1954 Nash Metropolitan Convertible. Lots of original parts and well preserved.
Original owner of the car is unknown, but it was purchased in the 1970's by my father-in-law in Girardville, PA. It was garage kept since that time and was used as a commuter car in the earlier years of his ownership. Because the original 1200cc engine was grossly underpowered for the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania, it was replaced with an Austin 1500cc engine. Mechanical components have been rebuilt or replaces as needed. About 10 years ago, we brought the vehicle to the Cincinnati area on a trailer where we drove it for fun occasionally for a number of years. It was then parked and stored indoors until early 2020 when we took it to a local restoration shop to have it brought back into good working/driving order. The carburetor and much of the fuel system was rebuild and an electric fuel pump was added. A copy of this work order can be made available to a potential buyer.
This Nash (serial #E3304) was built in 1954 and very few have survived 66 years. Considering it was built in 1954, the exterior is incredibly well preserved - I hope I look this good at 66. It has been repainted from the original Croton Green to Red. The trim, glass, and rubber all look to be original.
The interior is in good shape and the seat fabric has been replaced with vinyl many years ago. The radio hasn't worked since we have owned it. The turn signals work and although the windshield wipers work, they need some work on their mechanism. The parking break connection to the floorboard is loose and will need some TLC.
The Austin engine starts right up and runs well and the 3-speed gearbox shifts through the gears nicely. The brakes feel good and we have had no problem when we have driven the vehicle around. The tires have plenty of treads but are very old and should be replaced before any serious use. The odometer shows 58,005 miles but considering the speedometer indicates a higher speed than you are actually moving, I would doubt that it is that high.
.Some Nash History:
The Nash Metropolitan is one of the most interesting American cars built in the post war era and was truly ahead of its time. Nash conducted surveys and experiments, for example, placing the NXI prototype on display at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in 1950 to figure out whether or not there was a market for small "personal use" economical cars in the United States. Their findings led them to believe there was and to eventually produce and sell the Metropolitan. Designed by independent designer William J. Flajole for Nash Kelvinator, this was the first time an American car would be designed in the U.S., but entirely built in Europe. These cars used the 1200cc four cylinder Austin engine, Lucas electrics, and bodywork produced by Fisher & Ludlow of England. They were a unibody car making the cost to produce it much lower therefore they were able to offer the car at a very economical price to the American public. Production began in 1953, and the very first cars produced were called the NKI Custom. The name was later changed to Metropolitan.
