
Lot 201 - 1959 12851 Nash Metropolitan Series III
Lot Number | 201 |
Registration | 323YUT |
Chassis Number | HE6/HCS/119210 |
Odometer reading | 79,125 miles |
Estimate | No Reserve |
Result | Sold - £1,800 |
The Nash Metropolitan is a car that was sold, initially, only in
the United States and Canada, from 1954 through to1962. In today's
terminology the Metropolitan would be known as a 'subcompact', but
this category had not yet come into use when the car was
manufactured. At the time, it was categorised as a 'small
automobile' as well as an 'economy car'. The Metropolitan was also
sold as a Hudson when Nash and Hudson merged in 1954 to form the
American Motors Corporation (AMC), and later as a stand alone
marque. While most U.S. car makers were following a
'bigger-is-better' philosophy, Nash Motor Company executives were
examining the market to offer American buyers an economical
alternative. The Metropolitan was designed and patterned from a
concept car, the NXI (Nash Experimental International) and was
built by Detroit-based independent designer William J. Flajole for
Nash-Kelvinator. In October 1956, Austin Motor Company obtained
permission from American Motors Corporation to sell the
Metropolitans in overseas countries where AMC did not have a
presence. The early brochures for the Austin Metropolitans used a
reversed photograph to show an apparently righthand drive car
parked in an English country town (Chipping Campden), because only
left hand drive vehicles were available at the time the photos were
taken. From December 1956, production of Austin Metropolitans
began, and from April 1957, approximately 9400 additional units
were sold in overseas markets. List prices for the UK Series III
models were £713 17s 0d for the Hardtop and £725 2s 0d for the
Convertible. An estimated 1200 Metropolitans were sold in four
years, according to several published sources. However one British
journalist has estimated the figure at around 5000.
This Austin Nash Metropolitan is in need of restoration; however,
she starts and drives and appears to be complete. Registered with
the DVLA as a Historic Vehicle, 323YUT is therefore MoT and Road
Fund Licence exempt. Offered at no reserve, this Austin built,
American designed quirky car will attract attention wherever she
appears.
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.