MG ESV Metro (development vehicle)

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Developed by TRL Ltd in the mid 1980s (formerly a Crown Estates, Civil Service department known as the Transport Research Laboratory) to develop and demonstrate issues relating to pedestrian safety, and thus encourage manufacturers and legislators to act.

The car is presently fitted with taller, deeper foam filled flixible skin bumpers along with a raised, weakened and longer clamshell bonnet to create further crush space before it was pushed down on to hard points by a pedestrian impact. The headlights were also made to move back should they be impacted.

This car was known as Pedestrian Safety Car 1, and exhibited at the 1987 ESV conference in Washington, where it was referred to as ESV 87 (hence number plate affixed, but not included). 

Please note, that as a former development car, some of the modifcations might cause the vehicle to be less durable and as it is more than 20 years old, this little Austin Metro L may not be driven on the public road.

This most unusual vehicle comes from the former Stondon Transport Museum and is offered here at No Reserve.