Motor Mouth: ’54 Nash was ahead of its time

By Mike McMillan

Independent Mail

When Verlie Stonehocker got rid of his 1954 Nash Ambassador years ago, it didn’t take him

long to realize he made a mistake.

He realized he had to get one again some day — no matter the cost. That chance came in 2009

when he found one in Dallas. He believes he paid too much, but what he got was an example —

identical in appearance to his first purchase — that was 90 percent original.

There have been a few changes over time. Some of the upholstery was replaced. There was

some mechanical work — mostly underneath the car — and at some point the car was

repainted. The chrome is all original, and there’s no rust — not even underneath. It’s very much

a time capsule to the 1950s.

Everything in the car works except the clock and radio. This Nash also carries the optional

factory air conditioning, which was a pricey option at $399 (approximately $3,500 today).

When he got the car, the A/C was non-operational, but a quick fix from a trusty mechanic and

some modern refrigerant got this system cooling down the car even on hot June afternoons.

Under the hood is a 252.6-cubic-inch straight six making about 130 horsepower, backed by a

three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Stonehocker said it’s not a terribly fast car, but

it has its moments.

“Get it moving, and it will roll,” he said.

Like many vehicles of its day, it doesn’t have many power options. That means no power

steering or brakes.

“I call them Fred Flintstone brakes,” Stonehocker said.

Even with its lack of power equipment, the Nash was still a trailblazing vehicle. Its exterior

borrowed styling from Pininfarina, an Italian design house with clients including Ferrari and Alfa

Romeo.

The exterior has some interesting touches, like fender skirts along the front wheels and ribbing

near the beltline. Nash even offered a continental kit standard, although it could be ordered

without it.

The front end, Stonehocker said, was set up similar to a MacPherson strut suspension, which is

something used to this day on cars. It also has a flow-through air ventilation system — another

system pioneered for today’s cars.

“I liked the way it drove and rode,” he said.

Stonehocker remembers the issues he had with the front fender skirts on his first Ambassador.

At the time, he was living in South Dakota, and snow would pack between the fender and tire,

making it difficult to turn. During snowstorms, he would often have to dig out the snow trapped in

there.

In this car, Stonehocker said the car needs more work but is perfectly driveable. On an average

drive, it takes about 10 miles or so for the car to loosen up as it tends to squeak and groan while

the chassis gets lubricated.

The seats are comfortable and will even fold into a bed, if needed. Above the windshield inside

are two visors that are semi-transparent and resemble material that might be used for

sunglasses.

Stonehocker doesn’t get his car out much, except for the occasional car show and trip out to

eat. He said he hasn’t even had to wash the Nash in more than two years.

“I just dust it off,” he said.

Sadly, the 50s were the last few years for Nash, as the brand would eventually be retired when

American Motors formed. Stonehocker said most people have never heard of Nash and aren’t

even sure what country it comes from.

“I tell people I show it for history,” he said.

1954 NASH AMBASSADOR FACTS

Sticker price: $3,368 ($29,727 today)

Wheelbase: 121.25 inches

Engine: 252.6-cubic-inch straight six

Output: 130 horsepower @ 3,700 rpm

Torque: 220 lb./ft. @ 1,600 rpm

0-60 mph: 14.2 seconds

Quarter-mile: 19.7 seconds @ 70 mph

Fuel economy (combined): 15.7 mpg

Carburetor: Single-barrel Carter sidedraft

Transmission: Three-speed manual with overdrive

Curb weight: 3,480 pounds

Source: Automobile-catalog.com and the Classic Car Database