Hot hatches were big news in the late 1980s, with almost every car manufacturer trying to get into the act.
Austin-Rover Group might not have had much breadth of choice in terms of powertrain, but nevertheless the MG Metro was a good effort, thanks to its eminently tuneable A-series engine and naturally well-balanced chassis, while later examples were improved further thanks to the addition of chunkier bumpers, a body-coloured grille and a vastly improved cabin, featuring velour seats and racy red seatbelts.
This example is quite a late MG Metro, first registered in 1989 as the A-Series engined Metro entered its final year of production. It was originally an Austin-Rover company car, before it passed into private ownership and a long-term owner who kept it for many years.
The car was comprehensively restored last year, with a photographic record of the rebuild, but with the Metro finished, the owner (a huge fan of Eighties hot hatches) wants to divert his attentions to getting his Peugeot 205 GTI finished off, so the Metro is offered for sale to fund the 205 project.5aO5vqn0gzcVGo4WVJd3RlVtr8RlMQKlj1GmvkHn.jpg880.58 KB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C
MOT valid to January 2024
Originally registered to Austin-Rover Group Company Vehicles
Subsequently owned for over two decades by a lady owner in West Sussex
Restored in 2022
Huge history file featuring maintenance and repair invoices going back to the 1990s
Most old MOT certificates
Original book pack and handbooks
Invoice for over £2,600 spent on parts for restoration
Digital photo record of car’s restoration
All Interior, except the carpet is all original from when the car was new, Also all the wings, wheel arches are all original, this car had no fabrication on the refurb, It’s still totally original with no parts sourced.
The Metro is a car that you once saw on every street corner, while the MG variant was a junior hot hatch that marked you out as among the more daring and different of the Austin-Rover supermini drivers – those red seatbelts were a status symbol back in the late 1980s.
This one is an ultra-rare survivor, restored to a very nice standard and now an exceptionally rare car. A fantastic junior hot hatch from an era that’s really booming at the moment, and a great opportunity to own something usable and different.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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