1961 Nash Metropolitan Convertible, Complete, correct nut & bolt restoration

1961 Nash Metropolitan Convertible

Looking for a rare addition to your micro car collection or a unique way to begin your collection? MotoeXotica Classic Cars is pleased to present this extremely rare and beautiful 1960 Nash Metropolitan convertible. Finished in its factory correct Mardi Gras Red (code P-913) over Frost White (code P-914) paint, this car, a rare and highly sought-after Series IV model, received a exquisite and extreme high quality complete nut and bolt restoration by Metropolitan Pit Stop in Valley Village, California. The overall restoration quality is just fantastic down to each little detail and the undercarriage is as tidy as you will ever find. Series IV cars were the only ones to come from the factory with a much needed and very desired external trunk.

The overall condition of this Metropolitan is excellent and exactly what you would expect from a professional nut and bolt restoration. A great deal of attention was paid to keeping this car as original as possible, e.g. a new lacquer-coated braid-over-strand wiring harness and wide, whitewall tires for improved drivability. The Metropolitan marked the first time an American-designed car was exclusively marketed in North America yet built entirely in Europe by the Austin Motor Company in England. The Metropolitan was also one of the first cars intentionally marketed toward American women.

The Austin 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission and differential were rebuilt to factory specifications, the chrome was re-plated and the stainless steel trim straightened and polished to a mirror-like finish. The brakes, steering and suspension were all disassembled, powder-coated and rebuilt with new parts where available. Metropolitan drivers have been known to achieve more than 40 mpg while cruising at 45 mph. These cars are super cute and gather tons of attention and smiles wherever they stop or park.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels by a three-speed on-the-column manual transmission, The suspension consists of front independent, coil springs, wish bones, rear live axle and semi-elliptic springs and front and rear drum brakes. The 13-inch red steel rims have original Metropolitan center caps with Toyo whitewall tires.

Inside, the correct excellent gray diamond-patterned houndstooth and white heat-seamed vinyl seat appears in excellent condition. The matching door panels, black carpet and correct for 1961 black dashboard are a complement of the striking red and white exterior of the car and look fantastic. All gauges are located in their original place have correct appearance and function as originally designed. Equipped with the original heating is in excellent condition and functions as designed.

January 1959 saw the start of Metropolitan Series IV production. This major redesign brought the addition of an external decklid (previous models only allowed access to the trunk through the rear seat back) and vent windows. By this time, the engine had been upgraded by increasing the compression ratio from 7.2:1 to 8.3:1, yielding 55 bhp. The additional features added 15 lb to the car. Exterior colors were the same as for Series III. The interior now used a diamond pattern for the seats, with white vinyl trim. The MSRP for Series IV models was $1,672.60 (Hardtop) and $1,696.80 (Convertible).

Approximately 14,000 Metropolitans were sold in the United States and Canada in 1960, making it one of the top-selling cars to be imported into those countries at the time. Sales of more than 22,000 copies in 1959 prodded the Big Three, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, to unveil their own compact models in 1960.

Micro cars have etched out their own niche in the classic car community and the Metropolitan is the American original. Excellent examples like this ’61 Metropolitan have become highly collectible and values keep rising due to their staying power and never-ending cuteness with all generations! GET OUT AND DRIVE!

Current mileage on the odometer shows 31 miles since restoration, it is sold as is with a mileage exempt California title.

VIN: E83577

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