Highlights

Very rare right-hand-drive UK-market car
Extensively restored in 2016 and finished in two-tone
Final evolution with Series IV upgrades
Opening boot, single rear window and two-piece door glass
Upgraded 1.5L B-Series 60 bhp engine
Very few miles covered since restoration was completed
Lovely car in a popular colour scheme

The Appeal

Few cars are quite as misunderstood as the Austin/Nash Metropolitan. Conceived by Nash as a ‘commuter car’ before the idea of sub-compacts caught on in America, it is known as an American car that failed, yet that’s simply not true. Engineered and built solely in the UK, it achieved sales of 104,000 over its four-year production run and in 1959 was America’s second best-selling imported car. It only began to falter when America’s Big Three spotted its success and launched competitors.

Despite the post-war love of Americana in the UK, just 1,200 cars were sold on the home market. This car’s ‘AHP’ chassis prefix marks it as one of them. While American models went through four Series, all UK cars were known as Series III cars and were fitted with the 1.5L B-Series engine. They picked up the upgrades added to American cars during production. The final ‘Series IV’ spec cars are considered the most practical because they got opening boots, single wraparound rear glass and two-part door glass with vents. These changes arrived from home market chassis number 130000 onwards, so the features you see on this lovely 1961 car are correct.

The DVLA records just six keepers over its life. It is in very good nick following a comprehensive restoration in 2015/16. The theme continues inside, where the 2+2 bench seats and door cards are trimmed in white and black. The car has covered very few miles since completion, so it remains in very good nick.

In great nick and among the most unusual and characterful post-war classics, this is a very nice restored Metropolitan.

Key Information

Mileage: 61,560 miles indicated
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: MOT exempt
Technical specs: 60bhp 1,489cc B-Series 4-cyl, 3-speed column change
Paperwork: Club magazines, handbooks, workshop manual, V5C, restoration invoices, handwritten restoration notes

The Detail

Restored around 10 years ago in two-tone blue and white
Due to limited use since completion, the car presents very well in photos
Bright chrome including front and rear bumpers
Body colour steel wheels with white banded tyres
Series IV improvements including opening boot, single pane rear glass and two-piece side glass
2+2 interior with twin bench seats in two-tone white and black
Matching door cards
Interior fittings in good nick with some light age to dials and switchgear
Two-spoke factory steering wheel
Spare wheel mounted on the rear

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller, so you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is ‘Sold As Seen’, on an ‘As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are for guidance only, and it’s customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

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