Marking its 40th anniversary this year, the ‘Miracle Maestro’ was one Austin-Rover’s great white hope. A car that the manufacturer hoped would put it back on an even keel with the likes of VW, Ford and GM by replacing the aged Allegro with a thoroughly modern hatchback for the thrusting 1980s.
And it got most of the formula right. The Maestro was styled to look strikingly modern for its era – its trademark scalloped sides marking it out as bit different from its rivals – while the interior featured a one-piece dash moulding, lots of square edges and chunky controls, along with modern fonts and graphics. Posh models even had digital dials and a voice synthesiser.
This one is a bit further down the trim tree – a humble 1.3L and a very early car, which next year will become tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt. The vendor acquired it from a probate sale this year, with the car having been owned by father and son since 1988, when it was just four years old.
It comes with 35 years of invoices and paperwork and has clearly been thoroughly well-loved and had money spent on it when required.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C
Will be supplied with fresh MOT valid until September 2024
Massive folder of bills and service history going right back to 1988
Every MOT certificate from 1988 onwards
Handbook
Original used car sales invoice from 1988, showing a purchase price of £2,950 and a Ford Escort Mk 2 being traded in
Over 80 invoices and receipts documenting work carried out over the past 35 years
Copies of old V5s and a letter from the second owner’s son to the DVLC notifying them of his father’s death and him taking ownership
Maestro and Montego Owners Club documents
More recent correspondence following death of the previous owner and transfer of ownership into his estate
Remarkable amount of service history and a car with a genuine story to tell
Collection of jazz music cassette tapes included with the car as they came with it!
THE INTERIOR
Smart brown dashboard in very good condition
Chocolate brown cloth seats in great condition
Original Phillips radio-cassette in full working order
Good carpets, door cards and headlining
Original jack and tools
Spacious, tidy luggage area
All controls and switches work as intended
One piece of plastic pillar trim missing
THE EXTERIOR
Cashmere Gold metallic paint
Completely original and with no major paintwork or accident repairs
Good tyres all-round
Generally smart paint finish – polishes up well with no lacquer peel
Rear strut towers welded several years ago to a high standard
Appears very solid underneath
Some rust bubbles on front wheel arches, door bottoms and rear arch lower parts – nothing structural
Some stone chips and general marks to body commensurate with the car being 39 years old and unrestored, but still presents well and is remarkably straight and tidy for an early Maestro
All lights and trim in good order
Supplying used dealer number plates
Always been based in London and garaged for most of its life, which has led to the car surviving remarkably well
THE MECHANICS
1,275cc 4cyl OHV Austin-Rover A-Series A+ engine
Four-speed manual gearbox
Drives really well – accelerates smoothly through the rev range, engages all gears smoothly
Brakes, suspension and steering all work well – vendor drove the car home 70 miles from collection with no issues at all
Recent exhaust
SUMMARY
What you’re looking at here is the very definition of a survivor – most Maestros have long since disappeared, but this one is still going strong and has been loved and cared for by father-and-son for the past 35 years, maintained regularly and always kept in good running order.
It’s a very tidy and presentable car, solid and strong, and with a few minor cosmetic improvements will be a fabulous example. As it stands it’s an eminently usable and likeable retro car with a new MOT and a fantastic history file – with tax, MOT and ULEZ exemption imminent, it’s great option for an oddball daily driver, or as a car to preserve as a piece of British motoring and social history.
So many people have owned one or had a family member with a Maestro, and it’s a fantastic slice of Eighties nostalgia…
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
