Nash started using the Ambassador name in 1927. Back then it was not a stand-alone model, but the top-shelf trim level for a five-passenger sedan. In 1932, the Ambassador badge was finally placed on a car, the Ambassador Eight. The Eight was joined by the Six and these carried Nash through most of the 1940s. Post-war sales were hot, but George Mason, the chairman of Nash, knew that this would wane. He wanted something exciting, to carry Nash past a potential cooling in the market. So the Nash Styling team came up with the Airflyte design, a unibody “upside-down bathtub” shell with enclosed wheel wells and a fastback rear. The timing was great and the gamble on “aero” styling paid off, as the Airflyte models boosted profits to a record. Here on craigslist, is a 1950 Nash Ambassador for sale with an asking price of $12,000. The car is located in Corfu, New York. Thanks to T.J. for the tip!
The interior is like a snazzy lounge, and as a bonus, the front and rear seats can fold into a bed. Hmm…. Moving on, not quite visible in this photo is the Uniscope, a pod on the steering wheel that contains all of the car’s gauges. The marketing theory here was “No need to take your eyes off the road!” I’m not sure how you look down at the steering wheel without taking your eyes off the road, but it did make for a clean dash.
If you were hoping for a lot of git up and go to match the styling, sorry. The cars received a 234.8 cu. in. inline-six, with a single barrel Carter carburetor and GM-supplied Hydramatic automatic transmission, for about 115 bhp. The cars weighed almost 3400 lbs and took about 16 seconds to go zero to sixty. Interestingly, the intake manifold was cast directly into the head. This car’s odometer reads 23,000 and the owner reports that it runs and drives but needs brake work. The engine bay could use refurbishing to match the rest of the cosmetics.
Nash prided itself on the huge trunk, fully 28 cu. ft. If you’re a golfer, this one’s for you! The fastback styling is particularly suitable for two-tone paint jobs, too. The owner reports that the car has two small rust spots: one on a rear quarter panel and the other around the trunk seal. The chrome, front and back, wears a few dents but has decent shine. The price seems right here, even if she is on the slow side. What do you think?
What a weird looking car. I love the wacky and weird !!
Hate the colors though. Keep these weird and wacky coming.
🤪🤪🤪
They had to buy hydramatics from GM as their own transmissions had “Nashing of teeth . . . “
And, in 1950, GM was the only game in town for an automatic transmission, either HM or Dynaflow.
At that time I believe even Ford was buying Hydramatics, as well as Chrysler. Chrysler may have just stuck with the Fluid Drive semi auto, not 100% sure.
Ford’s earliest automatic came from Borg Warner, to the best of my memory. Hudson started using the GM hydramatic in ’51 until the fire at the transmission plant in ’54 and were forced to go to the Borg Warner automatic for a short time.
Actually, Studebaker’s superb automatic transmission came out in 1950. So good in fact, that Fird tried to buy the rights for it from them, which they declined. The first of many poor management decisions in the 50’s.
Did people actually see these and say “Wow, what a beautiful car!”
Yes, many did. Keep in mind that Aviation was the up & coming thing. This car resembled aircraft more than it resembled other cars of the time. I am serious, my Dad was a big fan of both aviation and of Nash cars. Better fuel economy than many cars too (for the same reason).
Insofar as the aviation angle goes, don’t forget the 1950 Studebaker.
Wonder what it would take to put a Jeep 4.0 in there?
I don’t know but as Ford guy who’s worked with Ford’s smaller inline sixes, I found myself thinking: ah, well, machine (hog out) and tap the intake to accept an adaptor plate for a 2v and headers and I bet that 115 hp becomes 125 or 130 hp. Not much more but with a car that heavy, everything helps. It’d be cool to say one hot rodded the Nash. Of course, one could always ask one’s Chevy friend what easily bolts up to the GM tranny.
I’d fit a 4bt or better yet a 6bt .. .
If you dropped in the engine and transmission together, it might only take a slight adjustment to a few mounts and driveshaft mods. Wiring of course.
This is an Ambassador Custom, the highest trim model. Below that was the Ambassador Super and then the Statesman series which had a flathead six and a shorter hood which gave it a stubby appearance. So – if you like bathtub Nashes this is the model to have.
If I wasn’t on the opposite side of the country I’d be out looking at at this one.
Being on the other side of the country didn’t stop me. I’ve had my eye out for this car in this color for 67 years and I bought it without seeing any more than you see. Cost plenty to get it shipped but it is well worth it. My dad passed up the chance to buy the same model in the same color and same shape in 1955 when I was 10 years old and I wasn’t about to pass this one up! I love it! Runs like a Nash should and smooth as silk on the road. I believe the upholstery under the seat covers will prove to be in excellent shape as well but I haven’t had the nerve to find out yet. I really like the seat covers anyway. When you see one like this you have to jump in and get wet!
Way to go, Stan! Congratulations!
As a teenager I loved them. So futuristic. So different from the bland Fords and Chevys and Plymouths. One of the first space movies, “From Earth to Moon” used them to fit with the scenes from the future. Not only did they look so good, they also had seats that would fold down into beds! Just what every teenage boy wanted.
Compared to the other ‘new’ cars in 1950 – yes! Would have been an even bigger seller if it had been made by GM, Ford or Chrysler.
I always have an attraction to the eclectic. I remember these running around when I was a kid and I was always fascinated by them because they looked like nothing else on the road in those days. Left to my own devices I’d like to have it parked in my garage but realistically I only have the time and discretionary income to maintain what I already have. GLWTS!
Fathers would not let their daughters go out with a guy who had one
Good friend of mine became a daddy in a Nash!
“glwts”?
There was one that looked just like this with the same rust area nearby me for sale in late 2020 for something like $4500. Since this one is not far from here it makes me wonder if it’s the same car. Not like there’s many around.
Another great writeup, Michelle. This car is crazy cool.
Welcome Michelle! Keep the Nashes coming!
A neighbor’s adult kid had one of these – most unique car around our neighborhood at a time there were many unique brands/models unlike today.
Love it! Jehovah’s Witnesses rode in one of these to canvass our suburban Milwaukee neighborhood in the late 1960s. Quite memorable!
oh boy ! Nice. Even like the colors~
Just a lill wrk under the hood (showy) to bring that up to match the rest
AND
make it a wagon (magic) and I’m ‘on it’.
My mother’s 58 Rambler American had the same two tone color scheme
Sorry, this car is not available. I bought it and had it shipped to Calimesa, Calif. It’s a terrific find and I couldn’t be happier with it.