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A Bite of History - 1950's Nash Metropolitan
A Bite of History - Mike Thies
1950's Nash Metropolitan
The Nash Metropolitan, introduced in the early 1950s, holds a special place in automotive history as one of the first American-designed cars specifically built for the economy segment. Launched in 1954 (despite prototype work starting earlier, often mistakenly attributed to 1950), the Metropolitan was the brainchild of Nash-Kelvinator president George Mason, who saw a need for a smaller, more fuel-efficient car tailored to postwar urban drivers, particularly women, a bold marketing focus at the time.
What made the Metropolitan especially unique was its transatlantic production model: it was styled in the U.S. by Nash but built in England by Austin. It featured a small 1.2L or later 1.5L inline-four engine, modest trim, and a distinctive two-tone color scheme that gave it a cheerful, dollhouse-like appearance. Though tiny by American standards, it offered big innovation, foreshadowing the compact car movement that would take hold years later. Today, it’s remembered as both a quirky design icon and a brave answer to America’s brief flirtation with efficiency during the age of excess.
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A Bite of History: 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL
A Bite of History: by Mike Thies
1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL
Introduced in late 1966 for a short, single-year production run, the 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL holds a special place in the “Pagoda” lineage (W113 series) as the rarest variant, with only about 5,196 units built. Positioned between the earlier 230SL and the later 280SL, the 250SL…
ContinuePosted by Michael Thies on August 14, 2025 at 7:30pm
A Bite of History: American Bantam “Woody” Station Wagon by Mike Thies
A Bite of History: by Mike Thies
American Bantam “Woody” Station Wagon
The American Bantam Car Company was a small but innovative automaker based in Butler, Pennsylvania. Originally established as American Austin in the 1920s to produce miniature cars under license from the British Austin Motor Company, the firm reorganized…
ContinuePosted by Michael Thies on August 2, 2025 at 8:00pm — 1 Comment
A Bite of History: 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster
A Bite of History: by Mike Thies
1958 Porsche 356 Speedster
The 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster marks the swan song of one of Porsche’s most iconic and minimalist models. Originally introduced in 1954 at the urging of U.S. importer Max Hoffman, the Speedster was designed to be a low cost, lightweight, stripped-down entry sports car that could double as a weekend racer, especially for the California sports car scene. With its low windshield,…
ContinuePosted by Michael Thies on July 14, 2025 at 5:22pm
A Bite of History: 1948 Rover P3 Saloon
A Bite of History: by Mike Thies
1948 Rover P3 Saloon
The 1948 Rover P3 Saloon marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of British motoring. Introduced in the immediate aftermath of World War II, the P3 was a bridge between prewar craftsmanship and the modern engineering ethos that would come to define Rover’s future. Although its styling retained many traditional elements, including an upright grille, separate fenders, and rear-hinged front…
ContinuePosted by Michael Thies on July 14, 2025 at 8:39am
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