Austin Metro Turns 44

Yesterday marked the 44th birthday of the Austin Metro.

The Metro was once a common sight on roads all over the country and was launched as a competitor to the highly successful Ford Fiesta; with the idea that it would eventually be the successor of the ever-popular Mini but now, they are rarely seen. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be celebrated though!

I remember when I was younger, my grandad had a dull yellow Metro which was parked on his driveway every time I visited. It was his loyal daily for a long time before finally being replaced by, ironically, a Ford Fiesta!

44 years is a long time for a car to be around so there must be hundreds more memories that people have relating to these plucky hatchbacks of the 80s.

The Metro Story

In October 1980, British Leyland unveiled their answer to the Ford Fiesta – the Austin Mini Metro.

Before this happened, the Metro had already gone through two prototype designs (ADO 88 and LC8) before the familiar shape we all know was finally set in 1979. The launch itself was a very big deal at the time with this new car taking over the headlines in both printed form and on television.

The ad campaign, which probably hasn’t aged well, was a group of Metros chasing various cars made outside of the UK, and forcing them out of the country.

From Austin to Rover

Over its 18-year production run, the Metro went through various name changes:

1. Started as Austin Mini Metro
2. Dropped the ‘Mini’ to become just Metro
3. Transformed into the Rover Metro in 1990
4. Had its final form as the Rover 100 from 1994

The Numbers

• Over 2 million Metros were built
• In 1980, you could get a basic model for £3,095
• By 1998, the Rover 100 cost £6,525

Share Your Metro Stories And Photos

I spoke about my grandad’s Metro earlier and I’d love to hear your memories of the Metro too. If you have a story of a Metro you’ve known or any photos, we would love to see them!