1951 Nash Ambassador

Nash first used the 'Ambassador' name in 1927 and it would continue in operation through 1957 (from 1958 until 1965, the cars were named Rambler Ambassador and then from the 1966 through 1974 model years as the AMC Ambassador). During its early existence, it represented the top trim level, and in 1932 it became its own 'standalone' model.

Following World War II, the Ambassador served as the top-of-the-line Nash automobile. It wore mildly updated styling of the pre-war designs and although the pre-WWII Nash Ambassador was offered with both a six- and eight-cylinder engine, the post-WWII offered was available only with the six. A wood-paneled 'Suburban' body style joined the lineup in 1946 and a convertible in 1948. The convertible production was brief, as it was discontinued for the 1949 model year when Nash introduced its all-new post-WWII designs and unibody construction (replacing the previous separate frame construction).

The styling updates introduced in 1949 would continue through 1951. The previous designs had been 'traditional' and followed a mold seen throughout the industry, albeit with enough distinction to segregate it from the rest of the herd. The 1949 designs were completely unique and much different from other American vehicles traversing the roadways. The smooth and graceful body lines were formed from aerodynamic testing performed in a wind tunnel during the war by the company's Vice President of Engineering, Nils Eric Wahlberg. It rested six inches lower to the ground than the previous designs, which gave it a much lower center of gravity and gave it a performance boost.

The wheelbase continued to measure 121 inches (9 inches longer than the Nash 600) and Nash claimed that its new chassis had 8,000 welds resulting in an increase in rigidity (stated as 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 times more rigid) over conventional cars. The overhead-valve inline six-cylinder engine displaces 234.8 cubic inches and had seven main bearings, a one-barrel carburetor, and 6.8:1 compression. The same three series (trim levels) were offered on the Ambassador, and included the Super, Custom, and Super Special. Body styles initially included a Brougham, and a two- and four-door sedan. In 1950, the Super Special trim level was dropped.

Updates to the 1950 Ambassador included a longer hood (although the wheelbase remained 121 inches and the length at 210 inches), an enlarged rear window, a new cylinder head design on the 234.8 CID, and a GM-built Hydra-Matic transmission. The Hydra-Matic was available only in 1950. The Custom Line was distinguished by its folding center armrest on the rear seat, courtesy lights, a Custom steering wheel, carpeting in the front, and large wheel discs.

1951 Nash Ambassador
For 1951, the Nash Ambassador received the same updates that were bestowed upon the Statesman. These updates included a revised front grille and side marker lights and new rear fenders. The main difference between the Statesman and the Ambassador was a larger platform for the Ambassador. The Statesman rested on a 112-inch wheelbase while the Ambassadors was 9 inches larger at 121 inches. The Statesman was 201 inches while the Ambassador was 211 inches.

Body styles available on the Ambassador line included a 2- and 4-door sedan and a Brougham. They were two series, the Super Line and the Custom Line. The Custom Line models had a rear seat with a folding center armrest, front carpeting, custom steering wheel, large wheel discs, and courtesy lamps.

Nash produced 40 examples of the brougham with the 'Super' trim level and 37 with the 'Custom level. The Super Brougham had a base price of $2,160 and the Custom Brougham listed at $2,320. The two-door Super Sedan was priced at $2,140 and 4,382 examples were sold, compared to the 1,118 examples of the two-door Custom Sedan (priced at $2,300). The four-door Super Sedan was the most popular 1951 Nash Ambassador body style with 34,935 examples built (factory price of $2,162). An additional 21,071 examples were the Custom Line four-door sedan (factory base price of $2,320).

The 61,583 examples of the 1951 Nash Ambassador built represented approximately thirty percent of Nash's total vehicle production.

Powering the Ambassador was an overhead-valve six-cylinder engine displacing 234.8 cubic inches and producing 82 horsepower. It has solid valve lifters, a Carter one-barrel carburetor, seven main bearings, and a 7.3:1 compression ratio.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013