austin metro Vanden plas automatic....viewing today

[bub2006]

Been to view the metro today. Needs a clean outside due to being stood. Interior nice and clean. Looks like the original head unit in it and still got the sunroof cover in the boot. Didn't start as battery didn't have enough kick but enough to check windows etc worked. Boot floor solid as is the sills,wings and arches bar the drivers rear arch which has some bubbling. No wet floors inside and oil is clean. Full history with the car. She owned it for 3 years,not as much as I thought,elderly women before her then before that 1 owner from new who then dry stored it for nearly 15 years. Taken a few pics. Views?

[vulgalour]

Have you bought it yet?

[Craig the Princess]

That is a smokin hot honey. Get it bought.

[bub2006]

Not bought it yet,not heard it running due to flat battery. Wont take no less than 600 either. Wife thinks its too much money,me I think its bloody cheap

[Asimo]

Encouraging noises

[vulgalour]

Low mileage, low owner, desirable colour, a spec that will keep and should gain value and virtually no rust from the sounds of things is an absolute winner at under £900.

 

You could buy it at £600, give it a full Vulgalour, tidy up the blemishes it does have and make money on it.  Not a lot of money, but certainly more than pocket change.

 

Lady_bub2006 needs to know that it's a total no brainer.

[bub2006]

I think the only way to go a full vulgalour is if you do it for me! Obviously I will pay!

[barefoot]

SFQ, am I correct in understanding that if you select gear 2, it will only select second and not do 1 & 2?

[Spiny Norman]

I think I'd want to hear it running and at least confirm that it was capable of moving under its own power before I got my wallet out.

 

[bub2006]

That is the plan Norman. Going back tonight. Did mention a possible dizzy issue.

[vulgalour]

I would be happy to Vulgalour your VDP.  I have also assumed you'll hear it running, just to make sure a Mini owner hasn't actually stolen the engine and replaced it with a really good drawing.

[beko1987]

That does look lovely! Wash, tight work, clay, wash, polish, glaze, polish the windows, dress the tyres and trim and a coat of wax would make it look lovely!

[Cavcraft]

Just buy it.

[Asimo]

SFQ, am I correct in understanding that if you select gear 2, it will only select second and not do 1 & 2?

 

The transmission can be shifted manually by simply selecting the desired gear with the gear shift lever.  This function overrides the automatic feature and will hold the transmission in that selected gear, no matter what the engine speed or road speed. 

 

Lots of info here 

 

Austinamericausa.com

then click on "Technical Advice" in left hand column, then scroll down to Categories: and click on "AP Automatic transmission"

[bub2006]

I am definitely be going back later to hear it running. Are dizzys and ignition parts and other engine parts readily available for the a+ lumps? Am guessing body panels are not available now?

[Micrashed]

Jesus wept, if you wont have it for £600 I will.

 

Auto in sump - recommend oil at 3K miles rather than 5K miles to keep both in rude health - its a piss easy job though. Loss of drive is often due to low oil level, be aware the A series is not oil tight and will use a little bit, so keep it topped up.

[bub2006]

Thanks for that. Righto then. Hopefully be bringing it to a autoshite meet if it runs well!

[Pillock]

It's not cheap, as in they clearly know it has value, but I reckon they are on the up so it's also not overpriced. You won't lose out and if you've got dry storage and a bit of a vulgalour then you'd be quickly into profit. I reckon you'd be nudging four figures in a couple of years time and it's a perfectly nice car to enjoy in the meantime.

[dollywobbler]

It's not cheap, as in they clearly know it has value, but I reckon they are on the up so it's also not overpriced. You won't lose out and if you've got dry storage and a bit of a vulgalour then you'd be quickly into profit. I reckon you'd be nudging four figures in a couple of years time and it's a perfectly nice car to enjoy in the meantime.

 

This seems a sensible view if it's solid. Not currently worth a vast amount, but very likely to appreciate. Engine bits should be no bother at all.

[dave21478]

I would be all over that like a seagull on fresh vomit.

 

Assuming it runs, its a potential winner. Dizzy issues...possibly a split vacuum advance pipe or something similarly trifling. Worst case scenario, I would reckon a complete recon dizzy shouldnt be too much dollar from one of the mini places.

 

A seriously good deep clean, treat the blebs, and it wouldnt look out of place in the white room with a 4-figure price tag.

[Craig the Princess]

Dizzy will be serious dollarz from a mini place, but pretty reasonable if you can find one elsewhere. I'm guessing someone on here will have one (are autos different to manuals, one may be hiding at shed princess)

[bub2006]

One on ebay at the moment,mk1 vdp. In he white room for 3k :-0

[Guest Lord Sward]

I could see me wafting to the office in that beauty.  

 

 

Top-Tip!  These autos need a different oil filter to the manuals if you're keep on really keeping it right.  Its been years since I drove one, but what class?

[The Old Bloke Next Door]

Unless the gearbox is shot you could almost certainly make a few hundred proffit. I would start it up, and as long as it moves back and forth, buy it.

 

If you do buy , first job is to drain the oil and look for any broken gearbox bits and or swarf around the drain plug.

[bub2006]

As mentioned in other post I decided to go ahead with it but its staying on their drive till bike is sorted.

[AnthonyG]

That looks absolutely gorgeous, a lovely colour.

 

As for parts, all should be easy to find, lots of stuff available via auto jumbles etc. The humble Metro was the UK's third highest selling car in the 80s and the volume of both AR and pattern bits made was very, very high. Only the auto box specific bits would need searching out, and I bet there are specialists who cater for them, if only because they were fitted to Minis.

[trigger]

Buy it.

[Craig the Princess]

Mrs the Princess just bought a (admitedly unknown) set of Hydragas displacers for £8.

Engine parts are a piece of cake and panels are still pretty common.

 

Metros are for winners.

[RedSparrow]

No reason not to buy!
Save it from engine rape.

[oman5]

That's lovely.the price is not out of the way either. Well bought.