Well, here’s another that I have managed to miss, it’s a 1951 Nash Rambler Airflyte convertible with a sliding top. Perhaps I should refer to it as a “Cabrio coach” as the fabric top slides but there is a B and C-pillar along with door glass window frames. I have encountered such designs before but was unaware that Nash was a marketplace participant. This cute(?) very yellow compact looks sharp and the seller mentions that it’s the only one that he has ever seen and I’ll second that sentiment. That being the case, I’m curious to learn what’s here. This neat Nash is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is available, here on craigslist for $19,500.
Nash referred to this model as a “convertible sedan” and I’m sure there are probably other descriptors beyond plain old “convertible” that could be employed. The seller states, “THIS ONE CAME FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION OF RARE UNIQUE AUTOMOBILES. THIS IS A VERY RARE AND HARD TO FIND AUTOMOBILE“. Actually, it’s one of 14K that were produced in ’51 so it’s not rare per se, but I imagine it’s a rarity to stumble across an example today – especially one that’s as nice as this car. The finish is probably dated but shows as being deep and the stainless trim shines. It’s suggested that the bumpers have been painted and that appears to be the case. I’m not certain what the “Nash-Ville Taxi” proclamation is all about but I imagine this car’s brand and color has something to do with it, but the listing claims that the signage is a decal and can be removed. The folding top looks like new (I imagine a new one would have to be custom-made) and the seller claims, “AND YES THE TOP DOES WORK SEE IT IN THE VIDEO BELOW“. Unfortunately, I can’t locate a video link.
Power is provided by an 82 HP, 173 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine working in concert with a three-speed manual transmission. It’s suggested, “DOES RUN AND DRIVE LIKE IT SHOULD“. The engine image isn’t terribly detailed, but things in the engine room look clean and original. The mileage is listed as either 54K or 59K miles but it is further stated that the odometer is inoperative so the true mileage is unknown.
The interior is a splendid surprise and not what I was expecting to find. I can’t tell whether the gray fabric upholstery mimics the original pattern/material but even if it doesn’t, it’s eye-catching! The dash has been perfectly refinished to match the exterior hue and I can honestly say that I’ve never glimpsed a Nash radio – that’s one you’re not likely to forget. I find it interesting that the front seat backrest is a one-third/two-thirds split which I guess makes back seat entry a bit easier – thoughtful!
Well, now I know what a Nash Rambler Airflyte convertible sedan is and it certainly was a creative design – it incorporates sun and fun top-downing with a more rigid, and probably drier and quieter ride. Independents like Nash needed to rely on creativity to stay in the hyper-competitive automotive biz back in the ’50s and I’d say Nash nailed it with this feature. And that leads us to the matter of price, at $19,500 what do you think, priced right or not quite?
I believe this is the type of car Lois Lane drove on Superman! Not all that rare.
Seems kind of pricey given the gouges don’t work, the bumpers are painted and who knows what kind of mess rhoae signs have made of the paint.
Here’s more about Lois’s Nash:
https://blog.consumerguide.com/photo-feature-1953-nash-rambler-custom-convertible/
Thiugh they weren’t very popular, at least in my area, they were not particularly uncommon either during the 50s. Though I can recall seeing them every now and then I can honestly say I never met anyone that admitted they owned or drove one. Wonder why that is?
Neat little car, looks like alotta fun. The one thing I’ve noticed about Nash was they made all of their cars look like they belonged to the family. This mimicked the big Nashes and a couple of years down the road along came the Metropolitian that had the same skirted wheels and dash style but was smaller yet. I always thought it was kind of odd that when Hudson came out with the compact Jet, it didn’t look like a Hudson but more like a ’53 Ford. Also I believe the little Rambler was available as a 2dr. sedan, 2dr hardtop, 2dr wagon and a sedan delivery. The sedan delivery is probably rarer than this.
My Dad had a 2dr wagon version of this. Burgundy in colour (we lived in Canada at the time). I vaguely remember it but I was only about 5 or 6. Also Dad said that it got terrific mileage. He used to commute between our little Canadian farm and his job in Detroit. He also had a 2dr Studebaker wagon a couple of years later. I’d love to have either of them today.
When I was a younger person, I wanted to get one of these and drop a small block chevy and make it a real sleeper.
Well done. When I feel lije trolling, I always say it needs an LS.
Like trolling. I guess that’s what I get for trolling
The 2-dr ht was called the Country Club and featured a different C-pillar. Much snazzier in the parlance of the day. My dad worked for Nash-Kelvinator so my mom had a 1951 2-dr Rambler. The owner’s manual covered the standard cars as well as the convertible. I remember as a very young lad looking at that booklet and thinking how strange and wonderful it would be to have a convertible instead of the stodgy fixed roof. Probably why I drive a convertible to this day.
What I find most remarkable, however, is that Jim O’Donnell was unfamiliar with this car. I have been reading his articles for years and he is definitely one of the most knowledgeable automotive scribes on the planet. Given the sheer enormity of his contributions he can be forgiven in this instance.
Ah, gee ccrvtt, thanks, I think.
JO
That does indeed look like Lois Lane’s ride !
I’ve owned and regularly driven one of these Nash Ramblers since 1996. It’s a great little car with surprising power and agility. Mine’s a real unicorn in that it’s a rust free example with very low mileage. These cars rusted like crazy so it would be nice to look at it in person. There is no mention of overdrive, an essential component if you want to drive on the highway. It’s usually standard on this model. The interior is not at all like the original. While Nash did have a sort-of yellow, it’s not very bright like this “taxi”. Under the hood was originally body color. This car is missing all of its side and back trim that identifies the model. This car isn’t perfect but seems priced right for its overall condition. The only time I’ve seen another one at a show was at the 2004 100 year anniversary National Nash meet where about 1000 cars showed up. There were six Nash Rambler convertibles….
Quite rare these days, that said my brother and I own 2. They are a hoot to drive and get questions where ever we go. Very reliable and fun.
I also found it in ebay for a buy it now. Very cool looking rare car that is one I have never seen before. How many could be out there???
Hold on- Let’s market this car correctly. Nash merged with American Motors around ‘54. Renault acquired a major interest in American Motors around ‘79. Chrysler purchased American Motors in ‘87. Chrysler was sold (stock swap-buy out) to Daimler and renamed Daimler Chrysler in ‘98.- Daimler owns Mercedes Benz. And even though the merger of Chrysler and Daimler failed and Chrysler was sold to Cerberus Capital Management this Nash should successfully be marketed as “Own a vintage classic historical piece of the Mercedes Benz family for only $19,500 or BRO.”
As the owner of two Ramblers,
I’ve been claiming that for years with good humor! Nobody takes me seriously but they do find the timeline interesting…
Neat ! I knew the Nash/AMC merger was in the early ’50’s, but did not remember when. I was pretty sure that Nash was still on it’s own when this car came out, but … I worked in my Dad’s body shop and was very good at prepping cars for paint. Oui, when all cars used enamel paint. I remember working on one of these convertibles in the 1960’s. The car lived in Wellesley, MA., Professor at Wellesley Collage and he did not drive in the winter. Baby Blue, as he called it, lived in a garage. I hope someone picked up that car after he died. My Mom had a Metropolitan and they were nice cars, a wee bit odd, but nice.
Well, Nash stock converted to AMC stock then was converted to Chrysler stock and then was converted to Mercedes (Daimler-Benz) stock There was no further change of shares when Mercedes sold Chrysler-Ram-Jeep to the hedge fund or when the hedge fund sold it to Fiat that then merged into Stellantis. So, my former 100 shares of AMC as of today are 23 shares of Mercedes Benz Group and 23 shares of Daimler Truck Holdings. But whereas all of the AMC -Jeep-Chrysler history is currently a part of Stellantis, singling out that short period when Chrysler-Jeep was owned by Mercedes is a stretch. By chain of ownership, Nash is today Stellantis.
Brings back memories. I turned 16 in 1959 and inherited a 51Rambler convirt from my grandmother. It was my first of many customs. Nosed and decked, 58 Ford grill, Volkswagen bumpers 52 Buick tail lights, twin rearview mirrors and rear fender antennas, split manifold and dual. exaust. Inside had rolled and pleated bucket seats, Pontiac steering wheel and a good stario system. Sure wish I had it today.
dont think I ever saw a vert airflyte before. Used to like these best (of the ramblers) but lately the lill ’58/60 has me. They’re just so few around. Bud has one & it looks positively pininfarina (in body lines) to me. Also like it as it’s ‘a dwn szed’ in between ‘2 biggies’.
The 2-door Hard Top version of this car is quite attractive. As each model year matured the styling seems to have improved IMO. If I had this I get the bumpers rechromed and look for an original interior. A fun driver and sure attention getter at shows.
I just sold two of these as a pair. One is now running, the other will get a transplant of some sort.. quite possibly an SBC. really.
My farmer neighbor had a little black field beater like this that had a blanket for a top… Was a hearty flat head six in it… Such a cute unique nash.. I’m 72 and it still sticks in my mind.. Had a lot of cool field cars back then… 48 Pontiac fastback, 49 caddy convertible, 55 Plymouth Savoy etc etc… The good old days
I’m a bit younger than you, but I remember my relatives that lived out in the sticks having field cars. What a blast. Especially at around 13 years old. I begged my Dad to let me buy a running ’55 Chevy 2 door post for, yep, $50! He declined. I guess he didn’t want me turfing our 1 acre suburban lot
This is a bargain at 20k. I need another car like a hole in my head. I have had a few Nash over the years. I regret selling my 55 wagon. They roll along quite nice and are caveman stupid to work on. I recall needing a rear drum for mine and in good ole’ fashion AMC style I took one from a 72 Hornet. Long before me but as mentioned, in the original Superman from the early 50s Lois Lane did drive one of these.
My uncle had one of these in the early 50s when I was a little boy. I remember riding in it with the top folded and thinking how cool it was. Young folks think I made it up about this kind of “convertible.” Thanks for publishing this.
My father had the 53 2door hardtop, grey body with maroon top, and a continental spare tire. Always wanted a convertible version after seeing one in Superman on TV.
I heard that one was owned by George Reeves.