‘Angry Mini on steroids’ on the block

THIS “absolute monster” barely resembles the family hatch it once was since being built into a rally machine for a racing class so extreme it was discontinued due to the death toll.

The rare beast is expected to fetch at least $200,000 if it is sold this week through Pickles Auctions’ online Classic Car Auction.

The 1985 MG Metro 6R4 was built and fitted with a Goodman Formula 1 engine for the short-lived Group B in the golden era of rallying.

Owner Dave Thompson, a retiree from Devonport, has described his MG as being “angry” like a “Mini on steroids”, having driven it at tracks and events across Australia.

“It’s just very hard to describe how difficult the car is to drive,” he said.

“You’ve actually got to throw the car at corners … and when you do, it goes very, very fast.

“I get very nervous driving it.” Sales executive Roger Hurd said the phones had been ringing off the hook since the auction opened for online bidding last Friday.

Bidders from Arizona and Sydney have shown keen interest.

“It’s been just unbelievable,” Mr Hurd said.

The MG is on show at the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania in Launceston, where manager Phil Costello said he never thought he would see a Group B rally car in Tasmania. Bidding will close at 8pm on Wednesday.

IT’S JUST VERY HARD TO DESCRIBE HOW DIFFICULT THE CAR IS TO DRIVE ... YOU’VE ACTUALLY GOT TO THROW THE CAR AT CORNERS … AND WHEN YOU DO, IT GOES VERY, VERY FAST CAR OWNER DAVE THOMPSON