All The Cars I’ve Ever Bought
Used car addict Keith looks back at his best – and worst – classic buys. This week, an early Metro that helped to introduce a new family member to the household
Austin Metro HLS
WHY DID YOU WANT ONE?
It was 1990 and I was going through a bit of a churn with my cars; it seemed like there wasn’t a week that passed by without a new car ending up parked outside my house. I was gravitating towards British Leyland products even before I’d hit my 20th birthday, having owned an Allegro, a Maxi and a Rover SD1. So, when I was offered a metallic brown launch-spec Austin Metro 1.3 HLS with a beige velour interior for a swap for a Rover 2600 I was struggling to fuel – plus cash in my direction – how could I possibly say no?
WAS IT A JOY – OR A NIGHTMARE – TO LIVE WITH?
Truth be told, it wasn’t great. And yet, I loved that little car. The engine and gearbox were healthy, and like all 1.3-litre Metros, it felt really quick and responsive to drive. Mine had go-faster Metro stripes down its flanks that I’m sure were worth an extra 10bhp. While I had it, I fitted rear seatbelts and even an electric aerial. However, it was plagued with issues, mainly around its crusty bodywork, with rotting front wings, valance and rear arches being the worst offenders. But I gleefully applied black Hammerite to quell the rot and P38 to make it look presentable and continued driving it. I learned how to service an A-series and managed to get a cylinder head gasket done in less than a couple of hours, though keeping the Hydragas pumped up meant being friendly with my local back street garage. In the end, I moved it on when I regretfully came to the conclusion that a crusty Metro wasn’t really family-friendly transport, and traded it in for something far more sensible.
WHAT’S YOUR ABIDING MEMORY OF IT?
Its arrival coincided with the birth of my first son – little did he know that he’d end up taking his first ride out of hospital in such splendour. But his homecoming via the class of gas wasn’t my only defining memory of this car. The first was jumping into it and thrashing down to Birmingham to visit my best friend in hospital after he’d been diagnosed with a brain tumour. I ended up driving at speeds that I would never, ever admit to in print, and yet the little Metro rose to the challenge and got me there in a time that I doubt I’d be able to match today. The other one was driving around Telford new town with a couple of my cousins on board, enjoying its fabulous handling on roundabouts, when the gearstick literally fell out of the bottom of the car, with it stuck in second. Getting me out of that mess was a job for my friends at the AA.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR BUYING ONE?
Metros are fabulous little cars that are getting rare now thanks to poor rust resistance, bad design and being a source of spare engines for Mini drivers looking for a little more performance. If you’re looking for one now, chances are you’ll be looking at a low-mileage survivor that’s been cared for all its life, unless it’s a tired and rusty project. The A-Plus engine is a known quantity but do check for oil leaks and signs of cylinder head gasket failure. The gearbox is weak, thanks to needing so many oil changes (it’s shared with the engine, so the transmission will suffer if you stretch the service intervals). Suspension is simple – just check for fluid leaks – if it’s riding low, you can easily get it pumped up at a specialist. Rust? Check everywhere but pay particular attention to the inner and outer front and rear valances, front wings, A-pillars, rear wheel arches, door bottoms and floorpans.