1954 Nash Metropolitan convertible.
Bodies were built in England by Fisher & Ludlow, and the four-cylinder engines came from Austin, which also did final assembly. A three-passenger convertible and fixed-roof hardtop were offered. Later cars had flashy two-tone paint that reminded one stylist of "Neapolitan ice cream."
The Met met with modest success in the United States and was continued by AMC even after Nash and Hudson had left the scene -- both badges were used on the car so both sets of dealers could sell it.
The little 1.2-liter engine was bored out to 1.5 liters during the 1956 model year to produce the Met 1500, and the car would remain basically unaltered until sales ceased in the early '60's.
Pluses of the 1954-1956 Nash Metropolitan Series 54:
Low-bucks collectible
Still makes sense for around-town use
A certain charm
Mileage
Minuses of the 1954-1956 Nash Metropolitan Series 54:
Rusts easily
Unreliable Austin engine
Dumpy styling
Production of the 1954-1956 Nash Metropolitan Series 54 (figures based on shipments from Great Britain):
1954: 13,095
1955: 6,096
1956: 3,000 (estimated)
Specifications of the 1954-1956 Nash Metropolitan Series 54:
Wheelbase, inches: 85.0
Length, inches: 149.5
Weight, pounds: 1,803/1,843 (convertible/coupe)
Price, new: $1,445/1,469 (coupe/convertible)
Engines for the 1954-1956 Nash Metropolitan Series 54:
Type Size Horsepower Years
ohv I-4 73.8 cid 42 1954-1956
Source: Internet
