Background
The 4 wheel drive mid engined MG Metro 6R4 (6-cylinder, rally car, four-wheel-drive) was
developed and built by Williams Grand Prix Engineering on behalf of Rover.
The car was powered by a longitudinally mounted 3 ltr DOHC 24 valve normally aspirated V6 engine, which is rotated 180 degrees so the gearbox is in board of the rear mounted engine.
The four-wheel-drive was permanently engaged, and drove separate propshafts to the front and rear differentials. The rear differential was mounted on the side of the engine sump with one driveshaft running through the sump to the nearside rear wheel.
There is very little remaining of the original bodywork, with the doors and roof being the only metal parts of the bodyshell, as the wings, bonnet and tail gate are constructed of GRP.
The 6R4 originally appeared in two variants, the first of which was the Clubman spec which was the road going version developing in the region of 250 bhp, which cost £40,000, the second was the International spec which developed around 410 bhp.
The 6R4 never reached its full potential on the rally scene, as its only real season of competition was marred by teething trouble with the engine, and as Group B cars were outlawed by the FISA in 1986, its development was cut short. Despite its world rally championship appearances being cut short, the car did go on to substantial success in both the British and European Rallycross Championships.
This Car
This is a genuine ex-works car that was driven by Malcolm Wilson on the World Rally Championship.
It made its debut on the 1986 San Remo Rally finishing 4th overall and in so doing recorded the second highest placed period finish for a 6R4.
The San Remo Rally became the centre of controversy after the stewards disqualified the entire Peugeot factory team at the end of the third day for using illegal side skirts and is so doing handed the victory to Lancia. Despite appealing the stewards refused to allow the team to continue, although this became superfluous as the FISA later confirmed that the exclusion had been illegal as the Peugeot cars were legal and annulled the results of the whole event.
The car’s next event was on the 1986 RAC Rally, where the car finished 17th overall having set the fastest time on the SS27.
Technical
Engine : six-cylinder, 3ltr, in-line, longitudinally mounted in the middle of the car, twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, 410 bhp
Induction : Fuel Injected, Normally Aspirated
