20 Years In A Barn: 1955 Nash Rambler Classic
It’s hard to imagine that opening up the front wheel wells would be such a big design move, but that was the case with this 1955 Nash Rambler Classic. This beauty is listed on eBay with the reserve not met at a current price of $3,550 and there are still over eight days left on the auction. It’s located in Des Moines, Iowa and you can drive it home.. to our house..
Actually, the seller says that this gorgeous car was recovered “from 20 yr. hiatus in a barn” so driving it home may not be a good plan if you live too far away but it sure would be tempting. In 1955 Nash opened up the front wheel wells, arguably the former car’s most unusual and controversial feature. I love the look of the covered front wheel wells but this took 6-feet off of the turning radius. Nash and Hudson were similar cars and the center grille badge tells them apart. 1955 was just after the Nash/Hudson merger which became American Motors Corporation.
The paint looks too good to be true and it is, it had “been painted before put in storage. Amazingly solid body for a Midwest car. No rust thru any where. Surface rust underneath on chassis is only rust.” This isn’t some JC Whitney add-on Continental Kit, this is a factory piece, of course – here’s a close-up of it.
The seller says that they think the interior is original and it looks great from the photos. Some work has been done to this car including “New master and wheel cylinders. New radial tires.” They say that the “Trans shifts great. Brakes work well.”
The seller says that the engine ” Runs and drives good. Engine smokes but runs good.” This 195.6 cubic-inch inline-six would would have had around 90 hp and it looks as great as the rest of this car does. I love this era of Nash and Hudson, have any of you owned a “roundie” Nash Rambler?
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Comments
Not to advertise for Lucas, but a 1/2 bottle of there engine oil stabilizer will probably take care of the smoking problem. I had a 4 cyl. Saturn sc1 that used a litre of oil every 1000 km. and with the Lucas in the engine oil it would go the whole 5000 km with the oil level not going down. I drove that car for 5 years without a single problem until it go rear ended and was written off. As for this Nash what a nice car I would not change a thing. I just love these fat fendered early fifties cars.
At least they are honest about the smoke. Bought a ’38 Packard off Ebay years ago and the seller conveniently left that out. X2 on Lucas products.
I would love to have this car but have too many toys already. It looks to be in great shape and will probably go at a reasonable price. Even if the engine needs rebuilding it wouldn’t be overly expensive and then you would have some confidence in it. Love the honesty of the seller wish more were like him. Fun car to drive around and enjoy.
Beautiful compound curves on this era of automotive art. Just a cool little ride, but I have a question for someone who knows – Is that an 8-volt battery?
Not something I remember seeing before but I would assume it is 6 volts. Maybe someone has some info on this.
Sure is!
Yes it is,using an 8 volt battery was a common thing,especially in cold weather climates,as for any changes to the 6 volt charging system to accomodate this I’m not sure,maybe someone else can add to this.
Appears to be an 8 volt battery installed. A common cure for aging 6 volt cars.
Have not seen one in ages.
Put an 8 volt battery in my 41 Chevy special deluxe, set the voltage regulator to 9.7 volts. Put 6 volt halogen headlights in, left all other bulbs and gauges alone. Works great! Starts quickly and lights, especially headlights rival a lot of the newer cars.
Looks like all the lower belt mouldings are missing. Not easy to find.
In case somebody needs some inspiration to buy this particular Rambler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHEuxMNlbbc
Cool Nash Healey to be seen to if you watch closely!
Yes, the belt line mouldings are missing! They are not “rocker” mouldings as noted in the description. It really needs them to set off the design!
Hi John, this is your lansing neighbor Ray, i bought this little beauty, now will be called the Green Hornet, please keep your eyes open for the belt moldings. thanks Ray
These cars are hideous, and should be left in the barn!
Opinions vary.
Like mileage, Metoo… ;-)
I agree with ‘Metoo’ ! They were an unusual car even when new, they seem to have had a secret “Hudson Persona-Envy Syndrome” goin’ on! One could do a few things with paint, wheels, & some trim work & call it a ‘1950’s Mini-Limo’ as it was quite the comfort zone on wheels- we called such cars wih reclining seats ‘ Drive In Movie Conception Wagons’ !
My family had one of these. It would develop this severe, front end “shimmey” sometimes up around 60-70 MPH. Practically jerked the steering wheel out of my father’s hands. I was happy to see it traded on a Chevy.
My grandad’s ’52 coupe did the same thing, as did my ’62 Galaxie at around 100 MPH. We didn’t have great tires, but few people did back then. I don’t know about the compound curves, the story was the Rambler could be stamped with Kelvinator refrigerator presses, but George Romney wanted a car in every size category, and the advantage of building a simple car evaporated.
I imagine these are fairly light I would like to make it a 275 drag radial car .
Mom had a ’53 Statesman 4-door and yes, those skirted front fenders really
did mske these cars unwieldy when you took a corner. Used to see the wagon version of this car criising in our neighborhood about 1960 or ’61.
it wore a snazzy red and white 2-tone paint job with the white paint at the
rear of the car, surrounded by a piece of chrome trim that to me looked
like a ’55 Chevy Bel Air had back then. It really must have impressed me
as I think of that car every time I see one.
I ha a 52 Coupe back in high school circa 1964. The closed front wheel wells never caused me any problems and that was in the day of parallel parking. It was a nice little car well worth the $45.00 that I paid for it. Like most teenagers however I wanted something with better looks so I traded it and $150.00 for 57 Plymouth Belvedere 2Dr HT. Then I traded the Plymouth for a 57 MGA. Still got the MG but I wish I had the others back too.
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Maybe I’m wrong but it would seem to me that however nice an interior may be preserved, by the time it’s 50 or 60 years old, the foam in the seats is as hard and dry as old bread and the fabric or vinyl will tear at the seams if any real weight is placed on it the seat. Is that a fair assessment or am I wrong?
It’s nice to have an accurate pattern or template at least, even if so.
absolutely true! but, as you say: at least it gives you an original pattern.
I have a similar car from 1955 as well but mine is called “Super” instead of “Classic”…..not sure what makes the difference in name? It is pretty much sorted out mechanically but I should warn whoever is considering buying this car that some key parts are difficult if not impossible to find, like brake drums, trim parts, rubber seals etc… Otherwise it is a nice solid (unibody construction!) car that is a pleasure to drive and own; it gets lots of attention because it is a rare sight. I am about to drive mine from Chicago to Phoenix where we recently retired. I am a little apprehensive mainly because it has not been truly reliable; always something that goes wrong it seems. Yet, I drive it around 2,500 miles a year! I guess they “didn’t make them like today” and that’s a good thing as far as reliability goes.
My first car was a 1954 Rambler Custom that had the same colors but flipped. I’m surprised no one mentioned the most important part that was missing…..THE NAKED LADY HOOD ORNAMENT!!!!!!!!!
I believe the hood ornament was an option? or was it standard only on certain models? They get pretty expensive; mine needed re-chroming….$450 then I acquired a spare one from a junked car for $75 but this one also needs to be redone. It is beautiful though!
This car has made its way into my garage, and will be back on the road next year. No idea what I’m going to do about the missing belt trim, but I’ll sort something out. I’m rebuilding a motor retrieved from a ’52 Ramber that will go in this car next spring.