Austin Metro HLE - “economy without the sacrifices”

Some versions of a popular car are unfairly neglected by the classic press. The Series I Automatic appears to have far less of a profile than the MG and Vanden Plas, yet it is just as important to the Metro’s story. Plus, this 1983 example sold by Chris evokes so many memories of the early 1980s: video libraries with well-stocked Betamax sections and playing Manic Miner on a ZX Spectrum.

Most readers will be familiar with the Metro’s history. Development work on Project ADO88 began in November 1974, but British Leyland extensively revised the prototypes as the LC8 less than three years before launch in 1980. A ballot of factory workers chose the name; two other options were ‘Match’ or, ironically, ‘Maestro’. The development costs of the “British Car To Beat The World” were £275m, and Margaret Thatcher arrived by Metro at the NEC International Motor Show.

In terms of the model hierarchy, the original range was the 1.0 Standard, the 1.0L, the 1.0HLE, the 1.3S and the 1.3HLS. The Automatic joined the range in 1981, and it was trimmed to same level as the HLE with a radio, an analogue clock, a “split action” rear seat, and fabric upholstery. There was also rear screen wash-wipe, halogen headlights, reversing and two rear fog lamps – items the Metro Standard conspicuously lacked.

In other words, the Automatic possessed showroom appeal – especially in comparison with the Metro L and Standard. The price in 1981 was £4,595, which made it slightly more expensive than the Renault 5TS Automatic. On the other hand, the Metro featured a four-speed box and was a more recent design. Autocar found the AP gearbox “likeable and well-arranged" which was precisely what many owners required of their Metro Automatic. Their priorities were less being first away at the traffic lights and more safely arriving at the garden centre. A top speed of 92 mph with 0-60 in 19.2 seconds was more than enough, thank you very much.

BL’s Austin-Rover division facelifted the Metro in 1984, and the 1.3 Automatic Series I faded into the public memory along with grey Paul Calf-style loafers and Sons and Daughters on ITV. My own recollections of the Metro Automatic were older drivers seemed to favour them and indeed Chris’s example really was owned by an old lady.

Any Metro Series I is now an object of fascination, and the gold Automatic is even more so. This partially because it filled its role so well – Autocar thought it “one of the best – if not the best” cars in its class – but also because a Metro Automatic so precisely typifies another age. Think of Boxer Beat by The JoBoxers. Think of the post-Meg Mortimer Crossroads on Central Television. Think of when the Metro Automatic’s “Glow-ring cigar lighter” was the height of luxury...

- Ebay -

With thanks to Chris for his time.

With thanks to Chris for the permission to use the images in this blog.