1941 Nash Ambassador Six

Nash Motors of Kenosha, Wisconsin was founded by former General Motors president Charles W. Nash in 1916 and produced automobiles through the mid-1950s; from 1937 to 1954, it was a division of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, continuing to 1957 after the creation of American Motors Corporation. Mr. Nash had acquired the Thomas B. Jeffery Company which had been in business since the early 1900s, with its most popular automobile being the Rambler. When Nash automobiles appeared in showrooms in mid-1917, they were essentially Jefferey automobiles wearing Nash badges. Power was from a six-cylinder engine designed by Erik Wahlberg, formerly employed at the Oakland Company.

Over 10,000 examples were sold in 1918, climbing to over 27,000 a year later. By 1928 Nash Motors production exceeded 138,000 cars. Nash automobiles were known for being value-engineered, offering quality automobiles at an affordable price. The mid-1930 Nash automobiles were characterized by aerodynamic, fastback designs with rear-wheel fender skirts.

The Nash Ambassador was produced from 1932 through 1957, available with either a six or eight-cylinder engine, in numerous body configurations, on various wheelbase lengths. The 1941 Nash Ambassador 'Six' and 'Eight' both rested on a 121-inch wheelbase platform and measured 200.75-inches in length. The Ambassador '600' had a shorter 112-inch platform and measured 194 inches in length. Styling for the 'Eight' and '600' was nearly identical, but the '600' had a shorter hood and the trunk had a 'Nash 600' nameplate. The Ambassador 'Six' and '600' were very similar except its rear-trunk script stated 'Nash 6.' Body styles were similar, including a business coupe, touring sedan, fastback, brougham, and business coupe. Body styles on the 'Eight' including a cabriolet, brougham, touring sedan, and fastback.

The Nash '600' was priced from $730 to nearly $900, the 6-cylinder was priced from $900 to over $1,100, and the eight-cylinder listed for $1,100 to $1,200. The overhead-valve, inline six-cylinder engine had a cast-iron block, seven main bearings, solid valve lifters, and a displacement size of 234.8 cubic-inches, producing 105 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. The OHV straight-eight cylinder engine displaced 260.8 cubic-inches, had nine main bearings, and delivered 115 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque.

The Nash Ambassador '600' was powered by a 172.6 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine with 75 horsepower. All engines were backed by a three-speed selective sliding gear transmission with a single dry plate clutch and a Hypoid drive with a semi-floating rear axle. Stopping power was provided by hydraulic brakes at all four corners.

Nash produced 80,428 vehicles in 1941, a rather impressive increase over the 63,617 produced a year earlier. Just 5,428 Nash vehicles were produced a year later as the U.S. entered World War II and factories were converted to support the war effort.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2020

Cabriolet
Chassis #: RS67722

This 1941 Nash Ambassador Six Cabriolet is finished in a cream color with a black convertible top and red welting that compliments the red interior. The engine is an overhead-valve inline 6-cylinder unit with a 235 cubic-inch displacement, 105 horsepower, and a three-speed manual transmission. It has a radio, electric clock, and Nash 'Weather-Eye' heater. There are wide whitewall tires and rear fender skirts.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2020