1956 Nash Metropolitan Convertible

The Nash NXI concept car was well received, as well as several other concept and prototype vehicles, helping to convince Nash that a small, efficient car could be successful amongst the growing trend of large cars being offered by Chrysler, GM, and Ford. In 1953, Nash put the redeveloped NKI concept into production, and starting in 1954, the car would be marketed as the Metropolitan.

The Metropolitan was the first car designed by an American company to be manufactured overseas for the United States, and Metropolitan sales were counted against England's war debt to the United States.

Although it was a small car, it had distinctively American styling. It had a soft and supple ride, with an interior that was well appointed, with options that included electric windshield wipers and an AM radio.

This particular example retains its original serial number and trim tags. It was built in the same color scheme it wears today, of Snowberry White and Sunburst Yellow. Equipped with yellow-finished wheels and whitewall tires, its interior is correctly upholstered in white vinyl with black-and-white houndstooth inserts.

Under the hood is a 1,489cc four-cylinder engine offering 50 horsepower and mated to a three-speed manual transmission. There is an independent coil-spring suspension with wishbones in the front, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017