Mini Metro L

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The Mini Metro was unveiled in 1980 as a car designed to take on the relentless onslaught of new models from European manufactures in the small hatchback segment.

Excellent new products in the shape of the Fiat Uno, Renault 5, VW Polo and Ford Fiesta were selling in droves, making the ageing and less practical Mini look like the 21-year old design that it was. Never intended to replace its smaller sibling, the new Metro took the best of what the original Mini had to offer in terms of packaging, added some clever design ideas from the Allegro, and wrapped them all up in a brilliant new class-leading bodyshell.

The promotional material was bullish: ‘They’ve never looked so good – or offered you so much’ was their boast and by 1987, the year that this one left the Longbridge works, their claims were probably true.

Part of a large collection of ‘70s and ‘80s British Leyland collectables, this 27-year-old example was purchased by the vendor in December 2010 from its original owner. It has averaged under 2,000 miles per year, the odometer showing 49,000 miles in total, its most recent MOT expiring just last month. It has been laid up for the last year or so and will require light recommissioning before use and is offered at no reserve.