83 MG Metro 1 Owner from new.
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:19 pm
During the early days of Production, rather than waiting patiently for your turn on the list of "Back ordered" MG Metro's, it was common place to order a car from a Right hand drive country and have it immediately shipped back to the UK.
Not only could you "Jump the que" in having a nice new MG Metro on your drive, but you could also save a few quid in the process.
Sound's daft, but it worked, and is a practice that is still commonplace today.
This was such a car, and has been with it's current owners from new.
Having had the usual repairs over the years and now showing 105000 miles, it has given sterling service to it's owner, but it was time for it to leave so that space could be made in the garage.
Still taxed until the end of the month, and with a current but short MOT, I collected this car after being notified of it's availability by a good friend.
The previous owner has in recent years replaced both of the sills and the front valance, repaired the notorious boot floor corners, and the front mounting points to the rear sub frame.
However, in the past, it has had the front wings replaced, and the drivers door was given a "scrape" by another car (still eveident).
The engine gave serious trouble at around 60k so was changed for a reconditioned unit, which is still relatively clean and runs exceptionally well.
Having covered only 15 miles in the past year, and a TVR project needing room the car was loaded onto my trailer last night.
Unfortunately a cursery inspection shows that there is a lot of work needed.
At least 50% of the paintwork needs work , as in the past it had a front end respray, which due to the temperature at the time, has "Fractured" the laquer, which makes the finish look like "crazy paveing"!.
There is a small dent in the passenger wing, the drivers door will need either reskining or replaceing, and hatch could do with changing, and the wheels need a refurb.
There is also sign's of corrosion in the back panel between the lamp clusters and further inspection is needed.
I shall when time allows, put it in for an MOT just to see "what it fails on", rather than the hope of a pass.
The result of that test will decide as to whether or not it is offered for sale or stripped for parts which will keep other early cars going.
Unfortunately it's what I call a 50/50 car, where it's on the verge of being a viable project or spares car based on cost.
If the MOT result is not seriousley bad, then I will likely do the work, and see take it from there.
Pics below.
Not only could you "Jump the que" in having a nice new MG Metro on your drive, but you could also save a few quid in the process.
Sound's daft, but it worked, and is a practice that is still commonplace today.
This was such a car, and has been with it's current owners from new.
Having had the usual repairs over the years and now showing 105000 miles, it has given sterling service to it's owner, but it was time for it to leave so that space could be made in the garage.
Still taxed until the end of the month, and with a current but short MOT, I collected this car after being notified of it's availability by a good friend.
The previous owner has in recent years replaced both of the sills and the front valance, repaired the notorious boot floor corners, and the front mounting points to the rear sub frame.
However, in the past, it has had the front wings replaced, and the drivers door was given a "scrape" by another car (still eveident).
The engine gave serious trouble at around 60k so was changed for a reconditioned unit, which is still relatively clean and runs exceptionally well.
Having covered only 15 miles in the past year, and a TVR project needing room the car was loaded onto my trailer last night.
Unfortunately a cursery inspection shows that there is a lot of work needed.
At least 50% of the paintwork needs work , as in the past it had a front end respray, which due to the temperature at the time, has "Fractured" the laquer, which makes the finish look like "crazy paveing"!.
There is a small dent in the passenger wing, the drivers door will need either reskining or replaceing, and hatch could do with changing, and the wheels need a refurb.
There is also sign's of corrosion in the back panel between the lamp clusters and further inspection is needed.
I shall when time allows, put it in for an MOT just to see "what it fails on", rather than the hope of a pass.
The result of that test will decide as to whether or not it is offered for sale or stripped for parts which will keep other early cars going.
Unfortunately it's what I call a 50/50 car, where it's on the verge of being a viable project or spares car based on cost.
If the MOT result is not seriousley bad, then I will likely do the work, and see take it from there.
Pics below.
