I’m instantly transported down to the white sand beaches of Florida with this Coral Pink 1955 Nash Ambassador Custom sedan. It looks like it would be right at home in an old color brochure with people frolicking on the beach and having fun in the sun, especially with the white rims and wide white wall tires. You bet I’d drive this “pink” car, without hesitation. The seller has this beauty posted here on craigslist in Kansas City, Missouri and they’re asking $9,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Henry R. for the tip!
I’m a huge fan of the last-gasp Nash models. I also really like the last Hudsons, but I especially like the Soviet-looking Nash grilles from the mid-1950s. Actually, maybe the USSR copied Nash, that’s more likely. The ’55, ’56, and ’57 Nash Ambassadors are my favorites, especially in a bright color or two-tone scheme, and with the Packard V8, which this example has under the Coral Pink hood.
The only photo showing the standard Continental Kit spare tire on the back was a tiny thumbnail, my apologies for how pixelated it looks here. But otherwise, the seller has a good variety of photos so that’s nice to see for a change. Most of us know that 1957 would be the last year for Nash, sadly, but the Ambassador name lived on under Rambler and AMC badges until the end of 1974. I see a couple of flaws on the exterior of this gorgeous car, and the seller doesn’t mention the body condition at all. They’ve owned it for the last six years and have done some mechanical work and maintenance it sounds like.
I’m bummed to see non-factory seat material. I was hoping for a fabulous 50s sparkly fabric with leather or vinyl on the sides, but I’m sure these reupholstered seats are comfortable year-round. This car has the optional “Airliner Reclining Seats” so that’s nice. The rest of the interior looks pretty good but could use some tweaking as far as some of the vinyl and/or fabric goes to bring it to the next level.
The freshly-painted (?) engine is a 320-cu.in. Packard-sourced Jetfire OHV V8 with 208 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, going through a two-speed “Twin Ultramatic Drive” transmission to the rear wheels. This car is said to look and run great and it sure looks great to me. Optional power steering would be nice here as would an aftermarket AC system, but it’s nice the way it is, too. Are there any fans of the late Nash models out there?
Happy to be the first to comment on this gorgeous Ambassador. The first family car I remember was a 1950 Ambassador Airflite (aka Upside-down bath tub, while Packard was often referred to as A Pregnant Elephant). Our Ambassador was a great road car with spacious interior and plenty of power from 7 main bearing six cylinder, and of course the famous or infamous 😉 reclining seats. IMO this 55 was a great update of 52 restyle. BUT the 56 and 57 Ambassadors especially in tri tones were the best and unfortunately last of the REAL Ambassador line. The price is a Bon Marche. If I had the money and time, I’d be hot on the trail. BTW the interior would likely have been at least two tone complimenting the exterior.
I forgot to mention that our 50 Ambassador served us well until November 59 with only routine maintenance. We might have kept it longer if not for Mom developing arthritis, making in hard to park without Power steering. Can’t help myself, but what would happen if everyone drove a Pink car? 🤔 We would be a Pink CarNation! Still crazy though all the gears ⚙ 🙄
Perhaps people might be more polite and less aggressive drivers if they all drove pink cars. Don’t laugh- I have read where jails, hospitals and psychiatric hospitals have experimented with different colors in their “intake” area (“Pepto Bismol” or “Barbie”- a specific shade of pink is the most popular, I believe) to try to temporarily calm down agitated people who were being incarcerated or admitted, with some level of success. Finding your car in a large parking lot, on the other hand…
Well Pepto Bismol seems to calm the intestines, so maybe the color could sooth the aggression so prevalent in today’s crazy world. I’ve also noticed that drivers of Trucks and SUVS are often overly aggressive. There IS more to life than speed and anger! NO 💩! 😉
I think you’re spot on John.. back in the day Pittsburgh Paint did a study on the psychological effects of color in classrooms and the results were very interesting and led to what is now called Color Theory and is utilized as you mentioned and elsewhere. The study found that bright colors like red, orange and yellow stimulated people and softer colors like blue, green and purple were calming. I also remember reading long ago that the insurance folks were penalizing people who drove red cars because they’d done a study and found they tended to be more aggressive and prone to accidents.
I worked in a Psychiatric Unit and we had a “Pink Room” to help with calming agitated patients. But, as was mentioned, it it only a temporary solution. Patients who were in this room for too long, became more agitated.
I don’t think that would happen in the coral pink Nash!
Ugh. That continental kit is hideous.
And standard equipment, at no extra cost. (According to the author, I’m no expert.)
Yes, sir, at least according to 1955 Nash Ambassador Custom brochures.
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/nash/55nash/bilder/4.jpg
This is why Nash went out of business. Just ugly! Nothing to see here except poor styling. What were they thinking?
Shame on you!
Fortunately in the USA 🇺🇸 we can STILL have our own opinions. Not sure how much longer BUT please try to show a little R E S P E C T. 🙏
Nash didn’t go out of business, They were part of American Motors by this time and the brand was discontinued in favor of the better selling Rambler.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Fortunately in the USA 🇺🇸 we can STILL have our own opinions. Not sure how much longer BUT please try to show a little R E S P E C T. 🙏
My Dad had 53, 54 and 55 Ambassadors all bought new the last 2 had the infamous continental kit as well as the LeMans insignia meaning dual side draft single barrel carburetors the 55 was black with Red top, We loved all the Ambos great cars. Dad went on to purchase a 59, 61, 63 and 70 all Ambos.
I was 5 then… and yes things really were that color. My crayon box had one called ”salmon”….
I have to disagree with a number of people here I think this car is just plain ugly from every angle, A number of years ago I lived in a beach community and my next door neighbor painted their house a similar color and when I ran into them outside they were commenting how much they love the color and my response was but your inside so you don’t have to look at it. They never talked to me again and sold the house a few months later it even appeared on a HG TV show about bargain beach houses. This car is definitely a Florida color.
Many of us think it’s cool as an old and rare classic. You’re entitled to your opinion but we can’t help how you talk to your neighbors!
Fortunately in the USA 🇺🇸, we are STILL able to have our own opinions. Not sure how much longer. 😕 BUT how about a little R E S P E C T ? 🤔 PLEASE! Thank you 😊. Yes, I’m repeating myself, but I feel it’s an
important message!
I don’t get the “Soviet looking grill” comment. The grill is typical Pinninfarina as would be seen on a very early ’50s Ferrari before they adopted the “egg crate” style as a trademark. If you want too see the Detroit influence on the Soviets, Google “GAZ 13 Chaika” and one of the images you see is my old car.
Wow, you used to have a Chaika? What was it like owning one of those? I’ve always thought they were rad. It’s funny to see how long the Soviets kept making cars in the same body style. Not that that’s a complaint! Imagine how much of a better place the world would be if we still made cars with tailfins…
What is the hood ornament called? Relax-O-Man?
I agree, it’s head turner, and I love the color, but the styling on these Nash’s never appealed to me.
Given my predilection for hmmm uh shall we say different vehicles; this Nash would have a cherished spot in my fantasy garage full of oddball automobiles. This triggered a memory. When I was a youngster, there were women who sold cosmetics door to door. The name of the company was Mary K I think. Some of them drove pink colored cars. Also, my grandmother’s favorite color was pink and even though she didn’t drive she always said she wanted a pink 1955 Thunderbird. I was sure down with that. Remember the Pink Ladies in Grease? Rizzo drove a pink early fifties Studebaker. This Nash would have worked well. So here’s to the power of pink. Now if only I had funds and indoor space I would seriously consider making an offer on this one. I’d take it to car shows and park near the tri five Chevies. GLWTS.
BTW the LeMans insignia was for the 252 ci straight 6 dual carbureted all were standard shift with overdrive. 59 and 61 were 327 V-8s with overdrive.
63 was 327 automatic 70 was 343 automatic.