Description
This car has a wild story and is structurally mint. It would make a great track car, overland chariot, useable and highly affordable daily classic or rolling restoration (with only paintwork required should you wish!)
History from when I bought it:
When I purchased the car I decided to drive it around the world. It has been to 26 countries with me, as far as Kazakstan and back via the Arctic Circle. During the trip in 2017, 12, 500 miles were completed in 7 weeks. It broke down once, deep in the Kazakh Steppe, when the low octane fuel evaporated in the Carburettor due to the +50 degrees Celsius air temperature. I wrapped the fuel lines in tin foil and the problem was sorted for the return journey via the Arctic Circle!
This car means a huge amount to me, however it seems stupid to let it decay when it could be living more adventures with someone else. I am losing storage so it's time to say farewell.
Work completed in the last two months:
It has been off the road for 2-3 years, but is fortunately very well preserved. I prepared it for MOT as best I could with limited time. Here is a list of the work I have done to it:
New 096 battery - I fitted a bigger one for my trip
New brake master cylinder
New air filter
Topped up carburettor oil
Oil and oil filter service
New thermostat
Coolant flush and change
Removed fuel tank as precaution, mint inside, refilled with 5 litres of Super Unleaded, rust protected & painted.
Work required:
The car has no MOT, however I truly believe bleeding the brakes will lead to a pass; why do I not just do that and sell it with an MOT? I do not have any time left; I am about to start a very intensive career that will take up my weekends as well as weekdays. I think the carb could do with a mild tune as it's running slightly lean.
Parts included but not yet used/ fitted:
2x Front brake discs - bought as spares, it does not need them yet
Aux belt - haven't fitted, but a good idea after period of standing
Gearbox oil - haven't changed, but good idea to change before use
Other comments:
The tyres have fantastic tread and have a date code of 2017. They are mini A/ T Grabber tyres if memory serves and should pass an MOT with ease.
I replaced the clutch before going around the world, so the clutch has less than 15-16k miles on it.
Only other mods I did, aside from the paint, were a straight exhaust (sounds like a rally spec Mk1 Cooper S!), fan override switch, battery isolator as a security device and a Maestro Van radiator which is slightly bigger than the car version. I also fitted an MG Maestro dash so it has a rev counter. As such, the mileage is unknown as despite converting it to MPH with the speedo swap, it still reads in KMH and KM's! So every kilometre you do it adds a mile to the ODO!
When I bought it, it had approx 71, 000 miles on it. I have done in the region of 16, 000 miles in it during my ownership, so its on approx 87, 000 miles. When on my trip it used exactly 1 litre of oil during the 12, 500 mile journey, so the engine is also in perfect shape.
The car starts on the button, it always has done. Even after 18 months it fired up in under 10 seconds. It's truly remarkable.
There isn't much in the way of service history other than a few invoices I have from over the last 7 years. I did all the work myself.
The car was in the local newspaper and some magazines. I also took it to the NEC Classic Car Show on behalf of the Maestro & Montego Owners Club when I returned from my voyage.
Car history in the 90's:
I bought this car 7 years ago. It is a particularly special car; if you wish to see the history go to AROnline. This car was one of approx 500 cars built in Varna, Bulgaria, under a licence agreement for a company called Rodacar to build the Maestro late into the 90's. The investment went south, naturally, so most of the CKD (complete knockdown kits) were returned to the UK and bought by a company called Apple of Ledbury who built the CKD cars themselves and sold them as the UK's cheapest car in the late 90's and early 00's.
As mentioned, this is one of the very few that was built by Rodacar in Bulgaria. It remained unsold though, and was returned to the UK like all the other unsold or unbuilt cars. It was then sold by Apple of Ledbury in 2001 (I believe). The first owner was believed to be a Spanish doctor and took it to Spain for the first chapter of its life. It only returned some 10-12 years later in the early 2010's. The second owner then kept it in a barn for a number of years before I bought it. This is why the underside is so immaculate; I genuinely believe this car has never seen a salted road.
Buyer will need to collect on a trailer due to brakes needing bleeding. Bank transfer will need to be completed before car released.
Any questions please ask.
