Metro GTA: Spotted
There really aren't many Metros left now, but does that make it worth a five-figure sum?
What do car companies do when their models are starting to get on in life? If they're Japanese, they'll probably replace them. If they're British and they've just come out of the tumultuous saga that was British Leyland, they'll tart up what they've got and hope for the best. Take this Metro GTa, for example.
The GTa was based on a car that was launched in 1980 to show the foreign car makers what for, the Metro. Initially, the Metro was thought to be a replacement for the Mini before that decision was reversed and the original prototype was shoved into a photocopier and enlarged a bit to compete in the supermini sector, instead. When the ADO 88 finally hit the showroom floor, the press praised it for its impressive amount of interior space and remarkable fuel efficiency.
However, ten years into its life, the Metro had been overtaken by the next generation of foreign rivals, so Rover had to do something to keep buyers interested until the Rover Metro turned up sometime in the early 90s. The answer was to give the Metro some sporting appeal with the better handling GTa and more powerful GSI models.
The GTa received the same 74hp engine as used in the MG Metro, along with the tuned suspension, alloy wheels and tyres from the MG Metro Turbo. It also got a new set of seats that had better side support for all that extra cornering g-force. The grippier tyres meant that despite not being any more powerful, the GTa was faster than the MG Metro with a 0-60mph time of 11.8 seconds against 12.2 for the car that bore a Morris Garages badge.
Stiffer Hydragas suspension meant that the GTa could corner quite quickly and helped the stickier tyres to maintain their grip on the road. Since it'd take you an age to build up your pace again, carrying as much speed as you could through a corner was a must. You'd also need to thrash the engine to get anywhere because the ancient A-series engine still had to make do with a four-speed manual that lived in the sump. Many rivals had five ratios by that point.
Despite its shortcomings, there was still some entertainment to be had in driving this Metro. And being a lightweight car with a small engine meant that the running costs were rather low. This particular car can't have cost its owner that much to run on petrol since it has only covered 14,724 miles in its life. But, mercifully, it has been serviced every year according to the seller and has a long list of rubber stamps to prove it.
The previous owner kept it garaged up which means that the metal hasn't oxidised into the ether. There's a little spot under the driver's window, but because this is the original solar yellow paint from the factory, they've elected to leave it since a perfect colour match will be almost impossible. Sensibly, all five tyres have been replaced with new rubber (yes, they changed the spare as well) so this car is ready to use. All you have to do is to cough up £10,000, which is very strong money, although when numbers of survivors on the roads are now down to single figures, it's hardly surprising that vendors are increasing their prices on clean examples.
SPECIFICATION - METRO GTA
Engine: 1,275cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 4-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 74@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 73@4,000rpm
MPG: 30.7 (Autocar test)
CO2: N/A CO2
First registered: 1990
Recorded mileage: 14,724miles
Price new: £7,882 (inc £207 for sunroof)
Yours for: £10,000
See the full ad here.
Would never buy this (we had one as s kid - I hated it!) but it’s just a collector of “interesting cars” who will buy this? Or someone who’s family had one and remembers it more fondly than I do!
But no one will buy it because it’s a good car! 74 bhp!!
Looks like a very clean and original example. All show and no go however. The GTI 16v is where it's at! I learned to drive in one of those and thought it was cool at the time!
I have some slight nostalgia for Metros, growing up at a time when they were everywhere - mates first cars etc, but it wouldn't be in my 80s-90s hot hatch collection!
Datsuns made of steel thinner than a Rizla paper also applies to anything Italian
VW's with the infamous Pierburg carbs, liable to bring the car to a halt on a regular basis
Ford Escorts with plates welded onto the suspension struts after 3 years.
The Metro was no better or no worse than the rest on offer at their price range and in fact for a period they were the car to own for a number of years a bit like the new Mini has been in recent times.
I had a lot of fun with my Metro Turbo back in the day. It was only a 1275cc engine, but with some work to the cylinder head and a bleed valve 130bhp was realistic for the turbo without pushing it too hard.
That sort of power will destroy the gearbox as I later discovered
I should have kept it as a toy and fitted a 5-speed Jack Knight box with straight cut gears, but instead I had a standard gearbox fitted, dialled the power down a little and drove it for another year before selling. I regret that to this day.
The gearboxes in the earlier cars were problematic, the engine was ancient technology but I loved the cars none the less. The later Turbos with the spoked wheels looked solid at the time, and after frying one of the engines a replacement second hand turbo engine proved to be significantly faster than the original. The suspension arrangement was good, probably the best part of the package.
The Gti was a massive leap forward, surprisingly quick, relatively well made and I still miss it, I would definitely pop one in my dream garage.
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