This 1957 Nash Ambassador Super Country Club Hardtop is posted here on craigslist in Clear Lake, Iowa, and they were asking $22,000 but have dropped the asking price to $18,000. If Clear Lake sounds familiar, it was the site of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper in early 1959. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. Richardson, better known as the Big Bopper, were going strong when this ’57 Nash rolled out the door. 1957 would be the last year for Nash, and if you wanted to be the first person on your block to have a car with quad headlights, you bought a ’57 Nash Ambassador. Styling was by the famous Italian firm of Pininfarina, just to add an extra touch of flair. The Custom would have been a step above the Super with more chrome, usually a two-tone paint scheme, and more.
That’s some serious candy on the rear of this Ambassador, those tail lights and surrounding chrome housings aren’t lightweight, but it still looks lighter than the cars with a Continental Kit spare tire on the back. I’ll take this look every time. The front wheel wells were almost round again after going through Nash’s bathtub phase with flat-topped wheel wells. This car looks great in the photos, but as always, it’s hard to really tell. Nash advertising said the Club Coupe Hardtop had, “the fresh-air fun of a convertible . . . the snugness of a sedan.”
Derek Bieri from Vice Grip Garage would be proud of whatever is going on with the vice grip under the left side of the dash. I wonder what that’s for? The seller doesn’t mention that in their listing, but they do say it’s absolutely rust-free, and those are the best words in my world as far as old vehicles are concerned. This is it for interior photos other than one showing a close-up of the back of the rear seat.
The seller says this is an all original car, other than one recent repaint, but then they also say that the drivetrain has been gone through. Maybe they mean original spec, it sure isn’t original anymore, and that isn’t a bad thing if all of the work has been done well. The engine, with a huge generator on the bottom, is AMC’s 327-cu.in. OHV V8 with 245 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by an automatic transmission and the seller says this one runs and drives very well, and it has power steering and power brakes. Those are nice features for a heavy car from the 50s, or from any era. Any thoughts on the asking price of this one?
I like oddball and orphan cars and this Nash checks the box for me. I love those stacked headlights, and whoever designed that chrome body side molding deserves a round of applause.
Not sure about moldings, but I believe Edmund Anderson ( best known for the Airflight ) was still in charge when the 57s were designed. So much more to share! Later
As promised, back to yack about the glory days at Nash. The first family car I remember was a 50 Nash AMBASSADOR Custom. Definitely Large and in charge. The six cylinder motor had more than enough power to send it down the road in style and comfort. Front seat could be moved forward, folded back and turn into a full size bed (which continued for years, causing an obvious bonus to young men and flat out refusal by young ladies parents to let their daughters ride). Someone mentioned wheel openings. The early Airflights had closed Front openings, causing a wide turning circle. As for the chrome side molding, an even more elaborate choice was used for the Tritone color combo. So much more history is readily available. Check it out
I know I say this probably way too much on here, to the point where people are probably going to doubt I mean it or just ignore me altogether. But WOW!!! This Nash looks terrific!! The chrome, the wheel covers, paint, even the interior. I agre with what Todd J. Said Above. I like ALL cars especially what some may consider odd ones. I love the hardtop styling and body lines on this one. I also like the subtle refference Scotty made to Derek from Vice Grip Garage. He’s definitely one of the good guys, trying to save cars and trucks and even farm equipment. I believe I’ve read that in ’57 Nash had a hot engine with that 327. I believe I’ve read ( and please correct me if I’m wrong) that Nash in ’57 was one of the fastest domestic produced cars in that year. 245 horsepower was nothing to sneeze at then. I always liked the covered front and rear wheel openings on the earlier ones, but I have to admit, the opened up wheel openings look nice. I might splurge on some period correct wide whitewalls, they would compliment the blue paint and chrome.
Very nice car and write up Scotty I enjoyed it.
As far as “hot engines,” you are probably thinking about the Rambler Rebel for 1957. That had the same 327 but with mechanical valve lifters and a higher compression ratio. It also had dual exhausts and a tweaked suspension. With a lightweight body and the 327 V8, the Rebel could achieve 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Many people consider the Rebel as one of the first “muscle cars.”
That’s the one!!! Rambler Rebel. At that time, it would walk away from pretty much anything from a red light with those numbers. Thank you Todd. ( do I get 50 percent credit?) I was a little right?
And they were all silver with gold side trim and were 4dr. hardtops–the rarest bodystyle in their line. I’m lucky enough to have one locally I see at shows from time to time. It always draws a crowd!
Driveinstile, you get 50% credit and are automatically entered in this week’s raffle for a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts!
Todd… Sadly, I’m on a diet. But maybe I’ll break it just this one for the donuts!!
Thank you again for the info.
Fantastic looking Nash. Can’t say that I’ve ever seen one in the wild.
The arrangement of the two pedals is odd; they seem very close together and to the right of the steering column. Not very practical!
It looks like the gas pedal and brake pedal are close due to camera angle. Could the vice grip be replacing the missing park brake handle. The handle on my 66 F-100 is cracked at the base and previous owner just used a hose clamp on it. To release the brake the handle needs to be turned counter clockwise. Could this be similar?
Pedals are where they belong. Brake and clutch would have strattled the steering column.
Nice! But those tiny wheels…looks like a hippopotamus with mouse feet! LOL!
It looks like the gas pedal and brake pedal are close due to camera angle. Could the vice grip be replacing the missing park brake handle. The handle on my 66 F-100 is cracked at the base and previous owner just used a hose clamp on it. To release the brake the handle needs to be turned counter clockwise. Could this be similar?
FYI a new American Motors documentary will be airing on PBS starting on May 1st titled The Last Independent Auto Maker. It is a 6 part series. Check it out if you are an AMC fan. Check local listings for times and dates.
Thanks much for the heads-up ramblergarage; we’ll definitely add it to our viewing schedule!