From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nash Ambassador
Nash Ambassador
Year Engine HP Springs Brakes Transmission Wheelbase Wheel
size
1929 278.4CID OHV 78[2] semi-ellip- four-wheel mechani- 3-speed manu- 130"[3] 20"
6-cylinder[2] tic cal[2] al
Nash Ambassador
1932
Nash Ambassador Eight
Manufacturer Nash Motors (1932–1954)
American Motors (1954–1974)
1931 Nash Eight-90 Ambassador sedan
Also called AMC Ambassador
Production 1927–1974 limousine models that were carried through the 1934
Assembly Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States model year.
The Ambassador remained in the Advanced Six range
Ambassador was the model name applied to the senior until 1930 when the model was moved to the "Nash Twin
line of Nash automobiles from 1932 until 1957. From 1958 Ignition Eight" series. In 1931 the cumbersome Twin Ig-
until the end of the 1974 model year, the Ambassador nition Eight name was replaced by the simpler "Eight-90"
was the product of American Motors Corporation (AMC), model designation.
which continued to use the Ambassador model name on
its top-of-the-line models. From 1927 through the
mid-1932 model year, the Ambassador name was applied
Nash Ambassador,
to a high trim club sedan body style, one of Nash’s most mid-1932-1948
prestigious senior models. The Ambassador series was
the "flagship" in the Nash line.[1]
Ambassador sedan 1927-early
1932
Nash Motors’ first use of the name Ambassador was dur-
ing the 1927 model year when a specially trimmed four-
door, five-passenger club sedan version of the "Nash Ad-
vanced Six" (designated model 267) was developed. As
the most expensive car in the line, the Ambassador re- 1934 Nash Ambassador
ceived premium upgrades in upholstery and other trim
items for a base price of US$2,090 (FOB). The Ambassador In mid-1932, Nash established the "Ambassador Eight" as
model lost its position as Nash’s most expensive car in a stand-alone model range, offered in a number of body
1929 with the introduction of seven-passenger sedan and styles, including coupes and victorias. Riding on 133-inch
(3,378 mm) or 142-inch (3,607 mm) wheelbases, the Am-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nash Ambassador
a 121-inch (3,073 mm) wheelbase model, formerly known
as the Advanced Six. In 1937 Nash acquired the Kelvina-
tor Corporation as part of a deal that allowed Charlie
Nash’s handpicked successor, George W. Mason, to be-
come President of the new Nash-Kelvinator Corporation.
The 1937 models saw the return of coupes and convert-
ibles to the Ambassador lines. From 1935 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 differenti-
ate the more expensive Eights from the less expensive Six
1937 Nash Ambassador Six sedan models.
Beginning in 1937, even the low-priced LaFayette se-
bassadors featured a 125 horsepower (93 kW), 322 cu- ries came under this plan. This basic formula was used
bic inches (5.3 L) straight-eight engine with twin-igni- through the final AMC Ambassador in 1974, with the ex-
tion and overhead valves. All the cars were sumptuous- ception of 1962-1964, when the Rambler Ambassador and
ly appointed earning the title of the "Kenosha Duesen- the Rambler Classic shared the same wheelbase and front
bergs" for their quality, durability, styling, and speed.[4] sheet metal.
This was part of Nash’s second 1932 series, which includ- For the 1941 and 1942 model years (only) all Nash
ed completely new bodies and engineering updates to all vehicles became Ambassadors, and rode both long and
models produced by the company. Aside from General short wheelbases. The Nash Ambassador 600, built on a
Motors, Nash was the only automobile manufacturer to 112-inch (2,845 mm) wheelbase, became the first popular
make a profit in 1932. automobile to be built using the single-welded "unibody"
For 1934, Nash introduced completely new styling, type of monocoque construction that Nash called "Uni-
called "Speedstream", featuring generous use of orna- tized", rather than body-on-frame. From 1941 through
mental moldings in body panels and fenders, in a very 1948, Nash Ambassador models placed this unibody
streamlined and Art Deco way. The designs were influ- structure on top of a conventional frame,[6] thus creating
enced by Russian Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky and the a solid and sturdy automobile. It was also one of the first
new bodies featured streamline accents, bullet-shaped in the "low-priced" market segment with coil spring sus-
headlights, horizontal hood ribs, rear wheel spats, and pension in front and back, "giving it the best ride in its
built-in luggage boots with a full beaver-tail rear end.[5] class."[7] The 1941 Ambassador 600 was also the only Am-
The Ambassador Eight series for this year was limited to bassador ever powered by an L-head engine. Nash would
various four-door sedan body styles. remain with this model arrangement through the post-
The 1935 model year saw yet another complete re- war 1946-1948 model years, although the 600 would no
styling, known as "Aeroform", and a further trimming of longer be known as an Ambassador.
body styles, as well as a new a two-door sedan added to As ordered by the Federal government, Nash sus-
the Ambassador Eight series. However, the 1935 Ambas- pended passenger car production during World War II
sador Eight was now built on a much shorter 125-inch (1942-1945). When production was resumed after the
(3,175 mm) wheelbase, and used the smaller, former Ad- war, the Eights were no longer part of the program. The
vanced Eight engine. No longer would Nash build the big, 1946 Ambassador Six was now the top of the Nash line.
classic cars of 1930-1934. (Although catalogued, some doubt whether any 1941 Am-
bassador Eights were actually produced.)
1949-1951
Nash continued to use the Ambassador name on its
plushest models from 1949 to 1957. N-K President George
Mason was an outspoken supporter of aerodynamics in
car design, and the post war Ambassador is best remem-
bered for its enclosed front wheels. When Nash rolled out
its Airflyte body style, Ambassador sales enjoyed a signif-
Nash Ambassador Slipstream 4-door sedan icant gain by selling just four door and two door sedans
in the 1949-1951 market place. The Airflytes also featured
While the Ambassador had been offered only with fully reclining seats that could turn the car into a vehi-
Nash’s in-line eight from mid-1932 to 1935, the 1936 Am- cle capable of sleeping three adults, however this would
bassador Six added Nash’s largest in-line six as well, in also earn the dubious distinction of being the make-out
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nash Ambassador
Year Engine HP Transmission Springs Wheelbase Length Width Height Leg room-
front
1949 234.8CID 1-bbl. 112[9] 3-speed manual Coil- 112" 201" 77.5" 63" 41"
Inline 6 springs [9]
1951 234.8CID 1-bbl. 115[10] 3-speed manual or au- Coil- 121" 210" 77.5"[10] 63.5"[11] 41"
Inline 6 tomatic[10] Springs
automobile of choice for teenagers coming of age in the
1950s. The 1950 Ambassador became the first non-Gener-
al Motors automobiles to be equipped with GM’s Hydra-
matic automatic transmissions. 1951 was the first year
for a one-piece curved windshield.[8]
Mason believed that once the sellers market follow-
ing World War II ended, that Nash’s best hope for sur-
vival lay in a product range not addressed by other au-
tomakers in the United States at that time – the compact
car. With sales of the large Nash’s surging ahead of pre- 1956 Ambassador sedan
war production numbers, Mason began a small car pro-
gram that would eventually emerge as the compact Nash
Rambler reviving the traditional Rambler marque.
1952-1957
The Nash Ambassador received its last complete restyle
in 1952 that carried over into 1954 almost unchanged.
The Golden Anniversary Pininfarina Nash, styled by Pinin
Farina, received several prestigious design awards. Due
to materials restrictions caused by the Korean War, Nash
sales, like those of many other carmakers, dropped off 1956 Ambassador sedan with Continental kit
sharply in 1952. With the end of the War, a battle for
market leadership began between two historic rival au- tomotive air conditioning unit.[12] While other manufac-
tomakers. The 1954 sales war between Ford and Chevro- turers in America at the time offered A/C on some mod-
let meant both divisions were shipping vehicles to their els, their air conditioning units were driven by a large
respective dealers no matter if there were any orders and heavy, trunk mounted expander and heat exchanger
for them. Ford and GM dealers were often larger with that carried the air into the car via clear plastic tubes and
stronger finances and they offered deep discounts to sell out through ceiling mounted vents. Nash’s unit was inex-
these cars. This caused a severe sales toll on all the in- pensive, compact, fit under the hood,[10] and could either
dependent carmakers (Hudson, Kaiser, Packard, Stude- circulate fresh or recycled air. The option was priced well
baker), and Nash was no exception. Airflyte styling en- below systems offered by other carmakers (in 1955, Nash
tered its final season with the heavily facelifted 1955 ver- offered it at US$345, against $550 for Oldsmobile or $570
sions, created under the direction of Edmund E. Ander- for Chrysler);[13] other makers, such as Ford, did not even
son. "Scenaramic" wrap-around windshields accompa- offer optional air conditioning.[14] (At the time, even a
nied an entirely new front-end treatment, which showed heater was not always standard equipment.)[15]
more front wheel than Nash had revealed since the 1949 Nash-Kelvinator merged with ailing Hudson Motor
models debuted. Ambassadors were now available with Car Company as of January 14, 1954 to form American
a V8 engine for the first time, supplied by Packard, and Motors Corporation (AMC), and both Nash and Hudson
mated to Packard’s Ultramatic automatic transmission. dealers sold Ramblers that were identical save for the
Nash models fielded for 1956-1957 were heavily re-styled "Nash" or "Hudson" badging. Although the "senior" Nash
in the rear, and offered in a variety of two-and three- and Hudson models continued to be marketed, it was
tone color schemes. The 1957 models were the first cars sales of the Rambler that were powering the company’s
to come equipped with "quad" headlights as standard bottom line. As the compact Rambler’s fortunes in-
equipment. While Nash Ambassador styling may have creased, sales of the senior Nash cars, including the Am-
suffered somewhat, the cars did offer Nash’s highly ac- bassador, plummeted.
claimed Weather Eye heating and ventilation system, The final Nash Ambassador rolled off the Kenosha,
which could also be equipped with Nash’s advanced au- Wisconsin, production line in the summer of 1957. Never-
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nash Ambassador
theless, the Ambassador - as a top of the line model name Speedway on April 1, 1951. This is the only win for Nash
- would continue to exist under Rambler and AMC brands in NASCAR.[20]
through 1974.
See also
Racing • AMC Ambassador
• AMC Matador
Endurance
Eight Nash Ambassadors were entered in the 1950 Car-
rera Panamericana, a 2,172-mile (3,495 km) endurance
References
race run over five days across Mexico.[16] 47 of the 126 [1] Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (13 September
cars that started this "contest of heroic proportions and 2007). "1952-1954 Nash Ambassador and
vast distances" were classified as finishers.[17] Three Am- Statesman". auto.howstuffworks.com.
bassadors finished all nine stages, but the highest-placed http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1952-1954-nash-
car was disqualified.[17] ambassador-and-statesman2.htm. Retrieved 29
The 1950 Ambassador driven by Roy Pat Conner was December 2010.
in sixth place after the eighth stage, 33 minutes behind [2] ^ Kimes, Beverly (1996). standard catalog of American
the leader, when Connor became too ill to continue. Cur- Cars 1805-1942. Krause publications.
tis Turner, who shared another 1950 Ambassador with ISBN 0-87341-428-4.
Bill France, purchased Conner’s car for its superior race [3] "Directory Index: Nash/1929 Nash/album".
position, replacing Conner at the wheel and leaving Oldcarbrochures.com.
France to continue in their original car without him.[17] http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/
On the final stage Piero Taruffi, arguably the most expe- Nash/1929%20Nash/1929%20Nash%20Brochure/
rienced road racer in the field, had moved his Alfa Romeo 1929%20Nash%20Brochure%2024b%20Spec.html.
6C up to fourth position when Turner passed him in the Retrieved 2011-11-20.
mountains by bumping the Italian "Southern style" until [4] Strohl, Daniel (1 July 2008). "1932 Nash
he yielded.[17] Taruffi repassed the Nash when it was Ambassador". Hemmings Motor News.
temporarily halted by a flat tire.[17] At the finish, Taruffi http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2008/
was in Turner’s sights but Turner ended ahead in elapsed 07/01/hmn_feature28.html. Retrieved 15 June
time, beating Taruffi by 3.5 minutes.[17] This put Turner 2010.
in third place overall, behind a Cadillac 62.[18] He was [5] Baldwin, Nick; Laban, Brian; Georgano, G. N. (1987).
disqualified when a quick review by the race officials The World guide to automobile manufacturers. Facts on
showed that the rules specifically prohibited changing a File Publications. p. 346. ISBN 9780816018444.
car’s crew.[17] [6] Flory, J. Kelly (2008). American Cars 1946-1959: Every
Bill France eventually crashed out of the race but the Model Year by Year. McFarland. pp. 49–50.
damaged car was driven back to the United States, where ISBN 9780786432295. http://books.google.com/
France and Turner used it for a full season’s dirt track books?id=m-
racing in the Southern states.[17] Mexican driver S. San- k3ONS880cC&pg=PA49&dq=Nash+Ambassador+first+unitized+body
toyo was classified 36th in his 1949 Nash, while another Retrieved 29 December 2010.
1949 Ambassador driven by Manuel Luz Meneses and José [7] "Flory, p. 50". Books.google.com.
O’Farrill Larranoga finished 39th.[18] In all, four Nashes http://books.google.com/books?id=m-
crashed out, while a fifth retired with engine trouble. [18] k3ONS880cC&pg=PA50&dq=Nash+Ambassador+coil+giving+it+the+
Retrieved 2011-11-20.
NASCAR [8] "Directory Index: Nash/1951 Nash/
The Nash Motor Company was the first manufacturer 1951_Nash_Prestige_Brochure".
that actively supported NASCAR racing. Ebenezer "Slick" Oldcarbrochures.com.
Smith drove an Ambassador in the September 24, 1950 http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/
NASCAR race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (This was Nash/1951%20Nash/
the same car that Bill France had crashed in the Carrera 1951_Nash_Prestige_Brochure/
Panamericana.) Smith crashed midway through the race 1951%20Nash%20Prestige-04-05.html. Retrieved
and finished 20th in the field of 26.[19] 2011-11-20.
For the 1952 NASCAR season, other automakers be- [9] ^ "Directory Index: Nash/1949_Nash/album".
came more involved. Nash recruited and signed dynamic Oldcarbrochures.com.
stars Curtis Turner and Johnny Mantz. Curtis Turner won http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/
the 150-lap NASCAR Grand National race at Charlotte Nash/1949_Nash/album/1949%20Nash-12.html.
Retrieved 2011-11-20.
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Nash Ambassador
[10] ^ Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 [18] ^ "1950 Carrera Panamericana (race results)". team
Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., DAN. http://www.teamdan.com/archive/gen/
Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 50carrer.html. Retrieved 2010–06–15.
[11] "Directory Index: Nash/1951 Nash/ [19] Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (2007–07–27). "1950
1951_Nash_Prestige_Brochure". NASCAR Grand National Recap".
Oldcarbrochures.com. howstuffworks.com.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/ http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/
Nash/1951%20Nash/ 1950-nascar.htm. Retrieved 2010–06–15.
1951_Nash_Prestige_Brochure/ [20] Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (2007–07–30). "1951
1951%20Nash%20Prestige-06-07.html. Retrieved NASCAR Grand National Recap".
2011-11-20. howstuffworks.com.
[12] "Directory Index: Nash/1957_Nash/ http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/
1957_Nash_Foldout". Oldcarbrochures.com. 1951-nascar.htm. Retrieved 2010–06–15.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/ General
Nash/1957_Nash/1957_Nash_Foldout/ • Kimes, Beverly R.; Clark, Henry A. (1996). The
1957%20Nash%20Foldout-02-03.html. Retrieved Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1945. Krause
2011-11-20. Publications. ISBN 9780873414289.
[13] Flory, pp. 638, 673, & 677. • Gunnell, John, ed (1987). The Standard Catalog of
[14] Flory, p. 650. American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications.
[15] Flory, pp. 638, 650, 673, & 677. ISBN 9780873410960.
[16] "Non-Championship Races, Round: 10 - Carrera
Panamericana". World Sports Racing Prototypes.
http://wsrp.ic.cz/nonchamp1950.html#10.
External links
Retrieved 2010–06–15. • Nash Car Club
[17] ^ Murphy, Daryl E. (April 2007). "Carrera • Nash Healy History
Panamericana Mexico". Airport Journals. • Nash in the UK
http://www.airportjournals.com/
Display.cfm?varID=0704006. Retrieved 2010–06–15.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nash_Ambassador&oldid=461555346"
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