Ένα από τα αγωνιστικά-θρύλους του Group B βγαίνει προς δημοπράτηση από τον οίκο Coys στο Autosport International. Πρόκειται για ένα MG Metro 6R4 με μόλις 4.989 χλμ στο κοντέρ και όσο παράξενο και αν σου φανεί, από το 1985 που δημιουργήθηκε, δεν έτρεξε ποτέ, αφού ήταν το επίσημο show car της Rothmans και χρησιμοποιήθηκε για καθαρά διαφημιστικούς λόγους. Το τετρακίνητο κτήνος του Group B φορά έναν 3.0-λιτρο εξακύλινδρο κινητήρα 410 ίππων με τον οίκο Coys να πιστεύει πως θα πιάσει τιμή κοντά στις 272.000 ευρώ.
Στην ίδια δημοπρασία ο οίκος θα βγάλει στο σφυρί περισσότερα από 60 κλασσικά, ιστορικά και αγωνιστικά αυτοκίνητα, ανάμεσά τους μια 1958 Aston DB2/4 Mark III, μια 996 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup που κέρδισε τους αγώνες στο πρωτάθλημα Porsche Supercup Challeng σε Indianapolis και Silverstone του 2002, αλλά και μια Ferrari Dino 246 GT του 1974, η οποία εκτιμάται πως θα πιάσει τιμή μεταξύ €310.000 και €360.000.
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A pristine slice of Group B rallying history is going up for sale at the Coys auction at Autosport International, in the form of a show-condition MG Metro 6R4.
The Metro 6R4 is headlining a star-cast of over 60 rare and collectable road and race cars going under the hammer live at Autosport International. This particular example is one of the lowest mileage examples of its kind, having covered just 3,100 miles since it was built in 1985. Its pristine condition is down to the fact that, unusually, it has never been raced or rallied, as it was the original Rothmans show car.
Instead, it was mainly used as a display car at shows, although it was used for the occasional demonstration. As a result, it is a perfect, almost box fresh example of the 6R4.
The Metro 6R4 gained revered status in the mid 1980s, when it was developed by Williams Grand Prix Engineering to compete in the short-lived and fantastically fast Group B rally class.
It came complete with a 3.0-litre, V6 engine that was naturally aspirated, unlike many of its turbocharged rivals. It was only available for a couple of years, until Austin Rover pulled out of motorsport in 1987 after the scrapping of the Group B class.
Also going up for sale is a 996 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, complete with proven racing pedigree. The 2002 car was first built for the Porsche Supercup Challenge, and won at Silverstone and Indianapolis in its debut season, and was driven by Henzler Wolf to finish fourth in the championship. It has been dry stored by the present owner, who has owned it for the past three years, and is race ready, coming complete with a spare set of wheels.
A concours competition winning 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT is also offered for sale, having been in the same family for the past 36 years since 1979. Because of this, it comes with a full history file dating back to the point that the current vendor’s father bought the car. This highly collectible car has an estimate of £230,000 to £265,000.
Another striking car up for sale is a 1958 Aston DB2/4 Mark III, which has only had two owners in the past 29 years, and has been owned by the vendor for the last 15 years.
Only 551 DB Mark IIIs were built, and all of those that survive are highly popular to this day. This example has been meticulously maintained by the current owner, and has been to noted Feltham restorers, Four Ashes, for a full rear suspension rebuild under his custodianship. It is estimated to reach between £130,000 and £150,000.
Other cars going up for auction include an ex-works 1982 Vauxhall Chevette HSR DTV that was previously driven by Russell Brookes. The Chevette retired from rallying in 1989, and was fully restored in 1999. A 1977 Ex-Works Group 4 Ford Escort MK 2 is also being auctioned, with a prestigious list of former drivers that includes the likes of Ari Vatanen.
All these cars and more will go up for auction at 14:00 on Saturday 16 January at Autosport International and is accessible to VIP ticket holders and those who have purchased the auction catalogue. The show runs from 14-17 January*, at the NEC in Birmingham.
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