Well, this is Barn Finds though a lot of our features aren’t the genuine article. This 1951 Nash Rambler two-door station wagon, however, is the real thing as it has been found lurking in a barn in Lyle, Washington. The listing suggests, “Rough shape – would make an awesome street rod or restore“. Got that “rough shape” part right; as for the rest of the suggestion, well, let’s see. Those with a potential interest will find this curiously styled station wagon here on craigslist for $2,000 or a reasonable offer. Gunter K gets the nod for this discovery!
I have always found these Nash Airflyte models to resemble a bumper car though this sad example looks more like a bumpee car. The few images will have to do the talking as there really are no listing details. All ’51 Nashs incorporated “Airflyte” aerodynamic styling with the Rambler series being the smallest and entry-level model. Regardless of body style, all Ramblers came in two-door body styles only. Station wagons were offered in both Suburban and Custom trim though the condition of our subject car makes specific determination difficult. Safe to say, it’s missing lots of stuff, and what’s there is not in the best condition though extensive rot does not appear to have taken over just yet.
Definitely, a non-runner, the 82 HP, 173 CI in-line, six-cylinder engine probably hasn’t turned a lick in many moons. It does appear to be complete, however. The mileage is listed as 76K miles but the seller mentions that the odometer is a rollover, so, 176K miles perhaps? A three-speed manual transmission was the only game in Nash Rambler world in ’51 though an overdrive option was available.
As for the interior, it’s hard to say as it’s not photographed other than this glimpse through the driver’s side door. The door panel is obviously missing but that’s probably the least of one’s worries when it comes to performing an interior restoration. One other image shows what looks like a lot of detritus piled up inside so I’d assume the worst – the interior is probably as disheveled as the exterior.
So, an awesome start to a street rod or $100 a ton scrap F.O.B., Long Beach for Asian export? Probably neither as the seller’s “restore” suggestion holds water for me. Sure, it would be a task but what an unusual and largely forgotten model, it would be great to see it out and motivating about just as Nash intended almost three-quarters of a century ago. What’s your thought, a viable project or forget it and move on?
Beep beep, beep beep, those horns used to go beep, beep, beep,,all this says, is collectively, we’ve reached the bottom of the barrel, and this has to be the last Nash wagon to be found. Normally, I’d say a great parts car, but for who? Again, these have to be found with the plastic on the seats, NEWSFLASH,,nobody is going to restore this. It’s okay, in that, rather than just tow it away, perhaps a shred of interest that maybe someone would want it. Can’t argue that.
Exactly! You posted my thoughts perfectly. This just proves that just because something is rare and found in a barn, that doesn’t mean it’s valuable or desirable. Do I hope someone is foolish enough to buy and totally restore this car? Of course. I don’t want any car to vanish. Do I see it happening? Nope. Best hope is that someone gets some needed parts off of it.
Whatever happened to “buy the best you can find”?
Todd, if that’s the strategy then perhaps Barnfinds isn’t the best website to visit?
As for this car…it’s probably doomed to remain as yard art?
Don’t laugh, I live in a VERY artsy community, everyone is an artist, and paying unreal prices for pretty pictures to hang on the wall. The ultimate in “too much money”, and I say, put the headlights in, leave it in the shed, and have someone paint a picture with some catchy caption. I almost guarantee, it would sell faster than the car itself.
I’m NASHing my teeth just looking at this unloved rust bucket.
Howard,
Art is in the eye of the beholder!
Back in the late 1990s a lady friend of mine had a 10 acre rural lot & home where she lived. Out back, and not in view of adjoining property lines, she had a 1949 Plymouth sedan that had been in her family since new. It was terribly rusted – no floors at all.
A County inspector came onto her property [as allowed by law] and cited the car as solid waste, giving her 30 days to get rid of it. She’s one of those people who you don’t really want to antagonize, with a very devious mind.
She went to the art department at the local college, and found a student willing to paint artwork all over the car, AND SIGN HER WORK. My friend then towed the car to the front of her property, and using pressure-treated 2X6 boards, created a wooden “Frame” around the car. She took photos of the “framed & signed artwork”, and sent it to the Zoning office, with the comment “The ball is in your court!”
They ended up in court, where the Judge sided with my friend, explaining to the county that the car met the county and state definition of protected artwork. She also ask for [and got] an order requiring the county to make arrangements in advance if they wanted to inspect her property.
A couple of years later after putting up with regular requests to inspect her property for violations [and finding none of course], She took the county to court, asking for relief from harassing inspections, and the court agreed.
She then arranged for more artists to take old toilets and turn them into art. She put 4 to 6 [I can’t remember the number for sure] toilet artworks in a line across the front if her property, and planting roses in the bowls and tanks. She also posted a small sign along with the new artwork, explaining the reasons she placed them, including the explanation of how she was a victim of the county’s harassment.
The county then made a big mistake, citing the sign as a violation because she had not obtained a sign permit. She countered with the fact the sign was a political protest, protected by law. Of course the county lost that case too, and was ordered to pay all her legal fees.
She brought a counter-suit for harassment and won, the county having to pay $10,000, per jury decision. The head of the zoning office was removed, and ended up resigning.
Put an LS in it
Lol.. I’m surprised that no one has said, “Oh, the Patina! Clear coat it and drive it as is!”
Not even fit for yard art.
There was a two door version of this in the classic row of the u- pull -it. much nicer than this and complete. Not one part left it while it was there. That car had a beautiful grille. This car here is a 300.00 scrap candidate. Overpriced junk only hastens the demise of these types of cars. Cars like this would be fun but spending 10 times for a no so desirable car is out.
Howard, you must live in Salida, based on your description of the town.
Bingo, Todd! Trying hard to be the new Aspen. It’s a nice place, transitioning fast with plenty of problems, affordable housing being the biggest issue. I live in a govt. assisted housing complex, otherwise I couldn’t live here. The art community has shows and gatherings people from all over attend. Usually, once they visit, they end up moving here.
My dad had a 1955 pink Rambler station wagon. We pulled his new 23 foot Lone Star Cruise Liner home from Indiana to Iowa with it. It had a GM hydromatic and a big flathead six with amazing power. Didn’t phase it, the boat was twice the size of the car.
They were actually nice cars. We had a lot of Nash Automobiles, because my great uncle was CEO of Nash Moror Co.
That’s pretty cool and generally Nash/Rambler fan base, it was in the family. The old Nash test track located in Burlington, about 20 miles west of Kenosha, is still being used for other purposes, but the test track remains intact.
Would it have been CEO George Mason ? Or Romney, perhaps ?
Definitely be the only one at Cars & Coffee. Love the styling, reminds me of Packards that same vintage. Somebody please save it.
Packards of thesame period looked like pregnant guppies.
Yet they were voted Car of the Year.
I don’t see any body restoring this car, I suspect it will either be a parts car or someone turns it into a street rod. A beautiful example can be bought for $20,000, and it will cost twice that [or more] to restore.
Zimmerman Museum in LA has a bit later model, in excellent condition, the fit and finish are amazingly good. In the ’50s (and before) 100,000 miles was the useful life of the engines before a rebuild, except for Buicks most notably, so I doubt this has 167,000 miles.
My Dad would often put 100,000+ miles a year on his business car.
He often purchased a new car about a week after they were introduced and sell them just before the new ones were introduced.
I dont think he traded the old one in, but I really dont know for certain.
In the intervening time were always his holidays and then he used the family car. I do remember one family car he drove forever, a 3 colored Packard 400.
A most ” unusual” find ! There aren’t many of these left any longer . Everything , has a certain value , big or small . Somebody , somewhere , may want this old 1951 Nash Rambler . Price ? It’s worth whatever somebody is willing to pay for it . The same is true whether your selling a ’37 Hupmobile or a late model BMW , right ? Happy Motoring !
Certainly not worth $2k to most folks and not a worthwhile restoration project unless a person just wants to do and has the time and money to do it without expecting to recover their investment. I have seen a few of these hot rodded, and turn out ok. The most notable one was a little newer and had a Ferrari suspension and mid-engine drivetrain installed and it was a killer show car, known as Ferrambo…
Ferrambo is now in the LeMay America’s Car Museum in Tacoma WA. I moved it there from the builder’s shop when I worked for them.
Haters! Ok she’s not a 63 Riviera the official car of 2023. But…she looks solid. Interior? What interior. She’s made outta that old 50’s steel..when youre melting down tanks hey why not go thick. Engine? When you’re a retired master mechanic that mill is right up your alley. I mean at 69 years old I ain’t dating Taylor Swift this weekend. I disassemble it . Put phone on leave me alone and rebuild it. Invent an interior. Paint robins egg blue. Slap a surf board on it. Sell it in a beach town. Go to Rome next summer. Alas youth. No imagination
The only novelty here would be to successfully break the engine loose and see it run again. A unibody exposed to that environment 73 years is likely a lost cause.