Vehicle Description
This 1960 Nash Metropolitan is a cool little car with an
international perigee. Despite its small size, it has a huge
enthusiast following. And this example does it best with the right
original pieces mixed with the right investments.
The Metropolitan might be European sized, but the coupe carries
plenty of American design flair with its full chrome front end and
continental kit in the rear. That's what makes these cars so cool
today. A series IV model like this one is especially desirable
because it's the only one with exterior access to the trunk. Plus,
the later cars had bright side trim that's a great dividing line
for the two-tone finish. The Frost White and Caribbean Blue looks
like the perfect color combo for this period, and it has been
recently resprayed to give this nostalgia extra shine. While this
is small in size, there's big detail work. For example, the chrome
hubcaps over painted steelies and whitewalls match so nicely with
the body.
Austin of England might have built these Metropolitans, but they
did it specifically for American Motors with Americans in mind. So
inside, the two-tone split bench seat is deep enough and the
legroom is good. These coupes do also have a back seat. It's not
exactly roomy for passengers, but its similar black/white
appearance makes for a well-presented storage shelf and interior
access to the trunk. The driver gets one large main gauge pod
dominated by a speedometer, but since the car was sourced from
Britain, it happens to be a Smiths readout. So just imagine the
looks on people's faces as you compare this Met to Jaguars and
Aston Martins.
Under the hood is the original 1.5-liter motor, and it looks
fantastic with its block in classic green. These were sourced from
Austin who are the people that really know about how to get the
most out of a small power plant. In fact, this B-Series motor is
related to the MGA 1500. This was a popular engine in Europe, and
parts are still easy to find and relatively inexpensive. The motor
has the right size to be frugal on fuel when you need it, but fun
when you want it. After all, the original three-speed manual
transmission gives you full control over the power, and with smart
gearing, it cruises at 60 MPH without complaint. With a tight
turning radius and nippy handling, this American Nash feels like a
proper European import.
Whether you're a Nash enthusiast or just looking to have some fun
cruising the town, this little Met packs plenty of fun and
head-turning appeal in a small package. Call now!