Metropolitan 1500

A strange venture between Austin of England and American partners Nash and Hudson resulted in a small convertible commonly referred to as the Metropolitan. The Metropolitan was engineered and built by Austin at Longbridge to a design brief originating from Nash, an American car company renown for daring to be different. Nash decided that there was a market in the US for a small car which would ideal for use as a second family vehicle, however they did not have the experience required to produce small cars, enter Austin who did...

The Metropolitan started life with the 1200cc BMC B-Series engine, later cars (from 1956) used the more powerful 1500cc B-Series, these cars were called the Metropolitan 1500. Two body styles were available, a convertible or a hardtop (fixed head coupe), most cars came with bright two-tone paint work.

The Metropolitan sold well throughout its life (1954-1961) badged as a Nash, Hudson, or simply Metropolitan, most cars were sold in the USA. Sales of the small coupes never really took off in Europe, mainly due its transatlantic styling and poor handling reputation.