*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT C insurance loss in 06/2003 ***
Highlights
- Ultra rare Tickford-tuned MG survivor
- Factory standard car in classic Flame Red
- Bodywork and mechanical overhaul by the seller
- MOT to April 2025 with no advisories
- Only four registered keepers
The Appeal
It was a great idea. The timing less so. Austin Rover’s belated decision to push the Maestro, blinking and bewildered, to the front of the hot hatch wars made sense, but it was too little, too late.
By the time the Turbo arrived the Maestro had been around for a while and the car’s loud and lairy body kit was out of step with the more subtle, insurance-premium-dodging times. It was good though, its Tickford-tuned 150bhp O-Series delivering 60mph in under 7secs and roundly trouncing oncomers from Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen. There were plans to build more but only the initial run of 505 cars were ever built.
All that makes this 1989 car one of the rarest and most distinctive survivors of the hot hatch era. Classically finished in bright Flame Red, it is in great order thanks to comprehensive bodywork and mechanical restoration during the seller’s twenty-year tenure.
The vendor tells us that the car starts first time and the turbo spools up as it should. The Maestro Turbo is one of the boldest - and fastest - MGs ever built and you’re unlikely to find another outside of a club event. This one has MOT to April 2025 to no advisories, so you can jump in and enjoy one of the 80s most entertaining hot hatches.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st December 1989
- Only four registered keepers
- First keeper form 1989 to 1996
- Second keeper from 1996 to early 1998
- Third keeper to 2004
- Car is number 399 in the series
- Vendor acquired car in April 2004
- He acquired car with superficial panel damage resulting in insurance write-off
- On purchase he set about restoring the car across bodywork and mechanicals
- A summary of the work is provided below
- Originally supplied by Foxfield Garage, Shavington, Lancashire and retains the dealer plates
- Vendor reports the car has received an oil change using fully synthetic oil every 4,000 miles
- Old tax discs and MOTs to verify mileage
- Service book stamped from delivery to mid-'90s
- MOT to 24th April 2025 with no advisories
- 122,493 miles on test and now showing 123,188 miles
- Over £3,000 expended on recent servicing and maintenance
Restoration and maintenance by seller:
- New door seals
- SIlls replaced
- Engine mounts replaced
- Brake lines
- Wide alloy intercooler
- SAMCO silicone hoses
- Carburettor overhauled
- New radiator
- Clutch replaced
- Regular servicing every 4,000 miles
Service history:
- Foxfield of Shevington Wigan (22.12.89) - 1,300 miles
- Foxfield of Shevington Wigan (20.03.90) - 6,120 miles
- S. Hall Motors Chorley (08.08.90) - 11,900 miles
- S. Hall Motors Chorley (11.04.91) - 23,546 miles
- S. Hall Motors Chorley (03.01.92) - 32,900 miles
- H. Atherton & Son, Wigan (06.07.92) - 39,383 miles
- H. Atherton & Son, Wigan (19.03.93) - 48,773 miles
- H. Atherton & Son, Wigan (12.10.93) - 56,657 miles
- H. Atherton & Son, Wigan (05.04.93) - 63,208 miles
- H. Atherton & Son, Wigan (22.09.94) - 70,066 miles
- H. Atherton & Son, Wigan (24.02.95) - 76,464 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (15.10.17) - 103,276 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (07.05.09) - 109,988 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (20.10.10) - 112,349 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (19.10.11) - 112,887 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (09.10.12) - 114,251 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (21.10.13) - 115,002 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (24.10.14) - 116,084 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (15.10.14) - 117,898 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (25.10.16) - 119,115 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (27.10.17) - 120,563 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (28.02.19) - 121,665 miles
- John J. Wilkinson, Crewe (06.04.23) - 122,533 miles
- Austin Garages Burton, Staffs(25.04.24) - 122,593 miles
The Condition
- Flame Red paintwork with stand-out factory body kit and Turbo decals in good condition
- Paintwork presents well with light swirl marks noted by seller but ‘no scratches’ advised
- Sills and fuel filler pocket have been replaced
- Bodywork in good order but with nearside rear arch showing some bubbling
- Underside in good condition with no underseal but some engine oil protection
- Vendor tells us that the box sections have been treated with WaxOyl
- Black six spoke alloy wheels in very good condition
- Quality Continental tyres showing plenty of remaining tread
- Original wheels have been refurbished and are included
- Well kept grey fabric interior in original and largely unmodified condition
- Some light wear visible to driver’s seat and some switchgear but presentable
- Fitted with a boost guage to centre console as shown
- Quality Kenwood Bluetooth head unit, Pioneer amp and good quality speakers
- Headlining in good condition with vendor reporting it does not sag
- Fitted with electric sunroof and windows and remote central locking
The Mechanics
- 1,998cc O-Series 150bhp turbocharged engine developed by Tickford
- Single carburettor overhauled during seller’s tenure
- Original matching numbers engine according to seller
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Starts first time and boosts as it should according to the seller
- No mechanical or running gear advisories on current MOT
- No reported running or driving issues
- Always run on superunleaded and serviced using fully synthetic oil
- £3,000 recently spent on engine mounts, brakes and suspension
- Long list of ongoing maintenance detailed above
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
