Nash Metropolitan - Terje's cars - "Baby Nash"

The Metropolitan economy car may not have been to everyone's taste when it came out in the 50s, at least not in the USA where "everyone" wanted big cars. Today, it undoubtedly falls into the "World's Coolest Cars" category.

Modern ideas

Nash quickly became active after the war. In 1945, they were in 3rd place over the number of cars sold in the USA. The Nash 600 was the first mass-produced car in the United States with a self-supporting body. It could be delivered in a completely new aerodynamic design, called Airflyte. The partially covered fenders not only provided better airflow, but also added strength to the bodywork. In order to meet the future competition from the major car manufacturers (GM, Ford and Chrysler), Nash started the development of completely new, compact models. One of these was the Nash Rambler. Another was the Metropolitan.

Does America Want the Economy Car?

From the original prospectus (c) Anders de Lange

It was certainly timely to ask this question of the American people. Nash undertook thorough market research to gauge the mood for a small car model like the Metropolitan. They sent out approximately 250 addressed color brochures where they presented a prototype of the car and encouraged people to tick what they liked. Finally, they were asked how they thought such a car would be received in the US and – at the very end – whether they would consider buying one themselves. The car presented was a prototype. It was much more simply equipped than the production car. Among other things, it had no side windows, just a plastic sheet that could be pulled up to attach to the roof. Proposed engine options were one of 000 HP and one of 18 HP. The prices were supposed to be around 36 dollars.

European cooperation

It would not be profitable to produce a $1000 small car in the United States. Nash therefore presented the prototype to Fiat, the Standard-Triumph of the time and the Austin Motor Company to begin negotiations for full or partial production in Europe. Fiat wanted to use the drivetrain from the 500 Topolino as a basis. Austin would use its new A40 Somerset model as a starting point. The choice fell on Austin. They supplied drivetrains based on their 1200 model with a 3-speed gearbox and steering gear. The bodies were to be built by Fisher & Ludlow which was soon after bought by Austin. The assembly of the cars was to take place at Longbridge in Birmingham. The finished cars were then to be shipped to the United States.

"1400 cars .. This is the largest batch of cars that have ever left Storbitannia in one keel and all of them were Austin cars" - Dagbladet 1957

1954 Nash Metropolitan photographed at Cars & Coffee at Øvrevoll gallop.

The production model

The final result was much better looking than the simple prototype. The front bumper and grill were separate units – not a "one piece" as shown on the prototype. The cars got proper side windows and were delivered in two variants – convertible or hardtop. Standard equipment included, among other things, the "continental kit" with a spare wheel at the back of the bumper. Heater/defroster, radio and white tire sides were optional extras. The drivetrain was also better than the prospectus. But the price was a good deal higher than $1000. The first cars had a price tag of 1469 dollars for the convertible - and 1445 for the hardtop.

Model history

The very first cars rolled out in October 1953 as 1954 models. Originally they were to be marketed as NKI Custom. NKI was responsible Nash Kelvinator International. But when the cars went on sale, the name was changed to Metropolitan.

Serie 1

Series 1 had a 1200 engine of 42 HP. The cars are characterized by the fact that they were monochromatic, had a scoop-shaped air intake on the hood and a grill shaped like a horizontal chrome bar. The dashboard was painted in the car's paint color and the boot had no external hatch. These cars had serial numbers from 1001 to 11000.

Serie 2

The Series 2 received no external modifications, only a new version of the 1200 engine, called the 1200 B. This engine had the same displacement and performance, but received hydraulic clutch transmission and a new gearbox. Series 2 has serial numbers from 11001 to 21007.

Nash Metropolitan 1953–61 images. Source: FavCars.com

Serie 3

Series 3 got the 1500 engine of 47 HP - the same that Austin used in its A50 cars (Cambridge and Westminster). On the outside, the air intake on the hood disappeared and the grill got a mesh pattern. All cars were delivered in two colors with dashboards in black lacquered metal.

Serie 4

In Series 4, the 1500 engine now had higher compression and delivered 55 HP. The cars got an external hatch to the luggage compartment, triangular ventilation windows on the sides and a full panoramic rear window on the hardtop variant. Series 4 has serial numbers from 59048. The last car was produced in 1961 but still sold from stock beyond 1962. A total of 104 cars are said to have been made.

Images of Nash Metropolitan 1953–61. Source: FavCars.com

Brand history

The 50s were a turbulent time for several American car brands. In 1954, Nash and Hudson were merged into AMC (American Motors Corp). The Metropolitan cars still carried the Nash brand name – but were also sold as Hudson. Can you call it a form of "badging"? In 1957, both Nash and Hudson disappeared as brand names. The Metropolitan was then established as its own car brand under AMC and the cars received a new logo in the grill shaped like a stylistic M. To create further confusion in the flood of brand names, Austin was allowed to sell the Metropolitan under the brand name "Austin" in markets where AMC was not represented, for example in Norway. Here they were taken in by the then Austin importer Erik B. Winther. It is unknown how many cars were actually sold. Several of the cars in today's vehicle register are in any case listed as Austin Metropolitan. According to Metro connoisseurs Tor Stranger-Johannessen there may be around 20 cars in Norway today.

"Until a couple of months ago, this model was exclusively made for the American market, but is now also marketed in Norway and the rest of Europe." - Dagbladet, April 1957.

One of the world's coolest cars

The Baby Nash may not have been to everyone's taste when it arrived in the 50s, at least not in the US where "everyone" wanted big cars. Today, the Metropolitan undoubtedly falls into the "World's Coolest Cars" category. This is one of the reasons for getting one as a hobby car. Few cars attract more attention. I have been able to study one car up close - the green 1954 model in the pictures. It has serial number 1006 (No. 6) and is supposed to be the second oldest Metropolitan in the world! The car's length is 3,8 meters and seems solidly built. I imagine that a pipe-smoking gentleman from the 50s could sit comfortably and drive - with his hat on his head.

Pictures of Nash Metropolitan Convertible 1956–61. Source: FavCars.com

Metropolitan as a hobby car

A quick look at foreign car exchanges shows drivable and complete cars in various conditions from just over NOK 100 to just over NOK 000. There are several club environments whose purpose is to preserve the cars. Located in Los Angeles Metropolitan Pit Stop with online shop where "everything" can be obtained for your Metropolitan. It will likely be possible to obtain parts for the powertrain via Austin clubs as well. In Norway, there is no Metropolitan club of its own, however Eight Amcars Club in Sørum has members and member cars from 8 brands that disappeared, including Nash and Hudson. There is also a separate club for Rambler and AMC.

Astra-Gnome

Watch the YouTube clip (bottom of page) produced by the Vintage Vehicle Show visiting Jimmy Valentine at the Metropolitan Pit Stop in LA. There they have created a museum of everything to do with the Metropolitan. The museum has several special models, including the concept car Astra-Gnome which was presented at the 1956 New York International Auto Show. In the 50s, space travel-inspired design was in fashion. The funny thing here is that the bubble-top car is a rebuilt 1955 Nash Metropolitan. The top opens via an electric motor. Despite increased external dimensions, the car does not weigh much more than a standard Metro. The car is actually drivable and naturally attracts a lot of attention, even in Los Angeles. It's funny to think that in 1956 many people thought that we would all be driving around in cars like that today.

Station wagon

Two donor cars were sent to Pinin Farina to get proposals made for a station wagon version. Pinin Farina made two drafts. One is on display at the museum at the Met Pit Stop. This was a prototype that was to be scrapped, but one of the mechanics at AMC managed to get his hands on it and drove it for several years before it ended up in the museum. The second prototype was unfortunately wrecked after a short time. However, the whole station wagon project was scrapped when AMC saw better value in offering a station wagon version of the Rambler.

Sources

Metro is a small and quite rare car with obviously a lot of history. If you have questions or views, do not hesitate to use the comment field or contact page.
I would like to say one more thank you Tor Stranger-Johannessen for information on Metropolitan. Thank you also Anders de Lange for useful background information.

See

The YouTube post is produced by the Vintage Vehicle Show who visited Jimmy Valentine at the Metropolitan Pit Stop in LA. There they have created a museum of everything to do with the Metropolitan.