Rookie Special #232 - Nash Metropolitan Royal Runabout

[Otto Puzzell]

For one point, please provide a very specific identification of this little car.

Only a complete answer will earn a point!  

If you haven't registered yet, you need to do so in order to reply.  You can do so by clicking here.

If you have not done so, please familiarize yourself with the AutoPuzzles Rules before attempting to solve this puzzle.

[Manuel]

Nash Metropolitan convertible.

Manuel in Oz

[Otto Puzzell]

More specific, please

[Otto Puzzell]

Up

[als15]

Nash NXI prototype with Fiat 500 engine?

[Otto Puzzell]

Nash NXI prototype with Fiat 500 engine?

A bit less special; a bit more regal

[fyreline]

I believe this is the Metropolitan made for HRH Princess Margaret in 1960. If I remember correctly, in Britain they were known as either Austin Metropolitans (not Nash), or later simply as Metropolitans. I have seen it referred to in print as the "Royal Runabout", but I don't think that was ever an official designation for it.

[Otto Puzzell]

Royal Runabout was official enough to be spelled out in chrome script on the rear fenders.

Point for you

[fyreline]

Hmmmm.  Odd that script doesn't appear in the first photo, although I guess it could have been installed just on the one side. Also doubtful that the royal family would drive a car with that plastered on it. However, the picture doesn't lie, so Royal Runabout it is.

[D-type]

I think that script is on the back of the car not the side.  With the rounded corners of the Metropolitan, it's hard to say.

[Otto Puzzell]

It's on the sides

[fyreline]

Foolish of me - I forgot that sometimes certain identifying aspects of a posted photo are photoshopped out (as they should be).  I did see in an article about this car that it was stolen the year after it was presented.