1987 DAM 4100 Metro 6R4

David Appleby has been involved in rallying since the early 1980s and it wasn't long before his enthusiasm for the sport and impressive engineering skills led to him being offered the chance to work for Austin Rover Motorsport in 1985 and 1986, tending to the Works MG Metro 6R4s driven by Tony Pond and Malcolm Wilson. He built up an extensive knowledge of the 6R4 and, when it was obvious that they were reaching the end of their useful life at International level in early 1987, he decided to set up in business with Tony Pond building and preparing the legion of Clubman 6R4s that were enjoying life at club level and in Rallycross. Unfortunately, the partnership did not last very long but the concept of converting the ten or so Clubman 6R4s that the pair had bought from Austin Rover into the DAM/TPR 4100 was born out of their experience in building and driving extreme rally cars.

David was highly involved in building, preparing and selling Metro 6R4s for a number of years but always felt that he could have done a better job with the 6R4 and felt that improved aerodynamics, as well as ease of servicing, would be helpful. So, bravely, he 'bit the bullet' and started to create what was to become the DAM 4100. From the initial designs to the car seeing the light of day at the beginning of 1995 took almost three years as David had to fit the new car around existing clients' cars. He said, 'The old Metro 6R4 shape was very dated, and I think that what I've produced is something like 'Group B' cars might look today'. The new bodywork is Kevlar with easy-remove front and rear panels which flip-up for servicing.

A14 LOO was the first prototype designed by Tony and David and was constructed as a standard wheelbase car from Clubman's Chassis #183. It spent some time consigned to the back of the workshop after their acrimonious split, however, David and Erica told us that they have fond memories (and lots of photos) of the “Yellow Peril” under wraps in their garage with the children in and out of it. As a business, David continued with the design and manufacture of the longer-wheelbase car with, it's believed, five being completed, however, he kept A14 LOO as it was personal and a family favourite. It retains the original standard wheelbase of the 6R4, meaning that it would be straight forward to convert back if desired.

The engines used were a 2.5-litre version of the V64V developed from the Cosworth DFV for the 6R4s by Cosworth guru, Dave Wood. Well fettled with a 6-butterfly injection system, these power units could produce up to 275bhp at 10,250rpm and 225ft/lb at 8,500rpm. Power is fed via a twin-plate AP clutch through a set of drop-gears to facilitate easy ratio changes. The full dog-engagement gearbox feeds through a centre differential to all front and rear Salisbury-type LSDs and retardation is accomplished with the aid of aluminium AP 4-pot calipers, 12.1.1 discs and carbon-metallic pads.

After retiring the car on its first two rallies, it was a case of third time lucky as David won the 1995 Solent Stages in convincing fashion and subsequently went on to win the Jersey 95 outright. Even though there were only a few DAM 4100s built, they did win a number of rallies over the years.

In 2015, David collected the car himself and took it to his works where he, and his staff, carried out an overhaul lasting many months. The car was completely refreshed as and where required, including new fuel tanks, pumps and filters, new seats, new fire system, new pads, and a custom stainless steel exhaust. In 2018, following a niggling oil leak, the engine was taken to his long-term V64V engine partner and guru - Pete Goodman. Pete personally carried out a complete and total rebuild of every part and the finished article was Dyno-tested at David’s works before refitting into the car. This engine work, including the new exhaust, cost over £18,000 plus VAT at the time.

Under current ownership, the car has continued to be used and maintained to a high standard. Several Slowly Sideways, Rallying with Group B and 6R4.net events have been attended and the car now has a current Motorsport UK Competition Car Passport. It has been prepared and regularly maintained by 6R4 expert Pete Slights at Slights Rally Sport, with circa £7,000 recently spent for work carried out including overhauling the step-off unit and centre differential.

There are only a few genuine DAM4100s around and these impressively engineered cars play a very important part in the history of the Metro 6R4. David’s engineering knowledge, his incredible attention to detail and his standards of preparation and finish would put many factory-built rally cars to shame.

A14 LOO is now ready to use in any demonstration event for 'Group B' cars and their derivatives, including Slowly Sideways and similar clubs as well as sprints, hill-climbs, rallycross and all non-FIA international events such as Rally Mallorca. Developed from one of only 200 Metro 6R4 competition rally cars ever built, it also represents a rare chance to own a bespoke rally car with 'Group B' in its DNA.