Meet The Owner – Steve Cannon and his Austin Maxi 2

The Austin Maxi was arguably the first of several British Leyland cars to be unfairly judged for too many years. Its potential was vast; in 1969, a family saloon with five doors, a transverse OHC engine driving the front wheels, seats that could form a double bed, and a five-speed transmission was virtual science fiction. Let’s not forget that this was a time when a Vauxhall Victor could be specified with three-on-the-column.

Despite the early teething problems and the premature launch, the Maxi gained a loyal following among motorists who appreciated its many abilities. Today, Steve Cannon is one of them, and his last-of-the-line Maxi HL 2 is a reminder of its off-beat charm.

As most readers know, the Maxi debuted in April 1969 to replace the Austin A60 Cambridge. British Leyland effectively relaunched it in October 1970 with a new grille and a 1,748cc E-series engine option. In response to many complaints, the five-speed transmission was now rod instead of cable-operated. 1972 saw the introduction of the HL - ‘High Line’ - with twin carburettors, a black grille, and nylon upholstery.

That was virtually the last significant development of the Maxi. As with the Mini and the Range Rover, BL paid comparatively little attention to its potential during the 1970s, as its focus was on other models. By 1975, What Car complained that the Maxi possessed great potential as an all-rounder “but for British Leyland letting its design fall behind.”

By 1979, Leyland unveiled the new HLS flagship, and in August 1980, the Maxi received its last facelift. “At the basic price of £4,327, the new Maxi 2 costs less than the Maxi did in December 1979”. Not to mention “improvements like plusher seating, push button radio, rubber strip door guards, new grill, stylish wheel trims and a completely redesigned bumper configuration incorporating indicator lights”.

In reality, the Maxi 2 received little press attention, as 1980 was ‘The Year of The Metro’. Yet, it demonstrated how the design formula was still competitive – and how its sole British-built rival was the Chrysler Alpine. Those who did book a test drive at their friendly local Austin-Morris dealer were often pleasantly surprised at its road manners and versatility.

Production ended in 1981 after 486,273 units. Steve’s Maxi dates from that year, and he says:

It was advertised on Gumtree in Northern Ireland, and I bought it in December 2016. A transport company shipped it to the mainland in January 2017. It had a very hard suspension when I first got it, as it had lost the gas in the displacers. That was fixed, and it now drives very smoothly - as if it were new. I take the Maxi to local shows, and as I am close to Cowley, many ex-employees remember them well - and, of course, those who had them as family cars all those years ago.

And virtually every detail of his L conveys vast amounts of period charm from the wheel trims to “Marle fabric seat facings” and the “stylish PVC door trims. Plus, as the brochure stated, it really was “loads better”.

With Thanks To – Steve Cannon