The DFW Car & Toy Museum has acquired a 1957 Nash Metropolitan Hardtop as part of The Ron Sturgeon Collection, finished in its original Sunburst Yellow and Snowberry White factory colors. This vehicle represents a significant piece of mid-20th century automotive history, notable for its role as one of the earliest American-designed cars built in Europe and sold in the United States. The Metropolitan, owned by a single individual for nearly forty years, underwent a careful refurbishment during the 1990s that returned it to period-correct specifications.
The interior features black and white houndstooth cloth and vinyl upholstery, matching its original aesthetic. Mechanically, it retains its 1.5-liter Austin B-Series inline-four engine, producing 52 horsepower and 77 lb-ft of torque, paired with a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. When introduced in the 1950s, the Nash Metropolitan was marketed as an ideal second car for suburban families, designed for short trips and daily errands. Its compact size and distinctive styling made it a recognizable icon of the era.
"The Nash Metropolitan is as fun as it is historic," said Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "With its pastel paint, retro charm, and compact design, it's impossible not to smile when you see it in person." Well-preserved examples like this one are becoming increasingly rare, underscoring the importance of its preservation in a public collection. The museum, now located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, offers free admission and parking. Visitors can view the Metropolitan alongside other automotive and toy exhibits. More information about the museum's hours and offerings is available at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
This acquisition matters because it preserves a tangible example of post-war automotive innovation and cultural shifts. The Metropolitan's transatlantic production—designed in America by Nash and built by Austin in the United Kingdom—reflects early globalization in manufacturing. Its role as a suburban utility vehicle illustrates changing American lifestyles and transportation needs during a period of economic growth and suburban expansion, making it a valuable artifact for understanding mid-century industrial and social history. The vehicle's preservation in a public collection ensures public access to this important historical object that embodies both automotive engineering and broader societal trends of its time.
