Month

Start #

End #

Sales

Information

Oct-53

E1001

E1065

Start of series I production (“A” series 1200cc). Commencing E1001, Body 1001, 542,

P907/P903, Engine 1G 881459

Cars designated as “NKI Custom”

Colours P-903 Spruce Green, P-904 Canyon Red, P-905 Caribbean Blue or P-906 Croton Green contrasted with P-907 Mist Grey (Hardtops (542) only).

For Conv.(541) P-903 with Tan top, P-904 & P-906 with Black top and P-905

with Black or Tan top.

First US Shop manual printed "A" series models (NAS53 1480 10M 10-53)

US Flat rate manual schedule of repair times printed (NAS53 1502 5M 10-53)

Nov-53

E1066

E1270

Dec-53

E1271

E1770

24 Hour test at Raleigh N.C.

E1008, Body 1009, 542, P907/P903, Engine 1G 892557, -  Speed endurance.

E1013, Body 1013, 542, P907/P903, Engine 1G 894107, -  Economy trial.

Shipments for 1953 – 743

Jan-54

E1771

E2848

“Metropolitan” name adopted

Feb-54

E2849

E3883

Installation of “NKI Custom” stopped after E2869, Body 2900, 541, P904/B,

Engine 1G 93944.

Thus first  “Metropolitan” was E2870, Body 2923, 541, P904/B, Engine 1G 939448

First printing US Owners' Handbook {RD51190 (Ser. 8110842)}

First US Parts Book issued (F2421)

Mar-54

E3884

E5059

862

"Metropolitan" public release (19^th March 1954)

Unveiled at Chicago Auto Show by Evelyn Ay (Miss America 1954)

"Metropolitan" nameplate fitted after E4097, (Body 2765, 542, P907/P906,

Engine 1G 951266) and retro-fitted to all earlier production

“E” prefix added to Chassis No. (Comm. E-4781)

Price $1445 (hardtop) $1469 (convertible)

First US brochure printed (NSP54 1633 350M 3-54)

First US Postcard printed (NSP54 1508F 150M 3-54)

Salesman’s book printed (NT54 1635-5M-3-54)

“Inside Story of the Metropolitan” printed (NT54 1636-5M-3-54)

AMA official specification for 1954 Metropolitan compiled

Revision of Parts List F2421 – (Labelled 54-1) - March 24^th

Apr-54

E5060

E6263

981

P-906 “Croton Green” dropped from production because of colour matching problems

Reprint US brochure (NSP54 1633-1-300M 4-54)

“Mechanix Illustrated” magazine Road Test

“Popular Science Monthly” magazine Road Test

May-54

E6264

E7677

1,194

Nash & Hudson merge to become "American Motors"

Jun-54

E7678

E9095

1,499

Second printing US Owners' Handbook {RD51190 (Ser. 8110842)}

Jul-54

E9096

E10429

802

Start of Hudson Metropolitan production.

Introduction of “M” hubcap, plain Horn button & Spare Wheel Cap (Comm. E10007) for Hudson models

Hudson Grille Medallion not available; was fitted retrospectively.

US Flat Rate schedule of Repair times (NAS54 1502 25C 7-54)

“Motor Life” magazine Road Test

“Motor Trend” magazine Road Test

Aug-54

E10430

E11223

767

End of Series I production (“A” series 1200cc).  Final number E11002, Body 10356,

542, P907/P905, Engine 10716.

Final figures  Hardtops – 5,700 (Nash), 385 (Hudson)

                Convertibles – 3,751 (Nash), 166 (Hudson)

Start of Series II production (“B” series 1200cc) Commencing E11003, Body 11004,

542, P907/P904, Engine 10002

Nash Folder printed (including Metropolitan) -

"What's the Truth about car values today" (NSP54 1766 250M 8-54)

First Hudson Brochure printed (AM5458 250M 8-54)

Hudson Postcard printed (AM5462 125M 8-54)

Hudson Salesman's book printed (AM5459 8-54 4M)

“Road & Track” magazine Road Test

Sep-54

E11224

E12425

937

4.55:1 (41/9) Rear axle replaces 4.625:1 (37/8)  Comm. E11944, Body 11720, 542,

P907/P905, Engine 10977

“Motor” magazine Road Test

Oct-54

E12426

E13596

726

George W. Mason (President of Nash Motors) died. Succeeded by George Romney.

Revision of Parts Manual 1^st October (F-2421R)

“Autocar” magazine Road Test

Nov-54

E13597

E14258

626

US Shop manual printed for "B" series models (NAS55 1812 10M 11-54)

AMA official specification for "B" series models compiled

Dec-54

E14259

E14996

671

Total Registrations 1954 - 7,018 Shipments for 1954 – 13,162

Jan-55

E14997

E15627

628

Release of 1954 American Motors annual report

Feb-55

E15628

E16405

610

Hudson Showroom book printed (HM55 1128 1300 2-55)

W.S. Berry presents to A.S.B.E.  "Engineering ventures in Personal transportation"

Mar-55

E16406

E17311

728

“Auto Week” magazine  - Metropolitan top selling Foreign car 

Apr-55

E17312

E18094

715

“Car Life” magazine Road Test

May-55

E18095

E18791

883

Nash folder printed (NSP55 1858-1-200M 5-55)

Revision of Parts List F-2421R (Revision 55-1)

Third printing Owners' Handbook (812061)

Jun-55

E18792

E19501

744

Jul-55

E19502

E19944

770

Hudson brochure printed (HM55 1449 25M 7-55)

Aug-55

E19945

E20188

*

Sep-55

E20189

E20473

*

New colour scheme proposed for Series III models :- P909/908 White top/Black lower

P905/908 Caribbean Green top/Black lower, P911/908 Coral Red top/Black lower

P910/908 Sunburst Yellow top/Black lower but not introduced into general production.

Oct-55

E20474

E20716

*

Nov-55

E20717

E20939

*

Start of Series III production (B series 1500cc engine) (Commencing E21008, Body 21006, Hardtop (562), P905/P908, Engine  1H 140004)- 28-Nov-55

Colours P-905 Caribbean Green,P-910 Sunburst Yellow , P-911 Coral Red &

P-909 Snowberry White as contrast. All Convertibles (561) had Black tops.

Rear Axle 4.22:1. Tubeless Tyres 5.20 x 13 fitted.

Dec-55

E20940

E21126

345

End of Series II production – Ending with E21007, Body 21011, 542

P907/P904, Engine 134910 - 15-Dec-55

Final figures Hardtop – 5,480 (Nash), 3,436 (Hudson) Total 8,916

                 Convertible –   719 (Nash) ,  370 (Hudson) Total 1,089

Cumulative   15,001 (Hardtop) , 5,006 (Convertible)

Release of 1955 American Motors annual report

Total Registrations 1955 - 6,807

Shipments for 1955 – 6,096

Jan-56

E21127

E21605

313

First printing US 1500 Owners' Handbook (8112256)

Feb-56

E21606

E22174

264

US Parts Book issued (F-16056)

Mar-56

E22175

E22825

324

NKI Series 1, 2 & 3 Parts List issued (9048B)

Apr-56

E22826

E23556

519

Announcement of 1500 Metropolitan (Series III)  (9^th April 1956)

American Motors brochure (M-56-5274) issued

AMA official specification for series III Metropolitans compiled

Price $1527 (Hardtop)  $1551 (Convertible)

May-56

E23557

E24434

657

“Motor” magazine Road Test

Jun-56

E24435

E25367

688

Jul-56

E25368

E26021

792

Aug-56

E26022

E26651

863

“Motor Life” magazine Road Test

“Motor Trend” magazine Road Test

Sep-56

E26652

E27525

715

New Rear Axle assembly introduced Comm. E26993, Body 27061, 562, P909/P911,

Engine 144940 – built 13-Sep-1956

New Steering Box introduced Comm. E26873, Body 26882, 562, P909/P911,

Engine 145982 – built 10-Sep-1956

James W. Watson appointed “Sales Manager – Metropolitans”

Oct-56

E27526

E28430

691

Austin licensed to sell Metropolitans outside US & Canada

Nov-56

E28431

E29462

689

New Gearbox rear extension & Prop-shaft flange introduced Comm. E28706,

Body 28698, 562, P909/P910, Engine 147452 – built 9-Nov-1956

Brake Master Cylinder changed from 3/4” to 5/8”, New Front & Rear slave cylinders. Comm. E29284, Body 29286, P909/P911, Engine 148317 – built 27-Nov-1956

BMC 1956 Annual Report issued

Dec-56

E29463

E30259

630

Start of UK Metropolitan production (Comm. Car No. 148643, Body No. 28698)

Release of 1956 American motors annual report

First UK Owners' Manual printed (1468)

Lucas 1956/57 Catalogue for Series II & III (CCE700A) issued

Total Registrations 1956 - 7,145

Shipments for 1956 – 9,068

Jan-57

E30260

E31480

585

Second printing US 1500 Owners' Handbook (8112256) Dated 1-57

Introduction of AMC Metropolitan Club.

Feb-57

E31481

E32765

572

New Steering Idler introduced  Comm. E31763, Body 31465, 561, P909/P905,

Engine 202920 – built 7-Feb-1957

Salesman’s Guide 1170/F Printed

Austin Press Guide printed (1491) – Notice of introduction of UK Metropolitans

Mar-57

E32766

E34156

1,011

Style of Cigar lighter changed (Comm. E34077)

New Accelerator linkage arm (Comm. E33240)

First UK brochure printed (1406 23/25 (7026) 3/57 - 100)

NKI Series 1, 2 & 3 Parts List issued (9048C)

Lucas 1957 Austin Catalogue (CCE903F) issued

Apr-57

E34157

E35759

852

Series III Metropolitans released in  UK

Austin Price List 1168 R  Hardtop GBP713 17s 0d  Convertible GBP725 2s 0d

Colours changed to P-910 Sunburst Yellow, P-912 Berkshire Green, P-913 Mardi-Gras Red with P-914 Frost White as contrast .  All Convertibles had Black tops. (Comm. E35133)

“Motor” magazine Road Test

May-57

E35760

E37653

1,036

US Met Letter Vol1. No1 printed

New UK brochure printed (1406A 35/10 (8203) 5/57 - 39)

UK Body Parts book issued (1506)

“Sports Car Illustrated” magazine Road Test

Jun-57

E37654

E39059

1,084

New Fuel Tank outlet unit introduced (Comm. E38569)

Austin Price List 1168/S  Hardtop GBP713 17s 0d  Convertible GBP725 2s 0d

Austin Price List 1168/T       “                  “                          “                  “

“Autocar” magazine Road Test

Jul-57

E39060

E40281

1,333

UK brochure printed (1406A 35/10 (9103) 7/57-50)

1956/57 Production for UK & Overseas – 1,874

Aug-57

E40282

E40765

1,336

US Met Letter Vol 1. No2 printed

UK Workshop Manual (97H 1467) issued

New UK Owners' Manual (97H 1468A) printed.

Austin Price List 1168/U Hardtop GBP713 17s 0d Convertible GBP725 2s 0d

Sep-57

E40766

E42138

1,361

Third printing US 1500 Owners' Handbook (8112256)

Oct-57

E42139

E43398

1,017

Low compression Engine (7.2:1) discontinued – Final E43115, Body 43218, 562, P914/P913, Engine  22083  built 25-Oct-1957  

High compression Engine (8.3:1) introduced Comm. E43116, Body 43149, 562, P914/P910 , Engine 61800  built 25-Oct-1957

Fourth printing US 1500 Owners' Handbook (8112256)

New UK brochure printed (1406B 35/10 (10877) 10-57 -50)

UK Motor Show brochure issued  (1565)

Nov-57

E43399

E44463

826

Dec-57

E44464

E45540

778

Glove Box door fitted as standard. Comm. E44800, Body 44744, 562, P914/P912,

Engine 75206 – built 10-Dec-1957

Full-flow Oil Filter introduced (Comm. E45245)

Release of 1957 American Motors annual report

UK brochure printed (1406B 35/10 (12506) 12-57 -50)

Total US Registrations 1957 - 11,791

Shipments for 1957 – 15,317

Jan-58

E45541

E47006

647

One piece rear glass introduced (Comm. E45672)

New Spot-welded road wheel introduced. (Comm. E46555)

P-915 Autumn Yellow replaces P-910 Sunburst Yellow; P-908 Classic Black added.

US Met Letter Vol 2. No1 printed

J. W. Watson at SAE presents "The Trend towards more Intelligent Motoring"

Feb-58

E47007

E48247

673

New Water pump introduced (Comm. E48083)

Austin price guide (1168/X)  Hardtop – GBP749 2s 0d, Convertible -  GBP775 7s 0d

Mar-58

E48248

E49373

928

New Door locks, handles and Door lock pillar introduced (Comm. E48848)

UK brochure printed (1406C 35/10 (14501) 3-58 -50M)

UK  Parts book issued (97H 1506)

Lucas 1958 Catalogue for Series III (CCE700B) issued

Apr-58

E49374

E50067

1,037

Revision 10 of Parts List - F16056

US Met Letter Vol 2. No 2 printed

May-58

E50068

E51205

1,289

Jun-58

E51206

E52177

1,149

UK brochure printed (1406C 35/10 (16111) 6-58 -50M)

Jul-58

E52178

E53257

1,169

Fifth printing US 1500 Owners' Handbook (8112256)

Lucas 1958 Austin Catalogue (CCE903G) issued

1957/58 Production for UK & Overseas – 5,755

Aug-58

E53258

E54059

1,177

US Met Letter Vol 2. No 3 printed

UK brochure printed (1406C 35/10 (17109) 8/58 -50M)

UK Schedule of repair times (AKD 1023)

UK Schedule of Repair charges (AKD 1024)

“Motor Life” magazine Road Test

Sep-58

E54060

E55342

1,117

New Handbrake assembly introduced  Comm. E54326, Body 54337, 562, P914/P913

,Engine 150602 , built 8-Sep-58

US Flat rate schedule of repair times (AM1509 2.5 9-58)

Austin Salesman’s Guide  1170/G printed

“Small Car Illustrated” magazine Road Test

Oct-58

E55343

E56648

1,217

UK Motor Show brochure printed (1697)

Service Notes Index issue 1 printed

Nov-58

E56649

E57684

949

Steering modified to improve turning circle Comm. E57528, Body 57557, 562, P914/P912, Engine 169434, built 26-Nov-1958

Austin Salesman’s Guide  1170/H printed

Dec-58

E57685

E58630

891

US Met Letter Vol 2. No 4 printed

Release of 1958 American Motors annual report

Total Registrations 1958 - 12,243

Shipments for 1958 – 13,128

Jan-59

E58631

E59671

*

End of UK Series III production (Last  Car No. 174167, Body No. 208264) 26-1-59

Total UK Series III production – 8,321

Start of US Series IV Production (“B” series 1500cc + Trunk (Boot) Lid,

Comm. E59048 , Body 58824, 562, P914/P912 – 12-Jan-59))

Sixth printing US 1500 Owners' Handbook (8112256)

Austin Price List 1168/KK Hardtop – GBP749 2s 0d Convertible GBP775 7s 0d

Whitewall tyres GBP8 1s 3d extra

Feb-59

E59672

E60736

*

End of US Series III production Ended E59047, Body 58886, 562, P914/P908,

Engine 172966 - (2-Feb-59)

Total 38,040 (32,711 H/T, 5,329 Conv)

Cumulative