Lot 728

Fort Lauderdale 2012

1961 Nash Metropolitan

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$19,250 USD | Sold

United States | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Identification No.
E84341

The Nash Metropolitan, also sold under the Hudson, Rambler and Austin marques, was a very small sub-compact car sold between 1954 and 1962. It was designed in the United States by William J. Flajole for Nash-Kelvinator International. At first, the cars were to be sold as the NKI Custom. While the design was American, the cars were built in the United Kingdom—the bodywork was built by Fisher & Ludlow while the mechanicals and final assembly were by the Austin Motor Company.

It was the first time an American-designed car had been entirely built in Europe. While most U.S. automobile makers were following a "bigger-is-better" philosophy, Nash Motor Company executives were scrutinizing the market to offer American buyers an economical transportation alternative. It was designed as a "commuter/shopping car" with resemblance to the big Nash, but on a significantly smaller scale. Owners reported that the "Metropolitan is a good thing in a small package”.

The Metropolitan being offered has had a nut and bolt restoration and is flawlessly finished in two-tone black. It is powered by the Austin A50 1489-cc, 52-hp engine coupled with a three-speed manual transmission.