The Ambassador would be the top-of-the-line Nash automobile for many years and as a Rambler after Nash and Hudson merged to form American Motors. This nameplate was used every year from 1932 to 1974, making it one of the longest running monikers in automobile history. While the seller indicates this long-forgotten Ambassador is a 1947 model, it’s more likely a 1954 comparing the car to its contemporaries. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this roadside machinery is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $200 OBO.
Nash’s Ambassador became a series of its own in 1932 after serving as a high trim option for five years prior. It adorned the Nash through 1957, the Rambler until 1966, and on the AMC through 1974. The final generation of the car as a Nash product was between 1952-57. The car featured “bathtub” styling with small wheel openings for the wheels and a big, toothy grille. The bars in the grill curved outward for the first two years and then inward for 1954. That distinction and the treatment of the taillights make it look like a ’54 model. The 1947 Ambassador looked completely different. The Ambassadors were available in Super and Custom trim, with the latter being the fanciest you could go with a Nash product.
The seller’s car, for which the actual mileage is unknown, looks like it was either left alongside the country road where the photos were taken or it was pulled out of someplace else and left there, given the straps around the engine. The hood is missing. There are hints of rust in several places and we wouldn’t be surprised if it goes deeper. The car was likely powered by a 253 cubic inch inline-6 that was rated at 130 hp with a single-barrel carburetor and a Hydra Matic transmission. So, it was much more a cruiser than a pocket rocket. But you did it in style as the Custom had two-tone upholstery with foam-topped designer seat cushions. Although we don’t know if this car was so equipped, the Nash Ambassador was the first American automobile to have a front-end, fully integrated heating, ventilating, and an air-conditioning system called Weather Eye. This was designed by Kelvinator, which was part of Nash at the time.
Nash merged with the ailing Hudson Motor Car Company in January 1954 to form American Motors Corporation, so both Nash and Hudson dealers then sold the same cars except for badging. When the dust settled, nearly 21,500 Ambassadors were built-in 1954. Really nice 1954 Ambassadors can easily go for north of $20,000 today. Given the condition of this car, is it a valid restoration candidate for someone who really likes these early AMC automobiles or it is just an inexpensive parts car? Thanks, Jeff A, for the heads-up on this one!
I would bet it sold in record time
Wow!!! $200?!!! If I had the space, and if it were here in Florida, it would be
going home with me. My Mom had a ’53
Statesman when I was very young. Hers
was a 3-speed with overdrive though.
Great car for what it was. Good gas
mileage and plenty of room too. She
paid $75 for it in 1960 and drove it for
3 years until she traded it for a ’54 Chevy
210 4-door sedan. One thing we liked
were the folding front seats. On long
trips, Mom would fold the passenger
seatback down into a bed so that my
sister and I could take a nap while
riding. I do know the location of a car
like this in between Melbourne and
Kissimmee although I know it will be
quite expensive no doubt. That one,
I believe, does run and can be driven.
Great find though.
In old news reels I’ve seen these were used as police cars quite a bit. Also, on April 1st 1951 Curtis Tunner Won at Charlotte driving one.
My dad had a 1948 and a 1949. He often said they wern’t the best cars he ever had but, He had some that were a lot worse.
I hope a scrapper doesn’t get this one.
1947?? I think this looks like what crashed at Roswell that year and has been hidden ever since – $200 for this UFO history piece is a screaming deal!!
Definitely has an otherworldly vibe to it – including the tentacles emerging from the engine compartment.
Man, if only that was on the east coast!
Is that a land octopus crawling out of engine compartment
Merely an auto octopus looking to grab your $200.
I think it is some kind of life support.
I had a ’52 Coupe a while back,which had a vacuum operated rear screen wiper – never seen another!
BEST OFFER!! Let It “Rust” in Peace………….
This is definatly a 54 model. We have a 53 Statesman. The Ambassador has a longer front end from the windshield forward to make room for the larger Ambassador overhead engine. The Statesman used the flathead engine.
Super rugged engine in the Ambassador 7 main bearings. In 55 they jammed a Packard V8 in there and in 57 the new AMC 327 V8.
My gosh, I can’t believe there are people here complaining about a $200 price! They must belong to the Barn Find Snobs organization.
even at yard art,that is a deal,and not too far away for me……..I almost exspect to see the ghost of George Reeves getting out from behind the wheel at any moment…;-)