Nice. I had a high school friend who had one back in the late-1970s, it ran great but looked like trash he later fixed it up aesthetically. He got deployed overseas for 9 months and gave the keys to me to drive it around occasionally (his parents and sister wouldn't touch it!). 3-speed just like the one in the video. Fun driver, it was comfortable at 65 mph on the highway so no issues for short highway trips.
Fond memories thanks. My first half decent car I owned growing up in England when I was 20 in 1967. Accelerated nicely but quickly ran out of breath due to the 3 speed low top gearing. Cornered like a boat! I remember well the valve radio taking its time to warm up! Lots of character. Good luck.
What a wonderful car. Buddy had one in the late 60's in NYC. Starter went out so he always parked on hills to let it roll and jump start by putting it in first and pop the clutch. When needed we could push it to speed to do the same. Life was so much simpler then.
Talk about memories. I'm 72 and I remember my grandmother driving one that was a 1957, when I was 7 years old. It was her go get car. Drop me sometimes at school and off to shop. The trunk you got to thru the backseat, such as that was. Generally what backseat there was, and the front passenger held most of what she would purchase. Parking was easy.
My first car was a 56 Metro. Loved it. It always started and ran well and got me where I wanted to go as long as you didn't want to go very fast. It taught me how to change a tire and the oil. The controls were indeed different from any other car available at the time. My other vivid memory is of the "Tube" radio that took a minute or two to warm up before it would play. My Metro also taught me what NOT to do when driving in the snow when I rolled it into someones front yard. A passerby helped me put her back on her wheels and I drove away. Thanks for the video and the memories it brought to mind.
My dad had one of these in 1958. I used it to take my drivers test and FAILED parallel parking. Took it next week with a big Pontiac and passed. The Nash was a fun car.
I found one of these for sale in Waco, Texas, and thought, "What a weird looking car." Then, when I began researching them, the story behind them was very interesting. For only $4,200, I might have to hop on getting it. For a basketcase car with such a great history, it'll be well worth it.
New parts are still being made for these cars, but they are also popular in California probably because they get 40 MPG, and gas is $7.00/gallon, there.
All new parts are reproductions, mostly made in China. Only one or two suppliers in the USA and parts are very expensive compared to parts for American cars of a similar age.
@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 I think that there may still be domestic manufacturers for most early Ford parts. Universal parts like voltage regulators or generators are still being made (again, probably mostly in The PRC), but not body parts for small, American cars like Ramblers or Crosleys. I wish there were.
Had two of the later models - a hardtop and a convertible. Cute as buttons, but they get blown all over the road by wind or fast traffic, and were crap mechanically - underpowered, unsynchronized 1st gear, dodgy Lucas electrics, indifferent British build quality for export.
Biggest safety issue is the front wheel hubs, which can develop hairline cracks and actually give way (collapse) while driving - usually cornering at speed. Oops!
... I discovered a guy, close to my old home, in the eighties, in Orange Co, California, who had around 25 of these Metros, in assorted years and colors ... ... Also, as a kid in the sixties in Michigan ... I knew an elderly couple, who drove one daily ...
Nice. I had a high school friend who had one back in the late-1970s, it ran great but looked like trash he later fixed it up aesthetically. He got deployed overseas for 9 months and gave the keys to me to drive it around occasionally (his parents and sister wouldn't touch it!). 3-speed just like the one in the video. Fun driver, it was comfortable at 65 mph on the highway so no issues for short highway trips.
67 years old, and it runs way better than my car. Amazing.
My mom had a black & white metro. So many stories about that great little car. I was just 3 but I remember it vividly.
guess all U saw was black and white in those days and even TV was B&W.
Fond memories thanks. My first half decent car I owned growing up in England when I was 20 in 1967. Accelerated nicely but quickly ran out of breath due to the 3 speed low top gearing. Cornered like a boat! I remember well the valve radio taking its time to warm up! Lots of character. Good luck.
What a wonderful car. Buddy had one in the late 60's in NYC. Starter went out so he always parked on hills to let it roll and jump start by putting it in first and pop the clutch. When needed we could push it to speed to do the same. Life was so much simpler then.
Talk about memories. I'm 72 and I remember my grandmother driving one that was a 1957, when I was 7 years old. It was her go get car. Drop me sometimes at school and off to shop. The trunk you got to thru the backseat, such as that was. Generally what backseat there was, and the front passenger held most of what she would purchase. Parking was easy.
I had a 58 as my first car. This is one I should have kept.
My first car was a 56 Metro. Loved it. It always started and ran well and got me where I wanted to go as long as you didn't want to go very fast. It taught me how to change a tire and the oil. The controls were indeed different from any other car available at the time. My other vivid memory is of the "Tube" radio that took a minute or two to warm up before it would play. My Metro also taught me what NOT to do when driving in the snow when I rolled it into someones front yard. A passerby helped me put her back on her wheels and I drove away. Thanks for the video and the memories it brought to mind.
Such a beautifully uncomplicated automobile
Until something goes wrong.
My dad had one of these in 1958. I used it to take my drivers test and FAILED parallel parking. Took it next week with a big Pontiac and passed. The Nash was a fun car.
This is my dream car!
I read that differential gears from an MG Midget will fit right in and make this car more freeway friendly.
I have 4 Metropolitans here in England UK. they are great fun cars
I found one of these for sale in Waco, Texas, and thought, "What a weird looking car." Then, when I began researching them, the story behind them was very interesting. For only $4,200, I might have to hop on getting it. For a basketcase car with such a great history, it'll be well worth it.
I learaned to drive on this thing in 55.
New parts are still being made for these cars, but they are also popular in California probably because they get 40 MPG, and gas is $7.00/gallon, there.
All new parts are reproductions, mostly made in China. Only one or two suppliers in the USA and parts are very expensive compared to parts for American cars of a similar age.
@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 I think that there may still be domestic manufacturers for most early Ford parts. Universal parts like voltage regulators or generators are still being made (again, probably mostly in The PRC), but not body parts for small, American cars like Ramblers or Crosleys. I wish there were.
They're also popular in California cuz they do not rust.
You can get generic parts like hoses, thermostats, and spark plugs, but nothing specific to the Metropolitan.
Apparently, there's a business called "Metro Pit Stop" in Los Angeles that has a lot of parts for these.
I’ve never seen a fixed horn button that doesn’t rotate with the wheel. I wonder why they bothered.
Was it formerly owned by Lois Lane?
Had two of the later models - a hardtop and a convertible. Cute as buttons, but they get blown all over the road by wind or fast traffic, and were crap mechanically - underpowered, unsynchronized 1st gear, dodgy Lucas electrics, indifferent British build quality for export.
Biggest safety issue is the front wheel hubs, which can develop hairline cracks and actually give way (collapse) while driving - usually cornering at speed. Oops!
And they rust badly.
Sounds very 'agricultural'.
That speedo lol.
... I discovered a guy, close to my old home, in the eighties, in Orange Co, California, who had around 25 of these Metros, in assorted years and colors ...
... Also, as a kid in the sixties in Michigan ... I knew an elderly couple, who drove one daily ...