1987 Austin Metro

The car on offer today is a 1984 model of the Austin Metro. It was delivered new to the Netherlands as a standard hatchback and was transformed into a convertible by Kimman. The vehicle has only had two owners from new, the last one having had the car since 2012. Originally white, the Metro was treated to a complete respray in striking light blue in 2014 and has seen some major mechanical works as recent as 2018. This automotive rarity is offered at no reserve.

The car presents in overall decent condition. The wheels are in very good nick with no traces of encounters with curbs and are not corroded or rusty. The tyres appear to still have enough thread, though seem to be dated 2003 and we would thus recommend changing them to make the most of the Metro’s impeccable handling on the road. The body, repainted in 2014, is in decent condition with only very minor rust such as on the driver’s side doorsill. However, this rust spot is so small that it is barely worth mentioning and it certainly does not require immediate attention either. The striking blue paintwork is shiny and of good quality, the car having been completely dismantled before the paint was applied. The lights appear to be intact all around and are not tarnished. The front bumper is in less good condition and cracked in different locations, especially on the passenger side. The rear bumper appears in better nick, though the paint is not the best. A respray / repair of the bumpers would greatly help to improve the looks of the car. Other plastic parts such as rear view mirrors and door handles look like they are nicely preserved. The soft top, made of black cloth, is in good condition and closes well. When closed, it is held in place with clips and folds behind the seats when opened.

The inside of the vehicle is upholstered with a mix of black leather (door panels and rear seats), black cloth (front seats), black plastic (dashboard) and blue Alcantara (rear seating surfaces). We believe the door panels are still original, but the rest of the interior has been modified or reupholstered. The front seats are from a Mazda MX-5 for example, but offer very good support, which is needed because the owner reports the car drives exactly like a Mini Cooper, both cars sharing the same chassis design. The rear seats are in good condition and the leather and Alcantara only have slight traces of wear and are not damaged. The black dashboard shows usual signs of wear, as does the steering wheel. All buttons are still in place, but the cigarette lighter is missing. A modern Pioneer radio is fitted. The floor is covered in brown carpets that show some signs of age, though a proper clean-up would probably make them look much better again.

A few pictures from underneath are available, and from what we can see, it all looks solid without major sources of rust. However, British cars are not particularly renowned for excellent rust protection or resistance, so the bidder shall be advised that some rust could well be hidden in some areas that are more difficult to access. On the other hand, the car was completely dismantled and repainted in 2014. The engine and gearbox are a bit wet from underneath, but for classic British motorcars, this is to be considered normal. The exhaust looks very new and is free from major rust. The engine bay is largely original and clean, and the owner states that extensive works were done to the engine in 2018. These are very reliable engines that run without any issue when oil service is done on a regular basis. Moreover, easy access in the engine bay makes it a nice car for DIY mechanics.

The Austin Metro on offer was sold new to the Netherlands in 1984 as a normal hatchback in a white livery. The Dutch company Kimman subsequently cut off the roof to build a quirky convertible, inspired by the Crayford and Rapport Metro models. In 2012, the car was sold to its second owner, still in the Netherlands, and treated to a full respray in blue. The car is offered from the hands of the second owner and has done a total of 102.755kms.

The Austin Metro is one of those cars that was very successful when in production, but quickly descended into oblivion after production ended. As a consequence, these cars have become very rare sights on our roads and driving one today will certainly get you interested looks and lead to unexpected conversations at the petrol station. The car on offer has been modified to convertible specification, so that it can be enjoyed in summer as much as on cold days in spring or autumn (we would not necessarily recommend it for winter). The flashy blue colour is in good condition, and the car overall can be described to be in decent nick. This is a rare opportunity to bid on an 80s classic that has shaped generations in the UK for many years. Apart from being rare, the Metro is a real driving machine that is very fun to drive thanks to its clever suspension and the chassis it shares with the Mini. An opportunity not to be missed for any 80s and 90s kid!

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €5,000 - €10,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.