Temptation Temptation

[Norm's Coupe]

This little Metro is almost in my backyard and cheap. Thinking about checking it out a little closer. Would be a hoot to rod this thing with the 350 engine I have sitting in the garage. Plus, it's so small it doesn't take up much room.

[mackster]

where is the other half of the car? Just kiddin.... I's an easy job, hey you can do it and still be home on time for supper.

[oldmopar]

They are know to rust out so take a good look at it. I was thinking about getting one 5 or 6 years ago and at that time there was a web site with a lot of information on them. do not have the link anymore but a web search should turn it up.

[Lou Earle]

well make soem space in your wallet and get it but they are really neat around town cars- friend had one he kicks himself every so often for selling it

Lou

[JerseyHarold]

Someone in last week's Sunday paper here was advertising 12 of them for sale, along with some other old cars. If I didn't have such a poor track record of finishing what I start, I'd go look. Always liked those Metros....

[Don Coatney]

Norm;

Buy it! Forget the 350 and make an econorod. Install a T-5, under jet the carburetor, and get 40+ miles per gallon. That is what the owner of this one did. You could probably fill the tank, add a can of gas stabilizer once per year, and have enough gas to back it in and out of the garage for the rest of your life.

[Norm's Coupe]

Lou, that car is so cheap I don't even have to open my wallet if I was to buy it.

Don,

Nope, if I was to buy the Metro, the 350 would go in. Guy says the engine turns but doesn't start, so I wouldn't even mess with it. Plus, the fun part would be to see how fast that thing would go with the 350 under the hood!! With a 350 in something that small, it should really get up and go, be great fun no matter how much gas it burnt. Would be a hoot. That thing would probably burn rubber from here to your house with a stock 350 under the hood. Just think what it would do if you made the 350 into a performance engine. Know a guy who put a 350 into an 84 or 85 Fiero in the early 90's. That thing would move after that. Kept it mid engine too. He sold the car a few years ago though.

My problem is as mentioned, SPACE. Just don't have a lot of room for another car. Not even a spot in the backyard for it. Wife has turned the yard into botanical gardens. If I bought another car I'd have to play musical cars just to get my coupe out of the garage. Don't want to do that either.

That 350 engine and transmission in the garage is really getting to me. The engine is like when a kid has a few bucks in his pocket. Burns a hole in his pocket until he spends it. The same with the engine. It keeps telling me to find something to put it in. So.........I'm coming to the conclusion there are only two options. One, buy another car like the Metro and use the engine. Two, get rid of the engine and transmission because it's tempting me too much.

So........I have to think this thing out some more.

On the bright side. Can drive my coupe again. Got the headliner trimmed today. Decided to hold off on the body work until late fall and winter.

[62rebelP23]

little known fact... they came with Austin OHV engines and 4speed trannies; AMC had 4th blocked off. it was there, you just couldn't get to it... they didn't think lazy Americans would USE 4th....Hudson sold a rebadged Metro too, until that name disappeared. another little known fact; all of them were built with the ability to have a convertible top installed. too expensive to tool up a completely different coupe shell, so coupes are convertibles with the top welded down. Ford did that in 1951 to build Victoria hardtops... kept on for years! look in the trunk of a 55-56 2dr hardtop and there's cutaways on the wheelhousing for the folding mechanism.

[bmt47p-15]

Buy it!

Here is a little inspiration!!!

[james curl]

You will like the front brakes, as they are a small verison of the Plymouth brake system, the good news is that the rear and front suspension are the same as the Austin Healy Sprite and the MG midget. The later cars used disc brakes on front so if this car does not have them they can probably can be found.

[knuckleharley]

Don,

Nope, if I was to buy the Metro, the 350 would go in. <<

I hope you are up to building a chassis to set the uni-body on,as well as narrowing a rear end to fit under it,making and installing new floors and body mounts, and correctly installing a new front suspension. If you're not and your wallet isn't so heavy you have trouble standing and walking,forget the SBC swap and leave the 4 banger in there.

>>That 350 engine and transmission in the garage is really getting to me. The engine is like when a kid has a few bucks in his pocket. Burns a hole in his pocket until he spends it. The same with the engine. It keeps telling me to find something to put it in. So.........I'm coming to the conclusion there are only two options. One, buy another car like the Metro and use the engine. Two, get rid of the engine and transmission because it's tempting me too much. <<

Get rid of the engine and transmission. There is nothing special about a 350/350 engine and trans combo. Sell it to somebody and use the money for something worthwhile. There aren't that many "Lois Lanes" (Metros) around that are worth fixing,and one that is shouldn't be destroyed for a project that will never be completed unless you are a millionaire or qualified and equipped to run your own chassis fabrication shop.

We did something similiar when I was a kid. We put a 6 carb 401 Buick and 4-speed into a Opel Kadet. Lasted for about a week,and then the doors wouldn't open and close and it wouldn't track straight because the body had been sprung by the torque. Had to weld the doors shut and climb in and out the windows. It soon went to the crusher.

[knuckleharley]

little known fact... they came with Austin OHV engines and 4speed trannies;...

I thought they were MG Midget engines?

[knuckleharley]

That thing is a trailer queen,not a "real car". I have one of those dual quad cross ram intakes,and they are useless on the street. Great if you are going to be turning 7,000+ RPM on a regular basis,but they make no power at all below 2000-2500 RPM's.

[Norm's Coupe]

That thing is a trailer queen,not a "real car". I have one of those dual quad cross ram intakes,and they are useless on the street. Great if you are going to be turning 7,000+ RPM on a regular basis,but they make no power at all below 2000-2500 RPM's.

Have to agree about making an engine too hot to drive on a street. Years ago in the 50's I remember my uncle really building an engine up. When he was done, he couldn't drive it on the streets. Had to keep the car running at least 30 or 35 MPH or it would die. Was fast on the track though.

Also have to agree about possibly just getting rid of the 350 engine and transmission. Originally thought about putting it in the P15. However, decided against that since my engine is nice and freshly rebuilt. It probably will last a lifetime in the car now. So, decided not to put it in. As mentioned, don't have space for another car (3's enough). Plus, if the engine and tranny were out of the garage I'd have more floor space in there. It's only a 2 car garage and not going to build a bigger one just to collect more junk in. So that's the way I'm leaning right now.

[hkestes41]

Norm,

Surely the Metro wouldn't take up much more space than the 350 and transmission!

I have always thought that a V6 or even newer Turbo 4 in a Metro would make a great running street car. With that short wheel base and the way I was with my big block Cuda I would probably kill myself with a v8 Metro.

[1just4don]

Norm,

You KNOW you want it. Isnt there a way?? Can you build another 'small bay onto the side of your garage, like a lean to construction,,,cheap and easy,,,IF you have room for same.

OR as an alternative IF this car is THAT cheap. A small extra paved parking pad on side of your present drive or along side of garage?? Rememeber its small and doesnt take MUCH space. OR can you crowd it into the present garage,,,measure, you might be surprised.

Pull your coupe to the front limit and park behind it,,,even sideways. Use your imagination,it always wins!!!

I went to a car show today. Boyd Codington was just packing up to leave when I left. HE had a hydralic tommy lift to load his van trailer two high that lifted a WHOLE CAR!!! Think any deal you can make is WAAAAAAAY cheaper than those boys run...

You CAN do it,,if you WANT too!!-d-

[Norm's Coupe]

Norm,

You KNOW you want it. Isnt there a way?? Can you build another 'small bay onto the side of your garage, like a lean to construction,,,cheap and easy,,,IF you have room for same.

OR as an alternative IF this car is THAT cheap. A small extra paved parking pad on side of your present drive or along side of garage?? Rememeber its small and doesnt take MUCH space. OR can you crowd it into the present garage,,,measure, you might be surprised.

Pull your coupe to the front limit and park behind it,,,even sideways. Use your imagination,it always wins!!!

I went to a car show today. Boyd Codington was just packing up to leave when I left. HE had a hydralic tommy lift to load his van trailer two high that lifted a WHOLE CAR!!! Think any deal you can make is WAAAAAAAY cheaper than those boys run...

You CAN do it,,if you WANT too!!-d-

Don,

Only have about 5 feet to the property line on one side of the garage. The other side is the botanical gardens. In the rear of the garage sits an 8 x 12 foot shed. Behind the shed is a steep hill. Driveway is already double width. It goes from the house almost to the property line, so can't make it any wider if I wanted too. Code says buildings like a garage has to be at least 3 feet from the property line.

All that said, I can't see spending about $2,000 to $4,000 (or more) to build a building to put a $700 junker car into, even if I had the space. If I left it parked in the driveway, code says it has to be moved at least every 30 days and have current license plates on it. Plus, I wouldn't want a junker in view so you could see it from the street, so wouldn't park it there anyway.

So........actually, I made up my mind earlier today to just get rid of the 350 engine and tranny and forget another old car (unless I sell my P15 first). Found someone looking for a 350 engine this morning and sent them a note. He was looking for an 85 or older (mine is an 89). Haven't heard back yet though. If he doesn't take it, I'll try selling it. If no takers for the price, I'll sell it for scrap and sell the transmission to a tranny shop for the core.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Its dual purpose Norm..you can toy with the engine out of doors and the wife could make a flower arrangement out of it to blend in with the botantical gaden..tell the yard Nazis that it is a flower pot on wheels...

[Norm's Coupe]

Its dual purpose Norm..you can toy with the engine out of doors and the wife could make a flower arrangement out of it to blend in with the botantical gaden..tell the yard Nazis that it is a flower pot on wheels...

Tim, the yard Nazis have nothing to do with it. I don't want a junker sitting where everyone can see it either.