1987 Austin Metro | Manchester, Lancashire

A 1987 Austin Metro, the compact British hatchback launched in 1980 to give small-car buyers more room than the Mini. Its launch campaign called it a British car to beat the world, and its everyday shape became a familiar sight on British streets through the decade. This car is red with a beige interior, in City base specification and excellent condition. It has covered only 6300 miles since new, and it still wears the number plates the dealership fitted, along with the dealer sticker and the tax disc issued when it was new. Those details give a close-up a believable 1980s showroom feel. Period film and television scenes set in 1980s Britain suit it, because its plain Austin styling reads as street and family life. Photography and advertising work gets a clean red hatchback whose original details hold up in detail shots. Music video and editorial shoots can set the colour against brick and terraces. Weddings and personal hires work well too. The car is based in Manchester.