ROBERT WILLIAMS’ 1956 NASH METROPOLITAN
In 2010, Robert spotted what he reckoned was the perfect small classic for sale – a black and white 1950s Nash Metropolitan. However, at that time financial considerations meant that he had to curtail his enthusiasm and pass up the opportunity to own his dream car.
Time passed; Robert and his wife, Nicola, finally paid off their mortgage and with the prospect of being more financially free, things were looking up. After looking around at various classic cars, the couple finally settled on a 1960 Chevrolet Impala, a car that they restored and enjoyed. However, Robert hadn’t forgotten his dream car and often thought of the Nash he’d missed out on – especially as Metropolitans were rarely offered for sale.
“Fast forward to March 2019 and, lo and behold, there was my dream car, a 1956 Nash Metropolitan hardtop in Berkshire Green over Snowberry White for sale in Whakatane,” recalled Robert. “Nicola said that I should go for it but, with reluctance, I decided that I had to pass again, this time due to limited garage space with the Impala parked front and centre.”
However, working without his knowledge and with the help of her father – William Tweed, a long-time classic car owner – nothing less than a total reorganisation of the family garage was arranged. This freed up space, allowing a Metropolitan to slide in beside the couple’s 18-foot Chevrolet leviathan. In his role as co-conspirator, William contacted the Nash Metropolitan owner and arranged to view the car in Whakatane.
In strict secrecy, William flew to Whakatane in April, took the Nash out for a test drive and pronounced it fit for purchase. There were a few issues but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. The purchase price was duly paid and the car arrived at a panelbeaters in Auckland for a check over with a view to carry out any body repairs as required.
Alas, the inspection brought with it some bad news. A six-inch patch of rust concealed an extensive rusted sill and floor pan, a known problem with these cars. The panelbeaters got to work and a couple of months later the rusted sill had been repaired along with the floor pan. With everything painted, the Nash was looking as good as new.
With the car’s bodywork sorted, next up was a trip to the mechanic for a full service and a new clutch – everything was ready for the big reveal.
“All this time,” said Robert, “I had no idea of the schemes and subterfuges my wife and father-in-law were up to.”
It was now July, and Nicola and William had arranged to meet Robert at the Torpedo Bay Café in Devonport.
“Walking out after a leisurely lunch, I was arrested by the sight of a green and white Nash Metropolitan,” said Robert. “Walking around the car, I realised it was the very same Nash that I’d seen advertised for sale earlier in the year and my first thought was that I was going to have watch someone else drive ‘my’ car around my local area of Devonport.”
At this point, Nicola let the cat out of the bag and suggested that Robert check out the Nash’s steering wheel. “The first thing I saw was a bottle of champagne on the front seat. I turned to find William smiling broadly and Nicola handing me a set of keys, saying, ‘It’s yours!’ Flabbergasted, I hopped in for my first drive in my longtime dream car.”
Following the surprise of suddenly realising that he now owned his dream car, Robert is full of enthusiasm for his Metropolitan and loves driving it around town, on parades and at the odd classic car show. Along with our other featured Metropolitan, Robert’s car was on show at the last Auckland Brit & Euro Classic Car Show.
“The Nash gets a lot of looks from young and old alike – and always a smile,” said Robert.
And the moral of the story? It just goes to show – you can’t trust anybody, not even your wife and father-in-law!