1984 MG Montego

Austin/MG/Rover Montego (Saloon/Estate), 1984-1995

The Austin Montego, and its derivatives bearing MG and Rover branding, was in production from 1984 to 1995. Styled in house by David Bache and Ian Beech, it is a front-engine, front wheel drive saloon or estate seating between five and seven adults.

The Montego was intended as a crossover model to replace both the ancient Marina based Morris Ital, and the Austin Ambassador. Developed from a stretched Maestro floorpan, it used the same drivelines but added the 2.0 O series from the Ambassador in carburetted and fuel injected forms - the latter initially reserved for MG and subsequently Vanden Plas models. The Turbo of 1985 was the fastest MG to date at the time of launch, and the estates of the same year brought seven seat versatility. Rebranded as the Rover Montego alongside a facelift of 1989 - though MG models continued - the saloon was made special order only in 1993 to make room in the range for the then new Rover 600. Estates continued to 1995, though some late saloons were built for the Ministry of Defence.

Rust is the killer with these cars, so check the sills, front and rear arches and around both screens on the saloons - and around the rear side windows on estates. Trim can be hard to find, and brown trim is prone to UV damage making used items harder to find. Mechanically they're hardy, though gear linkages can pop off on 1.3 and 1.6 engined models - easily refitted. Diesels have a following so won't stay on sale for long - particularly the upmarket Countryman estate.

Rivals then and now are surprisingly similar - in period the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier MK2 and MK3 offered the stiffest competition, though the Nissan Bluebird, Honda Accord and even - early on - the Talbot Solara were rivals. Later cars were pitted against Peugeot's 405. Today, all of these cars make great alternatives, as does the Montego's Maestro sister and the Rover 600 which replaced it. If you fancy a 2.0 Montego, consider a Rover 820's extra space and luxury as a viable alternative.