My wife recently found a 1958 Nash metropolitan on CL that she fell in love with. So we went to check it out...it was in rotten shape...and they wanted way too much for it. Since there aren't any more in our area, I was wondering if you guys could give me an idea of something similar that might satisfy her need for a cute old school ride.
The little Rambler Americans of the 50's look similar and are probably easier to work on. I had a Metropolitan convertible my senior year in high school and although it got fair gas mileage and the girls thought it was "cute" it did have it's issues including the famed and feared made in UK electrical system including 12V Pos ground (Damn, I did know that cars had 12 V pos ground) The big rub with a stock engine is that rather than rear main seal the crank shaft has threads to "screw" the oil back into the engine. Finding one with no engine or a dead engine and putting a late model 4 or V6 in it wouldn't be bad though. Personally if she wanted a little square car I'd go for a Falcon or Nova first edition as you can find pieces for those.
51-55 Nash Rambler Country Club or 2 door wagon 58-60 AMC Rambler American 2 door sedan or 2 door wagon.. Small cars as far as 50's go..Very round and bumper car looking. I love mine.
Get something where the possibility of finishing it in a reasonable amount of time. You know women they dont have a lot of patients. You will want to finish it quick so you can work on your stuff.
I restored a MGB for my wife when she was in college. After she became a school teacher it was to small to carry all her supplies she needed for the cl*** room. I restored a Mazda Matia for my daughter that she drives when the weather permits to her cl*** room. The small cars are easy and fast to restore. Good luck, Bob,
Honestly, I would buy my wife the car she wants, since she lets me buy whatever I want. Look around they are still out there. Remember if the wifes happy everyones happy. I know this doesn't answer your question, however my advise is to seek out the one she wants.
well i know this a little outa the hamb rules but my wife wants a camero. only because she loves the song" *****in camero" by the dead milkmen it pretty rad check it out your wife might get hooked as well
theres a Metro by me thats sat in the same place for 20 years..it just sits..Women look good in 52 and up ford/mercs too, just has that cool Mrs. Cleaver look to them
I agree with Ramzoom that the 50-53 Nash Ramblers are perfect for the ladies, bigger than the metro, but still small - but of co**** I'm partial to them. There's a guy looking to sell a 54 - type "nash rambler" in the search feature and the link should be towards the top. Bowtie Brown in Kansas
The Jalopy Journal
