YEAR:  1954                                                    MAKE AND MODEL:  NASH METROPOLITAN*

COLOR: TEAL AND WHITE                          UPHOLSTERY: MATCHING COLOR TUCK AND ROLL             

ENGINE: 1979 DATSUN B-210                    TRANS: DATSUN AUTOMATIC

REAR END: STOCK                                        WHEELS: STOCK

*Call it what you may, they made or sold these cars from 1953 to 1962 under different names; NXI (Nash Experimental International), Nash Metropolitan, Hudson Metropolitan, Austin Metropolitan, and finally just Metropolitan.

This month’s featured car is the 1954 Nash Metropolitan from the collection of fine cars of Larry and Gwin Ramoneda. Larry always liked the Metropolitan and when he found one for sale in La Habra, he swooped it up and made it the beauty it is today. He completely stripped and blasted the car, repaired the metal, painted it, upholstered it, new top, lots of new chrome trim, and put in the Datsun motor and trans. Larry said he was quite pleased with the way the new engine and trans fit, like it was made for it and it almost doubled the horsepower.

The Metropolitan was designed as a second car to run around town, to the store, or maybe to the train station to commute to work. The design must have been good as they sold 94,986 over a 10-year period for the nation’s first compact car. It was this nation’s car. It was conceived and designed by Nash-Kelvinator for the USA, but it was built by Austin Motor Company in Longbridge, England.

I think this is one of Larry’s favorite cars. He likes to take to the Big Bear Fun Run and has taken it to the Cool Cruise in La Verne along with other local shows. The car was chosen to parade down the drag strip in Pomona at the NHRA Drags. Great job Larry! Glad you and the Metro are with us at CAL-RODS.