Hatch Heaven

Due to significant engineering breakthroughs, the 1980 Austin Metro was designed to g0 12,000 or one full year between services of any kind. Each car had brake pad sensors to let you know when to change the pads. Self cleaning sliding contact points are standard, as was a long-life battery which only needed topping once a year.

An enlarged oil filter element and long-life spark plugs which did not need cleaning were standard as well.

With its new A-Plus engine and refined, positive gear box, the Metro delivered great performance and great economy. The 1.3 HLS  topped 96 MPH and had a 0-60 time of 12.3 seconds. The HLE achieved a 62 MPH rating at 50 MPH and an astonoshing 83 MPG at 30 MPH.

In the interior, the asymmetric Split-Action rear seat is split one third/two thirds  making it uniquely versatile. When both seats are folded down, you have 45.7 cubic feet of load space. It had better visibility with its huge glass area and the doors were extra wide so getting in and out was easy. It had a stating MSRP of £3,095

The 1982 Austin Ambassador model range included the 1.7L/HL with a 1.7 liter 1700cc inline 4 cylinder producing 83 HP, the 2.0HL with a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder producing 92 HP and the 2.0HLS/VP with a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder producing 100 HP. They were all front wheel drive and a four-speed manual transmission was standard. It had front and rear independent Hydragas suspension system, rack and pinion steering, front disc brakes with rear drum brakes, and a 37.8 turning radius. The top speed for the the 1.7L/HL was 98 MPH with a 0-60 time of 14.8 seconds, while the top speed for the 2.0HL was 101 MPH and 102 MPH for the 2.0HLS/VP with a 0-60 time of 11.5 seconds.

The overall length of the 1985 Austin-Rover Metro was 11’2″, making it a very agile hatchback. But it also had a wide track, which made it more stable than other cars in its class. The low profile tires plus rack and pinion steering made it light and precise. It had outstanding all-around visibility at 88% and the aerodynamically designed hood sloped down for an even better view of the road. With its back seats down, there was an enormous 33.8 cubic feet of storage, and a full tank of gas would take to 400 miles. The MRSP for the 1.3 Metro was £6,384. It made it Britain’s best selling car.

1983 Austin Rover Metro Gala Special Edition was built to celebrate Britain’s best selling small car. Amenities included plush velour seats, radio/stereo cassette player, analogue clock and glass sunroof.

The Austin A40 Farina was a compact car introduced by the British Motor Corporation in 1958. It was designed by Pininfarina of Italy. The A40 designation had been used on previous Austins, but the “Farina” suffix was new with this car; it was later applied to larger Austins which were also styled by Pininfarina.

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The Austin Maestro Vanden Plas models were top of the range and included all options. It had a 1600 OHC engine with a five-speed manual transmission. It was produced from 1983 to 1994, initially by the Austin Rover subsidiary of British Leyland, and from 1988 onwards by successor organization Rover Group. (source: eBay)