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Rootes75
Joined: 30 Apr 2013 Posts: 3814 Location: The Somerset Levels
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Miken
Joined: 24 Dec 2012 Posts: 544
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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As a machine toolmaker apprentice i helped build part of the production line that machined Metro cylinder heads.
"Today young man, your going to learn how to scrape a surface truly flat using engineers blue and a hand scraper. Don't worry this machine bed is only 40 foot long". It took weeks. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6313 Location: Derby
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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Does the Metro have any redeeming features?
If so; sorry, but they have escaped me.
Sorry, no offence intended. |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK
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badhuis
Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Same here. I think it was a good design and very practical but not my cup of tea. _________________ a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
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mikeC
Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 1775 Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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I had the misfortune to be given a Metro as a company car; I hated it, but then I don't like Minis either _________________ in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on! |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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When I was learning to drive Metro's seemed to be the driving instructors vehicle of choice, I like mini's and would love to restore one, can't see me restoring a Metro!
That said the price of Mini's has gone a bit bonkers, so maybe I will have to settle for a Metro!..the MG Metro was supposed to be good fun.
I may have got this wrong, but when launched were they not described as "Mini Metro's" ?
Dave |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
With a full, or near full, tank the early ones had a nasty habit of spilling petrol on the road just in front of the O/S rear on left hand bends and corners, could be quite tasty on a wet road.
The filler cap behind the flap was just about level with the top of wheel (not the tyre, the wheel) Later it was moved upwards to the waist line or above. _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6313 Location: Derby
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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I remember my Dad getting it in the neck from Mum when he set fire to her MG Metro!
It was an accident, of course, but they certainly go up well!
Secretly, she was glad of the excuse to go back to driving a Mini Cooper s which she always preferred.
Who wouldn't.??? |
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Rootes75
Joined: 30 Apr 2013 Posts: 3814 Location: The Somerset Levels
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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I have never been taken by them.
My sister had one as her first car and it was awful to drive, I remember my Father and I having to replace the gearbox on it and then she quickly sold it on. _________________ Various Rootes Vehicles. |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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ukdave2002 wrote: | When I was learning to drive Metro's seemed to be the driving instructors vehicle of choice, I like mini's and would love to restore one, can't see me restoring a Metro!
That said the price of Mini's has gone a bit bonkers, so maybe I will have to settle for a Metro!..the MG Metro was supposed to be good fun.
I may have got this wrong, but when launched were they not described as "Mini Metro's" ?
Dave |
Yes the early ones were MiniMetros. Mum had a posh one, I forget the version, with a stage 2 MG engine. Went ok from memory but I was never a fan of the bus-like steering wheel angle.
RJ _________________ Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
I forgot to mention the large bruise I developed on the inside of my right knee which kept getting bashed against the key when getting in, it was just too low down the column. _________________ Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6313 Location: Derby
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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...and what about the galloping rust? The Metro (ADO88) was a dreadful rust bucket - much worse than the mini - which is the main reason they are thin on the ground today. |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 1735 Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2020 2:33 am Post subject: |
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Not my favourite but I do notice the few that are around, seem to remember Dad had one for a while back in the late 80's when he couldn't scrape up the brass for something better, though it did get us from Notts to Devon and back without problems one summer before being replaced with, IIRC, the first of the Acclaims he had.There's a chap down in Fleur-de-Lys who's restoring one, I was having a word with him about the rusted out hulk on the driveway which has been a spares donor. I followed one along a road in Blackwood a month or two back that must have been burning nearly as much oil as petrol judging by the exhaust smoke, it looked quite tidy body wise but I doubt it would get another MOT without the engine being replaced or rebored. |
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V8 Nutter
Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Posts: 587
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:31 am Post subject: |
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. I followed one along a road in Blackwood a month or two back that must have been burning nearly as much oil as petrol judging by the exhaust smoke, it looked quite tidy body wise but I doubt it would get another MOT without the engine being replaced or rebored.[/quote]
So many British Leyland/B.M.C. cars were oil burners, it was to do with the block casting techniques they used. B.L.'s official position on oil burning was "If it does 250 miles to a pint that is acceptable". Apart from the oil burning Metro's were always on the limit when it came to MOT emissions. It was common practice to lean the mixture down until it would hardly run just to get an MOT then richen it up again afterwards |
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