It also had the advantage of being familiar to mechanics the world over. In reality, the A-Series (in revamped A-Plus form for the Metro) had plenty of life left in it – as was later to be proved by those ’90s Minis – and was easily the equal of something like the breathless 895cc Polo. In fact this was the era when BL chairman Michael Edwardes was walking a knife-edge between keeping the firm going on government hand-outs or turning out the lights. The use of the A-Series motor was of course down to cost: BL was in a bit of a state at the time the Metro was developed and had tried several times already to build a successor to the Mini. It’s easy to deride the Metro for its carry-over Mini mechanical bits but in truth the Fiesta in 1980 – the benchmark for small cars – was relying on the old pushrod Kent engine which was decades old. As you’ll see, the rest of isn’t quite so easy.Ī British car to beat the world, said the press adverts for the Metro – or Austin miniMetro as it was first known – and indeed in some areas the car was ahead of the competition. Its origins in the Mini have been both its salvation and its downfall as a classic – back in the day, an MoT-failed Metro was usually descended on within minutes by Mini owners and stripped of its running gear, but today it does at least mean that the legions of Mini parts suppliers can cater for the A-Series powertrain. Once a regular in the best seller charts, the Metro is one of those everyday cars which has suddenly dropped off the radar and even the extensively redesigned Rover Metro is now a rare sight in everyday use.Īll of which means that the humble Metro has now regained a great deal of appeal if not as a better-driving alternative to the Mini but for its curiosity value alone. But ask yourself this: if you fancy a Mini for its giant-killing performance and handling but you just can’t live with its many compromises, then what about a car which offers all the fun of the Issigonis original but with a better driving position, much more interior space, a practical hatchback boot, a more comfortable ride… and a far cheaper entry price? That, in a nutshell is the Metro which – although Mini fans will hate me for saying it – took all the good bits of the original Mini and made them better. Here’s what you need to know before buying one.ĭestined to be outlived by the very car it was intended to replace, the Metro was once something of a laughing stock, especially among the diehard Mini fans. Check to see if they're right on July 26 through July 28, 2019.Often called the thinking man’s Mini, the MG Metro is a fast appreciating and endangered national treasure.
Mini metro for sale crack#
Silverstone expects bidders to crack more than $200,000 on this car. In 2002, it was purchased by the vendor that is selling it now. After the owner passed away, the widow sent it to the Donington Museum on loan in 1996. It was purchased from Austin Rover Group Limited on December 5, 1986, and delivered to the owner's home in Oxfordshire, England. With only seven miles on the odometer, it is 100 percent original and has never been modified. It's never seen rain, and has only been "dry cleaned," according to Silverstone. It was sold as a kit (it was up to the buyer to assemble some of the parts), meaning it was never registered. This particular car has an extremely simple history. The 6R4 has a mid-positioned 90-degree 3.0-liter V6 with twin-cam cylinder heads. The 6R4 was developed by Austin Rover Motor Sport Chief John Davenport with the help of Patrick Head and John Piper from Williams F1.
Mini metro for sale code#
The alphanumeric tag 6R4 is really a code that stands for six cylinders, rally, four-wheel drive. Although cars such as the Audi Quattro, the Lancia Delta S4, the Peugeot 205 T16 and the Ford Escort RS200 might have a bit more famed weight to their names, the Austin Rover MG Metro 6R4 has just as much personality. Silverstone says this is, "almost certainly the only seven-miles-from-new Group B rally car in the world." We can't confirm that statement, but its potential value is undeniable. This July's Silverstone Classic Sale auction will continue the trend with a 1985 MG Metro 6R4 that astonishingly only has seven miles on the dial. Their incredible performance skyrocketed their popularity in the '80s, and their over-the-top cartoonish looks help make them some of the most charismatic collector cars today. Group B rally cars have become some of the hottest items to roll across auction stages in recent years, and interest is only ticking upward.
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