From Mini to Maxi, Leyland had something for everyone
What Britain’s biggest car maker had to offer in 1977
AS Britain’s biggest surviving car manufacturer, Leyland, as it was called at that time, had a huge chuck of the domestic market in the 1970s.
One of its most popular ever cars, which had already become a British icon by this point, was the Mini, and in 1977, when the cataloque from which these pictures are taken was published, the Clubman model was on offer. With its 1098cc engine, redesigned grille, ‘cropped nylon’ seat covers, face-level ventilation and carpet throughout, it was a notch above the basic 850 and 1000cc saloons.
And at the opposite end of the scale, at least in terms of its name, was the Maxi, pictured below.
In truth, it was looking pretty old-fashioned even in 1977, but the brochure enthused about this “practical and astonishingly versatile Leyland model. All with a reliability, economy, style and performance you’ll find hard to beat at the price on either side of the Channel.
“Fold the rear seat forward and you have an equally comfortable, fully-carpeted Estate. Recline front and rear seat backrests and there’s another transformation – a double bed.”
The Maxi came in 1500, 1750 and HL models, the latter having twin carbs, nylon fabric seat panels, padded vinyl fascia and wood effect gear knob.
Those were the days.