The Metropolitan was one of the first subcompact cars sold by an American automaker. Built in England, the little car was launched by Nash-Kelvinator in 1954 but quickly became an AMC product when that company merged with Hudson Motor Co. to form American Motors. This 1960 edition doesn’t run and – from the sound of things – it could be a fuel delivery issue (carburetor). Located in Waterford, Wisconsin, this pint-size runabout was available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,500 OBO (but that was a few months ago). Thanks for the cool tip, Hans H.!
Metropolitans were marketed from 1954 to 1962, though production wound down in 1960. First, it was a Nash, then it was also a Hudson, and finally a standalone brand in its later years. Though designed in the U.S. (where most sales occurred), the cars were built by Austin Motor Co. in Britain. They were built to be a second car as suburbia and two-income families were starting to become a thing.
It was a simple machine with a small inline-4 and had few creature comforts such as a trunk lid (to access the storage area in earlier models, you had to go in behind the front seat). 95,000 Metropolitans were built, with 1960 being the car’s last significant year in production.
The seller’s car, with its two-tone paint, looks to be in good physical condition with little to no rust (per the seller). The mileage is stated at below 54,000, which could be likely if the car has been dormant for much of its life. We’re told the Met has an automatic transmission, but a 3-speed manual is more likely. The seller has owned this car since 2009 and refers to it as the “Betty Boop” car.
Cosmetically, the interior may be where most of the issues are as the seller indicates. I always thought of these as cool little cars, but they’re not particularly peppy or handle all that well. And the steering wheel is ginormous compared to the wheels of today. This could turn out to be an easy project – or a difficult one – if you’re willing to take a chance at the seller’s price point. And If it’s still available.
Back in ‘70 my father bought one similar to this one for $85.00. It was actually in nice shape. It only had 60K miles on it. A small dent in the RF fender. No rust. Ran as good as any BMC engine could. Dad ended up with (3) Mets and eventually sold them all in ‘79 for an average of $4K. Not a bad ROI.
Betty Boop was the 1920’s, this car is the 1950’s so the seller, being completely wrong (also calling it an automatic when it clearly has a clutch pedal), is completely unreliable. When I was a child, there was a man in my neighborhood who had three of these (geomechs?).
Round brake and clutch pedals you don’t see everyday.
Those BMC engines powered a lot of sports cars and the Minis and Morris Miners. Nice to see one of these in good condition.
Marketplace defaults to automatic, and if you don’t happen to catch it…..
My first car at 16 years old was a red and white Nash Metropolitan convertible which I bought for $60. It beat walking but that’s the best compliment I can give it. The shift linkage would sometimes hang up when shifting into second gear. I had to pull over and jiggle the linkage on the cowl to straighten things out. I drove it for a year until the left front suspension gave up the ghost due to rust.
The owner should get it running and then maybe get his 6500. The A series motor if not seized should run. They are simple motors. It may be in that Nash down draft carb. It doesn’t look like it will take much to get this one to a good driver. It depends on your skill level.. I would be interested in the 3-3500 range, not much more. Obviously someone doesn’t know what they have. This one is a three-on-the-tree manual trans.
They all were 3 on the tree.
typical. I doubt he’s had it 15 yrs, but may B.
Sellers dont know what they have, buyer either. It’s just like the new-car market on buyer end. An ego purchase, aspirational, personal image, etc. It’s no surprise how the auto industry created that dynamic. I get into it when considering the industrial design (‘look’) only. Late 30s (merican) – very early 50s are the only on-shore “classics” to me. I’d buy 1 for looks. European ‘50s – late 70s Italian for there (had many to restore & get-to-drive as could not buy in such shape/sell to get nxt higher priced model). Fav over all ‘look’? 6th gen F250 4 WD, step side short box w/2 18 inch wide race stripes.
This 1? I’d love one of the 2 waggys they produced for test mule. I hear one is left somewhere in merica…
Maybe someone can answer this.
My grandfather had a 50 something Nash wagon. The dash looks the same. The ignition was only on/off, no start. I remember a metal tab sticking out above the clutch pedal that hit a starter button when the clutch was pushed in. Is that right? That car was in his back yard for over 25 years. My Malamute dug a hole under it and she came up through the floor and sat on the seat for hours. Finally we had it towed away with a wrecker. It got 1/2 block away and the car separated into 2 pieces!
Could someone please interpret what Chrisful wrote to English? A friend of mine had a collection of 18 Metro (Nash and Hudson). After his passing, an auction was held. Average sale price was 150 dollars. They were complete and some ran. I think they met the crusher.