Vehicle Description
1959 Nash Metropolitan Series IV Hardtop
After launching the popular Rambler, Nash worked for many years on
an even smaller car. Its first public concept, the NXI, (Nash
Experimental International), was shown in 1949, followed after one
year by the NKI, (Nash Kelvinator International). The name of the
car was to be NKI Custom until shortly after production began, and
new badges had to be retrofitted to early cars. The concepts were
designed by independent stylist William Flajole, using the Fiat 500
chassis and running gear; the Nash Metropolitan was styled by
Battista "Pinin" Farina.
Buzzing around our Hallowed Halls here at Classic Auto Mall,
(literally it can do that!), we present, (drum roll please...), a
1959 Nash Metropolitan. This is a car that has been worked to
perfection and owned by a mere 2 owners. Our second owners have
taken it to the next level. It is not all original and stuffy, it
has an Austin frame and a completely restored Austin 1489cc engine,
and this restoration extends to inside and out. So If you are
looking for one this just may be your ticket to ride.
Exterior
So we have the smallest car with a feature ubiquitous to the
largest car...the "Continental", (think big car), rear tire
enclosure...go figure! This metal bean is two Mardi Gras Red and
Frost White and it has been expertly applied and is miles deep.
Exterior panels are solid steel and have nicely minded gaps. A
chromed "dip strip" provides for the two-tone delineation. The
roofline is just lovely, with the triangular "B" pillar holding
fort for the curved rear glass. Another feature I cannot take my
eyes off of is the vertical ribbed and rounded panel that's pushed
in on each door sill. Shiny bumpers and mirrors hang off this 50's
colored bubble. Oval tail lights are flanking the rear mounted
spare tire enclosure, wrapped in white canvas and black edge
piping. The front bumper appears very nice and is below a chromed
square pattern egg crate oval grille with a single headlight
mounted on the corner of each front quarter. All new tires and
hubcaps are on for the spinning. A chromed reclining nude female
figure lies on her belly with hands straddling a jet age winged
leader and she appears to have a rear facing gooseneck and long
bill emanating from her crossed hands. Go figure?
Interior
The utilitarian door panels in white vinyl and screwed on along
each side house the window crank and door handle. A thin band of
chromed trimming races through the white vinyl and adds some bling
to the utilitarian. Slipping inside using my shoehorn, I'm on a
front bench with a split back so one has access to the back bench.
Both these are covered in red tuck and roll vinyl inserts and have
white vinyl bolsters and back of seat uppers. They are just
pristine. Note the rear bench has a lock in the center which gives
access to the trunk. Wheel well covers are also bathed in red
vinyl. A red steel top and bottom painted dash with a white painted
center is in great condition and stretches across the front. A nice
chromed bezel is surrounding a centrally located round speedo gauge
cluster, and the steering wheel is fronting the dash which is white
painted plastic. A nifty big black dial tuner and volume control AM
radio is in the dash center and a few other simple knobs and pulls
line up along the bottom of the dash. On the passenger side a N A S
H badge has been painted on the door. Black carpeting is on the
floors, and a whitey tightey headliner which appears as new is
above.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we see a fully restored and pea green
repainted 1489cc engine courtesy of Austin in 4-cylinder format. It
has a rounded triangular air cleaner covering a 1-barrel Zenith
carburetor. On the back is a 3 speed manual transmission with a new
clutch. The rear axle is 4.22. This engine bay has had every piece
restored or rebuilt and it all appears as showroomnew and then
some.
Undercarriage
All black and no surface rust, and sprayed on rustproofing is seen
on the underside steel floor pans and frame. Independent coil
sprung front suspension, and leaf springs for the back provide the
ride. 4 wheel disc brakes provide the stopping power.
Drive-Ability
She started right up and I floated off to the test track. It
accelerated, of course not neck breaking speed, but if you wanted
that you'd be reading about one of our Mustangs or Corvettes. This
is about simple utilitarian city transportation quintessential Late
50's's mid-century modern design which ran well, handled fine and
is a pleasure to drive with ample interior room. Like driving a new
old car. Although the horn did not work and the odometer did not
roll.
There are several cars here at Classic Auto Mall I just fall in
love with, and this is one of them. I have a soft spot for these
unique designs, and this one is definitely one of my favs. It may
go through the local drive through which I tend to do with these
uniques. Sweet and sour and barbecue sauce please! All rebuilt or
new all over for this beauty.
E65721
-May 1959 Series IV Build
BODY TAG
BODY NO 95962-Body #
MODEL NO 562-Metropolitan Series IV Hardtop
TRIM NO T900-Gray Diamond Pattern Cloth, Black & White Vinyl
PAINT NO P914-Frost White
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
