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Tim Ashworth | Turbos, Barn Finds & Why Only 30 Are Left |
Description
The MG Metro still sits in the top 10 best-selling British cars of all time. Over two million were made. And yet only around 30 to 40 MG Metro Turbos survive today.
This week Sam goes to see fellow dealer and Metro enthusiast Tim Ashworth of Stockley Classics, who walks her through three of his personal collection: an MG Metro 1275, a Mark 1 Turbo, and a Mark 2 Turbo. They cover the full story — from the Austin Metro’s launch in October 1980 as British Leyland’s “World Beater,” through the MG and Turbo variants, the K-Series Rover Metros, and the controversial NCAP crash test that killed the Rover 100 in 1998.
Along the way: Hydragas suspension and why topping it up with fluid destroys it, gearboxes that couldn’t handle 93bhp, the overhead turbo gauge that caused accidents, why foam-filled panels were a terrible idea, and how to spot a fake turbo before you hand over your money.
What you’ll learn:
- The difference between Austin, MG, and Turbo Metros (and what you’re actually paying for)
- What a decent MG Metro costs today (£6–7K) vs a Turbo (£10–12K)
- The parts situation: what’s still available and what’s getting impossible to find
- Why the Metro was designed to replace the Mini — and why the Mini eventually replaced it
- Tim’s tips on buying, running, and the things that will catch you out
Timestamps:
01:00 The Austin Metro story — designed to replace the Mini
05:30 Hydragas suspension — what goes wrong and why
07:00 The Turbo — 93bhp pocket rocket and why the gearboxes blew up
10:00 The overhead turbo gauge that caused accidents
18:00 Prices — what MGs, Turbos, and Rovers are fetching today
25:00 The NCAP crash test and the end of the Metro
30:00 WIN a one-owner Rover 416 for 50p — Dogs Trust raffle
Guest: Tim Ashworth — classic car dealer and MG Metro collector
Mentioned in this episode: Metro Owners Club · Dodo Juice car care (code SAM10 for 10% off) · Raffall.com — search “The Old Car Lady” for the Rover 416 raffle (proceeds to Dogs Trust) and use code ROVERRESCUE for free tickets.
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💬 Join The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook
📧 grangebaileys@gmail.com