Remembering the Nash Metropolitan

In 1954, Mr. George Mason, President of Nash, introduced a new model to the public called the Metropolitan. Mr. Bill Flajole was responsible for the design and generated a model car named the “Nash NXI” prototype which was displayed to the press by Mr. George W. Romney. By March 19, 1954, the Nash Metropolitan model was introduced to showrooms in Detroit, Michigan and across the country.

The response from both dealers and customers was so positively receptive that Mr. George Mason stated that production rates were being increased by sixty percent. Nash dealerships reported that this time marked their heaviest floor traffic that they have ever experience during any introductory period for any type of automobile ever produced.



The Nash Metropolitan model was manufactured on an 85-inch wheelbase, with the same unitized "Airflyte" construction of the Nash Ambassador models.The model was designed for two passengers; however, the vehicle could accommodate three passengers in the front seat, with an auxiliary back seat for small children or packages. The engine could deliver up to 40 miles per gallon at normal highway speeds, with a top speed in excess of 70 miles per hour. The front grille of the Metropolitan models consisted of a single die-cast horizontal bar which featured a Nash medallion design in the center. This design became very popular among many consumers during the 1950's. By 1959, the Metropolitan models received functional improvements that were made including a new truck lid, window vents, seat adjusting mechanisms, and larger exterior tires.



During 1954-1962, the Nash Metropolitan models were sold in the United States and Canada with a total of 94,986 models produced. One of the Nash advertising promotions that generated high traffic was one that sponsored Mrs. Evenlyn Ay Sempier, former Miss America of 1954. The campaign featured Mr. Sempier touring with many Metropolitan models and dealers around the country.

By the early 1960’s, the Nash Metropolitan models started to fall short in sales with consumers due to many competitor models. In 1962, American Motors announced that the Metropolitan models would be phased out for the consumer market and it would be its last year of production of the Nash Metropolitan models.

Today, the Nash Metropolitan models have a huge fan base and are sought out by many collectors. For further information on Metropolitan models, please contact the Metropolitan Owners Club of North America at (608) 825-1903, mbjaco@fastbytes.com ATTN: Betty Jacobsom.

A special thanks to Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher, for donating the story to the MotorCities Story of the Week program. Photographs are courtesy of Bob Tate’s personal collection. (Bibliography: Foster R. Patrick . The Metropolitan Story The Olde Milford Press. 1996. Foster R. Patrick. AMC Cars 1954-1987. Iconografix 2004.)

Please do not republish the story and/or photographs without permission of MotorCities National Heritage Area. For further information contact Robert Tate at btate@motorcities.org. If you have a story that you would like to donate to be featured as a MotorCities Story of the Week, email Lisa Ambriez at lambriez@motorcities.org.