Thanks to frequent finder Ikey H. we have this mash of Nash Metropolitans to look over! These four are listed for sale for $5,500 here on craigslist in Wichita, Kansas — along with what the seller says are a couple of pickup truck loads of parts.
Looking over the bodies of the cars, they are quite a bit more solid than I would have expected from the first picture. The seller tells us that there are three coupes; a 1955, 1957 and 1959. There’s also a poorer condition convertible that dates from 1960.
The Nash Metropolitan is a great story that just didn’t quite work out. Nash was looking for a way to produce what we’d now call a compact car (but next to a typical 1950’s American car was just plain tiny!) and contracted with Austin in the UK to produce them. The end result was cute, but only partially successful. The car was sold from 1954 through 1962 without changing a whole lot. In all, 94,986 were produced.
Trivia for the day: Metro door pressings will fit either side of the car! Of course, the parts bolted to them are different. In case you want some more doors, there are at least four included along with the cars.
There are also some engines and transmissions included. Truth be known, looking at the piles of parts included, I think there’s more than a couple of pickup truck loads. If you look closely, you’ll see this is a B-Series BMC engine similar to MGA and MGB engines. Hmmm. Double the original horsepower, anyone (with some work, mind you)? Or maybe you want to create a second Astro-Gnome? I’m curious to see how many of you click on that link! Let us know in the comments!
Love the Astra-Gnome! If that didn’t star in every cheesy sci-fi film of the 1950’s, it should have.
I believe the proper term for a group of metropolitans is a murder.
Well Mr. Oddball, odd indeed, You seem to have a lot to CROW about!!
OddBallCars did opine, “I believe the proper term for a group of metropolitans is a murder”
Are you sure??? I would think the proper collective for a group of disintegrating Metropolitans is a “molder”… :-) :-)
Good price for all that tin. I clicked on the link and I think it is a cool little car.
I do see where the front of the 63 Riviera came from now.
I wish I could afford these awsome find.
It’s “Astra”…Gnome. Not Astro. Just so happens I have a cute little metal toy car hauler from the period with FOUR Astra Gnomes riding atop its trailer. Very odd and futuristic.
The early Metro’s used a 1200cc Austin A40 engine, and the later the similar design 1500cc BMC B-Series engine – the same core as in an MGA, a bit less tuned. First stage tuning would be to install dual SU carbs, improved exhaust, and distributor timing. An early MGB engine would be a drop-in swap, increasing to 1800 cc, and 98 HP stock setup (Along with the exhaust and carbs, etc)