1957 Austin Metropolitan Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: WDV 841
Chassis No: HE6LCS215314
Mot Expiry: April 2003

The Anglo-US Metropolitan project was run out of Metropolitan Motor of Kansas City, Missouri, and involved the Austin of England works at Longbridge, Birmingham, building a US-conceived sub-compact design aimed to rival such Euro-imports into the States such as the VW Beetle.
Initially, the unitary construction fixed head or convertible two-door coupes, built by Fisher and Ludlow with period looking, but scaled down US styling reminiscent of a baby Nash, were fitted with the same 1200cc four-cylinder motors that powered the Austin A40 Somerset.
In the US, Metropolitans, the majority left hand drive, were badged both Nash and Hudson. Happily, more go to match the looks was provided by the 1489cc BMC B Series engine upgrade in 1956. 97,000 Metropolitans were made between 1954 and 1961, the model being sold to very impressed, though impoverished UK home market punters from 1957.
This 1957 made example of the interestingly styled fixed head Metropolitan has rust-free bodywork and very good paintwork, claims the vendor, who tells that it has been in one family ownership since the late 1960's. Although many were exported to Nashland, this one is an original UK-spec right hand drive car with the 66,000 miles displayed on entry to the sale thought to be the genuine total mileage. The characterful little car with practical to run BMC B type engine underbonnet comes complete with owner's manual and plenty of unexpired MOT/Tax Disc time left.