Grand Prix Models' 1984 MG Metro 6R4 'prototype'

With the plethora of Grand Prix Models' 1984 MG Metro 6R4 'prototype' resin kits that seemed to have come out of the woodwork recently, I thought it would be good to look at what versions can potentially be made should anyone have several of them, or does not want to make the intended Tony Pond / Rob Arthur 1984 York National Rally entry. It is certainly my intention to make four or five different versions as and when time permits.

Here are a couple of photos of that entry as GPM originally intended, in the iconic red & white livery of the BMC Competitions Department...






The blue & yellow livery of fictitious Ternco Oils, as featured in Yorkshire TV’s ‘The Winning Streak’ drama...






The blue & white Computervision livery which appeared on the most number of entries throughout 1984/1985...









Note how the last photos show different styles of aerodynamics front & back as the team tried and tested various different designs before making their final choice.

The third prototype was also plain white for a stage, but that only ever appeared in private testing in that colour scheme – later to be painted Computervision livery when it debuted on the 1984 Peter Russek Manuals Rally...




For your information, here is a list of each livery and what particular events they contested, and with who...

RED & WHITE...
31 March - 1984 York National Rally - Tony Pond / Rob Arthur - #1 - A657 NJO – RETIRED!

BLUE & YELLOW ‘TERNCO OILS’...
5/6 May - 1984 Castrol Welsh International Rally - Colin Malkin / Colin Francis - #7 - A656 NJO - Course Car ONLY!
4 August - 1984 Peter Russek Manuals Rally - Colin Malkin / Ian Grindrod - #9 - A656 NJO – RETIRED!
__ February - 1985 National Breakdown Rally - #31 - A656 NJO - Filming for Yorkshire TV’s ‘The Winning Streak’ drama

BLUE & WHITE ‘COMPUTERVISION’...
4 August - 1984 Peter Russek Manuals Rally - Tony Pond / Rob Arthur - #2 - A658 NJO – RETIRED!
26 August - 1984 Rally Radio Link Mewla Stages - Tony Pond / Rob Arthur - #00 - A657 NJO - 3rd Overall
1 September - 1984 Newcastle Moat House Lindisfarne Rally - Colin Malkin / Rob Arthur - #9 - A657 NJO - 9th Overall
29/30 Sept - 1984 Andrews Heat for Hire Cumbria Rally - Tony Pond / Rob Arthur - #2 - A658 NJO – RETIRED!
20 October - 1984 Audi Sport National Rally - Tony Pond / Rob Arthur - #3 - A657 NJO – DISQUALIFIED!
9 March - 1985 Skip Brown Cars Gwynned Rally - Tony Pond / Rob Arthur - #2 - A657 NJO - WON!

Hi David,

Thanks for posting these beauties. Great stuff, and helps to fill in some of the gaps at the start of the car's competition life.

I've got a York Stages car, am part-way through the Ternco car and have completed the car as it was when unveiled at Heathrow at the Press release. I do like the Computervision car with the prototype aero devices built on. That would be the one I'd build, if only someone sold their kit at a reasonable price! Would make an excellent addition to the collection/ display.

Thanks again, David. Cheers, Steve

No problems Steve. I thought it was worthwhile doing what with all these kits flying around all over the place!

The aerofoils shouldn't be too tricky to make with some carefully cut plastic card.

I have four of theses kits at the moment, 2 x GPM 1984 York unbuilt, 1 x GPM 1984 York built badly by A N Other (wheels & glass missing!), and 1 x PJ Winning Streak unbuilt. My plan is to rub down the badly built one, spray it plain white to make the 3rd prototype, source some wheels, make the glass myself, and then make the GPM and PJ kits as intended. Whether I decide to make my 2nd GPM kit into a later 'winged' Computervision version I am unsure yet. I may sell it, and buy another PJ one to use that as a basis for a CV car instead - who knows...

I'm seriously considering buying another one of PJ's kits.

It's got to be done Juha.

You're tempting me.

Actually I'd buy 2 because I want the Computervision car too.

I should have bought his Llewellin 6R4 to reduce postage.

And now we're talking anyway: What's the correct shade of red for the York car?

How does it compare the other red 6R4's, like Bolton, Nelson, Wood (OK, only half of it was red) and Teesdale (same thing)?

I have all of the colours listed at home, and (Good idea mate!) I'll post them on here as a source of reference.

Excellent

No problem mate - it will be nice to keep it all in one place in readiness for anyone contemplating a build.

Whilst on, does anybody know who does, or where I can get, any wide tarmac wheels & tyres like the following please?...

I have been thinking about fitting Ronal wheels from a Manta 400.

Like this:

Nice one Juha, they'll do nicely. Many thanks!

You might have to print a decal to create the impression of a centre-lock wheel, but that shouldn't be too hard.

Or just paint these centres with a brass colour?

Interesting thread, great idea to keep things together, David.

I painted my PJ prototype kit Austin Rover Flame Red, which I'm very pleased with, a nice blood red colour which closely matches the way the car looks in the photos at the press release. Now I have a built Yorkie Stages car, that is much lighter, orangey shade, so it will be interesting to know whether they were the same colour or not.

Can you also post the right shade of blue for the Computervision colour, please? I know I saw one posted somewhere but can't remember whether it was the old Forum or this one, and if so, where the blazes it would be!

Very many thanks Steve

No problems Steve - seemed to make sense keeping them together. As and when people build them, they can post photos in here as well.

I didn't get a chance to post the colour details last night, and yes I will also be able to supply you with the code for the Computervision Blue as well.

Really like the plain white one thats in the factory...
Wonder how would it look in model form.......

Give one of us a few weeks / months, and I'm sure you'll see exactly what it looks like Maurice.

It's certainly part of my future plans.

This is the 'half car' that I was given last year Maurice, which is going to be the basis of my plain white car...



My plan is to lightly sand down the existing (somewhat poor paintwork!), prime it & gloss it, source some Opel Manta 400 Ronal wheels & tyres, add a front bib, and make the windows myself from clear plastic card. Add a suitable A658 NJO decal on the front and the back, an MG badge, a tax disc, and (fingers crossed!), it'll look something like this...



At least then I will still have my GPM & PJ kits which I can build as the manufacturers intended. Then decide whether to see my spare GPM kit, or make it into a winged Computervision version?

I've been thinking about cutting up PJ shells (not easy, I know) and fit the bits to a Starter kit (front end, tailgate, arches). I can't help but think the car's width/length is not was it should be.

I should compare them and take pictures of all shells (Ixo, GPM/PJ, Starter) lined up.

The distance between the waistline and the roof looks too big to me, and certainly the arches are way too wide when you look at the car head on from the front or the back!

I'll stick with them as they are, and hope that all those votes that I pestered people for on the IXO site will make them realise that a good quality model of the prototype is needed!

Cut everything next to the shell and start sanding it down to narrow the arches.

I'm probably getting a bit overambitious here.

Cowley wrote:I'll stick with them as they are...

No bother to you David..Will look forward to seeing it.
Sounds very easy but not when you shake like an old tv ariel an have ten thumbs