So I just moved into a new neighborhood and was driving home when I noticed my neighbors garage door open. Inside there was something that looked like a Maxton Roller Skate... so I stopped and sure enough it was.

This is car number 22 of 55. I talked to the owners wife and son for a while and learned a little about the history of these amazing cars. The owner of Sutherland Lumber started the Maxton car company and wanted to build a European style sports car with the most modern drive train of the time. So he built the Roller Skate and powered it by our beloved rotary engine. They had a hard time selling these cars and ended up selling only 2, the remaining cars were given as a bonus to the Sutherland Lumber employees who have been with the company for 15 years or more. There were two motor options for the Maxton, the 12A or the 13B, and the 13B was street ported.

The owners son claimed the car weighs 1255Lbs and from the photos you can see how small it actually is. The first pic is my little brother (red87tll).

 

What a find!

 

sweet! love it!

looks like a Locost 7 kit car (mid 60's lotus super seven).

 

i wonder if jay leno has one lol? Cool find dude

 

Those little cars are so cool. I just never understood why they didn't try the 13BT in them?

 

Kick *** cars, I'd love to have one as a D Modified car.

 

That would be a 10 sec car... and sooooooo bad ***. I didnt get a pic of the exhaust side of the engine but there is tons of room for a big turbo. Even a 300 hp setup would get you into the 9's at 1255 lbs.

The owners son was telling me that there maybe a new Maxton in the works.

 

also you'll notice snaps around the "door" area. this is for when it rains, there is a leather cover that covers the cockpit and the drivers head sticks through it. how sick is that?

 

My Classic Car showed a Maxton Rollerskate about a year ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psAgG_4GYSU

 

those r some lucky employees. i remember those cars back when motor week mag built one.

 

That thing is awesome!

I can't believe they didn't take on and sell more of them.

I'd love to rock one of those.

 

I spy a Dellorto on it! Yeah!

 

That's slicker than Snot!!!!! I never seen one of them. How much does that thing weight. Are the wings optional, cause it must fly!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hi, saw your posts re: the Maxton Rollerskate. Thought I'd touch base as I have one, #19. I've had mine since early 2007 and switched the 13B over to injection and added a later RX7 rear with discs and LSD. There were two wheelbase lengths; mines the rarer long wheelbase, made to accommodate even tall drivers. The cars actually weigh 1600-1700 lbs. But at 200+ hp, they really fly! A real blast on back roads. By the way, the tonneau cover that snaps on is vinyl and has four sections zippered together, but the one over the driver does not have a hole to stick your head through. Some of the snaps are for the roof with side curtains. It takes me 30 minutes to put it up and then only a contortionist could get in with it up!
I'd very much like to build contacts with some other owners, so maybe you can let the owner of #22 know? Thanks.
By the way, here's a link to a website for Maxton owners, including an owner's register:
http://mxtnrollerskate.home.comcast....tnrollerskate/
Steve

 

I want one!

 

I see #19 for sale on that website. Is that you selling or are you the new owner? 20K for something that neat and rear does not seem to bad.


-billy

 

that thing is amazing.

 

Sad to say that I've put it up for sale. I got married last year and we hope to start a family in the next year. I hate to sell it as I'd desperately wanted one since 1992 when I saw the building of the MotorWeek car. I entered the drawing but did not win and pined for one ever since. Finally got this one in 2007 and then made the upgrades (fuel injection, rear discs, LSD) that I wanted. It's been a lot of fun, but reality is calling and I promised my wife I'd put it up for sale. I also have it on Craigslist:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1839383175.html

I still have my other toys: '66 Mustang hardtop with 289/auto. that my grandmother bought new in 1966, and my 2001 Harley FLSTSI Heritage Springer. I would never sell the Mustang; the Harley will no doubt be an issue with my wife once we start having kids. :-(

If someone comes up with the $20k, I'll reluctantly let the Maxton go. One guy offered $18k so far. Most of the ones I've seen over the years have sold for around $16k or so, so I don't expect a rush of folks knocking down my door. That said, mine is the rarer LWB car, has the 13B engine, and is unique with the fuel injection and rear end and brake upgrades, so I consider $20k to be fair. Plus, the longer it takes to sell the longer I get to enjoy it! :-)

Steve
Lucky #19