MG Metro 6R4 ‘Clubman’

In the mid-1980s, the ‘Group B’ race category of the World Rally Championship inspired the wildest, most powerful rally cars ever built. The MG Metro 6R4 was born out of this short-lived turbocharged era and Austin Rover’s optimistic thirst for motorsport success after the TR7 V8 and TR8 rally cars had hung up their competitive boots. The entire project was the brainchild of Austin Rover Motor Sport Chief, John Davenport, who decided to follow Audi’s lead with their revolutionary permanent 4WD transmission and, once the green light was given, collaborated with the best engineering brains in the land. Amongst others, Patrick Head and John Piper from Williams F1 were brought onboard as not only were Williams the best F1 team at the time, but they were also sponsored by the company.

In December 1982, the finished prototype was delivered to Cowley for in-house development to begin, however, it wasn’t until 1984 that the 6R4 was introduced to the press in order to quell increasing speculation surrounding the project. Beneath its skin, the puny A-Series engine/front-wheel-drive package was replaced by a David Wood-designed 3-litre, 90-degree V6 positioned behind the front seats and driving all four wheels. Twin-cam cylinder heads, modelled on those of Cosworth’s Formula 1 DFV V8 engine, ensured the 6R4 was a true giant killer.

The car appeared in two guises. There was a so-called ‘Clubman’ model, a road-going version developing approximately 250bhp, of which around 200 were made and sold to the public, and a further 20 were taken and built to International ‘Group B’ specifications. However, in 1986 ‘Group B’ rallying was scrapped after a series of fatalities involving spectators and, just as the inevitable teething problems were being ironed out and the car was becoming competitive, the 6R4 was denied any chance of glory on an international stage.

Very rarely do original, road-specification, Clubman Metro 6R4 3.0-litres come to market in such original condition and with only 3,403 miles. This remarkable example has a perfect timeline, escaping any competition use and is truly on the button with an impeccable maintenance record. A copy on file of the original Austin Rover Group invoice shows that 6R4 #059 was sold to Mr. Simon Norton of Bungay Suffolk. Terry Hoyle commissioned the 3.0-litre engine, still carrying the stamped ID of TH00494 and the car retains all the unique road car features including the dashboard, seats, steering wheel and all synchromesh gearbox. After nineteen years of careful ownership, it was sold to its second owner, a respected 6R4 enthusiast who subsequently sold it to our vendor in 2009. Like many other enthusiasts during the eighties he had always wanted one of these iconic Group B Metros and when the right car came along, with funds available, the deal was done.

Although the car was in generally very good order, our vendor is particularly fastidious so the Metro was then stripped down to the shell and meticulously cleaned to preserve all the original paint and all the original composite panels with no repainting having ever been carried out. Naturally, it retains its Aluminium roof. The original 3.0-litre engine was sent for a rebuild to the renowned, ex-works, engine technician, John Manklow of Goodmans Racing Engines and at the same time the gearbox and differentials were fully rebuilt. The suspension was refurbished as per original specification by Bilstein to a ‘tarmac’ set-up and it sits on 15-inch Dymag wheels as per the works cars. All fuel and oil lines, together with tanks have been replaced using the original suppliers, Premier Tanks and Earls Pipes and Fittings, and it still retains the original Lucas ignition.

Since the refresh, the car has been lightly used covering approximately three hundred miles with the odometer currently reading 3,423 miles. All invoices (ten pages) are in the history file outlining the extensive rebuilds, logging components, seals and consumables involved to make this 6R4 as mechanically perfect as possible. Included in the file is a copy of the original invoice, original sales brochure, build manuals, the current MOT valid until July 2025, and details of the start-up procedure. We understand that all start-ups have been carried out exactly to the specified procedure using Sunoco 6RS fuel.

This, road-registered MG Metro Clubman 6R4 3.0-litre, is as correct as you will ever find and has had a cherished life making it a splendid example of the two hundred ‘homologation’ cars that were a part of the special era that was Group B rallying. A true survivor and a must for a collector or enthusiast.