Generation Cyb

It had to happen eventually, the long awaited MG Maestro project car has finally arrived on the Sellars family driveway! D428 CHO was purchased privately from a local family for the surprisingly small sum of £200. Although an MoT failure, the car came with a tidy interior and a sound body and structure, but a wealth of minor electrical gremlins and irritating trim defects typical of so many early Austin Rover products.

But why did I buy it? It isn’t the MG 1600 model I was originally searching for, and I’m certainly not going to find it easy to get insured (as a 16 – nearly 17 year old without a steady income). We don’t even need another car with the two Vauxhalls as the family transport. The answer is I have always liked bargain cars, especially Maestros, which, although they are generally very reliable and a joy to own, because of their reputation are actually worth far less than they should be. The rule of “you get what you pay for” does not apply to the Maestro buyer. As long as you know what you’re looking for it is quite possible to pick up a bargain. How much would I have paid for a D reg Golf GTi in the same condition? I also aim to prove that although CHO is in a condition far from perfect, with a little time and (hopefully) not so much money, it can once again be returned to every day service as the car it was back in June 1987! It should not be forgotten that owners of most new cars are losing more than the value of my top of the range MG in depreciation every couple of months, despite the fact that the MG is just as capable of carrying its passengers from A to B reliably and in comfort.

As much work as possible to be carried out on CHO will be done by myself to further reduce costs. I’m a believer in automotive DIY as I object to paying out money where I could avoid it, plus I enjoy the satisfaction of repairing things myself (when the repair goes to plan – if not then the bad language begins!). With the age of the microprocessor modern cars are becoming impossible to work on at home without the aid of sophisticated electronic equipment – another reason why the simplicity of the Maestro appeals. This is the first time I have tackled automotive DIY in such depth, so thanks to everyone who is offering me help and advice.