The Distinguished 1951 Nash Ambassador Super: The World’s First Car To Use Modern Developments of Aviation

When the word Nash is spoken to car fans and non-car fans, you are bound to hear some extravagant nicknames for the independent automaker. Some may consider it old news, and maybe a bit unjust, given that the Ambassador line was ahead of its time by the early 1950s.

Source: How Stuff Works 

With phrases like Airflyte and unit-body, the “Car of the Future”— for the 1951 Ambassador Super—this car is bound to keep on making waves in the vintage car industry. Nash Motor Company was the first company to actively promote NASCAR racing. For the 1950 and 1951 Sprint Cup seasons, the manufacturer offered direct sponsorship. Nash scouted and signed dynamic talents Curtis Turner and Johnny Mantz for the 1950 season.

In-Depth View

Source:  FavCars

The Nash Airflyte’s trim levels were dropped to two in 1951, Super and Custom, however, the Statesman line still provided a single low-cost DeLuxe business coupe. Upmarket trim, complete wheel discs, a bespoke steering wheel, and a folding rear-seat armrest were also available on custom versions. Because the changes in length would have doubled the tooling cost, the sheet metal was kept the same upfront. The grille, on the other hand, was new, boasting a gorgeous, toothy smile with a hint of 1951 Buick flavor, making the two seem more-or-less connected from a front-on perspective. Horizontal parking lights and new “Guard-rail” front bumpers were also added to the 1951s, as well as a unique molding that ran rearward from the parking light down two-thirds of the front fender on Ambassadors. The Uniscope was superseded on the inside with a new “Pilot Panel” dashboard that was color-matched to the exterior. It still had all of the “driving dials” immediately in front of the driver, a “curved cowl,” and a sliding Glove Drawer, although being more traditional today. Nash gave its Airflytes a more extensive makeover in 1951. A new vertical-bar grille was installed in the front. In comparison to the competition, the straight-six engine with a displacement of 234.8 cubic inches looked to drink gas. The engine’s rated power was 115hp at 3,400 RPM, thanks to a Carter single-barrel carburetor and a 7.3:1 compression ratio. The intake manifold was cast directly into the cylinder head, which was a unique characteristic of the straight-six. The Ambassador-only aluminum bolt-on plate, dubbed sealed-in-head and water heated, led to further advancements: Different or numerous carburetors may be employed by changing the plate, avoiding the need for additional castings of separate intake systems.

All About Comfort: First Airliner Reclining Seat In An Automobile

Source: Auto Vercity

There was also an “Airliner Reclining” front seat available. The seat softens back as far as you want it to with the push of a lever. The roomy front seat is 63 inches wide and comfortably seats four people. And, unlike the previous two years, the 1951 Ambassadors’ instrument panel was conventionally set out. Comfort and control were enhanced with an independent front suspension, coil-spring rear differential with a track bar, and standard four-wheel hydraulic brakes. This beautifully built automobile has a car interior that is almost a foot longer than comparable cars of the time. For its time, the automobile was also known as the on-the-go car. It was quickly transformed into a nice sleeping space. The ideal travel automobile included form-fitting beds and window seats at the time.

If you have a one-of-a-kind car you want to sell, contact us!