1953 Nash Healey Pininfarina

Nash-Kelvinator president George Mason was returning from Europe in 1949 on the Queen Elizabeth. During the journey, he met Donald Healey, a British sports car designer, and builder, whose cars used Riley drivetrains. Mr. Healey was bound for Detroit, where he intended to buy Cadillac engines for a new series of cars. Mr. Mason told Mr. Healey that if a deal with Cadillac did not work out, he would supply Nash Ambassador engines instead. The Cadillac discussions proved to be unproductive, so a shipment of Nash drivetrains was soon dispatched to England.

British metalsmiths Panelcraft of Birmingham clothed the first Nash-Haley roadsters in Aluminum, and prototype examples were shown in the fall of 1950 and production commenced in December. A Nash-engined car was entered by Healey in the 1950 Le Mans race in June, finishing fourth among 29 remaining cars and beating Briggs Cunningham's two Cadillacs.

A prototype example was shown in September of 1950 at the Paris Motor Show, and a production model debuted at the February 1951 Chicago Auto Show. Donald Healey gave the first example to Petula Clark, a British singer, actress, and composer. When it arrived in Nash showrooms, it had a price of $3,767, which was very expensive, and few were sold. Available colors included 'Sunset Maroon' and 'Champagne Ivory.' Mason hoped that it would attract buyers into the showroom, either to buy the Nash-Healey or a Nash automobile. After two years and just 250 sold, Mason and Healey tried a different approach. Believing the problem may be the British styling, coachbuilder Pinin Farina of Turin, Italy, was contracted to perform a makeover on the American Nashes. The running chassis was then sent from England to Italy where they received Farina steel bodies and re-shipped to the United States. The design featured closely spaced headlamps on the edge of the grille that were later used on the domestic 1955 and 1956 Nashes. Aluminum was used for the hood, trunk lid, and dashboard, while the remaining was made of steel.

The restyled car was introduced in 1952 at the Chicago Auto Show. The 1953 examples had a base price of $5,908 which was considerably more than other sports car options including the Chevy Corvette which sold for $3,513.

Demonstrating the car's performance, Nash-Healeys returned to Le Mans again in 1952 and 1953. The team placed third overall in 1952, behind two Mercedes-Benz, and took a class title for cars of three to five liters. A single entry contested the 1953 event and finished eleventh. The Nash-Healey team had a respectable showing in the 1952 Mille Miglia.

The engine was a Dual Jetfire 252 cubic-inch overhead valve inline 6-cylinder unit that it used since the 1951 introduction. Over the years, several upgrades were added, including a lightweight aluminum head, larger displacement, and enhanced twin carburetors.

Despite the performance, the addition of a Le Mans coupe in 1953, and the attractive Pinin Farina styling of the second-generation cars, production came to a close in August of 1954 with only 252 examples built. A total of 506 examples were built between 1951 and 1954, with approximately 50 examples built in 1953.

Dimensions and Mechanical Specifications

The Nash-Healey roadster had a 102 inch wheelbase, an overall length of 170.75 inches, a width of 64 inches, and a height of 48 inches. The coupe resided on a 108 inch platform with a length of 180.5 inches, a width of 65 inches, and a height of 55 inches. The front and rear track was 53 inches; after 1951, the rear track increased to 54.87 inches.

The box-section ladder-type steel frame chassis from the Healey Silverstone widened and reinforced, and the suspension was courtesy of trailing links, coil springs, and an anti-roll bar at the front. In the back was a Nash-supplied torque tube and live axle, with lateral location of the axle provided by a Panhard rod.

Stopping power was courtesy of 10-inch Bendix drum brakes at all four corners. The steel wheels had full-diameter chrome hubcaps and were wrapped by 4-ply 6.40×15-inch whitewall tires. Steering was via Marles steering gear.

Engine

The Nash-supplied engine from the Ambassador was an inline six-cylinder 234.8 cubic-inch (3.85 liters) unit fitted by Healey with a higher-compression aluminum cylinder head and twin 1.75-inch (44 mm) SU carburetors. It had a cast iron block, aluminum cylinder head, an 8.1:1 compression ratio, two overhead valves per cylinder, water cooling, a 3.375-inch bore (86 mm), and a 4.375-inch stroke (111 mm). The modifications made by Healey increased the output from 112 horsepower to 125 hp at 4,000 RPM and 210 ft-lbs. of torque at 1,600 RPM.

The larger 253 cubic-inch (4,146cc) OHV inline-6 used from 1953 forward had a 3.5 inch bore (89 mm) and 4.375 inch (111 mm) stroke. It had an 8.25:1 compression ratio, a cast iron block, an aluminum cylinder head, two Carter YH carburetors, and produced 140 bhp at 4,000 RPM and 230 ft-lbs. of torque at 2,000 RPM.

Transmission

The transmission was a Borg Warner T-86E 3-speed manual with Borg Warner overdrive.

The aluminum coachwork was designed by Healey with its creation handled by Panelcraft Sheet Metal of Birmingham. From 1952 through 1954, the bodies were built in Italy by Pinin Farina. Some components, including the trim, bumpers, and grille were from Nash. Final assembly of the automobile was handled at the Healey factory in Warwick.

The interiors were luxurious, with leather upholstery, an adjustable steering wheel, foam rubber cushions, and a cigarette lighter.

Once the Nash-Healey automobiles were fully assembled, they were shipped to the United States and marketed through the Nash dealership network.

In 1953:

- a new closed coupe joined the roadster (convertible)

- introduction of the 'Le Mans' coupe in honor of the 3rd place finish at Le Mans by a lightweight racing Nash-Healey purpose-built special

- the 1953 'Le Mans' model was awarded first prize in March 1953 at the Italian International Concours d'Elegance held at Stresa, Italy.

- 'Safety-Vu' inboard headlights

- Nash Motors and Nash dealers sponsored over 20 major golf tournaments across the country.

- golfer Sam Snead and his Nash-Healey roadster were on the cover of the June 1953 issue of Nash News.

- a roadster owned by Dick Powell was driven by George Reeves, as Clark Kent, in four TV episodes of the Adventures of Superman.

Production

- 1951: 104

- 1952: 150

- 1953: 162

- 1954: 90

Total: 506. The Nash-Healey registry has recorded 520 units, which includes racing variants and prototypes.

Performance

The 1951 Nash-Healey could sprint from zero to sixty mph in 11.5 seconds and had a top speed of 103 mph.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible by Pininfarina

The Nash-Healey was a two-seat sports car produced for the American market between 1951 and 1954. Sometimes erroneously described as the first American sports car built since the Great Depression, it was in fact the product of an Anglo-American partnership between the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and British engineer and automaker Donald Healey.

Nash Motors supplied the Ambassador's long, heavy & bulky inline six-cylinder OHV engine. Healey fitted a lighter, higher-compression aluminum cylinder head in place of the cast-iron stock item and also, on the smaller engine, installed the twin 1.75-inch SU carburetors that were popular on British sports cars.

Many judge the 1953-54 Farina-styled Nash-Healey's more critically than the 1951 models. Nevertheless, the 1953 'LeMans' model was awarded first prize in March of that year in Italy. In light of meager sales for the preceding years, Nash delayed introduction of the 1954 models until June 3 and discontinued the convertible, leaving just a slightly reworked 'Le Mans' coupe, distinguished by a three-piece rear window instead of the previous one-piece glass.

Nash cut the price by more than $1,200 to $5,128, but production finally ceased in August, 1954. A total of 507 production Nash-Healey's were built in the four-year model run.

Convertible by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 12486

This 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $100,000. The vehicle was offered without reserve.

The managing director of the Donald Healey Motor Company of Warwick, England, Mr. Donald Healey, had created a car and outfitted it was a Nash Ambassador engine and drive line. The resulting creation was entered in the grueling 24-Hour of LeMans endurance race in July of 1950. At the conclusion of the race, the car was sitting in fourth place which was truly a remarkable accomplishment and a true testament to the durability of the automobile. In honor of this success, Nash ordered a limited number to be created for the public.

The cars came complete with an overdrive transmission, a six-cylinder engine fitted with an aluminum head and dual carburetion. A prototype example was created and given a light-weight aluminum body. Upon completion, it was shown at the 1950 Paris Automobile Show. Production began in December of 1950 with a total of 36 examples created in that month. From January through March of 1951, an additional 68 examples were created bringing the total of 104.

Standard equipment included the 234.8 cubic-inch engine that produced 125 horsepower, chrome wheel discs, adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery, directional signals, foam rubber cushions, and five four-ply whitewall tires. Only two colors were available, Champagne Ivory and Sunset Maroon.

Production was frozen from April of 1951 through January of 1952 while Pinin Farina of Turin, Italy created a new roadster body. There would be a total of 150 examples of the Roadster created when production resume. Nash produced the engine and main parts in their Kenosha, Wisconsin plant. These parts were then sent to England where Donald Healey's Company assembled these parts to the chassis and 'trailing link' front-end suspension. This chassis was then sent to Pinin Farina who attached the custom bodies which had been built by hand.

The new Roadster made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February of 1952. A Nash-Healey was entered in the 1952 LeMans race where it emerged First in Class and third overall. A total of 58 cars had entered the race with only 17 crossing the finish line.

A hardtop model was introduced in early 1953. A total of 162 roadsters and hardtops were constructed during this year. The hardtop versions are often referred to as the LeMans hardtop.

In 1953, the Nash-Healey carried a hefty sticker price of $3,982.

This example is powered by a 4.1-liter straight six LeMans dual Jetfire engine coupled with twin Carter Sidedraft carburetors and producing 135 horsepower. It is finished in original Champagne Ivory with Burgundy top and interior. It is a well restored car that has seen very little use in the past few years.

On auction day the low range of the estimated value was $60,000. A high bid of $60,500 including buyer's premium was enough to secure new ownership. The lot was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

LeMans Coupe by Pininfarina

This automobile was designed by Donald Healey in England at the request of Nash Motors, USA. The coachwork was designed by Pinin Farina of Italy. The drive train was made of Nash components - frame, suspension, 6-cylinder motor, transmission and rear end. The 140 horsepower engine was a 250 cubic-inch 6-cylinder Nash engine with an aluminum high compression head, performance cam, and a three-speed Borg-Warner overdrive. The Lemans designation was used after Nash-Healey took first place in its class at LeMans in 1952. The coupe style was awarded first place in design at International Concours d'Elegance in Italy.

This automobile is the first of only 60 built in 1953 with production ending in 1954. This sports car is a blend of English, Italian, and American talent.

Convertible by Pininfarina
Chassis number: N2360

This 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster was brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $110,000-$140,000. The lot was offered without reserve. It is powered by a 242 cubic-inch Dual Jetfire six-cylinder engine rated at 140 horsepower. There is a three-speed transmission with overdrive and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. It is fitted with numerous factory options such as dual fuel pumps, push-button ignition and whitewall tires. Its steel body is painted in red befitting its Italian heritage. It was treated to a restoration and in 2005 was invited to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in honor of Carrozzeria Pinin Farina's 75th anniversary. At the conclusion of the auction, the lot had been sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 3142
Engine number: NHA 1499

The president of Nash Motors and British sports car builder Donald Healey met in 1949 when they were passengers on the Queen Mary, bound for New York. They decided to develop a line of cars powered by Nash engines and sold through Nash dealerships. Thus we have the Nash Healey, which in 1952 benefited from design work by Pininfarina. However, only a few more than 500 cars were constructed before Nash was absorbed into American Motors.

This 1953 Nash Healey Roadster, one of 163 made that year, has been restored and has compiled a long list of concours trophies. It was purchased with 23,109 miles and then was restored in the owner's home garage.

Nash Healeys, when being built, made a long round trip from Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the engines and drivelines originated, to England for installation in Healey frames, to Italy where Pininfarina's workers fabricated the bodies, assembled the cars, and then shipped them back to the United States. In 1954 Nash delayed the introduction of its new models until June 3 and discontinued the convertible. The coupe was only slightly updated from 1953, the primary difference being a three-piece rear window in place of the one-piece window.

LeMans Coupe by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 3072

There was a new breed of vehicles capturing America's interest in the post-WWII era, and that was the sports cars. MG followed by Jaguar, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz and many others soon capitalized on this new desire. American automakers soon realized that this fad was here-to-stay, and began to design their owner interpretation of the sports car. Near the close of 1949, Nash's George Mason met Donald Healey; Healey was producing sports cars but was seeking a source to supply the engines. Soon, a prototype two-seater Nash Healey was shown at to the public at the London and Paris Auto Shows in 1950. The alloy body had been created by Panelcraft of England, and the chassis by Healey. Under the bonnet was a modified Nash Ambassador six-cylinder engine with a hotter camshaft, higher compression, and an aluminum head. It was fitted with dual SU carburetors with many of the mechanical components courtesy of Nash's Airflyte sedan.

The Nash Healey made its US debut at the 1951 Chicago Auto Show and soon after, sales began. It was not long before the cars were entered in competition. At the 1951 Mille Miglia, a specially-prepared car with a special body and a Lemans Dual Jetfire Ambassador Six engine finished ninth overall. At the 24 Hours of LeMans, it finished fourth overall. The following year, an open-bodied Nash Healey finished third overall and second in the Index of Performance.

In 1952, Pinin Farina re-styled the Nash Healey Roadster giving it a more curvaceous appearance. The aluminum body was replaced by steel and a larger Nash engine with twin carburetors replaced the old powerplant. The engines and mechanical components were shipped to Healey, who assembled the rolling chassis and sent it to Pinin Farina who added the body and finished the car.

In 1953, a closed coupe bodystyle joined the lineup. The LeMans Coupe bodystyle had a six-inch longer wheelbase than the roadster. It had a steel top and rear quarter windows. Standard equipment included leather upholstery, a tachometer, full wheel covers, cigar lighter and ashtray, and wide whitewall tires. The 1953 and 1954 Coupe versions are easily identified by their back windows. The 1953 version had a one-piece window while the 1954 coupe versions had a less-expensive three-piece window.

Production totals after four years amassed just 506 units.

This 1953 Nash-Healey LeMans Coupe has had a complete professional restoration. There is a black exterior with a chestnut interior with Wilton wool carpeting. It rides on chrome wire wheels, wide whitewall tires, and has the factory-correct aluminum cylinder head, as opposed to the cast iron head that many Nash Healeys have since been fitted with.

In 2008, this 1953 LeMans Coupe was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $125,000. It was offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $126,500, including buyer's premium.

In 2010, the car returned to the Sports & Classics of Monterey, again under the care of RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $125,000. As bidding came to close, the car had been sold for the sum of $77,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 2321

This 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster is finished in white with a red interior. It has been given a ground-up restoration and been fitted with all the correct equipment, accessories and trim. It was once part of the Skip Barber collection. It was sold by Barber near the close of the 1990s and exported to Europe where its German owner used this Healey for touring and rallying. In 2008, it returned to the United States, still well-preserved, and in great working condition.

In 2008, this Roadster was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. It was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $250,000. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the car had failed to find a bidder willing to satisfy its reserve. The car appeared at the 2009 Russo & Steele Auction held in Arizona a short time later.

by Dan Vaughan

LeMans Coupe by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 13557
Engine number: NHA 11286

This unique and rare Nash Healey Le Mans coupe is one of 62 coupes built in 1963, and one of only 506 Nash Healeys that were ever built. The Nash Healey was a hybrid, but not the kind that is so popular on today's roads. Rather, it combined the American straight-six Nash engine and transmission, a chassis from Britain's Donald Healey, and a body by Pininfarina in Italy. It was one of the first post-war production sports cars in the United States. The car was dubbed 'Le Mans' to commemorate a third-place finish at the famous French race. This car is chassis 13557, with engine NHA 11286.

Convertible by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 2347
Engine number: NHA 1362

Donald Healey and Nash-Kelvinator Chief George Mason collaborated on building a sports car. The duo came to an agreement, and soon Nash Ambassador six-cylinder and three-speed gearboxes with overdrive were shipped to Warwickshire, England. There, they were installed with Healey Silverstone chassis and a Panelcraft body of Healey design.

Production of the Nash-Healey for the 1951 model year began in December of 1950. Racing versions finished 9th in class in the Mille Miglia and 4th overall at Le Mans, proving they were very capable cars. The $4,063 price tag made it too expensive for most, and kept sales to just 104 units that first year. Mason was not very fond of the original slab styling of the car. He had already contracted with Italy's Battista 'Pinin' Farina to style the senior Nashes for 1952, and asked Farina to update the Nash-Healey as well. Steel bodywork replaced aluminum, and the price jumped to $5,858. Production totaled just 150 units.

For 1953, a six-inch longer wheelbase was used for the Le Mans Coupe bodystyle. Production remained low, with just 162 units built for the model year. Production continued for one more year, ending in 1954, after a total of 506 units had been built.

This particular Nash-Healey is believed to have been a New England car since its earliest days. It was acquired by Mr. John Moir from fellow New Hampshire resident Robert Valpey. Over the years, the car has been repainted but is otherwise unrestored. It has its original interior and many of the original mechanical components. The mileage since new is believed to be about 36,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible by Pininfarina

The Nash-Healey is a 2 seat sports car built for the American market between 1951 and 1954. A chance meeting between Nash President George Mason and Healey President David Healey began a partnership that ended with production of the Nash-Healey.

The Nash-Kelvinator Corporation did the marketing of the car which used a Nash Ambassador drivetrain and a European chassis and body. It was considered to be 'America's first post-war sports car.' The first production version was exhibited at the Miami Auto Show in 1951. Nash Motors supplied Healey with the powertrain components. The Ambassador's inline 6 with 234 cubic-inches coupled with a 3-speed manual transmission and Borg-Warner overdrive powered the car. By 1953, Nash had commissioned Pinin Farina to revise Healey's original body design.

Nash-Healeys raced at the likes of Le Mans and the Mille Miglia, and did very well. Older enthusiasts might remember that the Nash-Healey roadster was driven by George Reeves, or as we knew him, 'Clark Kent' on TV episodes of Superman. This car has been in the current owner's collection for over 10 years and still has the original rare glass side curtains.

Convertible by Pininfarina

During a chance meeting crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth, Englishman Donald Healey and Nash-Kelvinator chief George Mason discussed collaborating on a sports car. The Nash-Healey was born and batches of Nash Ambassador six-cylinder engines and three-speed gearboxes with overdrive were shipped to Warwickshire, England, where they were mated with Healey Silverstone chassis and a Panelcraft body of Healey design. Production began for the 1951 model.

Mason never cared for the original slab styling of the car. He contracted with Italy's Battista 'Pinin' Farina to update the styling - steel bodywork replaced aluminum and an enlarged Nash 6-cylinder engine added 10hp. The price jumped to $5,858 and a companion LeMans coupe on a six-inch longer wheelbase was introduced for 1953. Thanks to its high price, the emergence of the Jaguar XK120, and Nash's financial troubles, production ended in 1954 and a total of 506 units had been built. The company lost money on each one built.

This example is painted Verde Tenue over biscuit leather with a green canvas roof.

LeMans Coupe by Pininfarina
Chassis number: NHA1275

The Nash-Healey sports car was the result of a chance meeting on a cruise between British sports-car maker Donald Healey and the president of the Nash Kelvinator Corporation, George Mason. By the time the journey had come to an end, the two individuals had agreed upon producing a sports car and the roles each company would undertake in the endeavor. The first cars were built in 1950 and displayed at the 1951 Miami Auto Show in February. They had a ladder-frame chassis, an inline 6-cylinder engine, steel body with aluminum hood and trunk lid, seating for two, and exceptional styling and performance. For 1952, the Nash-Healey was restyled by Pininfarina and emerged with a unique look, featuring inboard headlights.

1953 was the lowest production year with approximately 50 coupes of the 506 built between 1951 and 1954. By this point, the engine was a Dual Jetfire 252 cubic-inch overhead valve inline 6-cylinder engine which, since its introduction in 1951, had received several upgrades including a larger displacement, enhanced twin carburetors, and a lightweight aluminum head.

This 1953 Nash-Healey Le Mans Coupe wears coachwork by Pininfarina of Turin, Italy, a chassis by Donald Healey of Warwick, England, and the drivetrain by Nash Motors of Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is a Le Mans edition which was produced to celebrate the Nash-Healey's third-place finish at the 1952 24 Hours of LeMans.

This is a California car that has 33,866 miles on its odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

LeMans Coupe by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 3004
Engine number: LMA277104

Nash-Healey produced 62 hardtops in 1953 crafted by Pinin farina and approximately ten inches longer than their roadster counterpart. With a list price of $6,399, the Nash-Healey was an expensive and exclusive automobile.

This particular example was the fifth of the 62 Le Mans coupes produced in 1953, of which around 30 are known to have survived. It has a known and documented history back to its first owner, Glen Sheppard, who was the head of a Cadillac agency in Northern California. Soon after taking delivery, Sheppard performed a conversion to enhance drivability, replacing the original three-speed manual transmission with a floor-shift Hydramatic, a conversion which it retains to this day.

This car spent most of its life on the West Coast and was fully restored in 1994. Since the work was completed, the car has traveled over 3,800 miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 2369

506 examples of the Nash Healey were built including 1962 examples in 1953. This particular 1953 Nash-Healy Roadster was delivered new to Southern California. In 1976, it was acquired by David Martin, who, after repaired the car, used it as his daily driver until putting it into storage in 1990. It emerged in 2014 and was given a rotisserie-style restoration. The unibody was taken down to bare metal and any lead filler was replaced with resin and then completed in Pininfarina Red with a cream leather interior. Mechanical rebuilds of the transmission, engine, and suspension ensured its ability to return to the road, and the instrumentation was brought back to its original specification. The brightwork was replated, the steering and radio were restored, and the car was given new tires and wheels. All-new carpeting, leather upholstery, windshield, lap belts, and top were added, and the entire project took over four years to complete. When the work was done, it was sown at the Ironstone Concours d'Elegance, California where it won a Merit Award.

This Nash-Healy has been driven just 200 miles since the rebuilt.

The 253 cubic-inch overhead valve 'Dual Jetfire' Inline 6-cylinder engine uses dual Side-Draft carburetors to help it produce 140 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. There is a three-speed manual gearbox with overdrive, an independent front suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

Convertible by Pininfarina

The first American sports car built since the Great Depression, and it exists because of chance. While sharing a ship ride over the Atlantic Ocean, Donald Healey and George Mason, CEO of Nash Motors, met each other by luck. Healey was returning to Britain after GM turned down his idea for his car production. By the end of the trip, an agreement was made between Healey and Mason that led to the birth of the Nash-Healey. Production began with the driveline, in Kenosha, WI. The engines and drive components were shipped to England where they were installed into the Healey-built chassis. As a rolling chassis, they were then delivered to Italy and fitted with a Pininfarina-designed body. The final destination was Nash dealers across the USA. Very few of these Nash Healey's were built, over the course of four years - a total of 507 - both in coupe and convertible body styles with production of only 162 in 1953. The car was quite expensive for its time, at $4,063.

Convertible by Pininfarina
Chassis number: 2363
Engine number: NHA1378

Approximately 150 examples of the Nash-Healey received coachwork by Pinin Farina, and this Roadster left Healey's The Cape Works likely equipped with the more potent 135 horsepower version of Nash's straight-six. After receiving its coachwork in Turin, the car was sent to the United States. It currently wears a white exterior with a beige convertible top and side curtains and a red interior.

Currently, this Nash-Healey Roadster does not have an engine in its bay. However, it does have its numbers-matching engine block and other engine components.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1949 Donald Healey and George Mason had a chance meeting on an ocean liner. Healey was in the business of designing and producing sports cars while Mason was the president of Nash-Kelvinator. Their conversation led to sports car and resulted in an agreement that the Nash Company would provide engines for a new Healey sports car. In 1950, production began on this Nash-Healey alliance. In 1951, the Nash-Healey was debuted at the Chicago Auto Show. It was a sporty vehicle with amenities such as leather upholstery and an adjustable steering wheel. A three-speed manual transmission with overdrive was coupled to the powerful Nash engine. The front suspension was comprised of a Healey trailing link with coil springs and an anti-roll bar, attached to a ladder-type steel frame. The rear suspension was a rigid axle with coil springs and track bar. Drum brakes were placed on all four corners.

In 1950 a Nash-Healey was entered into the Mille Miglia where it finished respectively in ninth place. It was then entered in the grueling 24-hour of LeMans race where it achieved an impressive fourth place. There were nearly seventy cars that had been entered but when the checkered flag fell, less than thirty remained. It was re-entered in the 1951 LeMans race wearing a coupe body. It finished third in its class and sixth overall. In 1952, it finished third overall and second in its class.

In 1952 the coachwork was handled by Pininfarina. There were only 62 built guaranteeing its exclusivity. A Nash-Healey was entered in the International Concours d'Elegance where it won first place in the Foreign car custom body class. Under the hood was a 252 cubic inline six-cylinder Nash engine that had modifications courteous of Donald Healey. With aluminum heads and 2 SU carburetors, it was capable of producing 140 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan