My NashÉ

 

This is my 1948 Nash Ambassador.  It is a Model 4863, which they referred to as a Brougham, though most of the industry called them Club Coupes. I use it for regular transportation when driving around Galveston.  One of the fun things I have discovered is that people approach me apparently to talk about the car, but then tell stories about their own lives (ÒI had just gotten out of the Army in New York, and my fiancŽe came to meet me, driving a NashÉÓ).  One day I may write a book about all the stories IÕve heard this way.

 

 

This is the day I bought the Nash at an antique show in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where they were made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here it is near my apartment in Hyde Park, Chicago. I remember enjoying the sunflowers behind it so much that I took a series of close-ups, one of which is in the flowers section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nashes have a colorful history. At the turn of the century, Charlie Nash worked in a carriage shop, but had the good fortune to be employed by William Durant, who founded what later became General Motors.  Charlie prospered along with his boss, becoming first the head of the Buick division, and later GM.  During subsequent disagreements with Durant, Charlie and his friend Walter Chrysler explored buying the Packard company.  When that didnÕt work out, Chrysler stayed, and in 1917 Charlie bought out the Thomas B. Jeffrey Co. in Kenosha (between Chicago and Milwaukee), founding Nash Motors.  The company prospered, and even thrived during the Depression.  In 1937 it merged with the Kelvinator company (of refrigerator fame), and for this reason had a head start in the technology of air conditioning for cars. The Nash 600, which came out in 1941, introduced unit body/chassis construction. During World War II the combined companies made military vehicles, and even the famous flying boat, which you can see below in this 1942 ad

from National Geographic. In 1950 they came out with the Rambler (actually the original name of the old Jeffrey Co.), which became AmericaÕs most popular early compact car.   In 1954 the Hudson company merged with Nash-Kelvinator, and became American Motors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a row of Nashes lined up in front of a dealership:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the cover of an advertising booklet, showing the traditional hood ornament:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about Nashes, one good resource is the Nash Car Club of America (www.nashcarclub.org).

 

This is a somewhat earlier picture of me with another 1948 modelÉ

 

 

IÕve also had various interesting sports cars over the years.  To see them, click here.

 

To return to the page on my personal life, click here.

 

To return to the home page, click here.