Nash Metropolitan

Nash
	Nash Metropolitan Coupe
Metropolitan
Production period:	1954-1952
Class :	Small car
Body versions :	Coupé , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : ; 1.2 liters ; (30–40 kW)
Length:	3797 mm
Width:	1562 mm
Height:	1384 mm
Wheelbase :	2159 mm
Empty weight :	810 kg

Nash Metropolitan Coupe

Nash Metropolitan Cabriolet

Nash Metropolitan, front view

The Nash Metropolitan was a small car that was sold in the United States from 1954 to 1962 . The Metropolitan also existed as the Hudson Metropolitan when Nash and Hudson merged to form American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1954 , and later as a separate brand during the Rambler years and as the Austin Metropolitan in the UK and other markets.

design

While most automakers in the United States followed the “bigger is better” philosophy, those in charge of the Nash Motor Company researched the market in order to offer US customers an economical means of transportation. The Metropolitan was designed in the United States and a prototype was created , the NXI (Nash Experimental International), which William J. Flajole built for Nash-Kelvinator . This prototype has been shown at some car clinics to test the US car public's response to a car of this size. The results of this research convinced Nash that there was indeed a market for such a car if it were offered at a competitive price. This meant that it would not be feasible to manufacture such a car entirely in the United States as the tooling cost would have made the project uneconomical. The only economic option was to build the car outside of the United States on the basis of existing mechanics, leaving only the tooling costs for the body and other special parts for the plants in the United States.

With this in mind, Nash negotiated with various European companies until it was announced in 1952 that an agreement had been reached with the Austin Motor Company (then part of BMC ) and Fisher & Ludlow , both British companies located near Birmingham . The body would be built by Fisher & Ludlow and the mechanical components would come from Austin, who would do the final assembly. This was the first case of a US-designed car that was built entirely in Europe. The Metropolitan was available in two versions - Cabriolet and Coupé. Both had parts as standard equipment that were only available for an extra charge on other cars of the time. These were, for example, a reading light, electric windscreen wipers and even a spare wheel attached to the rear with a separate cover.

production

Manufacturing began in the Austin factory in Longbridge in October 1953 . The little cars were called "Baby Nash". They had a wheelbase of 2159 mm, a total length of 3797 mm and a total weight of 818 kg. This made the Nash Metropolitan smaller than the VW Beetle . Both models - the convertible and the coupé - were powered by the 4-cylinder OHV in-line engine from the Austin A40 with a displacement of 1200 cc, as used in the Austin models in Devon and Dorset. It drove the rear wheels through a three-speed gearbox.

The new model was originally called "NKI Custom", but two months before it was officially launched in March 1954, the name was changed to "Metropolitan". After the first 10,000 copies, a B-series engine with still 1200 cc was installed, as was also installed in the Austin A40 Cambridge.

1500 cc engine

In 1956 this engine was fundamentally revised and now had 1500 cc, as in the Austin A50 Cambridge . Decorative strips made of polished stainless steel enabled a two-tone painting. The radiator grille was also given a different look and the bonnet lost its air scoop, which was in any case without function.

Another revision in 1959 brought an externally accessible trunk and front triangular windows. The compression of the engine was increased from 7.2: 1 to 8.3: 1, which increased the power to 55 bhp. This engine corresponded to that of the Austin A55 Cambridge .

Production ended in April 1961 (last chassis number E95981). The model was still sold until 1962. In total, about 95,000 Metropolitans were sold in the United States. Although this was not a comparatively high number, the Metropolitan was one of the most successful imported cars on the US market. Only the VW Beetle sold better. AMC also outperformed Chrysler in small car sales during the Eisenhower era economic crisis in 1958. The Metropolitan had its best sales year in 1959, which helped AMC catch up with the small car sales of the "Big Three" (GM, Ford, Chrysler).

Situation outside of the United States

In October 1956, Austin received AMC approval to market the Metropolitan in third countries where AMC had no representation. Production of the Austin Metropolitan began in December 1956 , and from April 1957 an additional 9400 units were sold in Great Britain and third countries. Right-hand drive models were sold in the UK, while Austin models were left-hand drive in third countries. At Austin dealers in Great Britain, the car was only offered as "Metropolitan". Although the cars had Austin nameplates, they did not have an Austin badge on the outside. The styling of the Metropolitan was visibly American and was perceived as very foreign in the UK compared to the other traditional English style BMC products. The production of the Austin Metropolitan was stopped in February 1961, but two single copies were made in March and April of the same year. The last car had the chassis no. A-HP 150301. The total number of Austin Metropolitans is estimated at 9384–9391 cars.

Collector's item

Nash Metropolitan Convertible (YOC 1959)

There are a few active brand clubs. Some suppliers of new and used parts are also known. In Germany there are still four roadworthy examples of the Nash Metropolitan.

literature

Patrick R. Foster: The Metropolitan Story. The Old Milford Press, 2002, ISBN 0-9662019-1-4

Web links

Commons : Nash Metropolitan - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

Individual evidence

↑ Information from the British Roadster Club Saar

[1] Information from the British Roadster Club Saar