They used to be mocked as old bangers but Mini Metros are now banging.
Forty years after they were launched by British Leyland, resale values are surging.
Early-80s examples in good nick now fetch upwards of £3,000. Rare MG Turbo and GTI versions can go for more than £8,000.
Marketing manager Steph Holloway’s 1981 model has doubled in value from the £1,000 she paid in 2016 – despite clocking more than 110,000 miles.
Steph, from Huddersfield, West Yorks, who has named her car Jill, says: “Values are increasing because people are realising Metros were great cars with bad PR.”
Vicar Colin Corke, 61, who owns two near where they were built at Longbridge, Birm-ingham, used to sell them for a living before he was ordained.
“It’s a pity people took the mick because it was a blummin’ good car,” he says. “It’s nice to see it becoming cool. It’s about time.”
Some owners were not even born when production stopped in 1998 – like Ben Rendle, 18, who drives a 1990 edition in Trowbridge, Wilts.
He says: “My mates make fun but their jokes don’t bother me – I love my Metro.”
Fellow fan Ben Plummer, 31, from Buxton, Derbys, added: “Less than 10 years ago you couldn’t give a Metro away. Now MG Turbos can change hands for five figures.”
Data analyst Matt Lynch, 27, of Bedford, who owns a 1981 model in rare applejack green, says: “I honestly don’t meet many people who write off the Metro any more.
"I get lots of praise on petrol forecourts from people reminiscing.”
