A unique opportunity to purchase an incredibly rare and one off Metro 8R4. In 1987 JE Engineering UK converted an MG Metro 6R4 bought direct from Austin Rover to a V8 engine for the Spanish gravel (Tierra) championship for famous Spanish driver Patxi Arbelaiz.
JE Engineering, founded by V8 guru John Eales, had been developing performance 4.2L & 4.6L Rover V8 engines to run in the Toleman Paris Dakar 6R4s. The original development 6R4 ran a cut-down version of the Rover V8 so this was an obvious transplant. The V6 engine with its high-revving fragile characteristics was swapped for the bombproof Paris Dakar 4.6L Rover V8 engine which was proven in hot, dry, dusty conditions.
JE Motors produced the Paris Dakar spec 4.6L V8 that was fitted to Patxi Arbelaiz’s 6R4 for his assault on the 1988 Spanish Gravel Championship. With fierce competition from Carlos Sainz in his Marlboro backed Ford RS200, Gustavo Trelles Jolly Club backed Lancia Delta S4, Antonio Zanini’s Citroen Visa 4×4, Joseph Servia’s Seat Ibiza Bimotor, the Renault Maxi Turbo 4×4 of Guillermo Barreras and the Audi Quattro of Ignacio Sunsundegui, Patxi regularly finished in the Top five with the Metro 8R4 and finished 10th in the Championship.
1989-1991 saw much of the same stiff competition, with Patxi now regularly running in the top three and finishing 6th in both Spanish championships.
In that year a distinctive air scoop in the roof was added to improve air flow to the big mid-mounted 4.6L V8 and a revised strengthened front end. Patxi continued to set fastest stage times and regularly run in the top five on selective rounds of the 1992-93 Championship. Patxi then retired from full-time rallying and only brought the Metro 8R4 out once in 1994 to finish 3rd on the Rally de Zaragoza. The last event the car took part in was the 1995 Rally Cartagena which ended with the car retiring due to steering problems.
The car was then retired to Patxi’s collection and had not been seen for 20 years until the current owner purchased it and set about a 5 year nut and bolt restoration in 2016. The car was stripped to a bare shell, restored, repainted and livery restored. All components were stripped and restored where needed . A brand new gearbox was purchased and the original gearbox preserved as it is one of only 2 development Jack Night Crash boxes produced as tested by Tony Pond & Malcolm Wilson. Both Front & Rear diffs were stripped and renewed. The engine was sent back to the original builder J.E Developments , stripped and rebuilt. Suspension and brakes were all overhauled . A new wiring loom was built for the car and all geometry professionally set up.
The car has done limited mileage since its restoration only being brought out for invited demonstration events such as Goodwood FOS, Silverstone Classic, Carfest, Ignition Festival Top Gear Live. Rallye Prescott.
The current owner now offers for sale this unique piece of history.
Cheaper rally car possibly taken as part payment .
Please contact Tim on 00447778664430 or
[email protected]
