Austin Metro: It's Time to Say Goodbye

[@TwinCam]

Morning folks, hope you're all enjoying the video, and it seems many of you are. Just here to correct something I said at the end about videos not being forthcoming over the next number of weeks. That's actually not true, as I was planning for this one to go live at the end of the year, but I've had to pull it forward as I had a bit of a filming disaster mid-week. This time next week, we'll be looking at a lovely Saab 99!

[@Grahamvfr]

Ooh looking forward to the Saab 👍👍

[@thatcheapguy525]

good morning from this Fareham boy in Portsmouth Ed. Southampton is where I cut my teeth in the motor trade and I can honestly say that David and Melody are even more exceptional knowing what goes on there; much of it starting at the docks when new unregistered cars get damaged coming off the boats! Melody has been a formative part of your life Ed and I think you'll miss it...

[@timjones143]

Flaws are what give cars character. Well, thing is, if it keeps breaking, that isn't character, it's cssh and a nuisance. Yes, alternator and battery are just age-related. Not "letting u down".

[@timjones143]

How about a land crab? Rather than a Mini?

[@kramnam4716]

Oo! I’ve got a 5 door 900i from 1989 so looking fo!

[@tedecker3792]

Car channels don’t need to be all Ferarris and Lambos to be interesting. Ed has entertained and informed us all with his knowledge and style. I think he could make a video about my toaster and make it interesting! Can’t wait for what’s next!

[@roberttaylor6295]

Ed, I accessed this video to say how much I have enjoyed ALL you videos over many years and through all your efforts and problems as you strove to professionally inform and entertain - a brilliant mix that had me hooked like an ancient petrolhead junkie for my weekly fix! However, I understand your need for a sabbatical to built resources and have a well-earned breather. But I want to say thank your for all you have done and intend to do, and that you can look forward to a Blessed Christmas with the family and friends, and you can look forward to a more settled and secure future in 2025 within this unsettling world. THANK YOU! GOD BLESS! MERRY CHRISTMAS! Rob 🙂🙂🙂

[@chrisbolton5461]

Another cracking video. Real understanding of Minis and Metros shown here. Great approach to owning older cars and some helpful points made.

[@robertngreen6]

So glad Melody is going to a good home. It's been fun watching all the work you have carried out - it will be great to see you with a Mini, too!

[@koini11]

This car has probably single handedly rehabilitated Metros in my head. It looks so good. Definitely feels like a lovely classic now.

[@martindooley4439]

Always preferred the looks of the 3. door. Given the increasing scarcity of these it's good to see one looking that good

[@koini11]

​@@martindooley4439On the whole I agree, I usually prefer 3 door small cars but as you say, a good Metro is a rare thing indeed!

[@rolfmak1400]

Nice to pass the car on to a young enthusiast! And now: Go for the Mini!! My first three cars were Mini’s, that was somewhere from 1990 to 1997. These were great fun. Hope you find a nice one. And keep up the good work, Ed!

[@jetsons101]

Amazing how many cars have so many " Journeys" and some cars have such a short life. That little Red Metro is a very lucky car...........

[@mojosabien]

I’d rather keep the metro to be honest. Minis are everywhere. When was the last time anyone saw a metro on the road? Much more individual, much rarer.

[@00kirbyd]

Agreed. The A series metros offer a little more comfort and usability with the same sounding engine!

[@Simon-ui6db]

You have done some really good videos on this little nugget. I always laughed at the beige one my grandad had in the late 80s when I was a kid in Cowley, but now I just see them and it gives me a warm feeling remembering my grandad. So to all keeping these on the road thank you and well done.

[@roberttaylor6295]

A sad day but a endorsement of your wonderful enthusiasm, acquired skills, and your unique enjoyment of classics and driving. I have followed you, I think, form the beginning and enjoyed your vids which have informed amused and giving an old fart the sort of love of cars I once enjoyed. Of course, it's not an end but the continuation of your weekly treats via work on the your white Metro and reviews. Good Bye Melody and hello to continued pleasure. Rob😉😉

[@johndauria-v8b]

With this video you already have taken your channel to the next level, IMHO. Thanks for all you do!

[@AngloAm]

Literally never thought of the human-flaws analogy - now I will never forget it.

[@fg-pv5ht]

My first two cars were Minis. My next three were all Metros. Nostalgic wise the Minis are in my heart. The Metros were more functional but I still have a soft spot for it, your video took me back

[@Andy_ATB]

I bought a red 91 Rover Metro GTa from Balmforths in Ormskirk, and it was a fab little car, so I have a soft spot for them.

[@davidhinkson8856]

You really brought Melody a long way given her condition when you got it. You've done a lot of mechanical work on it, and she's looking really nice now with those rims and stripes. Good that she's gone to a good home.

[@ericlaesch2583]

Ed, one of the things I've enjoyed seeing the most on your channel, is seeing you become a more competent and confident mechanic. It reminds me of myself learning to service my own cars as a young man. The experience helps one bond with their car.

[@davebicker8618]

I've owned many cars over 47 years of driving, most of them very cheap & cheerful. The ones that I miss invariably were very characterful and fun. I think driving a car is a partnership - we tell the car what we want to do, and in turn, it tells you what it's happy doing. Feedback from a car is vital.

[@ambivalentonion2620]

Melody was my introduction to Twin Cam, I watched the introdcution video in 2022 just the week before I had arranged to buy my first car: a D reg Targa Red 1.3L metro (albieit 3 door) which I always found an incredible chance. It's sad to see it go but who doesn't love a mini, one day i'll own one too.

[@Richard-Bullock]

I'm a little disappointed to say goodbye to Melody, but I fully understand the reasoning behind her departure. A learning tool and a stepping stone towards your dream car has been a complete success. Just need to find your dream Mini now. Personally I love the Mini too, but goodness knows what Mini I would go for if I was looking to buy one. Do you have a particular favourite era or model of Mini?

[@anthonystevens8683]

I will miss Melody on the channel for sure but from when you got her she brought back many fond memories of when I had my 1.3L red Metro who was called Mavis. I had her for the best part of a decade and was brilliant. Changing job requiring many more miles and being my only car she was sold. I still miss that car though. So thankyou Ed for bringing those memories back. You did plenty of work on Melody and I'm sure learned a great deal. Engine, trim, suspension the works the series has been fascinating. Some changes I may not have made but we all have our preferences and we all respect them as we are all different. At the end of the day Melody has a new life to look forward to and is in better mechanical shape to do so. Many thanks for sharing and farewell Melody and all the best for the future.

[@AndySnap]

Brings back memories of my company car Metros, back in the 80s, 3 in succession, all red like yours, 30k miles driven in each one. I remember fitting the larger mirrors from the Metro van... and a rubber dashboard mat! Great fun driving and not great speed!😊

[@21stcenturyozman20]

Ed, you wax so lyrical you might qualify for a Nobel Prize in Oratory! ;-) More power to you and Melody!

[@TheStobb50]

Back in the day I had quite a few metros really good cars very popular cars in there days apart from the early automatics they were great and I still have a soft spot for them and in a lot of ways better than the mini

[@phils866]

Another brilliant video. Just going by the soundtrack, the wee 1300 seems to be running as sweet as a nut. Brings back so many (mostly!) happy memories of my Austin Rover garage days. Re the steering column shroud rattle, I sorted many of them by removing, sticking a strip of packing foam to the underside of the top half, and then screwing back on. Simple, but effective. The sticky foam protective blocks which are stuck to new car bumpers and door edges are excellent for this. Good luck in your Mini search.

[@Sonofdonald2024]

My first car was an 87 1.3 Austin metro Mayfair in gold. next car a 90 rover metro GTA 8v in BRG later had a 96 rover 100 in purple and also used a red Austin metro city x . Loved those cars (rusty arches aside) 😊

[@dolomite_73]

I remember the video introducing this car to the channel, I can't quite believe it's been 3 years! I've enjoyed watching the 20-odd videos on this little car. I hope the new owner gets as much joy from it as you have. Edit: I look forward to the inevitable introduction of a Mini to the channel!

[@robinofilfracombe712]

Well done Ed, life and cars move on to the next chapter. A great finale video. 😊

[@classic1989mini]

Well, a Mini? Well done in your choice. May be we’ll pass each other around the lanes of Lancashire 😮

[@martinwoodworth3715]

Always loved the noise of the A series engine in the original mini & metro cars.

[@henrigraber2741]

Owner of an XJ Jaguar and 2 SAAB's, all in their thirties, I more and more love small cars.

[@69Phuket]

Get a little pre '15 Mazzy 2. Great Fun!

[@tedecker3792]

Having owned three MG Midgets, I considered MGBs “large cars”!

[@AndrewDobie]

Hey - I just recently found your channel and your journey with the Mini reminds me of my own. Anyway, I've really enjoyed this one (and your one on the history of number plates), have subscribed and look forward to the upcoming ones!

[@What_A_Difference_A_Dave_Makes]

My first car was an ‘86 Metro 998cc 5-door and it taught me so much, from driving skills to mechanical skills, so once again you are spot on with everything you say here. The build quality was terrible, the bodywork prone to rust, the unusual wheel/tyre combination more expensive than equivalent superminis of the time, but it was simple to work on and easy to keep running well. It was never a car that I regretted selling, but the learning from those few years of Metro ownership have proved invaluable in the years since.

[@davidw6469]

What a great little car Melody is. Mechanically improved and off to a very good new home!

[@grayfool]

It had to be a Mini. Excellent stuff. Melody has been great but, come on, a Mini! YEESSS. . .

[@rubbershorts999]

Good choice on a mini. You’ve done a great job of restoring that car, only thing I don’t like are the awful gold wheels, they don’t suit it, but each to their own. Keep up the great work on the videos.

[@mattw8332]

Sorry to see Melody go but all the best with the new car. Tbf when you mention dream car I initially thought Fiat X\19 as you seemed very fond of them. 🙂

[@hasbeengood]

As usual, very well done. Old cars have personality.

[@Alassio.Garage]

A simple beautiful car! great video 💪💪

[@00kirbyd]

I'm quite surprised that it's been sold after all that work and journey you've both being on. Us Metro owners have to stick together! Sure, I've always appreciated the Mini but I always preferred A series Metros for their 80s styling and in my view being a better car than a Mini, they certainly are more usable. Not everyone can understand why I feel that way, and if they feel the need to ask - I don't try to educate them! You like what you like.

[@jo_clarke1960]

Great idea having 2 cars but you also need a garage, which are getting scarce today. Hope the new owner enjoys the learning curve but dosent drive it like je stole it. Good luck with the mini hunt 👍

[@loltimno]

You’ll miss it, but amazing to have gone on the journey. (Also I love that hoodie)

[@russellhammond4373]

Bye bye Melody. I have loved you vicariously.

[@JanJanssen-q5g]

When seeing a Metro i will instantly think of Elizabeth from the tv show Keeping up appearances…..😉

[@sonofjak1971]

It all makes perfect sense, looking forward to your future Mini adventure.

[@JP19-67]

They minilite style gold wheels make that Metro pop. Great choice

[@jamesengland7461]

Agreed!

[@rubbershorts999]

I thought they looked awful and made it look cheap and nasty. Each to their own but hopefully new owner will get rid of them.

[@paulsi1234]

🤷‍♂️look awful to me!

[@paulmonster-uh5dh]

The wheels and the love and care make this a desirable car!

[@fredknoch]

Best description yet of why vintage cars are so enjoyable starting at 6:14. Well done Ed!

[@bri77uk1]

I'm showing that bit about why it's good to have 3 old cars to anyone that questions my life choices 🤣

[@mikeg8835]

Those rims shouldn't look any good on a red metro.... but somehow they just look so good.

[@paulsi1234]

Hmm, look awful to me 🤮!

[@kanton2485]

I look forward to your videos on the search for a suitable Mini !

[@TroyGoodacre]

I had mine done on my 114. It’s a fair bit of money but well worth it .

[@AnBo-wo9bl]

Der Austin Metro wurde in den späten 1980er Jahren in Deutschland auch über eine Warenhauskette verkauft.

[@philpoole5670]

As you commented…. All these new cars are not as clean as they like us to believe … we must keep the older cars on the road they will certainly out last most of the modern ones specially the battery ones

[@davidrumming4734]

Years ago I would have picked the mk2 fiesta over the mk1 metro …I learned to drive in a fiesta. ….then I went in a mk1 metro. I think it’s better than the fiesta, certainly a lot less noise.

[@PJD_55]

The technical term for what you found on the sump plug magnet is a Christmas tree 😊.

[@milksheihk]

I have seen people DIY fit a Schräder valve to their hydragas units & fill it with nitrogen from a rented BOC bottle, probably not for the novice though.

[@davidpeters6536]

Please give us bulletins as to the new owners progress passing his test and how the car is doing. You could do it as part of the new series on your upcoming mini.

[@lucythemoggy1970]

Wow! has it really been 3 years??

[@69Phuket]

Great video. I'd love something with a A series. Don't like modern cars. Inanimate objects, I believe have energy resonance.

[@49commander]

We have missed so many fun small cars in the US. Americans wanted boring appliances in the 1980's not fun, it's why VW Golf even had trouble selling! UGH

[@ccooper8785]

>gasp< (inhale) NOOOOOooooooo !

[@craigacooper]

I'm in Southampton