Highlights

Very rare right-hand-drive UK home market car
Extensively restored in 2016 and finished in two-tone
Final evolution with Series IV improvements
Opening trunk, single rear window and two-piece door glass
Improved 1.5L B-Series 60 hp engine
Very few miles covered since restoration was completed
Attractive car in a popular color 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 subcompacts caught on in America, it is known as a US 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 postwar appeal of Americana in the UK, just 1,200 cars were sold on the home market. This car's 'AHP' chassis prefix identifies 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 received the improvements added to US cars throughout production. The final 'Series IV' specification cars are considered the most usable because they got opening trunks, single wraparound rear glass and two-part door glass with vent windows. These changes were introduced from home market chassis number 130000, which means the features you see on this attractive 1961 car are correct.

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

In great condition and among the most unusual and characterful postwar classics, this is a very nice restored Metropolitan.

Key Information

Mileage: 61,560 miles indicated
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Inspection status: Exempt from UK MOT
Specs: 60 hp 1,489cc B-Series 4-cylinder, 3-speed column shift
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 trim including front and rear bumpers
Body-color steel wheels with whitewall tires
Series IV improvements including opening trunk, single pane rear glass and two-piece side glass
2+2 interior with twin bench seats in two-tone white and black
Matching door panels
Interior fittings in good condition with some light aging to gauges and switchgear
Two-spoke factory steering wheel
Spare wheel mounted on the rear

BEFORE YOU BUY

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✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. You are covered by Car & Classic's Terms and Conditions.

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