Classic Austin

AUSTIN MAXI VS FORD CORTINA
Matt Bell on 24th April 2020
The Ford Cortina and the Austin Maxi were radically different creations but both would have been on the same shopping list in the mid-1970s. Which has survived the years as the better classic?
100-YEAR-OLD AUSTIN VANDALISED
Matt Bell on 6th September 2019
Police officers in Scotland are appealing for information following the vandalism of classic vehicles in Keith on Thursday August 22, causing damage estimated at over £10,000.
CARS WITH BAD REPUTATIONS
Matt Bell on 14th August 2019
We look at some of the classics with bad reputations, debunk the myths and ask whether a bad name makes a bad classic?
MARKET TRENDS – UNFAIR REPUTATIONS
Matt Bell on 1st August 2019
In this Market Trends we take a look at three cars that have unfair reputations; the Triumph Stag, MGC and Austin Allegro...
TOP GEAR EXHIBITION EXTENDED
Matt Bell on 25th July 2019
Visitors to the World of Top Gear display at Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum are now able to experience a closer look at the vehicles the team customised in Series 27 of the popular TV show.
CONCOURS DE L’ORDINAIRE CARS CHOSEN
Matt Bell on 28th June 2019
Judges have sifted through a record entry of ‘ordinary’ classics to choose their final contenders for this summer’s Concours de l’Ordinaire, which will take place as part of Hagerty’s sixth annual Festival of the Unexceptional on July 20.
ANNIVERSARY MARKED AT BMC AND LEYLAND SHOW
Matt Bell on 4th June 2019
Key milestones are to be marked at the seventh annual BMC and Leyland Show, which will take place at the British Motor Museum on Sunday July 7.
CLASSIC CLUB GOES CARBON NEUTRAL
Matt Bell on 16th May 2019
A Staffordshire classic club has done its bit to safeguard the future of both historic vehicles and the planet by achieving carbon neutral status. The Online Austin Seven Club, based in Lichfield, believes it is the first club to achieve such a feat, offsetting the emissions of its vehicles to have zero carbon footprint.
PUFF THE MAGIC WAGON
Matt Bell on 4th April 2019
Classic car fans will most likely already know all about a very early 1969 Austin Maxi called Puff the Magic Wagon and its remarkable story. But for those who don’t, two of the all-female rally crew that started the gruelling 1970 London to Mexico World Cup in the car are planning to drive it to Mexico City in 2020.
RESTORATION SHOW SETS NEW RECORDS
Matt Bell on 2nd April 2019
Biggest NEC Restoration Show yet attracts a bumper spring crowd.
MARKET TRENDS – EXPORT OR DIE
Matt Bell on 27th March 2019
After WWII Britain’s economy was in dire need of repair. The solution was to make and sell things which could be sold to bring in foreign currency. Some of the cars we urged foreigners to invest in then make equally good investments now.
MATHEWSONS MARCH SALE PREVIEW
Matt Bell on 18th March 2019
After a successful February sale, Mathewsons is looking ahead to its next sale which takes place at its usual venue on Saturday March 23. At the time of writing, 50 cars had already registered for sale, with a strong number still awaiting advertisement in the online catalogue.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW A… AUSTIN/ROVER MONTEGO
Matt Bell on 15th March 2019
After a visit to the BMIHT Trust's British Motor Museum recently and while pondering the poor panel fit on the last-off-the-line Montego, we were struck by the fact that these cars have disappeared from sight even faster than their contemporary competition, the Cavalier and Sierra.
LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW 2019
Matt Bell on 27th February 2019
There was love in the air at London's Dockland area on Valentine's Day, but the affection was being directed at cars rather than over a cramped table for two in a chain restaurant. That's because the London Classic Show was getting underway for the fifth time at the ExCeL exhibition centre, running from Thursday February 14 to Sunday February 17.

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