Austin - Austin Metropolitan
Designed in the USA as a small economic family car, but more as a second car in the family, designed as both a convertible, or hard top. The Nash Metropolitan was built at the Austin works using all Austin components, with bodywork supplied by Pressed Steel in Castle Bromwich, bearing in mind that both Austin and Pressed Steel were now part of the BMC (British Motor Corporation) group. Shortly afterwards in the USA, Nash and Hudson merged to become AMC (American Motor Corporation) so the Metropolitan was now sold through Hudson dealerships as Hudson Metropolitan. The 1,200cc A40 engine gave way to the B series and by 1956 the B series had a capacity of 1,498cc.
Manufacturing at Longbridge had started in late 1953 with all the production destined for export to the USA, as it was designed for the American market and styled as such, which is why all vehicles built had left hand drive steering. From late 1956, under a new deal with AMC, Austin as part of BMC were allowed to sell the Austin Metropolitan in countries where AMC did not have representation, which included the UK. Production of the Metropolitan continued to 1961.
Tyre size for the Nash Metropolitan / Hudson Metropolitan / Austin Metropolitan was 5.20x13 which is radial equivalent 145R13 tyre size. Blockley make a superb 145R13 tyre with a good speed rating and the tallest diameter 145R13 tyre available, to make it as close to the cross ply 5.20x1`3 as possible - see full details of this 145R13 tyre below. Later on the Meropolitan was fitted with larger 5.60x13 tyres, which is radial equivalent size 155R13, and Blockley also produces an excellent steel belt construction, period correct high speed rated 155HR13 tyre - again see full details below:
