The American automotive scene was fascinating during the post-war years as manufacturers fought to release new models to replace their existing aging fleet. While some produced vehicles with similar design queues, Nash marched to the beat of a different drummer with its 1950 Statesman. It was unlike anything offered by the competition, featuring aerodynamic styling that couldn’t help but garner attention. Our feature Statesman received a restoration in 1996 and is the rare Custom Brougham derivative. It presents exceptionally well and needs a new home. Located in Ashland, Ohio, the Nash is listed for sale here on craigslist. The owner has set the sale price at $15,000 OBO. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this rare classic for us.
It is a harsh reality that few events drive forward technological development and innovation more effectively than armed conflict. It is widely acknowledged that the Wright Brothers achieved the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in December of 1903. Less than fifteen years later, the skies were swarming with aircraft participating in the aviation equivalent of hand-to-hand combat. So it was in the automotive world. Before the outbreak of World War II, most cars possessed the aerodynamic efficiency of a barn…traveling sideways. Wind tunnels became vitally important with aircraft manufacturers desperate to exploit the outer edges of efficiency to produce faster and more agile combat planes. Car manufacturers could see these benefits, and the changes were graphically demonstrated by the first completely new models emerging at the end of the 1940s. While few genuinely utilized wind tunnels, their cars were lower and smoother than those produced pre-war. Nash did things differently, with much of the development of their Airflyte models like the Statesman and Ambassador occurring in wind tunnels. The result was a series of passenger cars even more racial in appearance than Chrysler’s Airflow of the 1930s. Our feature car is one of those vehicles, and it presents impressively. The owner treated it to a restoration during 1996/97, finishing the body in Strato Blue Light and Ocean Blue. While the supplied photos are limited, they show paint that continues to shine impressively after more than two decades, while the panels are as smooth as silk. The underside shots, some of which are included in the gallery below this article, show nothing more serious than surface corrosion. However, the buyer may feel inclined to treat this before it can deteriorate further. The trim and glass appear excellent, and the wide whitewall tires add a touch of class to a classic already brimming with exclusivity.
At 2,950lbs, the Statesman is not a particularly heavy car. That means that its 184ci flathead six-cylinder engine’s 85hp propels the car surprisingly well. Sending the power to the rear wheels via a manual transmission with overdrive, it could cover the ¼ mile in 21.7 seconds. The sleek body allowed it to wind its way to 83mph before running out of breath. While the owner doesn’t particularly state it, it seems that this classic is totally original, right down to the six-volt electrical system. For potential buyers, there are equal helpings of good and bad news. The car runs and drives, but the motor is not firing on all cylinders. The seller isolated the fault to the camshaft, with it sounding like the cam may have lost a lobe. The owner includes a replacement camshaft in the deal and a collection of additional parts.
If this Nash’s exterior presents beautifully, the interior is even better. Upholstered in Grey cloth, there is no evidence of wear or physical damage. The door trims are flawless, as is the dash. I’ve included a few interior shots in the gallery below, providing an insight into the beauty of the interior and its quirky features like the slide cover for the radio. This is one of those cases where a picture is worth a thousand words.
This 1950 Nash Statesman Brougham is a stunning classic, but its styling may not appeal to everyone. Its mechanical needs seem minor, making a return to the road seems like a straightforward process. It is unlikely to become a mega-buck vehicle in the future, but with only 132 examples of the Custom Brougham rolling off the line in 1950, it is doubtful that its new owner will find themselves parked next to an identical vehicle at a Cars & Coffee. Is that thought enough to tempt you to pursue this Nash further?
Beautiful to me! Dad had a ’48, but this one is
incredible; no comparison. And not far; 3hrs.
Absolutely breathtaking…btw, where does one find a camshaft for a 1950 Nash Statesman? I doubt Autozone carries them…perhaps a custom grind? Asking for a friend…
There are major cam grinders all over the country. If you can find the specs on the cam they can be made. Race engine builders and race support machine shops are a good place to start looking. If the original cam isn’t damaged too badly in can be copied.
Tell him to join the Nash Car Club of American and he will find venders that have that part.
If you had read it, the ad says camshaft supplied.
Love it !!!
Fit for Perry White.
Just super. What seating. What a ride.
Scorned in their day.
What a statement today…
I, too am overwhelmed by this magnificent automobile. Long, sleek, classy, unique and whatever other adjectives I can’t think of now.
I would absolutely love to see this in my driveway and would daily it all Spring and Summer long.
What a car, what a time, and what an eye for design.
Just WOW!
An absolutely stunning vehicle! I have always loved the design of America’s (now) extinct non “Big Three” automakers, and this is a wonderful example. Nash, Studebaker, Hudson et al had always been at the leading edge of design, out of necessity to stay in business. I would buy this Beauty in a heartbeat if I could.
Those back seats are amazing.
Certainly would garner some attention at the local drive-in, if any still exist. To be clear, I’ve dealt with a LOT of flathead 6’s and I never heard of a cam “losing a lobe”.Probably a stuck valve, and where are the air cleaners on these cars? No air cleaner is the kiss of death for a motor, and I’d stay clear of a car without one. THIS? Since the motor isn’t running well, and even if it did, perhaps it’s been a while since the author drove a car like this with 85 hp, it’s actually a downright hazard today, and should probably be updated accordingly. The other minor nit-pick, car makers in the 30’s knew all about aerodynamics, and most cars and trucks utilized some sort of sleek style, until more hp came out, and aerodynamics wasn’t needed. Nash simply milked it to the end. The “Uniscope” instrument cluster proved too creepy for many, and was discontinued after 1950. They are hard to find today. And let’s not dance around it, I’ll be the one to say, many owe our lives to those famous reclining Nash front seats,,,that’s right, you heard me, :),,
I’m with Howard I’m thinking stuck valve, put some air pressure on the dead cylinder at top dead center that will tell you. And you never heard of rounded out cams in those old engines
That’s because the back seats would create a considerable challenge.
Beautiful on every level, except mechanically. I agree, the car is entirely too slow for todays traffic, therefore an engine swap might be a good idea, even if that is not an option for the purist.
In the 1960’s when I was a car obsessed teenager I hated the bathtub Nash. Now that I’m in my ’70’s I love their unique look. 1950 was a great year for Nash selling 171,792 vehicles and introducing a new small car, the Rambler. These Nash unibody cars were prone to rust and many ended up in the scrap yard. This very rare Brougham with its unique rear seats in definitely worth saving.
I like the 1952-56 Pininfarina version better.
Hey author, I think you meant “radical” not racial….just sayin’…
Love the car though!
So it has a power locking gas cap and power antenna?
Love this car. Can you say smooooth? These are what the tootsie cars of my youth were modeled after and the cartoon cars I watched on our first Zenith with the round picture tube looked like. The fully reclining seats were carried over to my one and only Nash product a 59 Rambler Custom, 4 door. The front seats would line up with bottom of the rear seat and you had the perfect “date car”.
My Grandfather had a Nash like this but in 4 door , I remember how different it was , He loved that car , I do remember him having a problem with the valves , we went on a trip in that car 300+ miles and even at my young age I remember how quiet and smooth that car was . My Dad and my uncle always referred to the car as Pas Nash ,lol he drove it until he fell in love witha 1956 Pontiac Starchief 2 door hardtop , now thats a different story ! This is a nice car hope it finds a good home
A very unique and interesting vehicle.
I’ve often wondered about the turning circle on cars with the front wheels enclosed by the body.
I suppose there’s plenty of room for the front wheel to turn , doesn’t look like it though.
That would have discouraged me from buying the car back in the day.
not scorned in there day as someone mentioned. The best selling Nash of all time.
Howard and Norman, would upgrading to 12v electrics with an alternator help with oomph? I like the radio cover. Looks like the spot could perhaps take a double DIN insert. Put in a nice stereo, see if you could cover the speakers with period speaker cloth. I live in a rural area with rolling hills, and if I stay out of the big city (Population 25k) I should have no problems.
Gorgeous car. Flat head six with overdrive should move this beast fast enough to safely drive around.
I live just outside Memphis, Tenn. Lived in Osceola, Ark. until 1970. Knew a man in Osceola who had three different models of this car. I would love to have it……could drive it down Union Avenue in Memphis and there might be ONE PERSON see it go by and KNOW what it was….
The almost mythical “Mulholland Rocket” was a ’50 Ambassador in the novel THE LAST TIME I SAW ALICE by ahem: ME. for those of you that would like a free read of the first two chapters look it up at Amazon.
Only 15 K ??????? Where is that meme that says “Here, take my money”?
Great value for a real unusual classic that will turn heads wherever it goes.
The seats would be a little on the warm side on a hot day.
My dad had a 49 “600” 2 door the exact same color. It was a beautiful car until a guy ran a stop sign and t-boned it. I now have a 50 Statesman 2 dr. While I agree the car is not meant for freeway driving, if the car has overdrive (as mine does) it will cruise at a comfortable 60 – 65 mph all day.