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1957 Nash Ambassador Series 80

As Nash Motors embarked on what would become its final decade - the 1950s - they enjoyed a period of record sales and prosperity. In 1952, they celebrated their 50th anniversary as the predecessor firm, the Thomas B. Jeffery Company, marketed its first cars in 1902. 1952 was also the year that the Nash Ambassador received its last complete restyling that carried over into 1954 almost unchanged. Like many other automakers, Nash sales fell sharply in 1952 due to materials restrictions caused by the Korean War. When the restrictions were lifted following the end of the war, Ford and G.M. quickly increased supplies to the dealerships and were financially able to offer deep discounts on their merchandise. Slows sales, significant development costs, and competition were detrimental to the independent carmakers - Nash, Hudson, Kaiser, Packard, and Studebaker - and none would survive the 1950s. Some of these companies merged, helping to prolong their existence, but continued to struggle in the highly competitive marketplace.

Even with the end in sight, Nash continued to introduce new innovations and offer a product that was unique among its peers. The 1954 Nash Ambassador was the first American automobile to have a front end, fully integrated heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system. This system, known as the Weather Eye, could be installed with Nash-Kelvinators' advanced automobile air conditioning unit. The air conditioning systems offered by other manufacturers in America at the time on some models were operated via a large and heavy, trunk-mounted expander and heat exchanger that funneled the air into the car via clear plastic tubes and out through ceiling-mounted vents. The innovative system used by Nash - in comparison - was both compact and inexpensive. It was installed under the hood and could either circulate fresh or recycled air. The company described it as 'a good and remarkably inexpensive' system. It was operated by a single thermostatic control and was priced well below the systems offered by other carmakers. In 1955, Ford did not offer an optional air conditioning system and even a heater was not always standard equipment. The optional air conditioning unit offered by Oldsmobile was $550 and Chrysler's was $570, much higher than Nash's $345 unit.

Despite its legacy and numerous innovations, Nash-Kelvinator merged with the ailing Hudson Motor Car Company as of January 14, 1954, to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). Nash and Hudson's dealers sold Ramblers that were identical except for the 'Nash' or 'Hudson' badging, and these models provided the lion's share of the company's sales. 'Senior' Nash and Hudson models continued to be marketed, but sales continued to decline.

The styling of the 1956 and 1957 Nash models were offered in a variety of two- and three-tone color schemes and styling was updated in the rear. Significantly, the 1957 models were among the first cars in the industry to come equipped with 'quad' headlights as standard equipment. The Ambassador received a large oval grille, new front fenders, spear-like side trim, and a fender top parking light. They had a lower roofline, full wheel cut-outs, and a lower stance due to the switch from 15- to 14-inch wheels. The rear styling remained largely unchanged but the front was noticeably different as a result of 'un-skirting' the front wheel openings, ending a Nash styling tradition dating to 1949. A Nash-designed 327 cubic-inch, overhead valve V8 engine was standard on the Ambassador and with a Carter four-barrel carburetor it produced 255 horsepower. It had hydraulic valve lifters, a 12-volt electrical system, dual exhaust, five main bearings, and 9.0:1 compression.

The 1957 Ambassador was offered in both Super and Custom trim levels with the 'Custom' adding the 'Custom' script on the fenders, full wheel covers, and dual molding lightning streak trim. The 'Super' sedan was priced at $2,820 and the 'Custom' sedan was listed at $3,010. The latter was more popular with 5,627 units sold compared to 3,098 of the 'Super.' The two-door 'Custom' hardtop was priced at $3,100 and 997 examples were sold, compared to 608 of the 'Super' hardtop ($2,910).

Power brakes, an electric clock, Airliner reclining seats, and padded sun visors were standard on the Custom and optional on the Super. Unique amenities available only to the Custom trim were the three-tone paint schemes and special leather seat trim. Optional to both trims were power steering, powerlift windows, Back-O-Matic lights, windshield washer, factory applied undercoating, heavy-duty springs and shocks, oil filter, Hydra-Matic automatic overdrive, two-tone paint, twin speaker radio, Continental tire mount, All-Season air conditioning, and Weather-Eye heating and ventilating system.

While the Rambler accounted for 1.78 percent of the market share, the Nash automobiles accounted for just .06 percent. The total number of Nash Ambassadors sold in 1957 was 10,330 units, fewer than the 15,531 examples produced the previous year.


by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022

Related Reading : Nash Ambassador History

The Nash Ambassador was produced from 1932 through 1957. When Nash merged with Hudson Motors in 1954, the Ambassador name was continued, though it was now known as the AMC Ambassador. The name persisted until 1974. The Ambassador was Nashs top-of-the-line offering when first introduced. These vehicles were outfitted with fine upholstery and luxury amenities. The base price was set at %242,090. In....
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Related Reading : Nash Ambassador History

The name Ambassador was used to designate a senior line of Nash Motors automobiles, a product of American Motors Corporation. The Ambassador was a high trim option on Nashs senior models from 1927 until 1931. During the 1927 model year, a five passenger sedan version of the Nashs 267 model, the advance Six automobile with a trimmed four door was introduced, and it was the most expensive vehicle....
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1957 Nash Ambassador Series 80 Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$295-$2,820
1957 Ambassador Series 80
$3,100-$16,800
1957 Nash Ambassador Series 80 Price Range: $2,820 - $3,100

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1957 Nash Models
$1,960 - $2,635

Ambassador

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
21,428
121.30 in.
6 cyl., 252.60 CID., 130.00hp
$2,365 - $2,735
15,531
121.30 in.
6 cyl., 252.60 CID., 135.00hp
8 cyl., 250.00 CID., 190.00hp
8 cyl., 352.00 CID., 220.00hp
$2,350 - $3,340
10,330
121.30 in.
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 255.00hp
$2,820 - $3,100

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