Initially a product of Nash-Kelvinator, the Metropolitan was built in England by Austin (BMC) and marketed by American Motors in the U.S. from 1953-61. After the Nash-Hudson merger, it became a standalone brand of AMC. This 1960 Metropolitan is a running example of an early economy car with an interesting twist: the original drivetrain has been replaced by an engine and automatic transmission from a 1970s Chevrolet Chevette. One could debate that choice, but it is what it is, and the automobile is in Stanley, New York, and available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $2,650.
Back in the 1950s, the Metropolitan would have been one of the smallest cars sold by a U.S. automaker. Of the 95,000 copies built over nine years, more than 83,000 of them were exported to America. Early examples were sold as either Nash’s or Hudson’s, but once those marques disappeared, it was known as the “Metropolitan by American Motors.” These cars were powered by Austin engines that displaced either 1200 or 1500 cc’s depending on the model year.
The seller’s Metropolitan looks like a well-used car though the mileage claim is 18,800. The odometer may have turned over in 62 years. The two-tone white over burgundy paint looks presentable and is likely a repaint, including the bumpers which should have been chrome plated. No mention is made of any rust other than surface, past or present. It’s had the same owner for at least five years and was garaged when not driven to car shows.
For whatever reason and who knows when the original British I-4 engine and 3-speed manual have been replaced by a 1.6-liter Chevette motor (yes, Chevrolet), paired with a floor-shifted automatic. Though quite apparent, the seller does not mention this change or what it may have taken to pull it off. All we know is that it runs and drives well, and the seller has a video of it doing this that he can send a prospective buyer. I can’t imagine why this drivetrain was selected when other AMC powerplants should have been around. Perhaps it was simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
The interior is going to need some work. The seats are okay (but dirty), and the door panels look like they’ve been carpeted, and that material is peeling away. A stock ’60 Metropolitan in Fair Condition is a $12,000 car, according to Hagerty. But this one-of-a-kind “Metrovette” would not likely command those kinds of dollars.
This is a 20 footer…it looks okay until you get up close. The interior’s description as in “decent shape” & “door panels that could use some referbishing [sic]” (IMO) shows how an owner can sometimes blind themselves to the ugly reality! But this does appear to be a solid little car, and with some work could be a nice restomod. A British car w/ a Chevrolet drivetrain, and Ford Pinto wheelcovers, LOL! GLWTA!! :-)
Seems like the Pinto wheel covers suit it perfectly!
Technically this is my car. I sold it to someone who has paid for it, but has never seen it in person, and it is still on my property. They are the ones who posted it on ebay. They changed my description to make it sound way better than it really is. They even used my pictures from my ad. I reported reported to ebay with no luck.
Justin – is that a Westchester County license plate? You
knew someone to get that plate.
Justin instead of reporting it to Ebay. Contact the new owner by registered mail and start charging a storage fee after 30 days. The new owner did nothing wrong legally here he has a Bill of Sale or Title.
Obviously, he has changed his mind and just wants it gone from his life.
The #1 choice of Clown Stuffers everywhere.
… and i guess there is a valid reason for all the tree pieces in the engine compartment? Nice fit on the trunk lid too. Better look real close on this one before throwing money at it.
A, nope. Cobbled comes to mind. Guess it a runner anyways.
I can’t imagine that there’s a genuine AMC drivetrain that would fit in one of these. The only modern-ish 4-cylinder they offered was the 2.5L used in XJ Cherokees and YJ & TJ Wranglers.
The interior is garbage. Almost nothing original is left. These were equipped with a rather petite bench seat, so these buckets must be exceedingly tiny, as in “one cheek per seat” kind of tiny.
I’d love to have one of these someday, if only for the comedic value of having a linebacker-sized guy tooling around in a clown car, but if I pull the trigger, it will be on a better example. They’re not expensive.
Both the XJ and the MJ (Comanche) used the 2.5 with RWD.
Technically the Audi/VW sourced [and tooling purchased and owned by American Motors] “AMC 2.0” could have been used as well.
It’s a fascinating swap here though. Weird, but fascinating. Wonder if they considered an Iron Duke when choosing.
I would have gone AMC I-4 engine, it looks to be in poor condition so $3,000 is max for the car ! IMHO !
Maybe a SHO V6 in it. Absolute sleeper. . . .
Why do people think its ok to put Chevy mtrs.in everything non chevy??
When I was managing for Western Auto in the 90’s I had a kid come in with a Honda. Wanted a “CORSA” Exhaust for it.
He said it didn’t sound cool. I told him I’d happily take his money, but the Honda motor would still sound like 10 billion ants all farting at the same time. Then added “You want a car that sounds good? Buy one with a Chevy Motor in it—that way you won’t have to buy silly crap like this to make your car sound good”. 6 months later the kid comes in with a Camaro. Some young minds DO work!
That’s a first-year Chevette mill at that, 1976. The last year for Chevy Engine Orange. They went to GM Corporate blue for ’77 and black sometime in the early ’80s.
Excellent details added. I didn’t know any of that.
I don’t have much experience with a Chevette motor, I can think of literally dozens of 4 cylinders that would work, DON’T, however, use that Jeep 2.5 slug of a motor. It’s amazing how cutting 2 cylinders off such a great motor would result in such a catastrophic power loss.( doesn’t help the Jeep is shaped like a brick either) I think the original BMC motor would propel this car at least 55 mph, it did in 1960 ( beep, beep) the absolute MINIMUM I think a classic car should at least be able to muster. Oh sure, you can transplant anything into anything, it seems, but why? Anything over 55 mph in this, you’d be threatening your retirement plans anyway, why not keep it original? What, you plan on seeing the country in a Met? Someone did some nice work on the tail lights and paint, yep, this is called a “paint job” folks, a lost art, apparently. I think there’s a lot of potential here,on a really cool little car BOUND to be noticed. I like it.
Painted with a drape and rubbed out with a brick!
I had a Hillman minx with a Chevette engine in it for yrs, 4 spd trans. Made many trips from SF to LA until my ex rolled it yrs ago.Very fun car to drive, Sold the original minxmotor to a Datsun guy in San Jose/ Hard to find parts for the engine today.
I would never have imagined that “Chevette Power” would be a plus.
Nah, say it has a real vette engine under the hood. You wouldn’t be lying…
“the door panels look like they’ve been carpeted”
Sonny Bono called. he wants his vest back.
There is nothing wrong with the Chevette engine nor the transmission. The ability to run on unleaded fuel is a plus for something you’re going to put more than 50 miles a year on. I suppose that having a low mileage drive train and a “cute” soild car without an engine/transmission,this would make sense. However, I’d refer to the last Metropolitan listed which I showed to my wife. Her first car, back in the 60’s, had been one of these. I plopped the listing in front of her, she looked and went “”NO!”… What was the brand that featured the ad “Ask the man who owns one”? Her response is telling as she’s been known to hop in a series Land Rover and drive off without a care. She gives a thumbs down? Follow suit…
Ask the Man who owns one —is Packard Advertising.
Also Peugeot or Citroen I think?
Writer at Motor Trend in a late ’60s comparison of Mid priced cars got roasted for claiming Buick used that tag line.
Yes. Packard. Ask The Man Who Owns One.
Buick: When Better Cars Are Built Buick Will Build Them.
This maybe a case of run what you brung. The owner, or someone in his circle may have had a rusted out Chevette with a good drivetrain. It could have been a trip to the wrecking yard with a tape measure, and that was the best candidate. I doubt that there was an magazine article or a you tube video. A quick search found a discussion on The H.A.M.B. There were a few 4 cylinder suggestions, 22R, Ford , Pinto, S10 4 banger, etc. Someone said they’d seen a Chevette powered Metro. I’ve seen a Metro with a Pinto motor.
To each his own.
I noticed that it has ’39 Ford taillights with blue dots, Frenched into the rear fenders.
A Metro with a Chevette engine. Be still my heart.
The Chevette drivetrain would be a upgrade over the original for sure. More power, just as good mpg, designed for unleaded gas, and most importantly vastly better parts availability. The AMC 2.5 four cylinder (in 2wd fashion) isn’t all that common actually, and I think it took until ’83 before that engine even came out. This swap may have been done in the early 80’s when Chevettes were EVERYWHERE. A bit surprising that they chose a first year (’76) Chevette drivetrain for the swap as it was the lowest hp/torque year. A later 70’s or 1980 HO version of the Chevette 1.6 would have been a far better choice, but nonetheless still an improvement.
Looks like plenty of people have no love for this little orphan! Me, the experiences I’ve had with the old Iron Duke have been pretty good, one of the few of Chevy’s offering I could live with beyond a test drive! As for the vehicle, ok, a stop at Pep Boys will do wonders for the interior, and then, a daily driver for tons of laughs, farts, and giggles! You just can’t take this thing that seriously!
Love the Iron Duke. Totally agricultural. You know its there. To me that’s character.
Others claimed it sounded like an SOS pad in a blender.
Smooths out nicely at speed. No worries.
Quad 4 five speed, and a up grade to the brakes as well. Would make a badass little clown 🤡 car.
Was the Quad used in RWD applications ?
I can’t remember….
In the 60’s my brother put a 60 hp flathead ford in one of these with a 3 speed stick ford transmission. Not real fast but sounded mean.
The shay roadster from the 80s had the pinto 4 banger in it.
I think this would just be a fun toy
Jeez Louise, 10 minutes with a shop vac would have done wonders for the engine compartment. Why in the world “show” the car without spending the effort?
Had a ’61 with the original engine in the 80’s. It would cruise at 70 mph. all day with that little 55 hp. engine. That & my Miata are the cars I’ve missed the most.
Just in case anyone is wondering, every single part is available for Metropolitans from several venders.
SOLD for $4,000.
The Iron Duke was used extensively in marine applications. Mostly trouble free.
A Chevette came into the shop with a broken crank. 1 of 1, or 1 of Many?
looks funny w/the changes to interior and paint scheme. Looks fishy w/the “…garaged…” claim and all the pine needles…
Like the vedub above on front page – I’d daily it till able to convert these 2 ‘mistakes’. Not sure I’d seek the oe drivetrain. If not – wish it wus the Lima or an oe spefi (Japanese). Asa ‘in twn car’ I’d not want manual transmis.
not sure why folk bag the BMC engine that was in the metropolitan- same engine as a huge number of English cars- including MGA and any number of Austin/ Morris/ Riley/Wolseley… made over three decades.
Can be modified easily….original and performance parts are easy to source… our old Met with a later BMC 1622cc could top 80mph easily and cruise along fine- could have used a better rear axle ratio perhaps for long distance open road…. but its not really a long distance tourer anyway.
For the engine swap enthusiast …the original steering system and cross members might limit some engine choices