This 1928 Nash Landau is about as representative of a barn find as one will ever find. Not only was this car produced by a long-ago fallen flag, but it has also been barn domiciled for four decades. The listing is very slim but let’s see what we can pull from it. This Nash is located in Shingle Springs, California and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,000.
Founded in 1916 by Charles W. Nash, as the result of the acquisition of an existing Kenosha, Wisconsin-based auto builder, Nash existed until 1954 when it merged with Hudson to create American Motors. The Nash name lasted until 1957 when it was replaced by model names such as Rambler and Metropolitan that became the brand names under the AMC banner. The rest is history as AMC absorbed Kaiser-Jeep in ’70, was purchased by Chrysler Corporation in ’87, became Daimler Chrysler in ’98, Chrysler Group in ’07, officially placed under the FCA umbrella in 2014, and finally, Stellantis in 2021. Wow, follow all of that…? But back to 1928, Nash came in eighth place in sales that year with 137K units, just behind Chrysler’s 160K total output.
There’s not a lot of information available about a Nash Landau but here’s a beautiful 1929 example so at least you can get an idea of what this car would look like in its totality. Note the prominent Landau iron! Our sale example appears to be a similar four-door model, finished in two-tone with a tan body (the seller refers to it as off-white) and black fenders/hood/roof. It’s hard to tell with the off-kilter, incomplete images that have been provided.
There is some minor surface rust that is visible but from what can be seen, and that’s not a lot, items like the radiator shell, fenders, and headlights are still in place. There was probably a front bumper attached at some point but it’s not visible among the few images.
Power is provided by what is believed to be a 45HP, 3.0 liter, in-line, six-cylinder flathead engine connected to a three-speed manual transmission. While the in-place engine appears to be complete, it’s a safe bet that it hasn’t run in at least 46 years, maybe longer, and the seller does offer the old, “was driving when parked“.
The inside is in pretty ratty condition. There is surface rust everywhere and the front seat is completely dilapidated. That said, the rusty floors don’t appear to be suffering from rust-through. Note the red brocade driver’s side door card, it looks like someone’s drapes from long ago have enjoyed a second, automotive life.
As for this Nash’s “Landau” designation, well, there are landau irons present though this example seems to be losing its personality as one of its irons has been causally tossed upon the cowl. Assuming that the ’29 Nash Landau image above is similar to a ’28, this Nash appears to be a pretty typical touring car from the late ’20s. The fact that it’s a long-gone brand, coupled with its genuine barn find locale, just adds to its mystique. Unfortunately, the lack of a comprehensive description and more thorough images will probably dampen enthusiasm, unless of course, you’re a Nash aficionado. So tell me, are you?
I do know that Nash had some good engines such as a 6 cylider model with 7 main bearings and a straight eight with 9 mains and 16 spark plugs.A friend had an 1940 eight cylinder sedan called the 600 because it could by using the overdrive go 600 miles on one tank of gas and stay beside of my V12 Cadillac up to 60MPH.
Love the orphan Marques. I sure hope someone buys it and restores it to it to stock.
Needs someone with deep pockets. I love these o0ld cars and would give a set of my falseteeth (used to say eyeteeth) to get and restore this old car.
I wonder what it would cost to restore vs. how much one could sell it for…if it was a rag top there would be no question as to whether you could at least get your money back.
I think the front bumper is in the back seat area.
I pulled up a picture of a top of the line 1932 Nash and I can see why the car was sometimes referred to as “The Kenosha Duesenberg”.It is one really fine looking car and the Duesenberg influence is VERY obvious..
Were Nash and Graham ever connected as i see a very close resemblence to the 1928 Graham.
I wish I had the ability to restore this.
The roof appears to be rotted completely through in the right rear corner.
Dang, went to FB Marketplace to look at it and of course spent another hour looking at local stuff when I should have been working! I have a set of two Nash wood spoke wheels, man cave wall hangers. Neat, well made cars.
I would love to hear the story of why this sat in a shed over 4 decades. Who owned it, why didn’t they get it running. What a great story. I hope this gets fully restored to stock, but i wouldn’t hold my breath on that. Some rodder will have a 350/auto in it and it will be lost forever. I guess that is bound to happen. The men who lusted after these in their youth are so much dust, and so are their children as well. That is what soon awaits for the 60 muscle cars, like it or not.
I feel in love with the Oakland vehicles in my youth years in the ‘60’s. I could always afford the Model ‘A’s in the day, but not the Oaklands.
The Oakland became the Pontiac which eventually became the extinct.A lot of cars from the post WW1 time frame were pretty generic and hard to identify without the radiator badge.I think and this is only one man’s opinion that 1934 was a high water mark for elegantly styled cars that reflected the thought that went into them.The look alike cars of today are proof the styling studios of the past are closed IMHO.I think it was the late Ken Purdy that said that
“Only the most knowledgeable of knowledgeable small boys can tell the difference between Smith’s and Jones’s cars is by the foxtail on the radio antenna on Smith’s car.”.
In a barn, in central Maryland, sits a big 1925 Nash Advanced Six, open 7 passenger touring car, it’s top in tatters. It’s still in the hands of the original family, but was taken off the road during WW2, never to leave the barn again. The Nash is all original except for tires, & has never spent a night outside, nor driven in the winter or rain. It’s not for sale, and while it may be in a dry barn, 60+ years of pigeon poop have not been kind to this big old girl. Nearby sits another family car; a 1938 Ford Deluxe V8 slant back sedan, with 1956 license plates. And of course it’s not for sale either. Only reason I know about these 2 cars is because my farm was near to their farm.
Wow Bill, you should do write ups for Barn Finds!