Rover Metro GTi 16-valve

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Launched in 1980 as a more modern alternative to the ageing Mini, the Metro never quite captured the imagination of the public in the same way that its little brother had done, but was a very capable car nonetheless which just got better as time passed by.

This 1993 example is a later Rover-badged model with many detail improvements over the earlier Austin-badged cars. The ageing 998cc and 1275cc A-Series engines – which had been in use since the late 1950s – gave way to the K-Series 1.1-litre and 1.4-litre units mated to a new Peugeot-sourced end-on gearbox. The Hydragas suspension was also modified to accept front-to-rear interconnection in the way that Alex Moulton had so desperately wanted, which brought the car back up to standard in terms of handling and ride quality.

The basic bodyshell was retained, but was updated with the addition of new plastic front and rear bumpers, new front wings, rear lights and boot lid, new front headlamps and bonnet. The interior was altered with a new rounded instrument binnacle and instruments, new steering wheel, new seats (from the successful Rover 200 series), new door casings and other detail improvements.

General build quality, fit and finish was improved enormously from the old Metro while driving manners and reliability were so much improved that it rose to the top of the supermini class, winning What Car’s ‘Car of The Year Award’ in 1991. Most sporting of the range was the GTi 16-valve, a car well capable of making the most of its lively free-revving engine.

First registered in February 1993, this GTi has been in the current local ownership for 10 years and has been maintained regardless of cost by the vendor. It has been treated to a major body restoration within the last 18 months, work that has totalled some £3,476. The vendor was able to source a brand new old stock rear floor, offside and nearside rear panels, new sills, subframe mounts and inner wheel arches as well as a new driver’s door and bonnet and a good second-hand tailgate. Professionally repainted, it was thoroughly waxoiled and made ready for the road.

Further bills on file include a new clutch in 2011 and a new catalyst in 2012, all invoices along with the last 11 MOTs remaining on file. Its current MOT expires at the end of April 2016 and this smart example is ready for action and is being sold with a number of useful spares that have been accumulated along the way.

Most Metros of the era have been long consigned to the junk yard. The rather unfortunate ‘scrappage scheme’, which did so much to promote the sales of new cheap imports, has meant that a whole generation of future classics have been consigned to the recycling bin. Remarkably, only 174 GTi Metros are still UK registered, according to DVLA figures. Thanks to the concerted efforts of its owner, this comprehensively restored GTi will be one of the few left for future generations to appreciate.