This MG Metro 6R4 could be yours

Retired rally star

This ex-works MG Metro 6R4 rally car hails from 1986, the final year of Group B, and right now you have a rare chance to bid on it, to make it your own.

It wears its battle scars with pride: each dent, scrape and imperfection tells a story about C99 KOG’s short-lived career.

Iconic Auctioneers will offer this car on 24 August 2024 during its Silverstone Festival sale, held at the Northamptonshire circuit, where it’s expected to achieve £375-475,000.

Let’s take a closer look.

Let’s rewind

First, here’s a brief introduction to the MG Metro 6R4.

In 1980, British Leyland Motorsport bowed out of top-flight rallying when it made the decision to retire its Triumph TR7 V8 and TR8 works cars.

The following year, the conglomerate decided to start developing a Group B machine and re-enter the sport under the Austin-Rover Group banner.

A long time coming

Following a long-drawn-out gestation, the Metro 6R4 was finally revealed to the press in February 1984, albeit with an unfinished engine.

While Austin-Rover Group’s bespoke V64V motor was still in development, MG fitted its Metro rally cars with a six-cylinder version of Rover’s V8 engine.

One of these cars won the 1985 Skip Brown Gwynedd rally.

Promising start

The V64V engine was ready later that year, and the finished MG Metro 6R4 made its competitive debut in November’s Lombard RAC Rally.

One car retired, but the other placed third.

1980s star

This car was registered on 22 April 1986.

The sale includes its original registration document plus a physical copy of its insurance certificate, which is in British Leyland’s name.

Bright but brief

Finished in one of the most memorable MG Metro 6R4 liveries, Computervision’s blue-and-white paintwork, C99 KOG competed in three rallies: the Rallye Sanremo, where it finished fourth, plus the Memorial Bettega rally and the Lombard RAC Rally.

It was piloted by British pairing Malcolm Wilson and Nigel Harris.

The next stage

Group B rallying was abandoned for the 1987 season, following a string of deadly crashes in 1985 and 1986.

Austin-Rover Group sold C99 KOG to a UK collector shortly after its last competitive outing, where it placed 17th in the Lombard RAC Rally.

Back in action

The car spent several years in storage before it was sold to its third owner, who got the MG Metro 6R4 refurbished by specialists in 2004.

Following this mechanical refresh, C99 KOG was demonstrated at several events, including the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Rally ready

More recently, this MG Metro 6R4 has been fitted with new fuel tanks.

Additional work might be required, but C99 KOG appears to be ready to take on Goodwood’s Forest Rally Stage once again.

Original parts

The seller notes that C99 KOG’s front spoiler is a recreation.

The original – which was damaged when the MG hit a tree stump in 1986 – will be supplied with the car, along with its original light-pod.

Built by the best

Williams Grand Prix Engineering was enlisted to help develop the MG Metro 6R4’s chassis.

This arrangement gave Austin-Rover Group time to work on the all-new engine, while the 1980 Formula One constructors’ championship-winning team assisted with the car.

Add lightness

C99 KOG is still fitted with the same composite body panels that it used in the 1986 Lombard RAC Rally.

To keep weight down, the MG Metro 6R4 was kitted out with Kevlar bodywork and an aluminium roof.

Mid-engined monster

The MG Metro 6R4’s 24-valve, 3-litre V6 engine could make up to around 410bhp in its most lively state of tune.

The unit was mounted amidships, echoing the Renault 5 Turbo’s layout.

Against the grain

Turbocharging was all the craze in the 1980s, so why did the Austin-Rover Group opt for a naturally aspirated motor?

Early blown engines were very physical to drive, so it believed that a more predictable, less demanding engine would help its drivers stay focused for longer.

Rare beast

This car is one of just 205 MG Metro 6R4s built.

Produced in Clubman and International specifications (the latter for Group B rules), many of the road cars were later used in rallycross events.

Creature comforts

C99 KOG is an International-spec car. 

Inside, that means a composite dashboard, an instrument binnacle for the co-driver, a three-spoke steering wheel and a central rev counter.

Back from the dead

Group B was ditched for 1987, but what of the MG Metro 6R4’s all-new engine?

The 1986 World Rally Championship season wasn’t the last time motorsport fans would hear the Austin-Rover Group’s purpose-built V6.

A development of the V64V engine was used in Jaguar’s Group C endurance cars and the XJ220 supercar.

On file

C99 KOG comes with lots of history and paperwork.

There’s the original RAC logbook, copies of the car’s spec sheets and a magazine article featuring this MG Metro 6R4.

Plus, there are plenty of invoices detailing the work that has been done.

Next chapter

Fancy owning this piece of Group B history?

C99 KOG will go under the hammer at Silverstone on 24 August 2024, when it’s expected to sell for £375-475,000.

The MG Metro 6R4 is one of the lots in Iconic Auctioneers’ Competition Car Sale, which will take place in the circuit’s famous Wing building.

Click here to find out more.