Collectors\' Motor Cars and Automobilia

72 | THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL SALE

Even back in the 190s, Austin-Rovers Metro must have seemed an

unlikely candidate for World Rally Championship honours. But although

the MG-badged Metro 6R4 - like its Group B rivals from Lancia and

Peugeot - bore a passing resemblance to the road car whose name it

bore, beneath the skin it was an entirely different animal. Gone was the

puny A-Series engine/front-wheel-drive package, replaced by a 3.0-litre,

90-degree V6 sited behind the front seats and driving all four wheels.

Twin-cam cylinder heads, modelled on those of Cosworth's Formula 1

DFV V engine, enabled the V4V unit to develop 250bhp in Clubman

trim, with up to 410bhp being available in full works tune.

Designed by Patrick Head of Williams Grand Prix Engineering, the mid-

engined chassis, needless to say, owed almost nothing to that of the

standard Metro. In the course of development a host of aerodynamic

and other appendages were grafted on to the basic Metro bodyshell,

resulting in an end product that looked... well, 'purposeful' was about

the kindest description. Group B regulations required a minimum build

of 200 cars, the first of which was completed in mid-195 and the last

in November of that year. When Group B was axed by the F0A, Austin-

Rover disposed of the reputedly 120-or-so cars left unsold, warning

purchasers that the Metro 6R4 was 'not intended for domestic, casual,

business or other motoring on the pubic highway...'

122

1985 MG METRO 6R4 GROUP B RALLY CAR

Registration no. B20 FPU

Chassis no. SA??RWNP7AD570124

• Rare Group B rally car
  • In-period competition history


• Works type inner front wings
  • 1998 Targa Tasmania class winner

On its way to a class win in the 199 Targa Tasmania.