What an unusual bathtub design, streamlined all over and with all four wheels heavily skirted. Making turns must be interesting, and changing tires, too. This is a pretty honest offering, powered (instead of its original six) with a 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet V-8 and matching transmission. Maybe the power steering and brakes came out of the donor car, too? Offered at $5,500 on Facebook Marketplace in Chino, California is this rarely seen beauty, a distinctive 1951 Nash Airflyte Statesman Custom, running and driving but needing a fair amount of work. Thanks to T.J. for this listing
“It does run and drive and stop, however it is not roadworthy,” says the vendor. “It needs tires, possibly a tune-up. The floorboards are pretty decent with a couple of rust spots. The body is in fair condition, with all original paint. There’s not one drop of Bondo on the car.” The headlights and taillights work, as well as the turn signals.
Demerits include a crack in the side glass and the rear wing window. The upholstery is on its last legs, the carpet is missing and the headliner is bad. The wheels are not original, but the original hubcaps are included. The paint is hanging in there, but worn down–especially on the hood. It’s got patina to spare.
“This is a project that doesn’t need too much,” the owner says, optimistically. “It would make a nice weekend cruiser or just a good investment.” As the saying goes, bring a trailer. Don’t expect to drive it home. The owner states a preference for selling to a local, but a good cash offer might overcome that.
These cars, shaped by aerodynamics (using lessons from World War II) caused a sensation when debuted in 1949. Not everyone liked the cut of their jib—the “bathtub” thing wasn’t entirely friendly. But the car was nearly as innovative as the roughly contemporary Tucker. There was a rolltop cover for the radio, seats that folded down into a comfortable bed (complete with mattress), a glovebox “drawer,” and lamps in the trunk so that the car could be seen if disabled with the lid up. Dig the cute fins, a sign of bigger things to come.
The 1951s, like the car on offer, were slightly less radical than the earlier ones, but still pretty out there. They didn’t sell well, which makes this survivor a rarity—even without its original engine. The scarcity hasn’t done a whole lot for value. According to Classic.com, the average recent price is $16,925. But forget how much it’s worth, can you see yourself cruising around in one of these? I could.
Sorry but that is one fugly car.
To each his own, I guess. I think it’s kinda cool
It’s so ugly it’s cute.
I really like the auto seat coolers, especially the springyness of the back seat to smooth out bumby roads.
In that it is mechanically drivable is one thing, but driving it far must be a chore.
I’d say do the upholstery and mechanical needs and drive it like it is. Just have fun with it. You’re likely to have the only one around. I was at a car show a few year ago and saw a ’49-’50 Hudson that had a 283 and a powerglide. The swap was done in the early 60’s for some reason and it was then parked in a garage in 1964. Someone asked the owner about his plans for it, he said “just drive it, it’s cool”.
The artist Robert Crumb drew some cars that seemed inspired by this.
I agree, very R. Crumb.
Car’s wide-eyed and teeth clenched expression looks scared and defeated, all at once. Robert Crumb, indeed.
People who would want to put on big “modern” wheels & tires must hate this thing. lol
My grand dad’s ’52 Nash Rambler had similar skirted front fenders. To demonstrate how silly they were, my father challenged him to a turning contest. Our ’53 Chrysler turned in exactly the same radius.
My grand parents had a 1950 Nash Ambassador when I was about 4 years old. I just barely remember it but it was green. Incidentally, Nash won its class at LeMans in the early 50s with that same big six cylinder engine. Very powerful and durable for its time.
Seven main bearings!
Many Nash Ambassador engines were used in commercial duty.
And some have the nerve to say Packards were “bathtub ” cars. Looking odd, it was an early form of aerodynamics, and all cars were “bathtub”. Some more than others. I like the V8, 2 barrel, ( no air cleaner?) but I’d be real concerned on how it was installed. This, I feel, is what should be done with all these older cars, a modern V8, but don’t go gonzo, for cryin’ out loud, it’s still a Nash. Hey, it was good enough for the Metropolis Police. I bet they only WISHED they had a V8 then. Great cars, and the V8 here just made it better.
HoA- Fans of Film Noir know that just about every movie made in the Forties, gratefully found on YouTube today, has a Nash as a police car. Watching them corner is something else. Restored these are something else.
How is it a bathtub design? Would you also call the airplanes of the day bathtub designs?
Hi John, any car from that period that had a bulbous design, had the appearance of an upside down bath tub. Airplanes were more of a tube with wings.
Nash did offer screening for these cars so when the seats were put down as beds you had a rolling motel! I guess they needed a gimmick but it was a cool idea before motel 6 tee hee! I owned a ’50 packard 2 door fastback or then they were called slopebacks! Believe it or not in ’48 Packard won a styling award. back then you either liked bathtub styling or not? Hey, after ww2 most styling was a warmed over effect till studebaker and Hudson came out with revolutionary designs. Hey it was americanna or car styling way back.
The concept
actually began with the 1935-1936 chrysler airflow. he
For Traveling Sales Reps, and families that were traveling. Lots of movement from the east coast to California.
I remember changing tires on these cars as a teen. You didn’t lift the suspension. Rather, you lifted from the frame and let the axle drop, then rolled the tire out. Kinda like the rear tires on the 91 Caprice.
no, I’d say “this one’s distinctive”.
I’d daily the wagon (Marathon too).
My wish-to-own model is the ’58/60 as
it’s got that pininfarina look (again waggy
would B ideal but here’s 1 coup, no sedan
available, I’d think hard abt).
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/vintage-reviews/vintage-rt-road-test-1959-rambler-american-much-better-than-it-looks/
Thank you Jim !
I love the Nash cars from this era. Although I wouldn’t count this one as a favorite, I honestly don’t understand how they never developed a bigger following. Very unique and I sure have a hard time saying that about most any of the modern cars!
Hi Richard, actually, Nash did develop into a bigger entity, Rambler/AMC. When you consider AMC was the merger of Nash and Hudson, both well respected makes, it, by rights, should have been the best car made, and I still think so to this day.
Way too cool ! I wonder how much it weighed-?? Just a white elephant in my driveway, however. Unless repurposed as a gate-opening device, or a giant freezer, it would only take up space, and relabel my home as “You Know, the house with the Nash! “
Very cool and unique.