14 replies to this topic

[Tanya]

On Sunday 27th April T Building at MINI Plant Oxford is opening between 10.00am and 4.00pm for Drive It Day and to celebrate 30 years since Montego's launch (25th April 1984).  Everyone is welcome, more details here - https://www.facebook...joined&source=1

 

Although someone from the Plant helping me, I am doing most of the organising and contacted Russ Swift to ask him if he would come back to the Plant to chat to Maestro & Montego owners and those who were involved in building Maestros and Montegos.  He thinks he's unlikely to be able to make it as he's waiting for his work dates in Asia to be confirmed but they are in April/May.  However, he will come if he's not working.  He very kindly sent me these images and will send me more as and when he has time.  I have to say he's lovely, still interested in Montego and pleased that there are a number of us who are also interested.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Russ's unregistered RSP with 300 miles on the clock.  Rover paid for the roof chop as they where thinking about building a cabriolet.

 

 

 

[ToM 2012]

bin there done that with him and hes son paul swift. 

[surfblue63]

Russ is a great bloke and always has time for a chat. He's a regular at many of the classic events up here in the North East, and his collection of cars is impressive.

 

Here he is taking it easy in his AC Ace at last years Croft Nostalgia

 

[Tanya]

Russ is a great bloke and always has time for a chat. He's a regular at many of the classic events up here in the North East, and his collection of cars is impressive.

 

 

Yes, he couldn't have been more helpful.  He's hoping to come to the RSP's 25th anniversary celebrations next year.  He's a genuine enthusiast.

[Dan]

That photo of Paul is great! His guys might like to see it...

Russ and Paul are both really nice guys to work with, separately, and are quite different. I trust them both completely to do exactly what they say they will (when they are there I tend to be the one who has to be in a dangerous position around the cars to get the shot), unlike with some precision driving teams I've been around. One bunch all crashed into each other on the way home one night!

[Chance]

Off topic Tanya..BUT

Did you see the MG Maestro 1600, exactly the same as Arthur but an Areg on eBay?

Was very tempted myself...looked great
I just want that talking dash!!!

[Tanya]

Off topic Tanya..BUT

Did you see the MG Maestro 1600, exactly the same as Arthur but an Areg on eBay?

Was very tempted myself...looked great
I just want that talking dash!!!

 

Yes I did and as I expect you know, I adore Arthur.  He really is great fun and he definitely has a aura about him where people point and wave at him when we're out and come up and speak to me about him.  Everyone loves the talking dash, it's a lot of fun  He has quite a following!  

[Tanya]

Here are the latest photos that Russ has sent.  They are from the filming of the advert.  

 

 

 

 

[Tanya]

Here's the next batch from Russ

 

 

With Simon Slater, the actor from the Montego advert

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tanya]

Some more from Russ.  What's so lovely is that Russ seems to get as much pleasure sharing his photos with us as we get from seeing them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[surfblue63]

Some great picture there, thanks for posting them Tanya. I'll thank Russ next I see him.

[Tanya]

Some great picture there, thanks for posting them Tanya. I'll thank Russ next I see him.

 

Please do.  It's taken him some time to scan them all in and send them to me.  I've got more to follow.

 

I hope you don't mind but I sent him your photo of him in his AC Ace - he loved the photo and thought it was great

[surfblue63]

Of cause I don't mind. I had a long chat with Russ at Raby Castle last year because he was looking for a Cooper to do a spot of classic rallying in.

 

Here he is relaxing behind his other AC before I ambushed him

 

 

I might see him in April if he hasn't gone to the Far East at Hurworth. He does a bit of marshalling there for the car show.

[cradley-heathen]

some great stuff there. i love 80s era austin stuff, we had a montego when i was a kid, and have always liked the maestro too, have you seen the one on the cover of retrocars this month? its really cool!

 

https://flic.kr/p/m3r3bX

[(philip)]

Proper retro awesomeness  :)