Group A MG Metro Turbos - Where are they now?

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by GBRM

Would be interesting to see.
One race he did do in it was 9th October 1993 at Oulton Park in the Classic Saloon Car Club pre '83 Group 1 race. This is also the race Dad drove the TWR Rover 005 as they had a bet on which car was fastest so Colin entered them both, him in the Metro and Dad in the Rover.
Slightly OT I know but I thought half-interesting so apologies if not!!

For clarity. It was a demo race at the end of the season in order to assess the interest in a Pre 83 Gp 1 championship which in fact evolved in 1994. They had earlier cars in there too.

As we know the CTCRC (nee CSCC) Classic Group 1 Championship is pretty popular now.

Originally Posted by northington

Tire (tyre) compounds are normally marked on each tire as is the tire location, example, RF for right front and RF for right rear. At least here in the US.

Very true and indeed I run various tyres for wet and dry conditions and they are mounted already. My point was that they are mounted so the colour of the wheels may be a result of the particular mounted set.

[MG Rover Sport]

Fair comment Gregor and many thanks for the clarification Peter.

[MG Rover Sport]

I've dug out a few items from 'the collection' for you all.

Firstly, a sticker that was handed out to 'kids' in the paddock (there was no pits walkabout in thos days like there is now!).

Secondly, the November 1991 Autosport advert for Colin Pearcy's ex-1984 European Touring Car C'ship MG Metro Turbo, Chassis No 006 (Note prototype MG Metro 6R4 Chassis No 005, and Rover Vitesse Chassis No 018 also included!).

And finally the cover of the May 2004 issue of Retro Cars magazine.

[MG Rover Sport]

I also found the following photo in the 12 September 1984 issue of Motorsport News in relation to a track test that Mark Hales did of one of the cars.

Interestingly, the article states...

'There were three of the Computervision-supported Metros on hand at a drizzly Silverstone GP circuit, all immaculately prepared in identical livery. "Our" car was the one used by Robin Brundle in the first few Trimoco races of this year and which has subsequently covered many TT's worth of miles as a team hack used for testing tyres, engines, prospective team drivers and now to be the subject of the model's first ever track test. The other two were on hand in preparation for the Istel / RAC TT, to be handled by regular teamsters, Brundle and Patrick Watts and Trimoco Escorter Rob Hall and Metro Challenge front runner Tim Harvey.'

According to the earlier list which I was sent in 1984 by Roger Dowson, Brundle's Trimoco entry was chassis number MT 005. According to the above quoted article this went on to become the team hack following Austin Rover's withdrawal from the 1984 series.

[MG Rover Sport]

And finally from me in my lunch hour (!), a photo of Patrick Watts during the 1983 season in one of the more-colourful Daily Express / Unipart sponsored entries. By the looks of things I reckon this Brands Hatch, taken from the inside of Graham Hill Bend - but I could be wrong.

[VIVA GT]

/\ /\
Again, fantastic stuff David, you must have piles (of pictures!), excellent to see Patrick Watts in action, always (almost) as spectacular as his mentor, one Gerry Marshall.
Somewhat off topic, but these three threads (Metro Turbo's, Group A Rovers and the rallysprint ones) have reminded me just how simple, but effective the Austin-Rover Motorsport logo was, shaped like a full-faced helmet, but coloured in using the traditional ARG blue and green. Instant recognition of the corporate identity, but with a motorsport connection. Nowadays companied would spend £thousands with consultants to design such a thing, I bet this was sketched by someone on a cigarette packet in their lunch hour! (Prompting David for the real story...)

[MG Rover Sport]

Hi VIVA GT,

Thanks for the kind words regarding the photos. I think we're only really scratching at the surface at the moment! I have the next batch of Rovers to post up shortly on the other thread as well.

I agree totally that the Austin Rover Motorsport green / blue helmet icon is a great logo - so simple, so effective, so distinctive, and yet still fits within the corporate colours used within the Austin Rover logo.

Sorry to say that I don't know where it originated from I'm afraid, although it's roots must certainly lie with the British Leyland Motorsport red / blue version that was used on the Triumph TR8s, Dolly Sprints and Broadspeed Jaguar Coupes of the 1970s.

Did you realise though that they actually printed two versions though, each one handed for each side of the car, so that the helmet was facing forward on both sides? Simple yet effective...

[MG Rover Sport]

I've just re-read this thread from start to finish and must apologise as I seem to have duplicated information above that I posted a couple of years ago! Sorry about this oversight, and I will try and ensure that whatever I post is new material.

Apologies again...

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

I've just re-read this thread from start to finish and must apologise as I seem to have duplicated information above that I posted a couple of years ago! Sorry about this oversight, and I will try and ensure that whatever I post is new material.

Apologies again...

Don't worry, this always happens the larger a thread gets!! Sometimes it's not a bad thing to have repeats which act as little reminders in case anyone joins us at page 1003 or whatever and doesn't read the whole thread.

Oh and by the way I take it you haven't infringed copyright issues by re-posting my Soper Metro paddock shot?!!

[MG Rover Sport]

1003 pages? Blimey I hope we solve all the history before then!

Copyright infringement? Yeah right...

[KA]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

And finally from me in my lunch hour (!), a photo of Patrick Watts during the 1983 season in one of the more-colourful Daily Express / Unipart sponsored entries. By the looks of things I reckon this Brands Hatch, taken from the inside of Graham Hill Bend - but I could be wrong.

I think you're right about Brands- some great pics so far

[MG Rover Sport]

No problems KA - although I must admit that they aren't all my own work!

[KA]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

No problems KA - although I must admit that they aren't all my own work!

I particularly like that Patrick Watts pic- he's obviously going for it that one....

[MG Rover Sport]

That photo was actually taken from the June 1984 issue of Performance Car magazine. They had a regular column called 'Art on A' in which Art Markus devoted a great deal of column inches to Group A racing. I'll see if there is anything else worthy of inclusion here - on either thread.

[MG Rover Sport]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Somewhat off topic, but these three threads (Metro Turbo's, Group A Rovers and the rallysprint ones) have reminded me just how simple, but effective the Austin-Rover Motorsport logo was, shaped like a full-faced helmet, but coloured in using the traditional ARG blue and green. Instant recognition of the corporate identity, but with a motorsport connection. Nowadays companied would spend £thousands with consultants to design such a thing, I bet this was sketched by someone on a cigarette packet in their lunch hour! (Prompting David for the real story...)

Just for you VIVA GT...

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

Or was it

'WE RACE BUT JACK IT ALL IN IN A FIT OF PIQUE!!'

[KA]

Originally Posted by MG Rover Sport

That photo was actually taken from the June 1984 issue of Performance Car magazine. They had a regular column called 'Art on A' in which Art Markus devoted a great deal of column inches to Group A racing. I'll see if there is anything else worthy of inclusion here - on either thread.

I remember those- I've got a fairly good run of Performance Car from that era, though most are in my parent's loft, so not easily to hand.

[northington]

What has happened to everyone on this blog?

[KA]

Originally Posted by northington

What has happened to everyone on this blog?

We're still here- all of these history threads tend to ebb and flow as people come up with new information or pics.

I'm working through some old race reports at present, but they don't add much to the Metro story so far....

[grahamharvey]

I tried to buy the Metro Turbo that was sold at Gaydon, but it went outside my budget, I think it fetched just over 8k which would be nearer 10k with auction commission.
It was bidded up to 10k at the Silverstone auction, I contacted the Bradleys after the auction they were after 14K, I think there is a fair chance thay have still got it.

I took loads of photos of the car including internal and external, which show some of the suspension points you were interested in. there are far to many to post on this site, but will drop them on to a disc for you.

Send me your address if you are interested. PM me at arvgkarv@aol.com

Graham

[HC Racing]

Please enjoy these pitures.

Nice large turbo exhaust
Large Turbo tecnics Intercooler
Bespoke rear disc set up
Letter donating it to ARG heritage
and a dry sump set up, it had a external belt driven oil pump under the alternator.







Hope you like...

JF.

[mario abreu]

Hi everyone!
I must say that of all the great threads in this site, I joined in the forum because of the GrA Metro Turbo topic!

This has been great reading. I just wonder why no one posted a comment on the pics by HC Racing!
Although few, I thoroughly enjoyed them.
I really would love to know/see more of the technical aspects of the cars.

Thanks everyone.
Any more info on the subject?

Mário
Portugal

[John Turner]

A belated welcome, Mario.

[northington]

Just let us know what you would like to know about the cars. I have one in the shop.

[Jesper OH]

Originally Posted by mario abreu

Hi everyone!
I must say that of all the great threads in this site, I joined in the forum because of the GrA Metro Turbo topic!

This has been great reading. I just wonder why no one posted a comment on the pics by HC Racing!
Although few, I thoroughly enjoyed them.
I really would love to know/see more of the technical aspects of the cars.

Thanks everyone.
Any more info on the subject?

Mário
Portugal

The last picture has the making of one cool poster - only that I'm not a technical guy and thus not appreciating the quality of what I'm looking at on that picture. I'm sure that someone with the knowledge could pinpoint what vintage Metro this is from that picture alone. I'm still enjoying the pictures as it is - know it's written.

Jesper