Tim Ashworth | Austin Metro Launch Archive, Applejack Paint & the Cassette Nobody Has Played

The Old Car Lady is back with Tim Ashworth of Stockley Classics, and this time Tim has brought the archive: the original 1980 Austin Metro dealer launch pack, brochures, mechanic notes, a Metro Plus brochure even Tim had forgotten he had, and a cassette unplayed for 45 years. They go through it all page by page. The Union Jack campaign, the 9X prototype that never was, the Applejack and Peridot colours that almost nobody ordered, the asymmetric rear seat brochure with its pop-up pages, and British Leyland’s claim that the Metro does 83 miles per gallon at a steady 30. Tim calls that one. # Featured Stories The Dealer Pack That Survived: One pack per dealer, not for customers, sent in October 1980 to prepare the showrooms for launch night. Launch schedule, marketing order forms, mechanic guidance notes, Union Jack tease materials and a cassette. Tim’s is intact. The cassette has never been played. The 9X That Never Was: Issigonis designed a Mini successor in 1968 with a hatchback and advanced engine. BL killed it. Ten years later the Metro arrived instead, redesigned after customer clinics rejected the original styling mule. Applejack, Peridot and the Colours Nobody Ordered: Applejack, Snapdragon, Peridot, Cinnabar, Vermillion. Strobe seats colour-coded to match. Almost none were ordered in significant numbers. The Metros that survive are mostly red, white and blue. Metro Plus: The Brochure Tim Forgot He Had: Bucket seats, short shift, spot lamps, Ronal wheels: a separate package on top of a standard Metro, almost a homage to the Cooper S. Tim found it mid-conversation and had forgotten he had it. 83 Miles Per Gallon at a Steady 30: The launch brochure claims 83 mpg at a steady 30. Sam asks Tim whether he is having that. He is not. # A Nod To Stockley Classics at stockleyclassics.com Rover 100, Ford Street Ka, 18,000-mile Vauxhall Corsa B and a Rover Mini RSP. Find Tim on Facebook. YouTube channel incoming. Toyota MR2 raffle at Raffall: two free entries with code MR2POD. 51,000 miles, 11-month MOT. Proceeds to Dogs Trust https://raffall.com/bring\your\trailer\_classics  📧 [grangebaileys@gmail.com](mailto:grangebaileys@gmail.com) 💬 WhatsApp: 07405 813554 📸 Instagram: @the\old\car\_lady 🎦 TikTok, Facebook and YouTube: The Old Car Lady 👍 The Old Car Lady Classic Car Community on Facebook 🔔 Subscribe: @Theoldcarlady on YouTube *This has been a Worth A Listen Production.*