One of the most spectacular MG cars ever built, the 6R4 sadly never reached its peak as it was not sufficiently developed before regulations changed to abolish its Group B rally class.

The rally monster was specially designed and built to comply with the international Group B ‘silhouette’ regulations in the 1980s. Its purpose-built V6 four overhead cam, 24-valve engine could pump out 410 bhp and is mounted at the rear and drives all four wheels.

Two hundred 6R4 ‘Clubman’ cars, including this example, were built to comply with homologation requirements, with a more modest 250 bhp. Even in Clubman guise, from a standing start 60 mph could be reached in 4.3 seconds. 

It was developed for Austin Rover by Williams Grand Prix Engineering but despite its name only had a superficial relationship with the standard MG Metro car. The 6R4 stood for six-cylinder, rear engine and four-wheel-drive. 

It was revealed in February 1984 and scored its first rallying victory at the Gwynedd Rally of March 1985 and quickly became an icon in Group B rallying, despite its short-lived appearance.