As the Austin Maxi was first launched in 1969 in Lisbon, there was a large celebration planned for the marque at the Cowley MINI Plants’ visitor centre at Oxford.

The first Maxis left the assembly line in April 1969 and this anniversary was to coincide with the annual Drive-It Day, the sixth edition of the annual event which encourages people to drive their classic cars.

Fourteen Maxis visited the plant, and one was driven all the way from Ireland especially for the event. Brendan Dooley is rightly proud of his lovely green Maxi, and she never missed a beat.