The Metropolitan was a quirky but cute little subcompact cooked up by Nash-Kelvinator just before they merged with Hudson Motors to form American Motors. Built by Austin in England, 95,000 copies were sold between 1953 and 1962 when AMC decided they had milked that cow for what it was worth. Located in Easton, Pennsylvania, this tiny convertible has a rebuilt Ford Pinto engine and transmission and is available here on craigslist for $15,000 OBO. Many thanks go to Mitchell G. for yet another swell tip!
Most of the Metropolitans built were shipped to the U.S. (88%), with the remainder titled in Canada. The breakdown of convertibles vs. coupes isn’t known, but either way, you weren’t going to do much more than carry two adults and a few bags of groceries. Suburbia was in full swing in the 1950s, so the Metro was usually a second car and driven by a woman. Early Metros were all badged as Nash’s, then some as Hudson’s, and finally no brand affiliation at all, as AMC was focused more on selling “Ramblers.”
The original 1.2-liter inline-4 and 3-speed manual transmission in this machine was jettisoned when this Nash was restored (how long ago?). In its place is a 1.5-liter I-4 that came out of a ’76 Ford Pinto, plus Pinto’s automatic shifty. Both were rebuilt (perhaps 30,000 miles ago), and we’re guessing the reason for going that route was for better reliability or maybe a lack of suitable parts.
Everything here looks ship shape now, including the body, crisp red paint, and the super nice white interior. No mention is made of whether the “Pintopolitan” needs anything but a new home. This sweet runabout seems to be priced at the high end for a Nash, especially with the drivetrain switch. But I still want it!
(IMO) This little beauty would look better if it had the chrome side trim. Love the sanitary Ford engine/trans/console installation!! GLWTS!!
I think the seller is a little off on some of the engine specifics. By 1976, the standard Pinto engine was a 2.3 OHC. There was never a 1.5L Pinto engine. There was a 1.6L, but it was an OVH design, as opposed to the OHC engine seen here.
And when the convertible top wears out, you just go down to Auto Zone or Oreilly’s and pick up a replacement. .
Is there a trunk on this car, and if so; how do you access it?
Up to 1959, the Metropolitan’s trunk was accessed via a panel behind the seats. For 1959, an exterior trunk lid was added.
When I was a kid.. late 60s, 2 geared up the street put a Olds 455 in one of these.. they would do wheelies cons.. finally destroyed it… after that they built many fine street rods and some national champion drag cars
Some of these were conversion convertible. If you cut off the roof, you need to beef up the underside. Just a warning.
A little too crazy on that ‘re-sale’ red!
2 tone looks best on these.
JMO.
By the looks of the pickup truck in the barn behind it in the listing photos, they had a LOT of the same red paint on hand.
I had a friend that had a Metropolitan who was notorious for getting drunk and wrecking cars, he had a favorite watering hole only about a 1/2 mile or so from his house. If we saw his car in the parking lot we would stop and put a cinder block under the rear of the car that would just barely lift the rear tires off the ground , he would stagger out to the car start it and put it in gear and go no place so then he would get out and kick a tire and walk home, I don’t know if he ever found out what we did but I had some pretty fast explaining to do when he saw 2 cinder blocks in my trunk
Nice story.
I had a ’57, black/white in H.S. 1970. First car,paid $50. Ran well but had a bad motor mount. If I tried to accelerate hard from a stop, it would hang up and not want to shift into second. Scary sometimes.
One afternoon leaving my house, I was gently travelling down my driveway.
It was a dirt drive,a 1/4 mile or so long. Whilst swerving to avoid a pothole,the passenger wheel/hub came off! The car slowly rolled onto the drivers door, and the ‘boombox’ leftover from the previous nights “dragracing’ of a friends Valiant, came up and smacked me in the head.
! If it had happened then, that car and me , would still be rolling.
We were moving soon,sold it to the mover who turned it into a pink ‘buggy for wife…..
Looks like bucket seats installed. The Met hat a bench seat with a split back for access to tiny rear seat. I think this would look better with period wide-whites.
I have only been around these things at a car show 20+ years ago and part of me thinks my 6 foot tall person would either have my knees hitting the steering wheel or looking out over the top of the windshield or both I still think they are cool
There was a newer Metro at our local car show a few weeks ago and it reminded me of my early years as a locksmtih. The pot-metal latch components would wear and the rear hatch/trunk would not release.
I showed the photo to my wife and it is a good thing this is far away from me. OTOH, the drive train upgrade is a good thing.
sure like to have 1 of the two (possibly more than 1 still alive. Of the 3 or so made, no 1 knows where #2 is right now) Met wagons left.
This would sufice as I’d remove the vert from ‘the boot’ & cut a top opening trunk where there is none. Need some good haulin space to earn a place in my garage. Fair weather use but that’s fine w/me. I LOVE the pinto motor (Y not hack up the back ie value lost right now any way). The HW 32/36 is a great one. Auto box OK too (AOD for the OD?).
To me, and I’m old with failing brain. But I believe that engine is a 2.0 engine from an early Capri or Pinto. I recognize the valve cover. I had a 2.0 with high compression pistons and a very aggressive cam in a Pinto wagon that would bury the speedo as fast as it would go past 50 MPH. This car with a stock 2.0 and auto matic transmission will be no slouch. It might even be peppy!
My first car was a 59 Metropolitan coupe turquoise and white. 6 feet tall was not a problem that I can remember. Got me the nickname “Metro” in high school in 67-68. I’ve always loved these cars. Had lots of fun with mine.
Parts are no problem as these are a catalog car. All parts can be ordered from several suppliers. Wouldn’t want it with that motor set up.