1958 Nash Metropolitan

1958 Nash Metropolitan

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 1958 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.

ExteriorSo 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 aqua and black. Exterior panels are solid steel and have nicely minded gaps. A chromed "dip strip" provides for the two-tone delineation. An aqua roof, then black uppers and aqua lower portions of this car. The roofline is just lovely, with the triangular "B" pillar holding fort 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 taillights are flanking the rear mounted spare tire enclosure, wrapped in a chromed rim and black interior circle. The front bumper appears very nice and is below a white painted egg crate oval grille with a single headlight mounted on the corner of each front quarter. Beep! Beep!

InteriorThe utilitarian door panels in blue vinyl and screwed on along each side house the window crank and door handle. chromed trimming takes a dive near the back of the doors and adds some bling to the utilitarian. 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 are covered in blue vinyl and have white vinyl bolsters and uppers. They are just pristine. Note the rear bench has a lock in the center which gives access to the trunk. An original black dash which is covered in nice vinyl and is in great condition. A nice chromed bezel is surrounding a centrally located round speedo gauge cluster, and the steering wheel is fronting the dash which is black painted metal. A nifty dial tuner and volume control 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 blue headliner which appears as new is above.

DrivetrainA flip of the hood and we see a fully restored and repainted 1489cc engine in 4-cylinder format, black block and aqua valve cover and 1-barrel Zenith carb with a chromed dish air cleaner cover. All is very nice and corrosion free under here, with new electrics in a positive ground system. A 3-speed manual transmission is on back.

UndercarriageSome 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-AbilityShe started right up and we floated off to the test track. It accelerates, 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 BTW runs well, handles fine and is a pleasure to drive with ample? interior room.

There are several cars here at Classic Auto Mall I just fall 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. Stay tuned!! Excellent with keeping the unique original design. Groovy. Sweet n Sour and BBQ sauce... Please.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.