Vehicle Description
1960 AMC Metropolitan
The Nash Metropolitan used a conventional front-engine, rear-wheel
drive format, but with body and frame welded as a single unit. This
unibody design, produced by Fisher and Ludlow of England, was
advanced for a time when most manufacturers were still using
body-on-frame construction. Drivetrain and suspension were supplied
by the Austin Motor Company, who also did final assembly.
For consignment a cute little bean of a car, with its low profile
wheel wells, and large metal unibody construction, it was built
like a fortress. A snazzy triangular "B" pillar formed by a wrap
around rear window, utilitarian simplistic interior, and a snappy
1.5 liter 4-cylinder, this car was economical, and space saving. A
"cute" design that reminds me of the old tub washers. This could
hold somewhat true as Nash/Kelvinator was once the owner!
Exterior
Bathed in a two tone Autumn yellow over snowberry white the
exterior panels are straight. Some repairs are noted on the metal,
and on the rockers there is repaired rust. Its fantastic bean
shape, looking like it might actually have all wheel fender skirts,
and that triangular B pillar and wrap around rear glass, this was
one of the smallest car ever produced. On front, a small oval egg
crate chromed grille is flanked by a singular headlight fronting a
bulbous front quarter. The paint delineation helped work the
overall design of the car with its ZigZag chromed trim which starts
at the headlights, runs rearward on top of the fender, then takes a
deep dive downward as it gets to the door. It eventually levels off
and wraps around the rear quarter. The back of the car on the sides
looks much like the front, and way back we see a trunk lid, and the
continental spare tire hanging off the back. Oval vertical shaped
taillights are perched on either rear quarter tops. Wide whites are
on all 4 corners, and Autumn yellow steel wheels are capped by
italic M badged moon caps.
Interior
It would not be the 1960s if it were not for some metal thread,
broadcloth covered seats in split bench form up front. The cloth is
surrounded by white solid vinyl and piping. The driver's side has
seen extensive wear and shows worn through to the foam. Door panels
take the white from the bolsters and utilize black for the lower
panels on the doors. A rear utilitarian bench in full black vinyl
inserts, and white bolsters, and a lock on top of the bench back,
to allow more access to the trunk. A simple large round bakelite
knobbed and circular speedometer dash all in black metal jacket
fronts an original bakelite steering wheel. Some shiny knobs and
pulls are added, and this car is a 3 on the tree version. A white
headliner still tight but some water damage near the side windows
is noted. Dark rubber flooring is in front, and a gray carpet is in
back. All good and clean and very simplistic.
Drivetrain
1.5 Liters makes up the 4-cylinder engine a 1-barrel carburetor and
a 3-speed manual transmission is your drivetrain. and will allow
this car to get up to around 55MPH max speed. Engine bay is mostly
original looking.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust is noted on various parts underneath, and on the
rockers on the outside and inside of these rockers. Some oil
blowback and plenty of years of greasing have accumulated on the
suspension parts, especially ones closest to the wheels. Drum
brakes are all around and things are looking mostly solid and
structurally sound underneath.
Drive-Ability
This car fired up on full choke, and after a warmup period, still
needed a bit of choke. The 3-speed on the tree, shifted smoothly,
although the clutch only catches at the bitter top of the throw
(fully extended). Radio is in operable, and all else was in working
order. A fun little eye catcher and head turner, something not
everyone has seen in person. All this and 41 average MPG.
This was America's first economy small car, and it offers up
reliability, great gas mileage (although at 25 cents a gallon no
one cared). Easy to get around in tight spaces, and a great little
design, this steel "bean" is definitely a rare bird. You'll love it
due to its size, and a drive will yield a lot of fun. It's like
driving an early 1960's piece of modern art.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
