Having only learned to drive at 37 a few years ago. I'd love to drive an 80s car. I remember being in awe at the Montero. My brother in law got a top of the range maestro at the local auctions, I remember the insurance being through the roof
Agreed. I had an E-reg (I think... it was an '88) when I studied in the UK. It was 12 years old by then, but never let me down, gave me 40mpg, and was roomy and comfortable. I'd get another one in a heartbeat.
I agree it was underrated but to be fair those early 1600 cars were hard work as that old E series unit wasn't very free revving I had an A reg example and I would not have had another one had it not been for the fact that I was given a 2.0 EFI MG as a company car in the early nineties which I absolutely loved. I also thought the styling was slightly awkward compared to the contemporary Escorts and Astras and as Ford proved with the final incarnation of the Scorpio you can make a really good car but if people don't like the way it looks they won't buy it.
@@philnewstead5388 indeed - the e-series in the maestro was called the R-series in the early ones and it was crap - they then developed it into the s-series and when it was set up right was a pretty decent little engine
The Really Bad Car Company The S series was quite a good engine and reliable too the problem with it as with many BL products was was the oil leaks specifically from the cam cover and sump gaskets and front crank seals and BLs answer was to use RTV sealant for the cam covers or Hylomar on the sump gaskets which always seemed like a bit of a bodge to me.
My very first car was a pale blue 1984 Maestro VDP with the 1.6 S-Series engine and a 3 speed VW automatic gearbox which used to scream in 1st gear before shifting up into second and 3rd gear. It also had that fantastic space age digital LCD dash board with the famous 'talking computer' on the left (it was UK right hand drive) - I wonder where B597UBV is today, I miss that car so much!!
@@crashbox7130 A '74 Escort of mine was registered for ten years after I sold it in '83 as a rust bucket , oil burning bomb . The DVLA website is amazing for lifespan record of previously known cars .
I had an MG1600 in that light blue metallic colour (A636 XSX). Loved it and it was quick too! I did turn the voice off though, she liked to tell me random terrifying but incorrect information, usually at 80mph in the outside lane...
Had a 1983 1.6 HLS back in the day. Its facia squeaked like crazy and it broke down on a bridge once due to the Lucas engine ECU....... The facelift helped with some of those early issues.
I only had a 1.3LX but it handled well, would 4 wheel drift on the skinny tyres. Wished I had the 2 litre MG version, even the car magazines said they were excellent.
They went quite well those early 1600 cars with the Weber carbs and the induction noise was as good as any fast Ford. The only problem with them was they could be difficult to start after a hot soak, I never liked that digital dash though but that's probably me because I didn't like it on the Astra GTE or the 2016 Citroen Picasso that I bought for my mother. I was lucky enough to briefly have a late model MG 2.0 EFI as a company car in about 1990 as I worked for a BL dealer at the time.
Check out Ledbury Maestros, I think from 1997 the plan was to built several thousand of them in Bulgaria and to be shipped as kits and then built there, didn't take off and were exported back to the UK and built up here but apparently parts were so scarce for the builds that the company was getting parts from scrapyards to complete builds. I think they were built from R reg to 51 reg.
Remember soon after the launch of the Maestro, did they went on strike, over who often go to the toilets & wash up a time & motion exercise by management at the time.
These looked ultramodern for the time and would not look out of date even by the mid to late 90's. Too bad this company couldnt get its act together because I think their designs in the the 80's and 90's were fantastic. At the time BL manufactured the Maestro / Montego, we had to deal with the awful Chevette and the K car platforms.
In principle they were a good idea, but again same old Austin traits, rust, reliability issues. They could have got it much better. They didn't wear to well.
A waaaay better car than the wags and armchair pundits would have you believe it’s biggest issue was rust but then rust was the issues of lots of cars back then
Brake horsepower taxation in Great Britain skewed car design badly, millitant agitation by union leaders among unionized workers, general bleeding of national resources from R&D into war/welfare/social programs, nationalized management with skewed priorities, inept leadership, worksite drunkeness and apathy, adhering too long to outmoded techniques, sour relationships between management and workers... pretty much the same mistakes that doomed most old school manufacturing throughout the western world, only with the unique twists of Great Britain.
This was a great car, and so much space inside, and apart from 3 things, would have been a huge seller. But austin rover shot themselves in the foot with reviewers and press and later with early owners. Everyone hated the nagging voice thing, becoming instant sardonic tv comedy gold. Then the awful O series engines that ran so hot it welded dipsticks and oil caps to the engine, or dripped oil on the floor. And to top that, the base models came with the A series 1275 engine and gearbox and its usual ancient sounds,smells, and unacceptible hp for a mid/late 80's car. Both only got cured in late models with the 1350 honda engine and 5 speed box. Last even at launch for the press, after a couple of weeks harsh driving by the press, the paintwork was so thin and glasslike that stonechips were taking the paint down to the metal in huge areas in unexpected places like the bottom of doors and front of rear wheel arches. All that and no standard kit, like cassette radio, softish feel plastics, and other enticements that came standard on the escort, golf, renaults and vauxhalls made owners feel it wasnt value for money. The crying shame is that this was a good car shackled to the dreadful montego released with stupid mistakes, like the 1.3 engine ( while they were already joined with honda, they could and should have put the honda lump in from launch), and rubbish spec for its sector. The later ones, after 1990 or so, had everything fixed and were damn good cars in everyway, and better than its competitors. But the damage was done. If they had rebadged it and a slight facelift in the early 90's and it could have saved a great car
@@FergR I had to uphold the AROnline honour and highlight this obvious lack of knowledge and intelligence and the rubbish put forward about the LM10. AROline united!!
You forget what an utter POS these really were. Joe Lucas (Prince of Darkness) electrics. Rust within 2 years. Pushrod engines. No radios. Thanks for the reminder. Where is BL these days?
It was a quality car , mine had over 160,000 miles and never missed a beat , just tyres and brakes. Most reliable BL car EVER .
I had two in my time and with the back seat down you really had a large boot area.
I think that the Triumph Acclaim was officially the most reliable BL car ever but then, it wasn't really a BL car.
Had 2 of these. Both Diesels. Reliable, Economical and very roomy and comfortable.
Having only learned to drive at 37 a few years ago. I'd love to drive an 80s car. I remember being in awe at the Montero. My brother in law got a top of the range maestro at the local auctions, I remember the insurance being through the roof
Theft chances often caused those costs .
1983.. that little car was warning of high fuel consumption, seat belts, digital speedo etc.. years ahead of its time
A much underestimated car.
I've had an '85 vanden plas & a '91 mg 2.0L
Both exceeded 130 000 miles.
Agreed. I had an E-reg (I think... it was an '88) when I studied in the UK. It was 12 years old by then, but never let me down, gave me 40mpg, and was roomy and comfortable. I'd get another one in a heartbeat.
I agree it was underrated but to be fair those early 1600 cars were hard work as that old E series unit wasn't very free revving I had an A reg example and I would not have had another one had it not been for the fact that I was given a 2.0 EFI MG as a company car in the early nineties which I absolutely loved. I also thought the styling was slightly awkward compared to the contemporary Escorts and Astras and as Ford proved with the final incarnation of the Scorpio you can make a really good car but if people don't like the way it looks they won't buy it.
@@philnewstead5388 indeed - the e-series in the maestro was called the R-series in the early ones and it was crap - they then developed it into the s-series and when it was set up right was a pretty decent little engine
The Really Bad Car Company The S series was quite a good engine and reliable too the problem with it as with many BL products was was the oil leaks specifically from the cam cover and sump gaskets and front crank seals and BLs answer was to use RTV sealant for the cam covers or Hylomar on the sump gaskets which always seemed like a bit of a bodge to me.
absolutely stunning!
My very first car was a pale blue 1984 Maestro VDP with the 1.6 S-Series engine and a 3 speed VW automatic gearbox which used to scream in 1st gear before shifting up into second and 3rd gear. It also had that fantastic space age digital LCD dash board with the famous 'talking computer' on the left (it was UK right hand drive) - I wonder where B597UBV is today, I miss that car so much!!
Died in 1996 according to the DVLA vehicle enquiry website.
@@crashbox7130 A '74 Escort of mine was registered for ten years after I sold it in '83 as a rust bucket , oil burning bomb . The DVLA website is amazing for lifespan record of previously known cars .
The family car I always remember most was the '88 Maestro, E558 PDH in red.
I had an MG1600 in that light blue metallic colour (A636 XSX). Loved it and it was quick too! I did turn the voice off though, she liked to tell me random terrifying but incorrect information, usually at 80mph in the outside lane...
Good family car in its day , i had three and never had any bother .
Better than the Allegro it replaced. Just over 500 Maestro cars and vans left in Britain today!
Voice synthesiser and LED digital dashboard - has to be the mid 80's!
Graham Clayton Knight Rider. 🤣
Had a 1983 1.6 HLS back in the day. Its facia squeaked like crazy and it broke down on a bridge once due to the Lucas engine ECU....... The facelift helped with some of those early issues.
I had the MG maestro 2.0 EFi a great car, fast and comfortable. Drove it to 100,000
Good to hear that John :)
Where do you live now?
There aren't many Maestro's left & those that are in good condition are now appreciating in value :)
Amazing it still looks pretty modern now
I only had a 1.3LX but it handled well, would 4 wheel drift on the skinny tyres.
Wished I had the 2 litre MG version, even the car magazines said they were excellent.
At the Launch in 1983 so at the beginning so to speak, had a 1.3 HL later on cant fault it economical reliable and roomy.
My parents had an MG 1600 just like the silver one. It also had the voice synthesiser too!
The MG version always looked good.
I'd love to have one. Don't think I'll ever get the chance though.
Did you call it KITT? 🤣
They went quite well those early 1600 cars with the Weber carbs and the induction noise was as good as any fast Ford. The only problem with them was they could be difficult to start after a hot soak, I never liked that digital dash though but that's probably me because I didn't like it on the Astra GTE or the 2016 Citroen Picasso that I bought for my mother. I was lucky enough to briefly have a late model MG 2.0 EFI as a company car in about 1990 as I worked for a BL dealer at the time.
2:06 Knight Rider 🤣
Would feel executive in one with digital displays
I looking to buy this car in 2019
Also, weren't some of these made right up to 1997? Pretty sure Top Gear had a segment on being able to buy an R-plate ...
Check out Ledbury Maestros, I think from 1997 the plan was to built several thousand of them in Bulgaria and to be shipped as kits and then built there, didn't take off and were exported back to the UK and built up here but apparently parts were so scarce for the builds that the company was getting parts from scrapyards to complete builds. I think they were built from R reg to 51 reg.
IMO, a great car but some styling details made it look a bit odd from some angles.
E.g. rear 3/4 view. The rear lamps look like after thoughts !
My dad had the MG maestro and he loved it although the voice synthesizer was a bit gimmicky
Never remember seeing them on the continent or anywhere else for that matter
Remember soon after the launch of the Maestro, did they went on strike, over who often go to the toilets & wash up a time & motion exercise by management at the time.
Sized between the Escort and the Sierra - and that was the cars biggest problem, the market didn’t understand it
I think its odd-styling was the main issue.
It had a Volkswagen transmission?
Josh Hodgson it was a joint venture. I had one in my vw scirocco. Was a decent transmission.
Josh Hodgson Vw golf gearbox.
Austin Rover didn't have enough money for development of a new gearbox, so they used the one from a Golf, with slight modifications. Not too bad then?
These looked ultramodern for the time and would not look out of date even by the mid to late 90's. Too bad this company couldnt get its act together because I think their designs in the the 80's and 90's were fantastic. At the time BL manufactured the Maestro / Montego, we had to deal with the awful Chevette and the K car platforms.
My sister Janet learned to drive one of these and she said it was like driving a tank with the heavy steering
Some didn't have power steering that's why
They seem to like the word executive in all these videos ha
I wonder if the chinese versions were actually better than the British Maestro. They had Toyota designed engines apparently.
Those speaking dashboards did well 😂
That maybe so, but fuel consumption info was pioneered by Austin /Rover
Great gearbox
I saw them abandoned in the 90s
In principle they were a good idea, but again same old Austin traits, rust, reliability issues. They could have got it much better. They didn't wear to well.
Rust yes, but to be honest no worse than its contemporaries. The Mk3 Escort was also known for rusting away
A waaaay better car than the wags and armchair pundits would have you believe it’s biggest issue was rust but then rust was the issues of lots of cars back then
Yes, '80s Fords rust like mad.
I can hear my Granada rusting on quiet evenings.
Shame you can't hear a word he's saying
I had a Mg Maestro but couldn't take to it, so traded it in for a 2.8 capri. Then I finally found happiness 🤣
I had both, preferred the Maestro though, the Capri tried to kill me a few times in the wet....
Better than the Allegro and Maxi it replaced. Most early cars have rusted into oblivion, and not many late cars survive today.
Wonder if they ever managed to sell all of the Ledbury models.
I think British car is all right. But I wonder why British brands are failed in the world market?
Brake horsepower taxation in Great Britain skewed car design badly, millitant agitation by union leaders among unionized workers, general bleeding of national resources from R&D into war/welfare/social programs, nationalized management with skewed priorities, inept leadership, worksite drunkeness and apathy, adhering too long to outmoded techniques, sour relationships between management and workers... pretty much the same mistakes that doomed most old school manufacturing throughout the western world, only with the unique twists of Great Britain.
This was a great car, and so much space inside, and apart from 3 things, would have been a huge seller. But austin rover shot themselves in the foot with reviewers and press and later with early owners.
Everyone hated the nagging voice thing, becoming instant sardonic tv comedy gold. Then the awful O series engines that ran so hot it welded dipsticks and oil caps to the engine, or dripped oil on the floor. And to top that, the base models came with the A series 1275 engine and gearbox and its usual ancient sounds,smells, and unacceptible hp for a mid/late 80's car. Both only got cured in late models with the 1350 honda engine and 5 speed box. Last even at launch for the press, after a couple of weeks harsh driving by the press, the paintwork was so thin and glasslike that stonechips were taking the paint down to the metal in huge areas in unexpected places like the bottom of doors and front of rear wheel arches.
All that and no standard kit, like cassette radio, softish feel plastics, and other enticements that came standard on the escort, golf, renaults and vauxhalls made owners feel it wasnt value for money.
The crying shame is that this was a good car shackled to the dreadful montego released with stupid mistakes, like the 1.3 engine ( while they were already joined with honda, they could and should have put the honda lump in from launch), and rubbish spec for its sector. The later ones, after 1990 or so, had everything fixed and were damn good cars in everyway, and better than its competitors. But the damage was done. If they had rebadged it and a slight facelift in the early 90's and it could have saved a great car
Maestros never had a 1350 Honda engine!! Where did you get that from??
Ha, ha, ha! Honda engine. Gotta love an expert!
@@FergR Bless them!! Excrement Experts!!
Know about as much about cars as Clarkson....
@@FergR I had to uphold the AROnline honour and highlight this obvious lack of knowledge and intelligence and the rubbish put forward about the LM10. AROline united!!
the only thing going for it was iys interior space apart from that it was a crock of shite
'Voice synthesiser'!? You mean a glorified Speak & Spell?!
One word... rust!
Just like Fords...
You forget what an utter POS these really were. Joe Lucas (Prince of Darkness) electrics. Rust within 2 years. Pushrod engines. No radios. Thanks for the reminder. Where is BL these days?
Only the A series was push rod. They ain't pieces of shit. Fucking idiot
Ahahaha! Yeah, spot on mate.
clearly you dont know anything about cars sean. What a waster you are