

[Motu]

The Maxi was a ''clean sheet'' design - something completly new boys...but you have to use the doors from the Landcrab because we haven't amortised those yet. Like trying to make a new song with the same three cords. BMC had their arms and legs cut off while in British Leyland...because Rover and Triumph were better. The shims were pretty close in size to the Imp ones...just a few adjustments on the side of the grindstone with your finger. No fingerprints the next day. With the next engine, the ''O'', the cam caps were in the cam cover, you needed a jig to set the tappets, so I never bothered. I would say it was a dumb idea, but my Volvo has the same system, but the lifters are hydraulic. One big improvement with the Maxi was the clutch - no big taper like the Mini or 1100, or external gear drive like the 1800. Doing a Maxi clutch was a piece a piss.

[dangerous]

bloody hell... well of BMC again, but hey last weekend it was a LANZ this weekend it was something well befor any BMC shitter that passed the front gate...

[Ocean1]

bloody hell... well of BMC again, but hey last weekend it was a LANZ this weekend it was something well befor any BMC shitter that passed the front gate...

Magnificent. Just 100 years ago, if you wanted power they were all you had.

The smell always gets me, brings memories of A&P shows, pipe bands, shearing competitions, axe races...

[Grumph]

bloody hell... well of BMC again, but hey last weekend it was a LANZ this weekend it was something well befor any BMC shitter that passed the front gate...

I get them stopping outside my Bealey Rd gate to go to the shop for icecreams...that one has been through here many times, I recognise the shed.
Parking up close to my big hedge is always a worry - for me at least - as it's usually the summer ag show season when they come through.

[neels]

cool... http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used...1078021713.htm

Is it just me that thinks this is doing it wrong, wouldn't a better solution be to buy a house with a bigger garage.....

Sad to see it go but no garage space in new home

[sidecar bob]

This treasure turned up in my yard for WOF repairs this morning. I managed to wriggle my way out of it though.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/spec...1075937442.htm

[Kickaha]

I recently learned that the Maxi was the only vehicle that BL allowed to have the hatchback

I went for my licence in one of those, parents had two of them at different times, I couldn't quite get 160kmh out it

[Grumph]

This treasure turned up in my yard for WOF repairs this morning. I managed to wriggle my way out of it though.

I went for my licence in one of those, parents had two of them at different times, I couldn't quite get 160kmh out it

Lived out on the plains i assume ? You'd have needed a very big hill to go any quicker.

That "Ruxton" is a quasi copy of a Riley from the looks. Did they say what it's built around ?
There's a couple of gorgeous Riley saloons from the 30's around here i see occasionally. I was shown over one of them by the local Riley specialist who couldn't believe how original it is.

[Moi]

This treasure turned up in my yard for WOF repairs this morning. I managed to wriggle my way out of it though.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/spec...1075937442.htm

That thing is just plain fugly...

I'd rather be seen driving round in this...

As for the Maxi, it is a real shame we never got a decent supply of Renault R16s in this country.

[sidecar bob]

That thing is just plain fugly...

I'd rather be seen driving round in this...

As for the Maxi, it is a real shame we never got a decent supply of Renault R16s in this country.

Its about as odd as its owner. Note to all, do not start any conversation at the garage with "now we don't have any money"
Its a Graham Berry Chassis with a smallblock Chev, Turbo 350 trans & Jag rear end.
It runs the same tyres as a Isuzu Elf campervan I service, like a 16 inch light truck tyre.

[Moi]

Its about as odd as its owner. Note to all, do not start any conversation at the garage with "now we don't have any money"...

It's not if you can afford to buy the car, it's can you afford to service and maintain the car...

[sidecar bob]

It's not if you can afford to buy the car, it's can you afford to service and maintain the car...

Absolutely.
Im not entirely sure what the go is, but she also has a very nice Porsche for sale. Marriage split im guessing.
"Yep, you can have the Ruxton as part of the settlement, its worth 150k"

[Moi]

... "Yep, you can have the Ruxton as part of the settlement, its worth 150k"

I'm glad I'd put down my coffee before I read that...

I'd still rather have that Triumph...

[Motu]

I went for my licence in one of those, parents had two of them at different times, I couldn't quite get 160kmh out it

They had a 5th gear y'know...but went faster in 4th. The dogleg to 5th was a new thing, and got a lot of Maxi drivers confused. They would end up in reverse at speed, and I've seen plenty of Maxi/Tasman/Kimberly gearboxes with reverse idler ripped out of the gearbox floor, on one a bigend smacked the reverse idler right out through the side of the block. Now we are used to 5th gear...but now we have 6 speed boxes, and reverse has now reverted to where it was in an Escort.