Austin Metro Mayfair

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Don’t laugh, even Princess Diana had one of these Mk1 Metros so they must have something going for them. Conceived as a replacement for the iconic Mini, the Austin Metro was launched in October 1980 and was produced at Longbridge’s new £200m robotised assembly line.

Much of the underpinnings were borrowed from the Mini, such as the venerable 46bhp A-series 998cc engine, drivetrain, gearbox and front sub-frame. The Metro also borrowed a modified version of the superb Hydragas suspension system found in the Allegro.

With a launch price of £3,095, excellent road manners and a deceptively spacious 3-door design, it proved a huge success with over a million sold before it was superseded by the Rover Metro in 1990 and another million sold before production finally came to an end in 1998. Survivors are now few and far between as most rotted away or fell victim to the scrappage schemes.

Supplied new by Lesters of Trowbridge in May 1988, this Metro Mayfair has covered only 20,538 miles in its 31 years to date and had just one lady owner right up until 2012 when it was acquired by James Hull to join his vast and varied collection.

Clearly a fastidious lady, the first owner kept her Metro impeccably maintained, the service book showing no fewer than 12 stamps, all from the supplying dealer, plus notes of two further services, the last in 2002, giving an average service interval of less than 1,500 miles – pretty obsessive by any standards!

Appearing to be in totally original condition throughout, it retains all its original handbooks in the original Austin Rover wallet and two sets of keys. Last driven in 2012, it was recently treated to some fresh fuel and submitted for an MOT in July this year which it passed with flying colours, the only advisory being for a ‘slightly perished/damaged o/s/f tyre’.

Starting promptly and running nicely as we moved it around for these photos, this is one of only 35 Metro Mayfairs still UK registered and must surely be among the best-preserved examples remaining.