Nash Ambassador

Nash Ambassador

1932 Nash Ambassador Eight
Overview
Manufacturer Nash Motors (1932–1954)
American Motors (1954–1974)
Production 1927–1974
Assembly
Chronology
Successor AMC Ambassador

Ambassador was the model name applied to the senior line of Nash automobiles from 1932 until 1957. From 1958 until the end of the 1974 model year, the Ambassador was the product of American Motors Corporation (AMC), which continued to use the Ambassador model name on its top-of-the-line models, making it "one of the longest-lived automobile nameplates in automotive history."[2]

From 1927 through the mid-1932 model year, the Ambassador name was applied to a high trim club sedan body style, one of Nash's most prestigious senior models. The Ambassador series was the "flagship" in the Nash line.[3]

Ambassador sedan 1927-early 1932

1931 Nash Eight-90 Ambassador sedan
1931 Nash Eight-90 Ambassador sedan

Nash Motors' first use of the name Ambassador was during the 1927 model year when a specially trimmed four-door, five-passenger club sedan version of the "Nash Advanced Six" (designated model 267) was developed. As the most expensive car in the line, the Ambassador received premium upgrades in upholstery and other trim items for a base price of US$2,090 (FOB).

Exports accounted for almost 11% per cent of Nash production in 1927, and the cars were purchased by several royal families.[4] For example, Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland of Sweden and Norway personally visited the Nash factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1927, and Scandinavian factory workers delivered his Nash Ambassador Six (Model 267) four-door Brougham sedan.[5]

The Ambassador model lost its position as Nash's most expensive car in 1929 with the introduction of seven-passenger sedan and limousine models that were carried through the 1934 model year.

The Ambassador remained in the Advanced Six range until 1930 when the model was moved to the "Nash Twin Ignition Eight" series. In 1931 the cumbersome Twin Ignition Eight name was replaced by the simpler "Eight-90" model designation.

The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) recognizes all Nash 1930 Series 490, 1931 Series 890, and 1932 Series 990 as full classics (including the Ambassador.)

Year Engine HP Springs Brakes Transmission Wheelbase Wheel size
1929 278.4 cu in (4.6 L) OHV I6[6] 78 hp (58 kW; 79 PS)[6] semi-elliptic four-wheel mechanical[6] 3-speed manual 130 in (3,302 mm)[7] 20 in (508 mm)

Nash Ambassador, mid-1932-1948

1934 Nash Ambassador
1937 Nash Ambassador Six sedan
1946 Nash Ambassador Slipstream 4-door sedan
1947 Nash Ambassador Suburban 4-door

In mid-1932, Nash established the "Ambassador Eight" as a stand-alone model range, offered in a number of body styles, including coupes and victorias. Riding on 133-inch (3,378 mm) or 142-inch (3,607 mm) wheelbases, the Ambassadors featured a 125 hp (93 kW; 127 PS), 322 cubic inches (5.3 L) straight-eight engine with twin-ignition and overhead valves. All the cars were sumptuously appointed earning the title of the "Kenosha Duesenbergs" for their quality, durability, styling, and speed.[8] The CCCA has recognized all 1932 Series Advanced 8 and Ambassador 8, as well as the 1933 and 1934 Nash Ambassador 8 as Full Classics.

This was part of Nash's second 1932 series, which included completely new bodies and engineering updates to all models produced by the company. Aside from General Motors, Nash was the only automobile manufacturer to make a profit in 1932.

For 1934, Nash introduced completely new styling, called "Speedstream", featuring generous use of ornamental moldings in body panels and fenders, in a very streamlined and Art Deco way. The designs were influenced by Russian Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and the new bodies featured streamline accents, bullet-shaped headlights, horizontal hood ribs, rear wheel spats, and built-in luggage boots with a full beaver-tail rear end.[9] The Ambassador Eight series for this year was limited to various four-door sedan body styles.

The Nash Ambassador 8 now saw new competition with such cars as the redesigned and lower priced LaSalle, Auburn V-12, REO-Royale 8, Buick Series 34-90, and the Chrysler Imperial Airflow.[10]

The 1935 model year saw yet another complete re-styling, known as "Aeroform", and a further trimming of body styles, as well as a new two-door sedan added to the Ambassador Eight series. However, the 1935 Ambassador Eight was now built on a much shorter 125-inch (3,175 mm) wheelbase, and used the smaller, former Advanced Eight engine. No longer would Nash build the big, classic cars of 1930-1934.

While the Ambassador had been offered only with Nash's in-line eight from mid-1932 to 1935, the 1936 Ambassador Six added Nash's largest in-line six as well, in a 121-inch (3,073 mm) wheelbase model, formerly known as the Advanced Six. In 1937 Nash acquired the Kelvinator Corporation as part of a deal that allowed Charlie Nash's handpicked successor, George W. Mason, to become President of the new Nash-Kelvinator Corporation. The 1937 models saw the return of coupes and convertibles to the Ambassador lines. From 1936 onward, the senior Nash models used identical bodies, relying on a longer wheelbase, hood and front fenders (plus subtle trim augmentations) to provide visual cues to differentiate the more expensive Eights from the less expensive Six models.

Beginning in 1937, even the low-priced LaFayette series came under this plan. This basic formula was used through the final AMC Ambassador in 1974, with the exception of 1962-1964, when the Rambler Ambassador and the Rambler Classic shared the same wheelbase and front sheet metal. In 1937, Sinclair Oil Corporation teamed up with Babe Ruth in a baseball contest where a 1937 Nash Ambassador Eight sedan was awarded every week.[11]

For the 1941 and 1942 model years (only) all Nash vehicles became Ambassadors, and rode both long and short wheelbases. The Ambassador Eight now shared the Ambassador Six's 121-inch wheelbase. The Nash Ambassador 600, built on a 112-inch (2,845 mm) wheelbase, became the first popular domestic automobile to be built using the single-welded "unibody" type of monocoque construction that Nash called "Unitized", rather than body-on-frame. From 1941 through 1948, Nash Ambassador models placed this unibody structure on top of a conventional frame,[12] thus creating a solid and sturdy automobile. It was also one of the first in the "low-priced" market segment with coil spring suspension in front and back, "giving it the best ride in its class." In the spirit of wartime conservation, the Ambassador Six and Eight lost their twin ignition feature for 1942, reverting to a single spark plug per cylinder. The 1941-42 Ambassador 600 was also the only Ambassador ever powered by an L-head engine. Nash would remain with this model arrangement through the post-war 1946-1948 model years, although the 600 would no longer be known as an Ambassador.

As ordered by the Federal government, Nash suspended passenger car production during World War II (1942-1945). When production was resumed after the war, the Eights were no longer part of the program. The 1946 Ambassador Six was now the top of the Nash line. In 1946 Nash introduced a wood-panelled version of the Ambassador called the "Suburban".[13] Featuring high-quality ash framing, with mahogany paneling supplied by Mitchell-Bentley of Owosso, Michigan, the Suburban coachwork was based on the handsome “slipstream” sedan, a classic 1940s streamlined design.[13] Intended as a halo car, the Suburban, like all other Nashes, featured options such as “Cruising Gear” overdrive, a trend-setting “Weather-Eye” heater, and a remote control Zenith radio, which enabled the driver to change stations at the touch of their toe.[13] Production was limited, with Nash selling exactly 1,000 examples between 1946 and 1948.[13] A convertible was added to the Ambassador range for 1948, and an even 1,000 of this one-year-only body style was produced.

1949-1951

Nash continued to use the Ambassador name on its plushest models from 1949 to 1957. Nash-Kelvinator president George Mason was an outspoken supporter of aerodynamics in car design, and the post war Ambassador is best remembered for its enclosed front wheels. When Nash rolled out its Airflyte body style, Ambassador sales enjoyed a significant gain by selling just four door and two door sedans in the 1949-1951 market place. They were manufactured at the Nash Factory (Kenosha, WI), and the Nash Factory (El Segundo, CA).

The Airflytes also featured fully reclining seats that could turn the car into a vehicle capable of sleeping three adults, however this would also earn the dubious distinction of being the make-out automobile of choice for teenagers coming of age in the 1950s. The 1950 Ambassador became the first non-General Motors automobiles to be equipped with GM's Hydramatic automatic transmissions (cars with the automatic transmission has Selecto-lift starting, where the diver pulled the transmission lever on the column toward themselves to engage the starter).[14] 1949 was the first year for a one-piece curved windshield, and front door wing windows featured curved glass as well.[15]

Mason believed that once the seller's market following World War II ended, that Nash's best hope for survival lay in a product range not addressed by other automakers in the United States at that time – the compact car. With sales of the large Nashes surging ahead of prewar production numbers, Mason began a small car program that would eventually emerge as the compact Nash Rambler reviving the traditional Rambler marque.

Year Engine HP Transmission Springs Wheelbase Length Width Height Leg room-front
1949 234.8 cu in (3.8 L) 1-bbl I6 112 hp (84 kW; 114 PS)[16] 3-speed manual Coil-springs[16] 121 in (3,073 mm) 201 in (5,105 mm) 77.5 in (1,968 mm) 63 in (1,600 mm) 41 in (1,041 mm)
1951 234.8 cu in (3.8 L) 1-bbl I6 115 hp (86 kW; 117 PS)[17] 3-speed manual or automatic[17] Coil-Springs 121 in (3,073 mm) 210 in (5,334 mm) 77.5 in (1,968 mm)[17] 63.5 in (1,613 mm)[18] 41 in (1,041 mm)

1952-1957

1953 Nash Ambassador Custom
1956 Ambassador sedan
1956 Ambassador sedan with Continental kit

The Nash Ambassador received its last complete restyle in 1952 that carried over into 1954 almost unchanged. The Golden Anniversary Nash Airflyte, styled by Pininfarina, received several prestigious design awards. Due to materials restrictions caused by the Korean War, Nash sales, like those of many other carmakers, dropped off sharply in 1952. With the end of the War, a battle for market leadership began between two historic rival automakers. The 1954 sales war between Ford and Chevrolet meant both divisions were shipping vehicles to their respective dealers no matter if there were any orders for them. Ford and GM dealers were often larger with stronger finances and they offered deep discounts to sell these cars. This caused a severe sales toll on all the independent carmakers (Hudson, Kaiser, Packard, Studebaker), and Nash was no exception. Airflyte styling entered its final season with the heavily facelifted 1955 versions, created under the direction of Edmund E. Anderson. "Scenaramic" wrap-around windshields accompanied an entirely new front-end treatment, which showed more front wheel than Nash had revealed since the 1949 models debuted. Ambassadors were now available with a V8 engine for the first time, supplied by Packard, and mated to Packard's Ultramatic automatic transmission.

In 1954 the Nash Ambassador was the first American automobile to have a front-end, fully integrated heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system.[19] The heating and ventilation system was called Weather Eye and now could be equipped with Nash-Kelvinators' advanced Automobile air conditioning unit.[20] While other manufacturers in America at the time offered A/C on some models, their air conditioning units were driven by a large and heavy, trunk mounted expander and heat exchanger that carried the air into the car via clear plastic tubes and out through ceiling mounted vents. Nash's unit was inexpensive, compact, fit under the hood,[17] and could either circulate fresh or recycled air. With a single thermostatic control, the Nash passenger compartment air cooling option was described as "a good and remarkably inexpensive" system.[21] The option was priced well below systems offered by other carmakers (in 1955, Nash offered it at US$345, against $550 for Oldsmobile or $570 for Chrysler);[22] other makers, such as Ford, did not even offer optional air conditioning.[23] (At the time, even a heater was not always standard equipment.)[24]

Nash-Kelvinator merged with ailing Hudson Motor Car Company as of January 14, 1954 to form American Motors Corporation (AMC), and both Nash and Hudson dealers sold Ramblers that were identical save for the "Nash" or "Hudson" badging. Although the "senior" Nash and Hudson models continued to be marketed, it was sales of the Rambler that were powering the company's bottom line. As the compact Rambler's fortunes increased, sales of the senior Nash cars, including the Ambassador, plummeted.

Nash models fielded for 1956-1957 were heavily re-styled in the rear, and offered in a variety of two-and three-tone color schemes. The 1957 models were the first cars to come equipped with "quad" headlights as standard equipment.

The final Nash Ambassador rolled off the Kenosha, Wisconsin, production line in the summer of 1957. Nevertheless, the Ambassador - as a top of the line model name - would continue to be marketed, under Rambler and AMC brands, through 1974.

Racing

Endurance

Eight Nash Ambassadors were entered in the 1950 Carrera Panamericana, a 2,172-mile (3,495 km) endurance race run over five days across Mexico.[25] 47 of the 126 cars that started this "contest of heroic proportions and vast distances" were classified as finishers.[26] Three Ambassadors finished all nine stages, but the highest-placed car was disqualified.[26]

The 1950 Ambassador driven by Roy Pat Conner was in sixth place after the eighth stage, 33 minutes behind the leader, when Connor became too ill to continue. Curtis Turner, who shared another 1950 Ambassador with Bill France, Sr., purchased Conner's car for its superior race position, replacing Conner at the wheel and leaving France to continue in their original car without him.[26] On the final stage Piero Taruffi, arguably the most experienced road racer in the field, had moved his Alfa Romeo 6C up to fourth position when Turner passed him in the mountains by bumping the Italian "Southern style" until he yielded.[26] Taruffi repassed the Nash when it was temporarily halted by a flat tire.[26] At the finish, Taruffi was in Turner's sights but Turner ended ahead in elapsed time, beating Taruffi by 3.5 minutes.[26] This put Turner in third place overall, behind a Cadillac 62.[27] He was disqualified when a quick review by the race officials showed that the rules specifically prohibited changing a car's crew.[26]

Bill France eventually crashed out of the race but the damaged car was driven back to the United States, where France and Turner used it for a full season's dirt track racing in the Southern states.[26] Mexican driver S. Santoyo was classified 36th in his 1949 Nash, while another 1949 Ambassador driven by Manuel Luz Meneses and José O'Farrill Larranoga finished 39th.[27] In all, four Nashes crashed out, while a fifth retired with engine trouble.[27]

NASCAR

The Nash Motor Company was the first manufacturer that actively supported NASCAR racing. Direct factory sponsorship was provided for the 1950 and 1951 Sprint Cup seasons.[28] For 1950, Nash recruited and signed dynamic stars Curtis Turner and Johnny Mantz.

For the 1951 NASCAR season, other automakers became more involved in sponsorship.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Farmer, Gavin (2010). Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia. Ilinga Books. p. 405. ISBN 9780980522914.
  2. ↑ Peters, Eric (2011). Detroit's Big, Beautiful Luxury Performance Cars of the 1960s and 1970s. Motorbooks. p. 45. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  3. ↑ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (13 September 2007). "1952-1954 Nash Ambassador and Statesman". auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  4. ↑ Baldwin, Nick (1987). The World guide to automobile manufacturers. Facts on File Publishers. p. 346. ISBN 9780816018444. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Flammang, James M. (1994). Chronicle of the American automobile: over 100 years of auto history. Publications International. p. 121. ISBN 9780785307785. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Kimes, Beverly (1996). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-428-4.
  7. ↑ "1929 Nash album". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  8. ↑ Strohl, Daniel (July 2008). "1932 Nash Ambassador - Designer's Wheels Get the Hot Treatment". Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  9. ↑ Baldwin, Nick; Laban, Brian; Georgano, G. N. (1987). The World Guide to Automobile Manufacturers. Facts on File Publications. p. 346. ISBN 978-0-8160-1844-4.
  10. ↑ Godshall, Jeffrey I. (2007). "LaSalle: The Cadillac Companion". Automobile Quarterly. 47 (1): 16. ISBN 9781596130531. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  11. ↑ "Sinclair (advertisement)". Life: 58. 3 May 1937. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  12. ↑ Flory, J. Kelly (2008). American Cars 1946-1959: Every Model Year by Year. McFarland. pp. 49–50. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Greenlees, David. "An Attractive 1947 Nash Ambassador Statesman". The Old Motor. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  14. ↑ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (6 November 2007). "1950 Nash Airflyte - 1949-1951 Nash Airflyte". Auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  15. ↑ "1951 Nash brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  16. 1 2 "1949 Nash album". Oldcarbrochures.com. p. 12. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Flory, p. ?.
  18. ↑ "1951 Nash brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  19. ↑ "Nash Low Cost Air Conditioner Cools or Heats by Turning Knob". Popular Mechanics. 101 (5): 86. May 1954. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  20. ↑ "1957 Nash foldout". Oldcarbrochures.com. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  21. ↑ Stevenson, Heon J. (2008). American Automobile Advertising, 1930–1980: An Illustrated History. McFarland. p. 177. ISBN 9780786436859. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  22. ↑ Flory, pp. 638, 673, & 677.
  23. ↑ Flory, p. 650.
  24. ↑ Flory, pp. 638, 650, 673, & 677.
  25. ↑ "Non-Championship Races, Round: 10 - Carrera Panamericana". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Murphy, Daryl E. (April 2007). "Carrera Panamericana Mexico". Airport Journals. Archived from the original on 27 June 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  27. 1 2 3 "1950 Carrera Panamericana (race results)". team DAN. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  28. ↑ "Nash Motor Co. - Ownership stats for Sprint Cup". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  29. ↑ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (27 July 2007). "1950 NASCAR Grand National Recap". howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "Official NASCAR Race Results - 04-08-1951 - Carrell Speedway". fantasyracingcheatsheet.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Frank "Rebel" Mundy". legendsofnascar.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  32. ↑ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (30 July 2007). "1951 NASCAR Grand National Recap". howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  33. ↑ McLaurin, Jim (2001). NASCAR's Most Wanted: the Top 10 Book of Outrageous Drivers, Wild Wrecks and Other Oddities. Potomac Books. p. 201. ISBN 9781612340425. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  34. ↑ "Tony Bonadies". legendsofnascar.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  35. 1 2 "Hudsons Sweep Detroit 250 Stock Car Race". Autodriver. 52: 66. 1951. Retrieved 20 February 2016.

References

  • Conde, John A. (1987). The American Motors Family Album. American Motors Corporation. OCLC 3185581. 
  • Kimes, Beverly R.; Clark, Henry A. (1996). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1945. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9. 
  • Gunnell, John, ed. (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-096-0. 
  • Foster, Patrick (1998). The Nash Styling Sketchbook. Olde Milford Press. ISBN 978-0-9662019-0-1. 
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