1961 Nash Metropolitan

Coupe

4 cyl.

3 spd.

E89602

Clear

Gasoline

1961 Nash Metropolitan Coupe Up for auction is my original California 1961 Nash Metropolitan Hardtop Coupe. I purchased this beautiful Metro in the summer of 1979 from the original owner. I have cherished and cared for it since. It has always been in a sheltered environment. This strong running, beautiful Metro has NEVER had any mechanical problems. This is my last and favorite of four Metro’s I have owned and cared for. This unrestored car drives wonderfully for its vintage. The all original engine and drive train is and always has been strong running. The brakes are in great shape for a Metro. I have never had electrical problems or any problems. The body, interior, glass, paint, and chrome are in fantastic vintage shape. The interior is almost perfect and mostly original. I replaced the door panels and rear interior panels and glove box in the early 80’s. The dashboard, steering wheel and knobs are stunning, radio works, original rubber floor mats covered in coco mats (remember those?) front and trunk. Headliner may have been repainted white and is in great shape. All windows function properly. I am still looking for the original set of keys. The exterior is in great vintage condition. The 35+ year old paint job, still looks great and is a little darker red than the original, with a touch of metallic, Beautiful! The chrome is in great original condition. All lighting works great. With original California rear plate. Data Plate Info: Body # 90612 Model # 561 Trim # T971 Paint # P914 - P913 Engine # 15F-N-H-30665 Vin # E89608 Known History: I purchased this car in 1979 from the original owner in the San Fernando Valley (the Metro Capitol) in Southern Calif. Found out right away about Jim Valentine and “The Metropolitan Pit Stop”. This was back in the day when Jim was still in the recording business. We became friends until his passing. But as importantly, I became a very close friend with Shirley Barnes, “The Metropolitan Car Doctor” who lived in Sunland (see article below), less then 10 miles from my house. So through the 80’s my education began, as we worked on over 100 Metro’s, to get back on the road while in her clubs, “The Metropolitan Work Shop Club” & “The Metropolitan Club of California Ltd”. Shirley stressed originality and the importance of every nut and bolt being original to that car. I could not have agreed more. It was apparent that a far share of Metro's were being turned into convertibles, four speeds, speedometer swaps and just cannibalized. I knew I had purchased a beauty when we used my Metro as the "original" reference car. This is how my love started for these adorable, simple cars. Next thing I knew, I was a mechanic and had a car trailer and 4 Metro’s, a 1956 Hardtop, a 1958 Hardtop, a 1961 Convertible and of course, my pride and joy, this 1961 Hardtop. I moved from the LA area with my Metro’s to Palm Desert in the late 80’s. We moved again in the late 90’s to the Carson Valley area south of Reno. This particular car has ALWAYS been garaged and has rarely seen rain since I took over as caregiver. Known Flaws: 1. Tires hold air but are old. 2. Since my purchase the windshield has had small round divot on lower passenger side 3. Speedometer cable was removed by me and has been for less than 200 miles. 4. Blinkers need a new under dash relay as I removed the old one a few years back 5. Small dents under passenger rear taillight that was painted over prior to my purchase 6. Under carriage is grimy, as “The Metropolitan car Doctor” was of the opinion that this is what held it all together. Comes With: (not pictured) 1. A “Pit Stop” Metro tow bar (Never Used) 2. Car Cover 3. My briefcase with years of literature from numerous Nash and Metro Clubs 4. A Nash-Austin Metropolitan Gold Portfolio Book 5. A Metropolitan Technical Service Manuel 6. Bits and pieces of my collection of memorabilia and parts Reason for selling: Believe me, I don’t want to, but we retired in 2009 and bought a 70’s RV, which we have been traveling in since. My baby has been in storage since then (last registered in 2010). Driven around every few months (always starts right up). We just don’t have the time to enjoy this car as we have in the past decades. After 35 loving years, it’s just time to let go…. Oh, and my Son already has my 78 Honda Supersport, my 79 Toyota FJ55 and my 82 Honda Accord and wants no more. Purchase Details: 1st off, if you are interested in purchasing my baby, you will NOT be disappointed! I have ALWAYS cherished and taken wonderful care of her. All are amazed by how beautiful this car performs and looks. I can store this car for a month or so, or we can work something out if you need storage until Hot August Nights. I will NOT be around from 6/1 – 6/20 so please do not plan pick-up during those dates. I WILL SHIP ANYWHERE if all arrangements are taken care of. Please provide a good home, I may ask for garage pictures and references from your neighbors and mechanics (just kidding… sort of). Current Owner: My baby and I were born in the same year. I am a vintage original nut. 1979 is about my cut off date for MY vehicles. I purchase OEM parts whenever possible and work on what I am capable of. I love to wax and clean. That with shelter and preventive maintenance is the key to building a trust and hence love for ones vehicle. I am very easy going and will assist you in every way possible. Please Contact Me With Any Questions, Additional Details or Photos.I tried to be completely honest with my description. I use my photos as part of those descriptions, so please view them closely. THANK YOU for looking and GOOD LUCK in all that you do! L.A. Times article below:SUNLAND : Car Collection Drives Some to DistractionEast Valley FocusAugust 31, 1993| SCOTT GLOVERShirley Barnes has a thing for Metropolitans. She can't stand to see one of the funky '50s-era coupes wind up in the junkyard.Unfortunately, say her Sunland neighbors, a junkyard is just what her yard has become.In Barnes' back yard, beneath a layer of leaves and veiled in cobwebs, sits a silent, rusting tribute to America's first imported automobile.After nearly 30 years of collecting, Barnes, 57, has accumulated 13 of the antique cars--which she likens to inverted bathtubs on wheels."They're so ugly, they're cute," said the spry Sunland native with sandy hair and wire-rim glasses. "I just love them."But her obsession goes beyond collecting.Known as "The Metropolitan Car Doctor," Barnes has 20 "patients" in Southern California and makes house calls as far away as Apple Valley, about 100 miles east of Sunland.An accomplished mechanic who estimates that she has fixed 1,000 Metropolitan engines over the past two decades, Barnes said she learned the trade from a 74-year-old mechanic on the verge of retirement."I was his hands," she said of her former mentor. "He had the brains, but he just couldn't do the work anymore, so I was his hands."Barnes said she doesn't have the money to refurbish her fleet, but she can't bear to sell any of the cars, either. But one woman's treasure is another man's trash."How would you like to have that junkyard next to your house?" asked James White, a next-door neighbor. "If my hobby was collecting Andy Gumps (outdoor toilets), do you think I could put 50 Andy Gumps in my front yard? Hell no I couldn't." Furthermore, White complained that most of the cars have been sitting in Barnes' yard for years, gathering dirt and dust. "She doesn't restore anything," he said. "It's nothing but a junkyard."