A piece of music history with a beach-town pedigree is set to find a new owner this summer, as a 1958 Nash Metropolitan convertible once owned by singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett goes up for auction. Listed as Lot ST0138, the car will be offered during the July 2026 sale on a Saturday run day.
The compact two-door, finished in teal and white with a matching teal interior, spent part of its life in Key West, Florida, under the ownership of Buffett, born James William Buffett. The connection to the late musician, whose songs long celebrated the laid-back coastal lifestyle, gives the modest little convertible an outsized appeal.
The Metropolitan was originally sold by Ty Houck, owner of Ragtops Motorcars in West Palm Beach, Florida. Buffett later sold the car back to Ragtops in 2008, the same year it underwent a comprehensive body restoration and repaint. That work was extensive, including new metal floor pans and rocker panels, adjusted doors and door frames, and bumpers that were straightened and rechromed. During the refresh, the driver’s side mirror was relocated to the door and a passenger-side mirror was added before a full repaint completed the job.
Mechanically, the car is powered by a 1,491cc four-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission, typical of the economy-minded design that made the Metropolitan a curiosity in the American market of its era. Since its restoration, the vehicle has been kept in a climate-controlled garage.
Prospective buyers should note that the title is branded and the odometer does not reflect actual mileage. To document the car’s celebrity history, the sale includes a framed photograph of Buffett seated in the Nash, along with a copy of the title bearing his name. The car carries VIN E52367.
Auction Here
This classic is selling at the GAA Classic Car Auction on July 23-25. Join us at The Palace and bid on over 400 classic and collector vehicles. Visit our website to register to bid, consign your vehicle and to see all consignments.
John Lloyd