Nash had an interesting line of cars in the late-1940s and early-1950s with the bathtub design Airflite series of cars. This 1950 Nash Statesman Super has been parked since 1998 and was running well when it went into storage. It’s listed here on Hemmings in Orangevale, California and the seller is asking what seems like a very reasonable $2,700 or offer. Thanks to Larry D. for sending in this tip!
What a rear end! I don’t say that too often but this Nile Green car really has a well-designed posterior. Clearly, it’s from an innocent era before tailgaters with those small taillights. Although, there have always been bad and/or rude and aggressive drivers, even in 1950. One neato (as they may have said in 1950) feature of these cars is that when the trunk was raised, there was a light on the left side inside the trunk compartment to warn other vehicles that you’re parked since there are no other rear lights visible from the back.
This is the money shot on these cars in my opinion. Although, I almost want those two almost-merging bodylines that die into the trunk to continue into a point on the trunk lid? Or, better yet, to redirect the top bodyline so it meets where the other line intersects with the trunk lid? A possible and rare missed design opportunity by the otherwise superb Nash design department. Maybe, something like this quick Photoshop exercise?
The interior looks great for the most part. The back seat is almost as cool as it gets, although that’s a seat cover. I tried to find OEM-style seat fabric without much luck but maybe one of you would know where to track it down? The front seat needs it, too. Everything else looks nice inside right down, or up, to the headliner. How about that unique Uniscope instrument pod?
There’s a better view of the Uniscope, that’s just plain cool. We have seen a few Nash “Statesman Super” examples in the past here on Barn Finds and our own Jim O’Donnell showed us a nice appropriately-dusty barn find four-door sedan a year ago here. They’re super interesting cars from an interesting period of time, post-war when things were slowing down for car companies and yet another war was on the horizon. This one has some ancient bodywork but it sounds like rust isn’t an issue, in fact, it’s rust-free according to the seller.
I’m tearing up a bit here, a seller has actually provided engine photos! And I don’t mean just one lousy photo, but three engine photos! Check out the Hemmings link to see all of the photos. This should be Nash’s 184 cubic-inch inline L-head six with 85 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The seller says that it turns over and I have no doubt that most Barn Finds readers would have this sweet Nash on the road again in no time. Any thoughts on this Statesman?
These are interesting cars no matter how you look at it. And economical for it’s day with the 6. Nice to know it’s rust free; makes restoring this all that much easier. Couldn’t help but notice the original owner opted for the factory fog lamps–a VERY rare option few chose! But it begs for a set of period-correct whitewall cokers. I’d restore it in it’s original glade green shade too. Rode in a restored `51 sedan once, and couldn’t believe how smooth the ride was! The back seat rivals anyone’s couch at home!
“These are interesting cars no matter how you look at it.”
I prefer NOT to look at it.
Sorry it isn’t a `63 Split-window Fuelie Vette Steve, but that doesn’t mean it’s not interesting for it’s own merits.
Then don’t. Why would you have clicked on it if you didn’t want to look at it?
That “uniscope” looks like a pretty crazy idea. Almost as if they built the dash and forgot to put cutouts for the instruments and later added it. Cool car though.
Love it! Wish it was in my garage, but sadly I’m lacking space. Sure won’t last long at that price.
When I was a little kid, I loved cars and a neighbor bought one of these. We thought it was the funniest thing we had ever seen and we made up jokes about it. Another neighbor had bullet nose Studebaker and we thought that was just about as bad. What did I know I was maybe 10 years old. Now I think that’s sort of a neat old car. I would put it back to as close to original as I could. It would be my penitence for making so much fun of it as a 10 year old, know it all.
There’s enough there to work with… I’d go the “sympathetic Restoration” route on this one in order to get it up & driving. The price is absolutely reasonable. If I wasn’t shoulder deep in two other car projects, I’d snap this one up as it’s about 25 miles from my shop.
This and an Ugly Sweater for the Holiday parties (or Cars and Coffee) would make a great complement to each other
For some reason Nash had a weird habit of starting up by themselves when left unattended. The Metropolitans did as well. Had a friend of mine who’s father got so mad that his Nash wouldn’t stay at home and wanted to wander off by itself that he sold it and said “let it find it’s own home I’m done with it” LOL.
Did people REALLY buy this monstrosity in 1950?
I dont know.
I like these and the Airflytes. For some reason in a lot of old black and white movies of the late Forties, early Fifties, the cops drove these and later model Nashs.
They’re different.
They were seen as looking futuristic at the time.
My dad bought a new ‘49 and a new ‘50. Remember them well. He also bought a ‘53 and a ‘55.
That was Nash’s best year over 250,000 cars.
I have always loved this body style! If I hadn’t bought a Studebaker Lark in need of some care I would be all over this one. I guess I lean towards the un-big 3…
Notice the similarity between this design and the ’48 Packard also shown today? It was the late ’40s and early ’50s! I think this car has more potential than that ’48 Packard. Besides, who doesn’t love an ugly car from the “50s?
There’s a chance you could get it driving safely for under a grand . For added interest polish what’s left of the chrome and brush paint it with a matching gloss urethane.
Nash actually did wind tunnel tests to design these and they were considered aerodynamic and got good gas mileage. The turning circle was the size of Philadelphia.
The turning radius for the ’50 Nash Statesman is 20′ 2″ (40′ 4″ turning circle).
The turning radius for a ’50 Cadillac model 62 is 20′ 6″ (41′ turning circle).
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Nash/1950_Nash/1950%20Nash%20Airflyte%20Foldout/1950%20Nash%20Airflyte%20Foldout-04.html
Two years ago I bought a 1949 Nash Airflyte 600 Super 2 Dr. With 18, 641 miles on it. It had been sitting un driven since about 1992. Mavel oiled the cylinders and let it sit for a week(didn’t need to) turned it over by hand. Rebuilt the carb and fuel pump. Rewired the distributor, that was wired backwards and it started on first click.
Runs great! I love ugly cars, lol. Two tone gray, overdrive, twin bed seats, underdash lights a real optioned out car.
When I was but a wee lad, Dad was a salesman for Kelvinator, a division of Nash. His position included a new Nash every year and I well recall these odd looking cars from this style to the more conventional later models. Comfortable, smooth and with enough back seat room to host a square dance. I almost wish I had one of these now rare cars to cruise the local shows and even take occasional supermarket runs in.
It may not be the end-all to be-all vehicle compared to today’s transportation but if aerodynamic, extremely comfortable, fuel efficient, non-computer chip, low maintenance transportation that you can work on yourself is important to you, this could be your car!
What was the model where the backseat converted into a full-size bed for sleeping?
1936 Ambassador started it with the rear seat opening into the trunk. 1949 600 and Ambassador changed to front seat letting down into rear seat.
Your comment re: that 3/4ths angle of the rear “money shot”…. I immediately thought: Ha! The Marlin’s as well.
I love this car, it’s so outrageous, almost as much so as those two monsters at the other end of the decade, the ’58 Lincoln and ’59 Cadillac
Looks like Steve Clinton was out-voted.
Steve makes good points. It was/Is a very polarizing design. You either love it or hate it. BUT, if you look at modern cars profile, especially crossovers, the side profile is almost the exact same. It’s all a matter of what works for you. I own a 49 and usually get compliments. Rarely insults and if so humorously as in Steve’s comments.
Well. It’s not a C2 Corvette or 65 Riviera, but far better looking than any of the ugly junk The Big Three were building in 1950. My dad bought a new 1950 Buick and brought me home from St Francis Hospital in Port Jervis, NY in it. Butt ugly if you ask me, just as bad as Moms 59 Ford station wagon. Total junk.
Be still my heart!…I want. Good thing I’m in Vermont, otherwise…
Love these cars.
My Dad worked at N-K in Detroit when I was born and drove a 4-door 1950 Ambassador two-tone dark green over light green. I don’t recall much about it other than the reclining seats, but it is definitely one of the coolest cars ever made. I would restomod one with tastefully subdued cloth upholstery, dark blue metallic over silver blue paint, and a more modern drive train – GM Atlas straight 6 and an automatic trans. Wide whites are absolutely the correct look for this era.
Cheap at twice the price.
Not one Superman comment,, :(
Oh ok, since you insist, lol. At several car shows there have been Nash-Healeys. The owner invariably states that this was the car Superman drove. Not this exact car but one like it. WRONG! LOL I point out that It was the car Clark Kent drove. Superman didn’t need a car, he could fly.
I love it and am going to contact the owner. If it doesn’t have a bad engine, it will be easy to be driving it in no time.
here’s nother I’m tempted to say “only in the wagon”, but these are just great. The 3/4 rear shows it. Ck the rounded tail lghtless fins, the tucked in tail lights…
I had the nxt gen rambler (a vert, just lucky I guess) as my second or sompin car. The paint was so bad I used to ‘mount it’ like a horse, jump down offa a porch or other, run acc the trunk & dive into the drivers seat. Kids R Krazy even if day is U. They made such a smooth i6 I have nother set of stories on that alone.
Being me the customizing ideas flow (usually “sleeper’) but one I invision is a hatch. An almost circular reinforcer at the “B” so the trunk opens above the rear window. Imagine the kaiser vagabond/travelier or packard (was there more?) with the rear opening for access. This nash hasa lotta room…
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English would be preferred.
Chrlsful has a way with words lol.
But he is a die-hard gear head who loves all cars, from what I can tell. I enjoy his posts, just some times it takes a second to figure out what he means. I bet he would be a blast to hang out with!
I’m from south east Wisconsin, live in Milwaukee but a strong familial bond to Kenosha. As ugly as these are (and they are butt ugly…hairy butt ugly), I love them .they are just neat old cars!
Get it running, clean it up a little and D R I V E it
I’ve tried contacting them twice and haven’t received any reply. Maybe it’s sold already?? I love the “Orphan” Makes.
I ended up buying this today. While it has a lot of positives. It also has some issues. The freeze plugs are rusted through it spots and the radiator it shot. Also both hood hinges are bent and need replacement. But, I was able to get it to run for a few seconds. It need a new fuel pump and carburetor rebuilt. I love the car and am looking forward to having her on the road again after over forty years.
That’s great! Good Luck! Keep us in the loop about your progress. Most of us ( lol) would love to see your progress,
Nash Car Club of America. Lots of nice people with info to share.
MKG, I was a member for many years. But, stopped as events dwindled in my area. I went to the site and couldn’t find many leads on what I was looking for. It’s much different now that people are interested in them. Parts seem to be harder to find.
That’s great news, Lee! Congratulations! As Mountainwoodie mentioned, please keep us up to date on your progress, I hope you get it back on the road soon!
Just an update on the Nash. After getting the car home. I rigged up a gas can to the fuel pump and she fired right up. I was able to drive her off of the trailer and start working on much needed repairs.
I rebuilt the brake system, replaced the radiator, new shocks, new fuel and water pumps. Cleaned the gas tank and lines.
The motor smokes badly and I am going to put a new engine in it this summer.
My wife and I have been enjoying the great weather and taking the car out for evening drives. There is much more to do. But, she is back on the road and being enjoyed as she is.
Lee, thanks for the updates! Would love to hear more about your new project as you proceed with it. Please keep us informed!