It can be discombobulating when a new car is introduced less than two months before its car company merges with another one. That was the case of the subcompact Metropolitan. It went on sale in March of 1954 under the Nash Motors Company name and two months later, Nash merged with Hudson Motors to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). By August of ’54, both Nash and Hudson dealers were selling the economical little car with the two differences being a Hudson grille badge and horn button. Only about 6,000 Metropolitans were produced across the pond in Birmingham, England, for the 1955 model year with only 3,849 shipped to the U.S. I couldn’t find a breakdown of Nash versus Hudson or 2-door hardtops versus convertibles, but I’d wager the Hudson number was pretty low and makes them the rarer of the dual branded ’55 Mets. Here’s one of those Hudson Metropolitans that’s still alive and kicking in the Golden State, has had a lot of work done to it recently, and is looking for a new home. It’s located in Escondido, California, and is for sale here on craigslist for $12,000 or best offer. Thanks to Mitchell G for sending this Micro Met our way.
The Met’s exterior looks good overall. Color options were limited on the ’55’s and this one appears to be in Canyon Red (although the dash paint is lighter in color than the exterior). The Hudson grille emblem is there and the chrome, trim, Continental rear tire cover, and windshield look good. The “M” hubcaps are missing and the new black convertible top looks good up, but doesn’t appear to be folded correctly in the down position. The vinyl convertible top boot isn’t visible either.
The Met’s custom interior is in good shape and looks sharp. The pleated black vinyl seats with its red piping trim is a nice contrast to the Canyon Red exterior and the door panels and carpet look great as well. It’s also wearing aftermarket black seat belts. Metropolitans were basically two-seater cars. Their rear “seat” was little more than a padded shelf and the trunk was accessed by folding down the rear “seat” back. It wasn’t the most convenient or practical design and rear trunk access wouldn’t be available on Metropolitans until the 1959 models.
For some reason, the seller doesn’t show photos of the Met’s engine. Under that short bonnet should be a durable 1200cc Austin A40 inline-four that’s mated to a 3-speed manual column shift transmission. The mileage is listed at 102,184. The seller says “it’s a nice running and driving car with a lot of recent work done.” The rebuilt list includes brakes, steering gear box, cross rod and tie rods, shifter assembly, and a cleaned and resealed gas tank. The new list includes a new cylinder head, starter, fuel pump and filter, front suspension, bushings, and shocks, clutch disc, pressure plate, throw out bearing and hydraulics, plus the engine was resealed and motor mounts replaced. The seller ends the ad by describing this ’55 Hudson Metropolitan Convertible as “a nice car to drive and enjoy as-is, or take it to the next level.” I tend to agree. And with Hagerty’s valuing a ’55 Hudson Metropolitan Convertible in #3 Good Condition at $16,200, the price seems more than reasonable. What do you think? Ever seen a Hudson Metropolitan?
Very neat one here. And having the Hudson badge is pretty rare too. I always wanted one of these. Hope it finds a good new home.
Always wanted one of either brand. By the time of its intro, I’d already bought a FIAT 600 with a “real” (?) back seat.
I’m still driving small FIATs, principally ’cause I’ve not been able to find a Met dealer lately. Then again, the FIAT showroom pickin’s are getting pretty slim, too. That’s what FIAT gets for having only a hideously overpriced EV available!
Looks odd all one color
A friend of mine bought a Nash Metropolitan years ago. He absolutely loved it! Until he tired of dealing with the Lucas Electrics. He decided to buy a car that he could drive somewhere, with a realistic expectation of it returning home under it’s own power.
Ah, Lucas, the Prince of Darkness.
I heard that when you drive a Brit-mobile with the “ticka-ticka–ticka—tick… ” electric fuel pump, you carry a ball peen hammer along with which to give it a gentle “whack” if you don’t hear the “ticka-ticka” bit.
I just realized that cars back then used to be FUN!
I think that was the first car I wanted as a kid. The one I remember was either green/white or blue/white. I think it was a convertible.
love these (all small cars?) just due to the size (simplicity, economy)… ‘enclosed motorcycle’?
Make/model had 3 wagons prototyped. 1 is lost. Another is seen once’na while. Nother, not seen ina few yrs. Wish I had that 3rd one to daily.
https://www.reddit.com/r/WeirdWheels/comments/1ar7rnu/a_cute_little_1957_nash_metropolitan_wagon_two/
Here’s one (back to my love of ‘Italian’) of similar ilk I’d want even today as well:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobianchi_Bianchina#/media/File:Autobianchi_Bianchina_Furgoncino_tetto_basso.JPG
Could this country rise to the top again producing something like these EV, less than 30K$? I think so. Not w/current fed admin (would need fed/ /college/industry coolab)…
I’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THESE INSANE/ADDICTIVE CAR HOBBIES SINCE 1961. MODEL CARS, OWNING TWO DIFFERENT AMC HURST SC/RAMBLERS (ONE THAT I DRAG RACED ON AN AMATURE BASIS IN THE EARLY 70’s/THE OTHER THAT I STILL TAKE TO LOCAL CAR SHOWS AND CRUISE NIGHTS. HELPING A RECENTLY DEPARTED FRIEND AT THE TRACK WHEN HE RAN HIS BIG MONEY (AT LEAST TO ME, THEY WERE ‘BIG MONEY’) DRAG CARS) BACK IN THE MID 90’s, BEING ONE OF THE TWO FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE TRI STATE SCALE MODEL CAR CLUB, WHICH ANNUALLY HOSTS, THE NNL EAST MODEL CAR SHOWS,THE LARGEST (AND I LIKE TO BELIEVE) ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS EVENTS IN THE MODEL CAR HOBBY. ATTENDING HUNDREDS OF LOCAL AND AND MANY NOT SO LOCAL CAR SHOWS. VISITING DOZENS OF CAR MUSEUMS FROM CAPE COD TO CALIFORNIA. TRAVELING TO HAVANA, CUBA LAST JANUARY JUST SO I COULD SEE THE CARS. WORKING AS A MECHANIC AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF MY LIFE AND ATTENDING SEVERAL AMO CONVENTIONS. BUT IN ALL OF THAT, I’VE NEVER SEEN A ‘HUDSON’ METROPOLITAN IN PERSON.
If needed I have a Metropolitan engine that turns freely but needs rebuilt. When I got it I was told it was for a MGA but serial number indicated a Metro. $200.00