1986 MG Metro Turbo – Project Profile

We’ve featured a few Metros as Project Profiles over the years; a GTi and a black 1300 spring to mind from memory. There’s good reason though. The Metro is a cheap and cheerful, chuck-able little hatchback that is incredibly fun to hoon about in, especially in souped-up form like the aforementioned GTi. Even more entertaining than that, however, is the particularly lively forced induction version and we just so happen to have one listed in our classifieds – a 1986 MG Metro Turbo.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again for the cheap seats, sporty ’80s numbers are as popular now as they’ve ever been. Prices are reflecting this wave of nostalgia as kids who grew up in that most exuberant of decades who couldn’t afford them at the time now find themselves with some cash to burn and an itching desire to relive their youth. Trust us, we know – we are very much a part of that crowd.

Cars like the Nova Sri and Astra GTE are peaking and enjoying their second fifteen minutes in the spotlight. And so too is the MG Metro Turbo. Cast your mind back to 1982. It had been two years since the closure of Abingdon and the end of the MG B. The hot hatch wars were in full swing which saw the re-emergence of the MG badge, not on follow up sportster to the B, but on the humble little Metro.

The Metro had already been warmly received but the heavily modified MG Metro Turbo was in a class of its own. Among the many engine tweaks (by none other than Lotus) was the addition of a Garrett T3 turbo which pushed peak power to 93bhp. Combined with excellent handling, a brake upgrade and a sporty looking body kit the MG Metro Turbo was a contender and took pride of place amongst its performance-oriented rivals.

What is it? 

This 1986 MG Metro Turbo is touted as a low-mileage, original example. With a mere 68K on the clock, backed up by a quick check on the DVLA web site, as well as some honest photographs, it certainly lives up to this claim. With the same owner for the past 18 years the car has apparently been on and off the road over the years with its last MOT certificate having expired in 2018 – the only two advisories being corrosion to the underside and front brake pipes. While it does present fairly well and is a running car it has been stored for a while and there are some mechanical issues to see to.

Why is it a project? 

While this MG Metro Turbo does start and idle the seller states that it cannot really qualify as a drivable example. According to the advert the car runs poorly and won’t boost or handle any load. Also, due to it having been in storage, coupled with the fact that it is a 36 year old Metro, there is some (inevitable) rust to deal with but the sills, floor, rear valance, rear arches, and inner arch tubs have all been welded or replaced in the past. It’s an unrestored survivor car and so there is work to be done to reinstate it as a bastion of the spicy hatchback set.

Five things to look for: 

1) Rust

It’s a Rover Group effort from the ’80s which means it’s going to rust. Everywhere. Not only should you scrutinize the entirety of the bodywork for rot but you should also get underneath the car and have a good look at the chassis. Basically, if it’s made of metal then you need to check for corrosion. The car has had some welding repairs done in the past so inspect the quality of the work and make sure it is structurally solid.

2) Engine

Judging by the advert write-up this is where you’ll need to spend most of your time and effort, and therefore money. The seller seems to think there is an issue with the fuel pump but you will obviously need to carry out your own checks to get to the root of the non-boost problem, including a full inspection of the turbo itself. The engine has never been rebuilt but the head gasket has been replaced fairly recently. Having said that the coolant is rusty but the car does idle without smoking and there’s no signs of failure. To cut a long story short a full troubleshooting session and inspection of the engine would be required.

3) Gearbox

The four-speed manual gearbox fitted to the MG Metro Turbo was somewhat of an Achilles heel for the car. While it was a decent enough transmission for the standard Metro in reality it was unequipped to handle the increased power from the turbocharged engines. Check gear changes for any crunching that would indicate bad synchros. Uprated gearbox parts, as well as five-speed conversions are available though, should they be required.

4) Suspension and Steering

The Hydragas suspension fitted to the Metro is great when its working but according to the advert the rear displacers need to be re-gassed which makes us wonder what other areas of the suspension need to be fettled. Have a look at the balljoints and inspect them for any wear or movement and make sure that the tyres are wearing evenly.

5) Interior and Electrics

The seller claims that the interior is in good shape overall, despite missing the Turbo logo from the seats. The original radio comes is included and the wiring is uncut which is a good sign. It likely means the car has never fallen into the hands of the boy-racer lot. Some of the interior trim pieces can be less than robust and so check that everything is present and correct and make sure all of the electrics and switchgear work as it should.

What should you do with it? 

The MG Metro Turbo is a rare sight on today’s roads and so if it were our £8K we would mechanically overhaul the car whilst preserving the originality of this post-facelift model. Get the engine running right, rebuilding it if necessary and then address any rust issues before giving the Moonraker Blue over Stone Grey bodywork a full correction. On the face of it this MG Metro Turbo appears to be an honest example. Yes it needs some future fettling and yes, it’s had some work done in the past, but show us a similar car that hasn’t and we’ll eat our hats. Get it bought, fix it up and watch the prices of these precious, plucky little hatchbacks continue to rise.