Austin Metro 1.3 HLS
ENGINE 1275cc/4-cyl/OHV POWER 58bhp@5300rpm TORQUE 68lb ft@3000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 84mph 0-60MPH 18.4sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 40-57mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, four-speed manual MoT September 2021 ODOMETER 27,902 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This Metro starts instantly with no excessive smoke from the engine. The gearchange – surprisingly slick compared to some of the spongy affairs you get on more used and abused cars – feels like that of a Metro when new, and there’s no sloppiness in the suspension. The Mini-like handling is supremely entertaining – it just seems to flow round bends – and the 1.3-litre engine performs really well, with nothing to suggest that the car is in anything but pristine order. Just cruise along, listening to the ever-wondrous – and completely normal – transmission whine. Metro heaven. And don’t forget the light clutch and smooth, progressive brakes.
BODYWORK CHECK
The Primula Yellow paint is immaculate and appears to be substantially original. Even the front valance shows no signs of repair or overspray, the car looks immaculate underneath and the sills, wheel arches and door shuts have not a spot of surface rust on them. There’s not so much as a ripple or parking ding on the body, the
EXTERIOR All superb No noticeable rust INTERIOR Excellent, with clean, firm seats MECHANICALS Nothing amiss Super-low mileage
bumpers, door handles and glass are unmarked and the tyres look in good order with plenty of tread remaining.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The black ribbed seat material is in such excellent condition that we did wonder if it had been replaced at some point – but apparently not. The dashboard hasn’t got even a tiny crack in it to cause concern and the original Austin Rover radio sits there proudly – and still works. The steering wheel looks new, the carpets are unworn, the door trims haven’t even been attacked by a seat belt and the headlining hasn’t deteriorated. As for the sun visors – guess! All the instruments seem to work as they should, too.
UNDER THE BONNET
The engine bay is superbly detailed and it’s not all just show. All the fluids are clean, and there isn’t even the slightest sign of overheating or leaks. Everything about the car mechanically supports the mileage backed by the car’s full service history - it’s all complimentary.
THE CCW VIEW
This Metro is annoying on one level – we simply couldn’t find anything about it to criticise or fault. ‘Slight discoloration of the exhaust’ is about the most we could come up with. The car had one previous owner before the current vendor and still sports the rear window sticker from the original supplying dealer, Lincolnshirebased Dickens and Cartwright. This car is well-known among the Metro enthusiast fraternity and is a rare example of the top of the range Austin Metro (before the wood-trimmed Vanden Plas or sporty MG). £4000 is strong money for a Metro, but you’d need a very long search to find an example as good as this one and with so few miles recorded.
PROS Borderline concours, tiny mileage CONS Strong money for a Metro
BUY IT FROM Private sale, West Midlands 07917 453502