Austin - Austin Maxi
The Austin Maxi was introduced in 1969 and was Britains first car having a hatchback design. The Maxi was also the last car to be built by B.M.C. before it became part of British Leyland. It was designed by the designer of the Mini, Alec Issigionis, and was fitted with a transverse engine coupled to a 5 speed gearbox - this was surely the earliest use of a 5 speed gearbox in a family saloon car. Originally of 1485cc capacity, the E series engine was used as standard and by 1971 both a 1750cc engine and twin carburettor Maxi 1750HL and 1750HLS versions got the Maxi to be capable of a top speed of almost 100 mph. For 1980 the 2 litre range was introduced. The Austin Maxi was produced until 1981. The Maxi name was in a way very appropriate for the transverse front wheel drive integral gearbox (sharing the engine oil) car, as this larger 5 door was the Maxi version of the original Mini set up. The Austin Maxi should have been far more successful in the marketplace than it turned out to be, being let down initially by its build quality with a few faults that should have been picked up and ironed out before production had got underway.
Austin Maxi tyre size was initially 155R13 but 165R13 is a far better size to be fitting to the Austin Maxi. Blockley produce a high quality 165HR13 tyre, and if a wider tyre is required we would suggest the 175/70VR13 size. By the time the Austin Maxi was made the tyres fitted were tubeless type. See full details of the 165HR13 tyre below:
