1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach Concept

Sold for $528,000 at 2011 The Scottsdale Auction - Gooding & Company.
After the American Motors Corporation merged with the Nash Company, CEO of Nash-Kelvinator George Mason hired Batista Farina at Pinin Farina as a consultant to the new in-house styling department.

Pinin Farina had creative input on the full range of Nash cars while also handling design work for the 1952-1954 Nash-Healey sports cars. His most eye-catching concept is the two-seat Rambler Coupe called the Palm Beach introduced in 1957 but never put into production.

The Rambler-based 2-seater coupe exemplifies the idea that might have directed American Motors to greater success in 1956. Alas, the advanced, one-of-a-kind Italian dream car was unfortunately never considered for production. All of the major mechanical components including the clutch pedal starting system came from the 100-inch wheelbase Rambler. The flathead straight-six produces 82 horsepower and features a side-draft carburetor required by the low hood. The floor-mounted gearshift operates a three-speed transmission.

Having been exhibited at many auto shows by Pinin Farina, the car was owned by the then-president of the Nash Motor Car Company, Roy Chapin, and it stayed in his family for several years. Bought by Jacques Harguindeguy in 2007, it was shown at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours by his family in his memory. The car was placed in the competitive Postwar Touring class (O-2). After the show, the car was shown at the 2009 Niello Concours at Serrano where it was awarded the 'Hot Italian Award.'