More with an MG METRO
Gerald Collins had a beloved Mini in the Seventies and Eighties but, in the Nineties, moved away from BMC/BL for his family car. It was during this period he became aware of a neighbour’s MG Metro, as his son David explains: “Dad kept an eye on the Metro as he knew the relationship between the Mini and the Metro. He was also aware of the MG’s improved engine specification over lesser models. By then [2000s] a Cooper S was about 10 grand, well out of his reach, and he thought the Metro was a better car, being more comfortable, more practical, roomier with five seats and a hatchback. He felt the MG Metro was the spiritual successor and the next best thing to the S.”
Gerald bought the MG in 2002, recalls David: “It was around February or March and the MG had run out of MOT. Violet had owned it since 1992 and it was kept in a heated garage. She mentioned that people were offering her around £200 for it and taking the Mickey. It was a really clean car.” There was evidence of some minor bodywork early on but little need for more since. Gerald paid £400, with no MOT,
