Fancy a 'Brand New' Austin Metro VdP 500, with only 741 miles and in factory condition, well you can !.

Classic Car Auctions (CCA) will be offering a unique opportunity to own a ‘brand new’ 1983 Austin Metro Vanden Plas 500 in its sale at CarFest South on 29^th August.

The car, offered without reserve, has covered just 741 miles and had just one registered owner since new, forming part of the famous and historic Patrick Collection housed in Birmingham. Very few Vanden Plas Metros remain on the road, and this rare car, the second of only 500 built, is believed to be one of only five left in the UK.

Presented in Black with contrasting tan leather seats, the car is in excellent and fantastically original condition having spent many years in storage. ‘A500 VOJ’ remains essentially as it was when it left the Longbridge factory in 1983. The only parts replaced on the car in its lifetime have been the seals and water pump.

Commenting on the car, Guy Lees-Milne, general manager, CCA, said: “It’s a delight to be offering such a special British icon in our sale at CarFest. This is a unique opportunity to own an incredibly rare car, at no reserve, and this example is one to potentially bubble-wrap for the future.”

One of Britain’s most popular ever cars, the Metro was a common sight on British roads with more than 1.3million sold by 1994. Famous owners include Princess Diana, who owned a red W-registered Metro before her engagement to Prince Charles.

Speaking to CCA about his car, the current owner said, “I doubt you will find another Metro like this in the world. I don’t even think that anyone has ever sat in the passenger seats! I really hope the new owner continues to cherish this amazing car for the future.”

The car joins nearly 100 others in CCA’s CarFest Sale, which takes place at 1979 F1 World Champion Jody Scheckter’s Laverstock Park Farm in Hampshire. A host of charity lots will also be on offer with 100 per cent of the hammer price plus fees being donated to BBC Children in Need.