Article by Jonathan White, photos by Jonathan White and Peter Robinson
A special 40th birthday celebration for the Austin Maestro took place during the monthly Off The Rails Classic Car Meet on Sunday (12th March 2023) at Crewe Heritage Centre.
The gathering was organised by the Maestro & Montego & Metro Appreciation Club, and featured six Maestros as well as a Montego 1.6 LX.
The vehicles were all on display in the centre’s main exhibition hall, with exhibitors and visitors travelling as far afield as the East Midlands and North Wales to participate in the event.
The car of the day was a blue Maestro Mayfair, with owner Brandon driving over from Derby to display it.
His Mayfair was built in 1987 and features a 1.6 litre engine, 5-speed gear box, central door locking, velvet seat facings, rear arm rest, and electronic radio cassette.
The Austin Maestro was officially launched on 1st March 1983 and replaced the Austin Allegro and the Austin Maxi.
A wide variety of options were available – from thrifty diesels to the plush Vanden Plas.
Event organiser Pat said: “A big thank you to everyone who joined us at the Maestro & Montego & Metro Appreciation Club Crewe Classic Car Meet, the cars were a big hit at the meet.”
For further information, please visit the Maestro & Montego & Metro Appreciation Club group on Facebook.
The group is dedicated to all things Metro, Maestro, Montego and Austin Rover related.
Crewe Heritage Centre is located between the Crewe-Chester line and West Coast Mainline on the site of the original Crewe Locomotive Works.
It was officially opened by Her Late Majesty Queen and His Late Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, on 24th July 1987, to mark the 150th anniversary of the first train to arrive at Crewe Railway Station (in 1837).
The next Off The Rails Classic Car Meet takes place on Sunday 9th April 2023 (open to public from 10am).
People displaying a vehicle are asked to arrive between 8am and 9.30am. Entry is free for those exhibiting a classic vehicle plus one guest.
For further information visit the Crewe Heritage Centre website.
