An Ambassador Of A Barn Find: 1953 Nash
Described as, “Pininfarina’s Latest Masterpiece” is the Nash “Airflyte” such as this 1953 Ambassador. While maybe not as rounded out as the first Airflyte incarnation (1949-1951), it still resembles an aerodynamic bathtub on wheels. This car is, what else, but a barn find and resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It looks complete but let’s take make a closer observation. The listing was discovered courtesy of T.J., and this Ambassador is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,500.
Full-size Nashs came in two models in ’53, the Ambassador, a two-door sedan and hardtop, as well as a four-door sedan (our subject car) and the lower echelon Statesman, offering just two and four-door variations. Further dividing the Ambassador were the trim levels, both Custom and Super but I’m not sure which one this is – it’s not stated. A styling feature for all models is the reverse C-pillar, perhaps one of Pininfarina’s styling touches. Other than some surface rust, and a missing piece of trim, this Ambassador looks as if it has weathered almost 70 years of life, and some in the barn, pretty well. Even the bumper’s plating still shows as reasonable. My favorite design feature is the three-pane rear window – my understanding is that it was a necessity as auto glass in this era couldn’t be bent that sharply so the wrap-around effect necessitated individual pieces. If anyone can elaborate on that supposition, please do so.
I can’t tell you a thing about the interior because it’s not imaged or referenced other than to suggest that the car needs to be rewired. Nash’s of this era were known for their fold-down seats so a cruise could easily turn into a camping excursion (I could have used this get-up in my college years!).
Under the hood, “Super Jetfire” is the order of the day! And that means a 120 HP, 253 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine, and in this case, connected to a three-speed manual transmission. Judging by its appearance, I’d say that it hasn’t run in many moons though the seller claims that he’s had it running but that past tense puts some doubt in my mind as to its current operating ability. The recorded mileage is 124K miles, so even if all of that superness isn’t seized and can actually be started, it’s probably a tired prime mover.
Even at $3,500, this car will probably be a tough sell – it’s just not a popular automotive item unless a potential buyer has an attraction for the Nash brand. Also, this is the last year of an independent Nash before wedding bells with Hudson were rung and the 1954 creation of American Motors manifested itself – perhaps that matter will create some draw for this former barn bounder. But what I was really focusing upon is the parsimonious listing description. While it’s pretty standard fare for autos on FB Marketplace, a little more effort in imaging and description would probably help with the sales cause. That’s my two cents, what’s yours?
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Comments
The ad states that the seller has had it running, but needs wiring repair.
Yes, you are correct but that had it running, makes me wonder if it currently runs – it is on a trailer after all.
JO
The Nash six-cylinder engines are really strong. If it ran once, it’ll run again. The worst thing might be piston rings or a valve job. The real question is how good or bad is the interior and there are no pictures of that part. If the inside is rotten the car probably isn’t worthwhile. Other than that this car is most attractive in its ugliness.
Had experience with the 48 Nash OHV mill, 2 of em. ran ok but lousy oil pressure. At idle the needle would bounce off zero, no matter what we did with them. Some guys familiar with these said long as its got some oiil pressure, run it. had one we switched to 12v and it ran really well. Guess u gotta keep one eye on the aftermarket oil pressure gauge, Like Jon says- its so ugly its cool. Not sure this is one of the unibody cars? Good luck.
Cheers
GPC
unit body for sure, they basicly invented it.
All Nash/AMC cars from 1949 until the end are single unit construction (Jeeps excepted). First one for the company was the 1941 Nash “600”.
As an aficionado of film noir of the forties and early fifties, in other words I like old black and white movies, this model Nash and the earlier bathtub iteration are almost always Police cars in these movies.
I always wondered why that was. By the late fifties they seemed to have moved on to ’59 Ford Galaxies.except for Dan Matthews :)
Nash was an interesting company. I don’t know where the upside in restoring this might be save for it’s historical value.
My kind of car: I love these Nashes, Hudsons, etc!
Yes, these are uni-body cars. I have two of them (rare 2-dr. hardtops). Parts can be tough to find, but you won’t see another one at any local car shows, which is one reason why I like them.
These Babies are hard not to like.
Flippers are particularly annoying when they don’t even bother to take the car off the trailer and dust it off to take photos.
AMC Guy– YES!!! It bugs the @#$%^&*( out of me that Flippers can’t even take the car off the trailer for the photos. To my way of thinking, that just shows complete lack of effort or concern or care. I would not deal with anyone who is that lazy. Sorry, my 2 cents.
If you blew the dust off it….it might be almost a new car.
sort of like my Living Room cocktail tables. lol
1954 was the last Hudson before the Nash merger not 1953.