Nash Motors was around from 1916 to 1954, at which time it acquired Hudson Motor Car to become American Motors. In 1949, they introduced the Airflyte whose design was based upon aerodynamics much like the Chrysler Airflows of the 1930s. This theme continued into the early 1950s and a 2-door wagon (we think) served as the basis for the custom 1950 Nash you see here. Listed in Northfield, Ohio some weeks ago, we presume the vehicle is still available as the ad has not been taken down. $25,000 will buy you a lot of customization work here on Facebook Marketplace.
The styling of the 1949-51 Nash Airflytes was such that the wheel wells covered most of the wheels and tires, which probably limited the turning radius of those autos. They resembled upside-down bathtubs and that’s how the public most often referred to them. The seller of this 1950 custom doesn’t tell us anything about the car before its transformation to that which you see today. Instead, a long list of parts and modifications are listed which implies a lot of time, effort, and money went into this project – but to what end?
We assume mostly the body is all that remains of the Nash that served as the donor for this project. It now has a square tube chassis and Ford Mustang suspension components. Sway bars front and rear were added. Airlines were installed in the rear in support of airbags fore and aft with the air compressor tucked into the trunk floor. The engine/transmission is referred to as a 350-350 which likely means a Chevy 350 cubic inch V8 with a TH-350 automatic transmission. An Edelbrock carburetor was used with electronic ignition. The list goes on and on.
The interior has been fitted with low bucket seats and the floor shifter reaches high into the air. We see only one pedal under the dash, so we wonder how acceleration and braking functions are managed. We’re told some 10,000 miles have been added since all this work was done, so we assume the Nash has gone to its fair share of shows. The seller will entertain a trade, but we don’t know what would float his or her boat.
The obvious pedal is the brake pedal. The underdash picture on FB shows the brake pedal with a gauge on either side. If you look carefully, you’ll see the gas pedal on the right with a cable going through the firewall.
Wow, this is really cool, although, they could have left a little wheel well. Looks almost like a boat. For what it is, it’s remarkably plain inside. No A/C( a fan? Really?) No “puffy” interior, no cosmic gauges, almost looks “reverse” tubbed on the front, it’s an unusual, complicated build, for sure.
To be clear, on original “bathtubs” like this, I think the wheel stance was narrower than most cars, and I don’t recall them turning any less circle than any other car.
It’s so slammed to the ground that in the top pic I thought it was a model-car body with nothing under it.
Me too!
Reminds me of a horseshoe crab. I hate horseshoe crabs.
These were fugly back in the 50’s, my opinion hasn’t changed any
I thought it was one those plastic models to let you see what the color you want , might look like on a car.
This thing takes ugly to a whole new level.
“…but to what end?”
What kind of a weird question is that?
This is an objectively astounding piece of work and the fabricator(s) should be justifiably proud of the result. Looks as though it emerged whole from the mind of the original designer; what he conceived it to be in broad brushstrokes and flowing gestures. The very ’50’s image of autocars before Old Man Practicality and his attendant bean-counters entered the studio. Cool concept and a mind-blowing execution.
To what end? To what end? Sheesh. Don’t get me started on that pedal comment… (shaking head)
I am with you on this one. Who else has worked as a fabricator or engineer in the aftermarket auto industry. Two thumbs up, kudos to the designer builder of both the original car and this custom creation. On top of that, it is an excellent paint job, literally inside & out.
Posted 36 weeks ago!!
Unusual auto, nuff said.
Well at least you don’t have to buy expensive custom wheels for it – cool custom with a turning radius of 75 ft.. It’s an art creation.
Yeah, how do you turn that thing?
Does it have wheels?
Wow, that is just awful.
Best course of action, part it out, put this thing out of its misery.
Listed for sale 36-weeks ago? That’s forever ago, what’s wrong with it?
There is something wrong with the right side of the tailgate. At first I thought it was a shadow, but zooming in, definitely something weird there.
The seams definitely don’t line up..This is a unit-body car, I’m wondering if it’s been “tweaked” in an accident.
G lets all hate it, I think its cool beam me up Scotty
There is a myriad of automotive nightmares out there and this takes the cake.
Looks like a less expensive version of the Ferrambo!
I like it… but how do you change tires?
Haters gotta hate, I guess….but I love this wild thing because it doesn’t look like every other car out there. Much more interesting than some boring ’69 Camaro. Kudos to the builder.
´Hate¨ is reserved for more important things. The problem is called ¨taste¨. This is simply awful and deserves to be parted out, at best.
Just Nope.
Love it!! I’d get custom plates… BNASLUG. We have huge ones here in WA. and they look almost like this. Nearly the same colors too. (Just don’t salt the roads).
UC Santa Cruz mascot- Sammy the (Banana) Slug, Only in Cali!
No outside rear view mirrors. Kind of neat though, and sure would get attention at cars and coffee. My opinion, I’d rather have it in front of my house than most rat rods.
Weld wood master cylinder! That takes you back, doesn’t it?
I’m a spelling snob; don’t really trust people who can’t or won’t.
no, but Kouwell for some.
Return dash, oe hight, 2L – 3 motor (2.8 flattie it had? no, late model AMC 258 w/weber 32/36), even the way they had the 2tone paint was beddah (I’m 1 you’d better not trust jwalt).
For the love of God, can’t you write in plain English ? I’m sure you have a lot of interesting things to say , but no one here understands your posts !!!!!!!!!!!!!