National Admiral

National Admiral is a 4-seater middle-class vehicle suited for more wealthy kind of people living in Republia. Made by DMC since 1953 it has entered sales in 1954, becoming an immediate sales king.

### Development

National Admiral was created in response to DMC Metro's sales falling, thanks to outdated design falling out of fashion and people tending to buy much more expensive designs from abroad. In early 1952 a design team was formed, tasked with refreshing Metro's design. Chassis remained unchanged, while three bodywork designs were fitted, thus creating three prototypes. Prototype number one was a 4-door saloon and prototype number three was a 2-door variation of the first one. Second prototype, also a two-door, appealed with a radically different design, much less conservative than the previously mentioned 1 and 3. All vehicles were road tested and soon it became clear that 4-door variant has numerous structural integrity problems. A CEO of DMC himself, Hammond Matthews later officially rejected the 1st prototype, leaving number 2 and 3 for further testing. Late 1952 featured a public vote, hosted in The Republia Post, to determine which of the remaining designs appeals to the publicity more. A design number 3 was picked by a definitive most of participants and thus, entered production.

### Production

National Admiral was an immediate hit seller, both on internal market and on export. Demand was so big that in late 1955 average waiting time was shy bit over a year. Production peaked at usually around 250 cars monthly. Vehicle was available in two trims - standard and Deluxe. Despite the huge success, DMC continued development, resulting in 1958 model 1200. Until then, around 13000 Nationals were produced. Around 60% was exported abroad, mainly to South Africa and Australia.

### Technical details

Admiral was put on slightly modified Metro's frame. Engine and gearbox remained mostly the same, although they were rotated 180 degrees to put transmission in front, making it a technically mid-engined automobile. Gerbox now powered front wheels and was modified to perform such task well. Spare wheel and fuel tank were put up in front of the automobile, under long bonnet. Engine was a gravity fed, side valve inline-4 straight from Metro. Interior featured much the same upholstery and gauge cluster. Vehicle was equipped with 6 volt electrical system.
National was offered in two trims - standard and Deluxe. Latter offered two-tone paintjob with extra chrome parts, white wall tyres and radio. It also offered wider colour palette.

## Technical details

### Suspension

Front: coil springs, rear: solid axle + leaf springs

## 1957 facelift - the L series

New National got bigger engine with overhead valve system, boosting horsepower to more respectable numbers of 47. Gearbox was slightly improved, engine got a mechanical fuel pump in place of hand-operated valve and fuel tank was moved to the back of car. Rear fenders were completely redone, with new, modern american-styled tail lamps replacing the 3 small ones. New vehicle was presented on Republia's 10th Independence Anniversary in late december 1957. In 1958, vehicle saw foreign markets via exports. Destination included Europe (Great Britain, Sweden, Ireland and Korlandia), South African Republic, Rhodesia, Australia and New Zealand. This injected much needed cash into the factory, rapidly ramping up production volume to around 400 monthly. This year new bodywork variant was introduced - estate, going by the name of Commercial. Commercial used stiffer rear springs and collapsable rear seat to turn it into a two-person cargo car. Boot was accessible by a large tailgate-hatch hinged upwards to the roof. Estate sold considerably better and was prominent as a fleet car, widely used mainly by Royal New East Wales Constabulary and Aperture Science Innovators Republia. Year later a pickup was introduced - this one however was produced in much fewer numbers. Based on the estate chassis, it had shortened roof and metal flooring in rear compartment. Filling cap was located in uncomfortably low position just to fit a metal tailgate that lowered downwards, level with the metal flooring of the bed. Production of Admiral 1200 concluded in 1963, when it was phased out by yet another facelift. Around 32000 models were built in all versions.

## Technical details

### Suspension

Front: Independent coil springs, rear: Independent leaf springs

## 1963 facelift - the LB series

Another facelift came in late 1962, de facto in early 1963. Gearbox was tweaked again, this time synchromesh on all 4 gears was added as an option. Two-tone paintjob was simplified, white walls disappeared from deluxe trim. Front grille has been simplified and all protruding hinges were removed from outside and hidden. Car got new „scalpel-styled” door handles and one-piece front windscreen. Rear fender was restyled and car featured remastered suspension to improve handling. Reception was very warm and people described the car as „modern and civilised” and „pleasant to drive”. The remaining 6 volt electrical system was still criticised, though.

## Special variations

### Roadster

Short series of sports roadsters was made in New Heeg Coachbuilder back in 1954 and 1955. These had much higher pricetag, customisable options including real leather and wooden finishing, and wider engine selection - you could choose between regular 1100 engine, 2200 v8 straight from UL50 and brand new 2600 v8 engine, made out of 2200 but was destined to feature much sportier characteristics. That engine, however, proved to be extremely unreliable and big chunk of owners decided to swap it out for something less troublesome. Notable owners included Richard de Montezac.

### Van version

In 1959, NDV was commissioned with building a van-type bodywork, based on one of the pick-up prototypes. One prototype was finished around 1960, but was not put into production. It is unknown if prototype has survived or if NDV started a low-scale production of this now rare and unique, definitely mysterious model.

## Gallery

National release adNational next to the RNEWC checkpoint in 50s VictoriaOriginal DMC-hosted competition leafletAperture Science Innovators National after fights with RFC guerillasMontazac's Roadster next to the first edition of PrinteryExperimental livery National preparing to execute the lawNational 1200 ad from newspaper