1954 Nash Metropolitan 542 Hardtop

After launching the popular Rambler, Nash worked for many years on an even smaller car.  Its first public concept, the NXI, (Nash Experimental International), was shown in 1949, followed after one year by the NKI, (Nash Kelvinator International).  The name of the car was to be NKI Custom until shortly after production began, and new badges had to be retrofitted to early cars.  The concepts were designed by independent stylist William Flajole, using the Fiat 500 chassis and running gear; the Nash Metropolitan was styled by Battista “Pinin” Farina.

Buzzing around our Hallowed Halls here at Classic Auto Mall, (literally it can do that!), we present, (drum roll please…), a 1954 Nash Metropolitan.  This is a hardtop version and has had some paint and seat upgrades to the interior, as well as restored engine and buttoned up undercarriage.  After restoration it was put into storage for ten years then recently resurrected.  A nifty little turquoise bean in snappy shiny and chromed condition.

Exterior
So we have the smallest car with a feature ubiquitous to the largest car…the “Continental”, (think big car), rear tire enclosure…go figure!  This metal bean is two tone turquoise, ( Ahem Caribbean Blue), and Frost White topper.  Exterior panels are solid steel and have nicely minded gaps.  A chromed “dip strip” provides for the two-tone delineation.  A Frost White painted roof, then just gobs of rounded steel for the sides, even the exaggerated overhangs for the tires, and all in turquoise.  The roofline is just lovely with the triangular “B” pillar holding forth for the curved rear glass.  Another feature I cannot take my eyes off of is the vertical ribbed, rounded panel that's pushed in on each door sill.  Shiny bumpers and mirrors hang off this 50's colored bubble.  Oval tail lights are flanking the rear mounted spare tire enclosure wrapped in a white canvas and turquoise interior circle.  The front bumper appears very nice and is below a chrome oval grille with a single headlight mounted on the corner of each front quarter.  Wide whites and Nash badged moon caps are only half seen through the wider fender overhang openings.  Some slight rust and cracking of the paint is seen on the rocker areas.  Beep! Beep!

Interior
A swing of the doors and I'm happily greeted with a large thin chromed edged “smile” of houndstooth broadcloth in black and white for the uppers.  Charcoal gray smooth vinyl panels are in the middle and on the bottom is a strip of black carpeting.  Slipping inside using my shoehorn, I'm on a front bench with a split back so one has access to the back bench.  Both these seats are covered in more of that fab houndstooth and have smooth charcoal gray bolsters.  They are just pristine.  Note, the rear bench has a lock in the center which gives access to the trunk and a houndstooth covered pillow in the center possibly made by the consignors grandmother for the car!  An original full metal jacket black dash, which is in great condition, fronts these snazzy chairs.  A nice chromed bezel is surrounding a centrally located round speedo gauge cluster, and the steering wheel is fronting the dash which is black big bakelite.  A nifty dial tuner and volume control AM radio is in the dash center and a few other simple knobs and pulls line up along the bottom of the dash.  Black carpeting is on the floors, and a light gray smooth headliner which appears as new is above. 

Drivetrain
A flip of the chrome edged scooped hood and we see a fully restored and green painted and peppered 1197cc engine inline 4 cylinder.  It sports olive green cast block, green valve cover and 1-barrel Zenith carb with a green 50's stylish green painted air cleaner cover.  All is very nice and corrosion free under here, with new electrics in a 12 volt system.  A 3-speed manual transmission is on back and couples with a 4.625 geared rear axle.

Undercarriage
Some patina, some slight surface rust, and mostly sprayed oil rustproofing is seen on the underside steel floor pans and frame.  Independent coil sprung front suspension, and leaf springs for the back provide the ride.  Drum brakes are on all 4 corners.

Drive-Ability
She started right up and we floated off to the test track.  It accelerated, of course not neck breaking speed, but if you wanted that you'd be reading about one of our Mustangs or Corvettes.  This is about simple utilitarian city transportation quintessential 60's mid-century modern design which ran well, handled fine, and was a pleasure to drive with ample interior room.  Even the radio, works but you need to be patient to allow the tubes to warm up.  You Gen Zers probably think I'm speaking Chinese!

There are several cars here at Classic Auto Mall I just fell in love with, and this is one of them.  I have a soft spot for these unique designs, and this one is definitely one of my favs.  Of course I will not hesitate to drive our BMW Isetta through the nearby McDonald's drive thru, and this car gives me a hankering for a 10 piece McNugget meal…keep it small sized though.  But it will at least for through the window.  Stay tuned, for once those tubes warm up we are rockkin' and rollin'.  Excellent with keeping the unique original design. Groovy. Sweet n Sour and BBQ sauce…Please.  Quite Metropolitan I'd say!

E11201

-August 1954 Build

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.