MG METRO (1982-1990)
When the MGB was killed off in 1980, we assumed we’d seen the end of the famous Octagon, as the market’s preference shifted away from sports cars to more practical hot hatches. But just 18 months after the painful closure of the Abingdon plant, the MG badge was back – and on a hatchback, too.
Intended as the Mini’s replacement, the Austin miniMetro had arrived in 1980 to great fanfare. The front-driven, Hydragas-suspended supermini competed with the best in class in many ways, but the range was devoid of a true halo model. There was the 1.3 S, and the aftermarket made some valiant attempts too, but what it needed was a touch of style, some sporting appeal and a popular nameplate. Cue the badge-engineered MG Metro of May 1982.
The first step to jazzing up the
