The Metro was launched just before the 1980 Motor Show. It was intended to be the 'new Mini', except BL kept the ever green Mini in production and made the Metro a rather bigger car or 'supermini'.

In engineering terms, the Metro was similar to previous small Austins. The three door hatchback bodyshell, however, was all new with styling developed in the Longbridge design studio.

This then top-line Metro 1.3 HLS was one of 300 pre-production models built in May 1980 and formed the centrepiece of Austin Rover’s stand at the 1980 Motor Show. Not long after it was formally presented to the Trust's collection.