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1958 Nash Metropolitan

42 messages,  Last post on Jan 18, 2009 at 2:39 AM

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What is this discussion about? Classic Cars, Coupe


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#13 of 42
Re: Tires (andre1969) [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jul 26, 2007 (6:30 pm)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 26, 2007 6:19 pm)

The 1500 motor came later in the series and boosted HP to something like 52 HP. Still not much. Also that 1500 motor has just one dinky Zenith carb, not dual SUs, which are so much better.
 
But yeah, the later Met would be "faster" than the earlier ones with the little Austin...is it...A40....engine?
#14 of 42
Re: Tires (andre1969) [hpmctorque] by andre1969
Jul 26, 2007 (6:32 pm)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 26, 2007 6:19 pm)

But wait a minute, if it's got a 1500 cc MGA motor, shouldn't 0-60 be a little quicker than 30 seconds?
 
It might have the same motor, but I wonder if it would have a suckier transmission, or taller gearing, or something else holding it back? My old car book lists that engine as a 73.8 CID (probably around a 1.2-1.3L) from 1954-56, having 42 hp, with an optional 90.9 CID version (1.5L) having 52 hp. From 1959-62 hp was listed at "55/52"...I dunno what the 3 hp discrepancy was. Transmission options, maybe? I know back then, sometimes the automatic had a different hp rating from the manual. But could you even get an automatic in a Metropolitan? I think Nashes used GM 4-speed HydraMatics, and I seriously doubt one of those would fit in a Met! Coming from England though, I imagine a Met would have used some British auto tranny, if one was available.
 
My book also says that the 42 hp version struggled to break 70 mph, whereas the 1.5 would hit 80. Didn't the VW Bug top out around 70-75?
#15 of 42
Re: Tires (andre1969) (Mr_Shiftright) by hpmctorque
Jul 26, 2007 (7:05 pm)
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Ah, good catches, Andre and Shifty. As far as I know, and I'm not confident about this, Mets only came with a 3 speed (on the tree) tranny. So, in addition to the carburation/hp disadvantage of the 1500 engine versus the MGA, it also suffered a gearing deficit. Still, I'm thinking that 0-60 in 30 seconds was for the earlier, smaller displacement models, and that the 1500 reached 60 in mid 20s, but I'm basing this on perception rather than hard evidence.
#16 of 42
Re: Tires (andre1969) (Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jul 27, 2007 (9:30 am)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 26, 2007 7:05 pm)

What that little Met really needs is the MGB engine with 4-speed overdrive and a set of front disc brakes, some Bilstein shocks, heavy duty leaf springs, radial tires, a sway bar, full floor and firewall insulation, performance exhaust, dual master cylinder and electric cooling fan!! Stock looking outside but sweet inside.
 
Let's see...that might cost about....oh, never mind.
#17 of 42
Three on the tree :) by mymet
Jul 27, 2007 (4:18 pm)
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Yep three on the tree; all of them. I'm good to go there. I learned to drive on a 64 Nova wagon that always got "stuck" when shifting and we'd have to stop and wiggle something to "unstick" it...
 
I'm still awaiting delivery and am hoping for it to be as mechanically sound as the outside is.
 
You guys are scaring me though.
#18 of 42
Re: Three on the tree :) [mymet] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jul 27, 2007 (4:20 pm)
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Replying to: mymet (Jul 27, 2007 4:18 pm)

NAH, we're just jealous!! You report back and tell us where we were right and where we were wrong, okay?
#19 of 42
Re: Thanks! [mymet] by fintail
Jul 29, 2007 (6:37 pm)
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Replying to: mymet (Jul 22, 2007 7:37 pm)

I saw a Metropolitan at 20th and 140th in Bellevue about 5pm on Saturday. Maybe it was you?
#20 of 42
Met in UK by alltorque
Oct 08, 2007 (10:47 am)
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Replying to: fintail (Jul 29, 2007 6:37 pm)

Over here in U.K. we had the Austin Metropolitan which really was a RHD version of the Nash, built in Britain by Austin. These are now pretty much museum pieces, (at least, I haven't seen one on the road for many many years). The picture is of one in a local museum. As it's LHD it may well be the Nash version or possibly an export Austin. Didn't think to see at the time. Colour scheme is factory standard. Other options were Yellow/White and pale Blue-Green/White.">
 
#21 of 42
More of the same by alltorque
Nov 01, 2007 (1:19 pm)
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Hopefully, this may lead to a picture.
 
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m306/parrotnoid/DSCF2246.jpg
 
This is the Metropolitan referred to in my previous post. Cool, huh ?
#22 of 42
Re: More of the same [alltorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Nov 01, 2007 (5:26 pm)
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Replying to: alltorque (Nov 01, 2007 1:19 pm)

Very cute...but a bit tarted up don't you think?
 
Portholes and wire wheels with racing mirrors and a goddess hood ornament? A bit much!

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