Anyone who was able to say “Mini Metro”, even if not themselves, will probably know someone who has one.
Only a few people were able to drive this rare Frazer-Tickford Hot Hatch produced by Aston Martin.
There were only 26 of these examples. This month, one of three built for the American market is set to go under the hammer at a British auction, with experts predicting it will sell for up to £45,000.
Metro is not the norm: This Metro was created by Aston Martin’s Performance Division.
The left-hand-drive car, which originally found a home in Beverly Hills with a world renowned photographer, is one of the lots up for grabs at the H&H Classics sale at the Imperial War Museum Duxford on 17 November.
This 1982 model has approximately 9,600 miles remaining.
The auction house estimates the hammer will drop at bids of between £35,000 and £45,000.
A rare motor it was, Frazer, then-new car company, took the vehicle to Tickford, a tuning division of Aston Martin. Tickford converted the beautiful supermini into an extremely performance-oriented machine that offers enhanced comfort and spoiler-laden power.
Metro’s name was dropped in order to show that it had been rebuilt completely from scratch by the auto duo.
From 1981, only 26 of them were completed – they weren’t cheap.
Priced from £11,600 when new, this car would have cost more than a Porsche 944 at the time.
Using the This is Money historic inflation calculator, that price today works out at a massive £51,000. This is the same price you would pay for a new Porsche Cayman T.
This 1982 model has approximately 9,600 miles. The auction house set to sell in later this month estimates the hammer will drop at bids of between £35,000 and £45,000
The left-hand-drive car, which originally found a home in Beverly Hills with a world renowned photographer, is one of the lots up for grabs at the H&H Classics sale at the Imperial War Museum Duxford on 17 November
An engine that was originally a Metro 1.3S standard was modified by engineers. The engine was equipped with a Weber twin choke carburettor and a larger camshaft. It also had bigger valves and a more gas-flowed head. This increased power to just above 80 bhp
Production started in 1981, taking a standard Metro 1.3S and retuning the 1275cc engine with Weber twin choke carburettor, a hotter camshaft and bigger valves with a gas flowed cylinder head to produce increase power to just over 80bhp.
Glassfibre was used to add glassfibres such as sidepods and rear skirts. These gave the body a new bulked out look that is complemented perfectly by 14-inch alloy wheels.
A stiffening of the front anti-roll bars was done, and another was added to the rear. The ride height was also reduced by tweaking the Hydragas suspension.
While rare cars were made, the car’s distinctive bulging bodykits instantly identified them. Glassfibre side pods were fitted by engineers, as well as a front air dame with skirt and front vents.
From 1981, the Frazer-Tickford Metro was made in very limited quantities.
Original advertisement for the car states that “all aspects” of it, from its appearance to comfort and performance, have been changed.
While most were resprayed in high-gloss silver and fitted with a more luxurious silver interior, this example is unique.
The cabin has been finished in Cairngorm brown paint and is accented by beige saddle leather, Alcantara, and chocolate brown pipe.
It retains the ‘Tickford’ lettering emblazoned across boot lid and Aston Martin enamel badges in lacquer to highlight its legendary lineage.
It includes Wilton pile flooring, Uher stereo stack, Marchal fog lights and four Marchal follies.
Metro was slower because of the extra bodywork and interior flash. It weighed in at 90kg more than its original weight.
Official claims are that the car can go from 0-60 mph in just 11 seconds, and top speeds of up to 100 mph when it is new.
The majority of Frazer-Tickford Metros were resprayed using high-gloss, silver paint. However, this one was painted with Cairngorm-Brown paint
This specification contains thick Wilton pile carpeting and Uher stack stereo. There are also four Marchal fog light, Uher mirror stereo and two electric windows.
It is made from a mixture of Alcantara leather and saddle leather, with piping in Chocolate brown.
Last sold in 2016, it has had just two owners in total, having originally been supplied in 1984 to the late Wendal ‘Rick’ McBridge, a renowned official Ferrari photographer living in Beverly Hills, California.
The item was brought back to Britain two years later.
The vehicle has approximately 15,000km and 9,600 miles on it. It is offered with an extensive history file.
In 2015, the car received its last commissioning, ahead of its 32-year anniversary. This included a complete service, brake overhaul and alloy wheel refurbishment, as well as fitting with new tires.
It has also had a new exhaust system, windscreen, interior refresh – including leather re-trim of the steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake gaiter and new alacantara headlining – at a total cost of £3,000, with the work carried out in 2018.
It will have the number plate “YKO 585X”, but it will also be sold along with the retention certificate for the registration number “FTM 1T”, which stands for “Frazer Tickford Metro 1 Tickford”.
It has been stored dry for the majority of its life, hence the amazing condition and low mileage.
Although it has the number plate of YKO585X, the vehicle will be sold together with the retention document to register number FTM1T. This is believed to represent ‘Frazer Tickford metro, 1 Tickford’.
Commenting on its availability at auction later this month, Paul Cheetham of H&H Classics said: ‘With early Metro’s ever-growing in popularity, the opportunity to offer this exceptionally rare example with just twenty six built is a privilege.
“This rare example of Aston Martin’s first venture into compact cars is a great opportunity to own a car with interesting ownership history, low mileage and low ownership.
He stated, “It’d be a worthwhile addition to any collections.”
Due to the fact that this auction takes place in the UK, it would make more sense for the right-hand-drive model.
This car is left-hand driven and US-spec, but bidding should be open, as this rare example is not common.
You can find out more about the souped-up Mini Metro – and the auction – by visiting H&H Classics.
MOTORING: SAVE MONEY
