Highlights

Rare early spec with slatted rear lamps and metric wheels
Largely unrestored original survivor
Three former registered keepers
In current ownership for nine years
History file with 27 recorded services from new

The Appeal

The MG Montego Turbo was British Leyland's answer to the hot saloon wars of the mid-1980s, and has become a bit of a rare little oddity today. That angular (and some might say old-fashioned from the gate) styling and 2.0-litre turbocharged engine made for a very appealing package - but it had been in development for upwards of a decade, and failed to hit its market expectations, compounded by British Leyland's usual foibles. Survivors are now vanishingly rare, with most having succumbed to corrosion long ago - which is why this example is such an unusual opportunity.

Presented as a largely unrestored original survivor with 74,000 miles recorded, this Montego Turbo comes with a history file documenting 27 services from new up to 1999, when it appears to have been laid up. It was recommissioned in 2015 and has covered fewer than 4,000 miles since.

The current vendor has owned the car for nine years, during which time it has benefited from considered mechanical attention, including rebuilt brakes, a stainless steel exhaust, and, most recently, a full steering rack and turbo rebuild. The paintwork is reported to be original throughout, save for the rear arches - which were repaired with new welded panels - and the bonnet. The vendor states the underside is solid and has never received an MOT advisory for corrosion. A collection of spares and an additional set of wheels are also included.

Key Information

Mileage: 74,000 miles (supported by service records, though the vendor notes one MOT entry recorded the mileage incorrectly)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: Will become MOT and tax exempt as of 1st April 2026
Technical specs: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol, five-speed manual
Paperwork: Service records from new, recommissioning paperwork from 2015, and MOT history available online

The Detail

Steering rack fully rebuilt within the last year
Turbo removed and rebuilt at the same time as the steering rack work
Brakes rebuilt all round with braided hoses
Stainless steel exhaust fitted
Car lowered slightly from standard ride height
Rear arches repaired with new welded panels approximately nine years ago, reported by the vendor to still be in good order
Bonnet repainted to address stone chips
The vendor states the underside is solid, well undersealed, and has been Lanoguarded annually in recent years
The vendor reports the car has not been driven in rain for nine years
Two bubbled areas noted at the base of the windscreen pillar and on the tailgate, reported not to have worsened in nine years
Minor scuff on the door mirror and some paint discolouration on the front spoiler
Aftermarket sound system fitted using original speaker apertures; original head unit included and all modifications are reversible
Accompanied by a box of spares including suspension bushes, original exhaust, a new scuttle panel, and a turbo-specific radiator
Additional set of 15-inch wheels with fairly new Toyo Proxes tyres included

BEFORE YOU BUY

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