Editing Nash Metropolitan (section)

===Series IV===
{{Infobox automobile
|image      = File:1959 Nash Metropolitan 01 -- Shanghai Automobile Museum 2012-05-26.JPG
|caption    = 1959 Nash Metropolitan on display at the [[Shanghai Auto Museum]]
|name       = Series IV
|production = 1959–61
}}
[[File:1959 Metropolitan convertible by AMC red-and-white rear view.JPG|thumb|Rear view of the Series IV]]
[[File:Rear of yellow Nash Metropolitan.jpg|thumb|right|Rear view of the Series IV]]

January 1959 saw the start of Metropolitan Series IV (NK4) production (Commencing with VIN E59048 on 12 January 1959). This major redesign saw the addition of an external [[decklid]] (previous models only allowed access to the [[Trunk (automobile)|trunk]] through the rear seatback), one-piece rear window, and [[Quarter glass|vent windows]]. By this time, the engine had been upgraded by increasing the [[compression ratio]] from 7.2:1 to 8.3:1 (Commenced VIN E43116 — 15 October 1957), rated at {{convert|55|bhp|kW|abbr=on}} (as used in the [[Austin A55 Cambridge]]). The additional features added {{convert|15|lb|kg|abbr=on}} to the weight. Exterior color options were the same as for Series III. The interior used a diamond pattern for the seats, with white vinyl trim. The MSRP for Series IV models was $1,672.60 (hardtop) and $1,696.80 (convertible).

Sales rose to 22,209 units in 1959, the Metropolitan's best-selling year, promoting it to second place behind Volkswagen in sales of cars imported to the U.S. American Motors' advertising made much of this ranking while not mentioning that the Volkswagen Beetle outsold the Metropolitan by 5{{frac|1|2}} to 1.<ref name="guide">{{cite web|url= https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1954-1962-metropolitan.htm |title=1954–1962 Metropolitan |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |date=23 October 2007 |author=((Auto Editors of Consumer Guide)) |access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref>

For the 1960 model year, American Motors prepared a Metropolitan convertible for the Easter Parade in New York City.<ref name="guide"/><ref name="Pinky">{{cite web|url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/pinky-goes-to-town-1960-nash-metropolitan |title=Pinky Goes to Town - 1960 Nash Metropolitan - Wherever it travels, this 1960 Nash Metropolitan convertible always makes the scene |first=Mark J. |last=McCourt |date=23 September 2018 |work=Hemmings |access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref> Named the "Metropolitan Fifth Avenue", the car was finished with 15 hand-rubbed coats of pearl-pink lacquer outside and featured pink-and-white cowhide upholstery and pink fur carpeting.<ref name="guide"/><ref name="Pinky"/> Rear fender sides had Fifth Avenue lettering while the front fenders featured triangular badges that combined American and British flags.<ref name="Regional">{{citation |title=Nash Metropolitans had a couple regional models I hadn't heard of |date=11 February 2018 |first=Jesse |last=Bower |work=Just a Car Guy}}</ref> The car was filled with large plush bunnies that were given away every hour.<ref name="guide"/><ref name="Pinky"/> The Fifth Avenue was displayed on the 1960 auto show circuit and ultimately sold to an AMC dealer in Boston.<ref name="guide"/><ref name="Pinky"/> Three other Metropolitan convertibles were prepared with unique region-inspired features by AMC's styling department: "Westerner", "Cape Cod", and the "Royal Runabout" a black-and-gold one-off built for and presented to Britain's Princess Margaret.<ref name="guide"/><ref name="Regional"/>

Production ceased in April 1961 (final VIN — E95981, built 19 April 1961). Sales of the existing inventory continued until March 1962.

A drawing attributed to Richard Arbib, dated 17 January 1956, shows a Metropolitan station wagon with additional fins and sharp edges.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.donaldheald.com/pages/books/18781/richard-arbib-attributed-to/designs-for-a-nash-metropolitan-station-wagon |title=Arbib, Richard (1917-1995) Designs for a Nash Metropolitan Station Wagon |work=Donald A. Heald Rare Books |location=New York |access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref> American Motors contemplated a station wagon version. Two prototypes were built and displayed at car shows, but the project was abandoned. One of the two prototypes has been restored and is on display at a Metropolitan restoration facility in North Hollywood, California.

Approximately 95,000 Metropolitans were sold in the United States and Canada, making it one of the top-selling cars to be imported into those countries at the time, and its sales in 1959 helped to spur the introduction of the Big Three (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler) new compact models.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}