1986 MG Metro 6R4 'Group B' Ex-Works 'C99 KOG'

In the early 1980s, fully aware of the influence of motorsport success on their sales figures, the British Leyland hierarchy were seeking another model to continue to carry the company name to sporting success however, in reality, there were no obvious candidates. It was only with the announcement of a new 'Group B' category for rally cars that the way became clear to commence what was to become the 6R4 programme. Under the new regulations, only 200 units were required for 'homologation' (plus 20 'Evolution' models) and there were relatively few design restrictions. Turbocharged engines, four-wheel drive, state of the art materials and lots of aerodynamic modifications were allowed resulting, over the next four years, in some of the wildest and most powerful competition machines ever produced.

As is well documented elsewhere, the world of International Rallying was devastated in 1985/1986 by a number of high-profile fatal accidents resulting in ‘Group B’ rally cars being outlawed for the 1987 season, effectively ending the 6R4's International career which, owing to its long gestation period, had started a couple of years too late anyway.

The car’s performance on the 1985 RAC Rally - its best-ever placing - indicated that an earlier start could have yielded much better results, certainly in the 1986 learning year. However, perhaps because of their slightly macabre, 'bad-boy' reputation or maybe due to their ballistic performance potential and the short timespan in which they ruled, genuine Works 'Group B' rally cars have become incredibly valuable, rivalled only by F1 cars with serious provenance and Le Mans winners.

Consequently, we are delighted to be able to offer this genuine Works 6R4, C99 KOG. It was first registered on the 22nd April 1986 to Austin Rover and its original registration document is still present in the car’s history file along with the green insurance card in the name of BL Public Limited Company. The car enjoyed a short but impressive career in International Rallying, taking part in three rallies driven by Malcolm Wilson and Nigel Harris in the iconic Computervision livery, recording a fourth in San Remo, 17th in the Lombard RAC and fifth in the Bettega Memorial Rally.

After the RAC, the car was sold by the Works to a UK-based collector in exceptionally original condition and placed into storage for several years. Sometime later, it was sourced and acquired by its next enthusiast owner who tasked well known UK 6R4 specialists with carrying out a sympathetic mechanical refurbishment in 2004. A total mechanical rebuild was carried out (documented in the file), but the exterior was left untouched so the original battle scars from its works rally career were left intact. On completion, the car was demonstrated at several events including the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Always remaining in UK-based ownership, this very important and historic Works 6R4 is now publicly offered for sale. C99 KOG comes complete with a huge array of documentation which includes its original RAC logbook, copies of the original Austin Rover specification sheets along with numerous invoices and magazine articles featuring the car. In 2023, as part of further investment, new fuel tanks were fitted with the appropriate certification.

#SAXXRWNP7AD570214 (C99 KOG) has the distinction of having achieved the second-best WRC result of any 6R4 on the San Remo in 1986 and this, coupled with the fact that it is the very latest specification as developed ‘in period’, means that in our opinion, it is undoubtedly the best example of the breed currently available. With straight-line ownership directly from the Works team, retaining its original full Works-spec mechanicals and factory carbon-Kevlar panels from the 1986 RAC, this is an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire an historically important, original, ex-Works 'Group B' rally car.

N.B. The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted that the front spoiler is a re-work. The original was forcibly removed by a tree stump back in 1986 and is not in the best of shape but will be supplied with the car in the interests of originality as will the original light-pod.