Such luxury!

[mharrell]

It's neither a microcar nor unusual (except perhaps nowadays...), but I do understand there are a fair number of Brits on this forum, so perhaps I should mention that I recently bought this 1983 Austin Maestro Vanden Plas:

http://bringatrailer.com/2012/08/20/non-usa-1983-austin-maestro/

The dash is digital!  It talks!  It has genuine wood trim!  Most significantly, it's rated to tow 2500 pounds!

The R Series engine has an excellent reputation, right?

[Bob Purton]

Err no. The R series had a poor reputation. It was a stop gap engine rushed into production until the more fully developed version of the old e series was ready, it suffered various problems, head gaskets, starting etc. It had a short production run. These faults may well have been exaggerated because during this period the British were intent on destroying there own motor industry.

[richard]

oops see wikipedia 

[AndrewG]

Just remember to always carry a picnic with you.  If the engine breaks down, you can get in the back and use those lovely walnut picnic tables, so you won't care if the car runs or not.

[mharrell]

Err no.

I was just having some fun.  I read up on the engine's reputation before arranging to look at the car, but bought it anyway.  The allure of trying to make a go of what's probably the only R Series in North America was just too strong.

That, and the seller came way down on the price.  Strangely enough, despite nationwide exposure, I was the only one to contact him.

[Bob Purton]

You may be pleasantly surprised.

[richard]

so might you 

[Big Al]

Something different. These are a rare sight here now. Typical trad Micronautical behaviour. A difficult car to own if it suffers an issue, I'll have it - at a price. Sadly I know nothing about these cars counting them as 'Modern'. Oh dear!

[mharrell]

Of course it's modern; it's the newest car I've ever owned.  It even has power windows... for the front doors.

[Big Al]

Oh no, luxuries. Hopefully they will not work or it could be the end of a brill car collection. Argh!

[mharrell]

What's got me worried is that the sunroof doesn't leak.  I just know it's setting me up for something.

[Big Al]

A ruddy girt hurricane? Eer, I have news.....

Seriously, I hope this is not as bad as it looks.

[AndrewG]

It even has power windows... for the front doors.

Be accurate, it has power windows by Joseph Lucas, Prince of Darkness with three functions - up, down and won't-go-back-up.

[marcus]

The Maestro can hold an amazing amount of people and/or goods for a car of its size and does not look too bad for a basic and useful load carrier. Sadly these are its virtues. A perfect example of what British industry could do when squeezed between our Governments who want to get rid of industry and our Banks who see no point in industry. Therefore no real support or encouragement is available and no investment and all they could do was to naill together cars which were 25 years behind all other European and Japanese cars.

Sadly that is all gone now, and with the ending of London Taxicabs International last month our car industry is now Morgan alone.

[Bob Purton]

Its a great shame as by the time Rover cars were finished they had a decent range of cars.