1987 MG Metro 6R4

Designed specifically for Group B rallying back in 1984, the 4WD mid-engined MG 6R4 (6-cylinder, rally car, four-wheel-drive) Metro was a world away from the bestselling supermini to which it bore only a passing cosmetic similarity. The competition car effectively only shared the one body panel of the production Metro; its roof, and this was made of aluminium. The body of the 6R4; a mixture of aluminium and GRP was constructed around a seam welded tubular chassis. The engine was mid mounted for perfect weight distribution. However, somewhat unconventionally, with the engine back to front in the car, with the forward end of the engine facing south and the gearbox attached conventionally behind it and, therefore, in the middle of the vehicle. The four-wheel-drive was permanently engaged, and drove separate prop shafts to the front and rear differentials. The rear differential was mounted on the side of the engine sump with one driveshaft running through the sump to the nearside rear wheel.

The development of the 6R4 had been entrusted to Williams Grand Prix Engineering. The resulting car was shown to the world in May 1985. It was powered by a David Wood designed bespoke 3-litre V6 power plant which used some of the engine architecture of the Cosworth DFV. It featured twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. 'A16 PLR' built in 1986, comes with a 2,500 Ltr Goodman Racing prepared engine, running 6 Trumpet slide throttle fuel injection and is Rev limited to 10,750 RPM producing circa 360/370bhp. Fitted with a five-speed dogleg gearbox. Front and central differentials are viscous, with the rear differentials being a conventional limited slip differential. The car also comes with a spares package including shod wheels, gearbox parts, brake items, a radiator, etc.

This well-known car has been campaigned with success over the years by such names as Peter Lloyd and John Brodie. It's triumphs include the 2005 Regency Stages Rally and the 2011 Weston Rally Sprint. 'A16 PLR' comes with a large and extensive history file containing many invoices dating from 2003, many of which from specialist Goodman Racing. The 6R4 is a remarkable machine with an iconic status and a very strong following. Eligible and competitive today for Group B rallying, hill climb, rallycross and sprint events. From an historical point of view, these cars are rare and probably the last we will see of a British owned volume car manufacturer offering a truly competitive competition car, making the 6R4 somewhat of a collector's item!