Vehicle Description
FROM THE MISSOULA AUTO MUSEUM COLLECTION Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 19th - 22nd 2017 at Russo and Steeles 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Nash emerged from World War II as a strong and independent automaker with solid overseas connections ready to develop exciting and innovative new designs. Capitalizing on fast-growing American enthusiasm for small cars led to the Metropolitan widely acknowledged by many experts as Americas first subcompact automobile.
Based on an early design study by Bill Flajole with a lengthy design and development cycle including his NXI and NKI prototypes the production Metropolitan bore a number of visual cues from Turin Italys renowned Pinin Farina design house. Fisher & Ludlow of Birmingham England built the bodies and Austin performed final assembly at its Longbridge England production facilities. A 1200 cc Austin A40 engine was mated to a three-speed gearbox and delivered remarkable fuel economy of up to 42 MPG.
The Metropolitan debuted in May 1954 in both Coupe and Convertible forms and it was an unqualified hit with 8000 examples sold during its first four months of availability alone An early Motor Trend road test enthusiastically described the Metropolitan as ...a scaled down version of everything good in a Nash which is saying plenty. In 1956 the Metropolitan was upgraded to the larger more powerful Austin 91 cubic-inch engine. Styling was updated as well including the addition of a chrome side slash for two-toning and the faux hood scoop was removed for a cleaner look. By 1957 the industry Hudson and Nash had changed. American Motors dropped both respected nameplates at the end of 1956 and from 1957 to 1962 the car was known as the AMC Metropolitan.
Featuring a striking pink over white two-tone paint scheme this 1959 Metropolitan convertible is a highly engaging example with a wonderful presence. Offered from the Missoula Auto Museum Collection it is an attractive early American small car in very nice condition marking a great opportunity to enjoy classic car ownership.
