Crapper Motors Metron

The Metron was a minivan produced and sold by Crapper Motors between 1983 and 1991, spanning two generations.

A European version was also produced from 1994 until 1998 by Crapper Motors Europe.

## Background

With the American Public tiring of lumbering, uneconomical station wagons, CM Design set out to redefine family transport. As a result of this, the Metron emerged in 1983. The second generation boasted a new front-wheel-drive layout leading to increased efficiency and cabin space, making it an instant hit.

The Metron Came in many fun colors:

## Powertrain

### Engine

CH B4 (1983-1985, First Generation, Pre-Facelift)CHZ TURBO B4 (1983-1985, First Generation, Pre-Facelift)

CH-X B6 (1983-1985, First Generation, Pre-Facelift)

NS4B-E (1986-1987, First Generation, Facelift)

TC4B-22PTC (1986-1987, First Generation, Facelift)

NS6B-E (1986-1987, First Generation, Facelift)

## Dimensions

### Weight

1290 kg (2846 lb) (CH '86)1273 kg (2808 lb) (CH-Z '83-'85)

1314 kg (2897 lb) (CH-Z '86)

## Performance

### 0-62 MPH (0-100 KPH)

~17.7s (CH '86)~17.5s (CH-Z '83-'85)

~11.5s (CH-Z '86)

### Top speed

~ 91.6 - 91.7 mph (CH '86)~ 100.6 - 121.2 mph (CH-Z '83-'85)

~ 113.7 - 115.4 mph (CH-Z '86)

William Crapper’s second last officially authorized car was the Crapper Motors Metron, a vehicle planned in May 1982, starting production in June 1982, and sold from January (3) 1983-1987. This car was a completely new idea: a car, combined with a van. It combined the utility of the van, with the styling and performance of a car, thus creating: the minivan. This car was incredibly successful, starting a wave of competition. The Metron is also known as one of the greatest cars made by Crapper Motors. It came in three variants: the CH, or base model, the CH-Z, or sport model, and the CH-X, or luxury model. All three sold successfully.

The Metron had solidified Crapper Motors' success in the early 80s even further. The 1983-1985 models included a driver's side door, however this was scrapped for the 1986 facelift and 1987 models due to safety and structural concerns.

### 1986 Facelift

   In 1986, a facelifted version was put into production, updating the design in an effort to increase sales. Sales had increased from 1983 to 1984, but by 1985 they started to plateau. This was realized by Crapper Motors, and thus in 1986, while the current 1985 model was selling less, a quick redesign was created and by the mid-end of 1986, was put into production. The facelift introduced a newly-required third brake light, slightly updated taillights, revised front fascia (2 sets of headlights, mirrored the top headlights to the bottom half of the grille), a front-plastic bumper delete (in favor of integrated bumpers), new door handles, updated hubcaps, and other features. The anemic and cumbersome CH engines were replaced with Crapper Motors corporate NS boxer engines. This boosted sales by a bit, but unfortunately not enough, and sales only increased by a small amount between 1986 and 1987. Production of the car finally ended on July 24, 1987.

### **Trim levels**

* CH - Base Model
* CH-Z - Sport Model
* CH-X - Luxury Model

### **Engines**

* 1983-1985 CH B4
* 1983-1985 CHZ TURBO B4
* 1983-1985 CH-X B6
* 1986-1987 NS4B-E
* 1986-1987 TC4B-22P
* 1986-1987 NS6B-E

## Second Generation (1988-1991)

Elijah Crapper II and William Crapper both collaborated on the next generation Metron, produced from 1988-1991. It is known as the last officially recognized car that was authorized by Elijah II for production. Planned in June 1986, and approved for production in August 1988, (and starting production in September 1988), the Second Generation Metron was the successor to its successful predecessor, which ran from 1983-1987. The 1988-1991 Metron introduced new styling, facelifted design, improved safety features, and other general advancements in technology. However, it was not as successful as its predecessor, at least in

## Powertrain

### Engine

NS4B-E (1988-1991, Second Generation)TC4B-22PTC (1988-1991, Second Generation)

NS6B-E (1988-1991, Second Generation)

## Dimensions

### Weight

1084 kg (2392 lb) (CH)1285 kg (2835 lb) (CH-Z) 1321 kg (2913 lb) (CH-X)

## Performance

### 0-62 MPH (0-100 KPH)

14.8s (CH)11.6s (CH-Z)

11.9s (CH-X)

### Top speed

~ 112.4 - 115 mph (CH)~ 146.9 - 149.1 mph (CH-Z)

~ 117.1 mph (CH-X)

the later years of production, and after struggling sales in 1990, Elijah II designed and officiated production for a facelifted model, to be sold in 1991. This was the last official decision he made, however he later persuaded his son to end production of the vehicle on November 13, 1991 after the facelifted version struggled to make an impact in sales, only selling a few thousand more. There are false claims that there was a 1992 Model Year of the Metron. This is not true. The last vehicle was officially sold in December 1991.

The Second Gen Metron rejuvenated the Metron name, and brought back sales and sold well for the 1988 and 1989 model years, the last 2 years of the 80s. By the time 1990 rolled around, sales once again began to plateau. This was once again noticed and in March 1990 a facelifted model was planned and put into production (in April 1990) by Elijah II, for the 1991 model year. This was the last decision he had made.

Elijah II had a 1989 Crapper Motors Metron CH-X as part of his personal collection, in Quartz White.

### 1991 Facelift

    The 1991 facelifted model year Metron introduced a smaller, more hidden grille, replaced the outdated circular foglights with square ones, widened the lower grille, rotated the side door handle, rotated the rear taillights, changed the rims, added a sunroof (to the CH-X model), moved up the license plate to the rear tailgate, and more. The 1991 Facelift was mainly comprised of small changes. Unfortunately, this facelift did not help, only managing to sell slightly better than the 1990 model year, putting the Metron out of production for good.

The plastic sideskirts and bumpers were also changed to body color paint. The last Metron to roll off the assembly line was signed by the CM Design team and fitted with a special plaque in the driver's footwell.

### **Trim levels**

* CH - Base Model
* CH-Z - Sport Model
* CH-X - Luxury Model

### **Engines**

* NS4B-E (1988-1991)
* TC4B-22PTC (1988-1991)
* NS6B-E (1988-1991)

## Body and chassis

### Suspension

MacPherson Strut (F)Semi Trailing Arm (R)

## Performance

### Top speed

~ 112.0 - 121.3 mph

Again, the CM Euro Metron was very different from its American counterpart. Rather than a Minivan, the Euro Metron was a Cargo Van, produced from 1994 to 1998. The UK Metron was very successful. It was mainly marketed or used for commercial purposes or businesses, or small businesses. It came with an I4 engine, plastic bumpers, double rear doors, plastic fascia, etc..