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| Modifying MG Metro |
| Friday, 19 August 2011 16:16 |
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The pocket-rocket MG Metro and Turbo may be rare sights nowadays, but thanks to the Mini market, there’s lots of potential for improving them. Words & pictures: Rob Hawkins
When the Mini-Metro was introduced in 1980, it seemed destined to replace the Mini that had lasted for over 21 years. However, the Metro had its work cut out with the reputation of the Cooper S to live up to. That job fell to the MG Metro, which British Leyland launched in 1982. Its credentials were impressive with the Mini’s 1275cc A-series tuned to 72bhp thanks to cylinder head work and an uprated camshaft, resulting in a 0-60mph sprint time of 10.1 seconds and a top speed of 105mph. Then in 1983, MG played its trump card for the Metro, fitting a turbo to a modified 1275cc A-series to boost the power output to 93bhp, resulting in a top speed of 115mph and a 0-60mph time of 8.9 seconds. And although it is outside the scope of this feature, don’t forget the MG Metro’s crowning achievement – the 3.0-litre V6 mid-engined rally car, the 6R4, which was first announced in 1984 and throughout the latter half of the 1980s competed in events such as the RAC, Monte Carlo and Lakes rallies with world class drivers behind the wheel.
The road going MG Metro and MG Metro Turbo were axed in 1989 and replaced by the Metro GTa, before the Rover 100 took over leaving the Metro to the history books after one million of these cars had been manufactured. Nowadays, the MG Metro is a rare sight. According to the DVLA, at the end of 2010 there were 373 MG Metros on the road or SORN’d, and 150 MG Metro Turbos. Over the years, many of both models have been robbed for parts with their engines, interiors and four pot front brakes being transplanted into Minis. Others have been built into kit cars, such as the Midas Gold and GTM Rossa.
The MG Metro and Turbo have a varied number of modifications which are largely taken from the Mini market, but credit must also be paid to race teams and series where the Metro has been – and still is – campaigned and successfully raced. The 1275cc engine can be extensively modified, along with its gearbox and diff. The Hydragas suspension has some scope for modifying, and the brakes have a similar number of upgrades on offer.
The MG Metro’s interior was seen as stylish and sporty in comparison to the other models in the Metro line-up and generally, fans prefer to keep their interiors original. However, aftermarket upgrades are available. Thanks to the simplicity of the front seat fixings, alternative seats can easily be fitted using the majority of universal subframes. If back seat passengers are not a concern, then there are suitable mounting points for harnesses as well.
CONTACTS 6R4 bodykit
To read more about this project see the September 2011 issue of MG Enthusiast. Back issues of MG Enthusiast available here |
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