Description:

The ex-Colin McRae

1987 MG Metro 6R4 'Group B' Rally Car

Registration no. D459 XHJ

Chassis no. SAXXRWNP7AD570046

• Rare Group B rally car
• Purchased by the late Colin McRae for his own use
• Former national rally-winning car
• Present ownership for the last 16 years
• Full bare-metal, ground-upwards restoration
• MoT'd and 'on the button'

Even back in the 1980s, Austin-Rover’s Metro must have seemed an unlikely candidate for World Rally Championship honours. But although the MG-badged Metro 6R4 - like its Group B rivals from Lancia and Peugeot - bore a passing resemblance to the road car whose name it bore, beneath the skin it was an entirely different animal.

Designed by Patrick Head of Williams Grand Prix Engineering in collaboration with Austin Rover, The MG Metro 6R4 was the 1st and only ever Rally Car to be designed, developed and built using period Formula 1 technology in conjunction with a current leading Formula 1 manufacturer.

The 6R4 remains the only ever rally car to have an engine designed and built purely for its intended purpose. Make no mistake, this engine was not a modified road car engine but a clean sheet design using Formula 1 technology from the period.

The howl of this mid-mounted normally aspirated 400+bhp V6 engine is unmistakable. It was mated to a bespoke 4 wheel drive transmission including Dog Box, adjustable Powerflow LSD’s and viscous coupling all derived from F1 technology of the period.

The bodyshell and aerodynamic packages were all designed at Williams using their state of the art Wind Tunnel. A design that was clearly ahead of its time as homage can be seen reflected in the current crop of WRC Rally cars.

The International Group B rallying period was short lived due the ever increasing dangers posed by crowd control and by 1987 the FIA had banned the formula in favour of the lower powered Group A category.  The MG Metro 6R4’s best result in the World Championship was Tony Ponds 3rd overall on the 1985 RAC Rally.

The MG Metro 6R4 (with lower power) was allowed to carry on in National rallying to this day and over this period has proved the be the post successful Group B rally car of all time. It has won numerous events, titles and National Championships.

In also found a home, along with the other Group B cars, in European Rallycross where again it was ultra-successful winning many National championships and even the European Championship in the hands of Will Gollop.

Eligible for many speed events, a 6R4 even broke the long standing and coveted ‘Closed Car’ Record at Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb as recently as 2021 (The oldest motorsport venue still in use today).

This is the original MG Metro 6R4 that the late Colin McRae bought for his own use while still a works Subaru WRC driver. It is former national rally-winning car that Colin bought for his own personal enjoyment. He used the MG for Course Car duties during the 1998 Colin McRae Stages showing an amazing display of car control and a glimpse of the excitement Colin would have created had he competed in the Group B era. Very rarely can a 6R4 be seen driven in anger with such skill and control. It was featured on the Motors TV channel. Included in the sale is the original V5 document recording Colin Steele McRae as a previous owner.

Originally, this 6R4 formed part of Tom Walkinshaw's collection during the time his company was assisting in the development of the Jaguar XJ220. Subsequently it was rallied by Tony Davies and Raymond Munro (Scottish Champion), winner of the 1997 Sunseeker Rally in this very car.

It has been with the current owner for the last 16 years and during this period has completed a full bare-metal, ground-upwards restoration using original, period and modern upgraded parts to the current 'Tarmac' specification.

Highlights include the following:

400bhp+ 3.0-litre V64V International engine

Motec ECU upgrade including coil-on-plug, twin wide-band lambda and data logging

Motec power distribution module and wiring loom upgrade to control all devices ensuring reliability and performance while still retaining the original look and feel of the original dashboard/cockpit layout

International dog box and 'Tarmac' specification step off

New clutch

Works specification differentials front and rear

International power steering and works quick rack

Original works carbon/honeycomb lamp pod assembly and cover

Carbon/Kevlar inner arches and radiator cowl

FIA seats and belts (in date)

Much coveted and very rare 16“ Dymag 'Tarmac' wheels and tyres

Since the restoration's completion the 6R4 has been used in various speed events with 100% reliability and a class-winning record.

Always stored in a fully heated garage since restoration, the car is MoT'd until May 2026 and 'on the button'.

Without doubt one of the very best MG Metro 6R4s currently available, 'D459 XHJ' is ready to use for road, demonstration or competition purposes.

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