Highlights

Very rare RHD home market car
Extensively restored in 2016 and finished in two-tone
Final evolution with Series IV improvements
Opening boot, single rear window and two-piece door glass
Improved 1.5L B-Series 60 bhp engine
Very few miles covered since restoration completed
Pretty car in 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 a USA 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 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 worked 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 USA cars throughout production. The final ‘Series IV’ specification cars are considered the most usable because they got opening boots, single wraparound rear glass and two-part door glass with vents. These changes were introduced from home market chassis number 130000, which means that those features you see on this pretty 1961 car are correct.

The DVLA records just six keepers over its life. It is in very good order following comprehensive restoration in 2015/16 that included the colour change to popular two-tone light blue and white. The theme continues inside where the 2+2 bench seats and the door cards are trimmed in white and black. The car has covered very few miles since completion so remains in very good order.

In great order and amongst the most unusual and characterful of 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 4cyl, 3spd 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 car presents very well in photos
Bright chromework 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 order with some light age to dials and switchgear
Two-spoke factory steering wheel
Spare wheel on back of

BEFORE YOU BUY

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