Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the BRDC Classic 2026 - Competition Cars on Friday the 24th of July, The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN. Among the great icons of the Group B era, few cars better capture the spirit of mid-1980s rallying than the MG Metro 6R4. Developed by Austin Rover as Britain's challenger to the dominant European manufacturers, the compact Metro combined four-wheel drive, a lightweight mid-engined chassis and the now legendary naturally aspirated 3. 0-litre V6, to create one of the most distinctive and charismatic rally cars of its generation.
This particular example enjoys exceptional provenance, having been prepared and campaigned by Rally Engineering Development (RED) for French rally legend Didier Auriol during his successful 1986 French Rally Championship campaign. Following an approach by Austin Rover France to support Auriol's championship challenge, RED was awarded responsibility for the programme and converted a Clubman-homologation 6R4 to full 'works' specification ( International engine and dog gearbox etc ), using components supplied directly by Austin Rover's Motorsport department.
Registered C206 JMB on 19th November 1985 in the name of RED, the car was entered for the 1986 French Rally Championship (Tarmac) in the hands of Didier Auriol and co-driver Bernard Occelli. Following a dramatic season-long battle with François Chatriot's Renault 5 Maxi Turbo, Auriol secured the championship title after claiming five outright victories, cementing his status as one of the sport's emerging stars and laying the foundations for a career that would ultimately culminate in the 1994 World Rally Championship.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this Metro's history is its unique left-hand-drive conversion. During the season, Auriol expressed his preference for a left-hand-drive configuration, and before the conclusion of the championship, the car was converted accordingly. As a result, it remains a unique and highly distinctive 6R4, with a dashboard layout unlike any other and a physical reminder of its period competition history.
Perhaps, most impressively, the car benefits from an extraordinary level of provenance and originality. It was acquired by renowned collector and museum founder, Michel Hommell, in 1989, entering the Hommell Museum almost immediately after retirement from active competition and consequently escaped the cycles of rebuilding, modification and historic competition use that have altered so many Group B cars over the years.
Remaining within the Hommell Collection for more than three decades, the car was preserved from 1989 until 2021, an exceptionally long period of custodianship that has undoubtedly contributed to its remarkable state of originality today. Upon leaving the museum, it was acquired by its current UK-based owner, a highly respected figure within the historic motorsport world who himself competed in period with a Metro 6R4.
Appreciating the significance of the car's French Championship-winning provenance and exceptional originality, the current custodian has focused on sympathetic preservation rather than restoration. New seats were fitted to enable the car to be used on demonstrations, but the originals are included. It has two fuel bag tanks (2 tanks), both accompanied by certificates, and the engine has been professionally serviced, ensuring that the car remains in excellent mechanical order whilst retaining the authenticity that makes it so special.
Accompanied by an exceptional history file including its original registration documentation, French import paperwork and the original invoice documenting its acquisition by the Hommell Collection, the car enjoys an unbroken chain of ownership and provenance from its period competition career through to the present day. Within MG Metro 6R4 circles, it is widely recognised as one of the most important surviving examples, highly regarded for its championship-winning history, remarkable originality and exceptionally clear ownership trail spanning almost four decades.
Today, this remarkable Metro 6R4 represents far more than simply an example of one of rallying's most celebrated models. It is a genuine works-supported International Group B-spec competition car, driven by a future World Rally Champion to a national title, preserved in remarkably original condition and supported by continuous provenance from new. As opportunities to acquire significant Group B cars become increasingly scarce, this unique ex-Auriol Metro stands amongst the most historically important and desirable examples of the breed to reach the market in recent years.
