Stored 15 Years: 1951 Nash Statesman

Now, this is a storage space, it looks about as packed as any that I have seen. I wonder what’s under that tarp on the left side of this good-looking 1951 Nash Statesman? I can’t imagine that it looks as interesting or nice as this Nash appears to be. This green giant can be found here on eBay with a current bid price of just over $500 and a buy it now price of $3,300. It’s located in the tv hometown of Rob and Laura Petrie: New Rochelle, New York. Dick Van Dyke was a great show, wasn’t it? I could talk about that show forever, but let’s check out this big Nash!

Whoa, how’s that for a view? Man, this car looks great but unfortunately, these are the only two exterior photos and there are only two interior photos and that’s it. I’m not quite sure why sellers don’t take more photos when they went through the trouble of dragging a vehicle out of its resting spot? You can see that this is the coveted two-door sedan and the Statesman was a mid-level car between the bigger and more luxurious Ambassador and the Rambler.

I wish there were more photos of this car, it looks like it’s in really good condition. The seller says that there will be work to do on it, though. Here is their listing: “Rare ’51 Statesman with fold down beds. Stored inside for 15 yrs, no time to do. Running when parked, suspension and brake work begun then. Car is from South Dakota and is not too rusty, but the left frame rail needs some attention. Original title lost, have xerox, so Bill of Sale only. Very complete, missing air cleaner, horn button, a few other items. Windshield, left blinker, door windows, grille cracked. Great restoration or rod project! Car is for sale locally as well.”

I believe that this is a top sub-model Statesman Custom because of a nicer interior and rear seat folding armrest. One of you will know for sure. There are no engine photos but this should have Nash’s 184 cubic-inch inline-six with 85 hp and 145 ft-lb of torque. If it hasn’t run in 15 years hopefully it’ll turn over and the next owner can get this baby on the road again. Are there any Nash bathtub fans out there? On this one: restore or restomod?

Comments

  1. Avatar Ken

    Does this car start by stepping on the clutch? I had a friend with a ’49 Nash, and his did that.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Ken

      So I buy a membership to Barn Finds (basically forced to if I want to see an unlimited amount of cars), but I don’t have five minutes to edit a comment anymore?

      Like 5
      • Avatar RayT

        I think the “edit” feature only pops up when the general readership gets to read the stories. “Early Access” means you’re pretty much on your own….

        Sometimes makes me mad, too. Was never the world’s best typist, anyway. Plus, of course, I often think of some little bit of info I want to add (or left out, which is more likely).

        Still, I like getting an early look, and am happy to support the BF effort in a small way. Who knows? Some day a car will be listed that I just GOTTA have and I’ll appreciate the head start! (P.S. This one, while nice, isn’t it.)

        Like 6
  2. Avatar Dave Hudach

    I LOVE the Dick Van Dyke Show reference. New Rochelle, NY. In fact, 148 Bonnie Meadow Road. I just read an article from 2017 where the neighbors on the street want to rename the street to preserve its history. From the article: “While 148 Bonnie Meadow Road doesn’t really exist, show creator Carl Reiner actually lived at 48 Bonnie Meadow for a time and is said to have based the series on his own experiences raising a family in suburban New Rochelle.”

    Like 0
  3. Avatar David P. Reeves

    The Dick Van Dyke show is one of my favorites! My favorite trivia is that it was the last prime time sitcom to be filmed entirely in black and white. CBS announced that it’s 1965-66 shows would be in color, and the other networks soon followed suit. Dick Van Dyke wasn’t pulling enough revenue it’s last two seasons for it to be profitable to have the switch, so it just stayed black and white.

    Like 5
  4. Avatar bob

    My wife and I bought a new car last May . She had watched the dealers new car lot for a few weeks looking for the color and options she wanted . Talked to a salesperson and learned they had one ordered for stock which met her wants . We bought the car .
    We/she were never required to pay a fee for being able shop their offerings . Had that been the case we would have moved on and they would have lost a sale .

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Bob

    Ran when parked. It probably ran when manufactured too. Bottom line, it does not run. Could be a fun project.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Mike

      I think it’s the seller’s way to say that the car was parked and not used again not it was parked because it blew the motor.

      Like 3
  6. Avatar Beatnik Bedouin

    This would make a great project for someone, sadly, not me…

    Hope it finds a good home.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Fred H

    They either run or don’t run, None of this “Ran when parked”

    Like 3
    • Avatar Dave Mazz

      Regarding the “Ran when parked” comment… Does this mean it *Didn’t run* once it was moved off of its’ parking spot?? I prefer the more-informative term, “Ran until it didn’t” :-) :-)

      Like 1
  8. Avatar stillrunners

    What a cutie at that price !

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Miguel

    Isn’t this the car that has a fold down front seat that makes a bed?

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Steve Cota

    Ease up guys, The term “Ran when parked” is a very useful term. While it doesn’t guarantee that the engine will run now, or even that it will turn over, It refers to the fact that when the vehicle was last used, it was in running condition. As opposed to ” the engine was frozen, blew up, or there was a rod sticking out the side of the block” It is meant to imply that the engine will be a good core for rebuilding, and wasn’t the reason that the car was put away

    Like 1

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