Description
The Metropolitan was built by the Austin division of the British Motor Corporation at Longbridge, Birmingham from 1954-62, to American Motors specifications, in both hardtop and convertible body styles. (American Motors grew out of the 1954 merger of Nash & Hudson Motor Companies). Early cars wore either Hudson or Nash badges and it was never called an Austin, from 1956 they used the M as seen on the front of this car. Nearly 100, 000 Metropolitans were sold by Nash, Hudson & AMC dealers in the USA & Canada, where around 25, 000 survive today. Until 1956 the cars had a 1200cc engine, the 1500 was announced, by American Motors, in April 1956.
I bought this car in December 1999, it had been subject to a complete nut and bolt restoration since returning from California. Since then it has been kept in a dehumidified and heated garage and has never been on a salty road. I have tried not to use it in the rain but on one trip to France a few years ago it rained most of the time and so the car got a thorough washing underneath!
Although a 1956 car I have used it for a number of overseas trips and it has always behaved faultlessly, covering hundreds of miles in a long weekend. Since owning the car all the grease points have been done every 1000 miles, the oil has been changed every 1000 miles and the water every three years, it has been maintained regardless of expense. Coil and condenser have been replaced recently as has the water pump and it has a new front carpet.
The valve radio was sent to New York earlier this year for repair and it turns out that it is a very rare Short Wave model. It now works perfectly but there isn’t much to pick up! The modern one under the dash is not included in the sale.
The steering gearbox was recently replaced and parts supply is not a problem as there are so many specialists in the USA. A quick phone call to Pit Stop and the part can be with you within a few days. The petrol tank was coated with plastic last year and now carries a lifetime guarantee. This year the brakes have had new cylinders and shoes on the front and a new master cylinder. I have been using silicone fluid in both brakes and clutch. The only slight problem is that it sometimes jumps out of 2nd gear. It has done this ever since I have had it and it has got no worse. It is only an occasional problem as you can do a whole journey without it doing it.
The speedo shows 11312 as it was reset to zero when the car was restored.
As you can see from the photos this car is in exceptional condition. The paint is virtually unmarked apart from a few very small chips and there is no obvious rust. The whole of the underneath of the car is painted with a chip resistant finish and the floor and boot are as new. The colour is Carribbean Blue & Snowberry White. Carribbean Blue was a very early colour and was not available on cars sold in the UK.
This car (previously ONP 25) has won a number of trophies even though I have never actually entered it for a prize. At various shows it has been selected because it is in such stunning condition. At this year’s annual rally of the Metropolitan Owners Club it won the trophy for best convertible against some very strong competition.
If you wish to see the car we are at Uckfield in East Sussex. I can deliver the car (by driving it) but there would be a charge of 20p per mile as I would have to cover the cost of petrol and also the return journey.
