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Classic Cars 1958 Nash Metropolitan
42 messages, Last post on Jan 18, 2009 at 2:39 AM
You are in the Classic Cars Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright
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Replying to: alltorque (Nov 02, 2007 8:40 am) 20 some years ago, I had a '59 Metro convertible, I loved the car, but it spent more time in the shop than it did on the road. After having the engine rebuilt, and doing a lot of brake, transmission and cosmetic work, I sold the car to my dad. He has plans for it, but his other project cars have taken precedence. Along the way, he acquired a '61 hardtop for parts. I may buy the '61 from him, but I can't imagine restoring it to mechanically original condition. As I recall, the suspension was super floaty, the brakes were inadequate for modern driving, and, though my '59 got 40mpg, the acceleration was anemic. So, I'm thinking it needs much more than an engine swap. The M-5 Miata's wheelbase was about 4 inches longer than the Metro. Track was about 10 inches wider at both ends. It had the same general layout (front mount, inline 4, rear mount transmission). I know that this job would exceed my meager talents (I'm good at rebuilding carbs, the odd brake job, and making things shiny) but is it possible that a skillful shop could take all of the Miata mechanicals, suspension and such and graft it on to the Metro's body?  How do I even find out if this is feasible? I've tried Google searches for all sorts of Metro Miata combinations and your post is the only thing I have found. I hope you check in on this forum occasionally, alltorque, because I'd like to pursue this line of thought.
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Replying to: jaxpop (Apr 09, 2008 4:09 pm) I suppose you could leave the Metro frame on there and install some other front suspension, but wow, that's a lot of work to get right. But really with enough time money and talent you can do anything: 
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 09, 2008 6:55 pm) I'm also quite sure I've seen hot rod Metros at the Good Guys shows that had attached custom tube frames to the underside to stiffen things up enough to handle the extra power. It would be a shame goose it at a green light and twist your little car into a pretzel...
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Replying to: jaxpop (Apr 11, 2008 2:37 pm) It's been a long time since I looked underneath a Metro. I'm surprised it is a unibody. Here's an article from Automobile Magazine that has some interesting (and funny) comments: Automobile Magazine on the Metro
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 11, 2008 3:41 pm) The Metropolitan is actually French in origin, isn't it? The Europeans no doubt went to unitized designs long before "we" did. Although in their defense, Nash went unitized starting in 1949. I don't see why it would be so hard to drop a unitized body down on a frame. After all, most unitized cars have a sub-frame up front and a sub-frame in the back. The only thing keeping them from being body-on-frame is the lack of the center section. And I've seen Chevy II's with subframe connectors and I think they made them for Mustangs as well. The biggest problem with the Metro, I imagine, is that it's such a tiny car that it would be hard to find a suitable donor frame. Unless you were really handy with welding, took a frame, and did the appropriate cutting and re-welding to make something that would more or less fit.
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Replying to: andre1969 (Apr 11, 2008 4:15 pm) |
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I am restoring a 58 metro and ordered a kit for the interior. Does anyone have tips on adapting parts that do not fit exactly? And has anyone else had this problem?
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Replying to: acemechanic1 (Dec 16, 2008 11:06 am) |
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Replying to: acemechanic1 (Dec 16, 2008 11:06 am) |
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The Metropolitan was designed by Nash and built by Austin in England. Luckily the French had nothing to do with it.......... LOL. There have been many modified Mets which have had custom built frames put under them and huge V-8s installed. As for a simple power hop-up, I am pirating a motor/trans from a 1965 MGB as it is a simple bolt in into my '59 Met. The rest of the MGB is up for sale if anyone wants it. I also have a '61 Met and intend doing something unusual such as installing a front wheel drive combo or electric motor, haven't made up my mind just yet. After rebuilding the brakes and overcoming the difficult task of getting all the air out as the bleed nipple is at the bottom of the front cylinders!!!! I find that it stops very well. One just has to remember that one has to actually use pedal pressure as there is no booster on these cars. Main problem with using another engine is the steering running across the bottom of the firewall. One of the best things to do is to install a complete front crossmember such as one from Fatman Fabrications, which will give you modern disc brakes, rack & pinion steering and A-arm suspension, all in one package. Btw, does anyone happen to have a spare front passenger side engine to cross member steel bracket they don't need? I have mislaid the one for my Met. Thanks. Peter. |
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Classic Cars 1958 Nash Metropolitan
