Vehicle Description
- 1200cc 4 cylinder engine
- 3 on the tree 'H' pattern manual transmission
- Brand new convertible top replaced at Auto Weave in Denver
- All original unrestored car
- In immaculate shape for its age
- Runs and drives great
- Front bench seat and small rear seat
- Upholstery in great condition
- New carpet
It conforms to two classes of vehicle: economy car and subcompact
car. In todays terminology the Metropolitan is a subcompact, but
this category had not yet come into use when the car was made. At
that time, it was variously categorized, for example as a 'small
automobile' as well as an 'economy car'.The Metropolitan was also
sold as a Hudson when Nash and Hudson merged in 1954 to form the
American Motors Corporation (AMC), and later as a standalone marque
during the Rambler years, as well as in the United Kingdom and
other markets.
This particular little Metropolitan is an absolute joy to drive
with the convertible top, 3 speed manual and compact size. It is a
unique head turner everywhere you take it. The suspension rides
extremely smooth, more then you would expect for a smaller vehicle.
It almost floats over bumps on the road as you cruise on a nice
sunny day. Overall, all of the original equipment is still
installed on the car and operating like it was in 1958.
Automotive industry veteran and the largest publisher of automotive
books at the time, Floyd Clymer, took several Metropolitans through
his tests. He 'abused' a 1954 Metropolitan convertible and 'got the
surprise of my life' with its 'performance was far better than I
expected', that he 'felt very safe in the car', and that 'it may
well be that Nash has started a new trend in American motoring.
Perhaps the public is now getting ready to accept a small car'.
Clymer also took a 1957 Metropolitan hardtop through a grueling
2,912 mi road test that even took him 14,100 ft up Pikes Peak. He
summed up his experience that 'I can not praise the Metropolitan
too highly. It is a fascinating little car to drive, its
performance is far better than one would expect, and the ride is
likewise more than expected'.