1942 Nash Ambassador Six “Slipstream” 2-door Sedan 🇮🇹

This Nash Ambassador Six “Slipstream” 2-door Sedan belonging to the Bulgari collection is a mid-range car. Nevertheless there is nothing middling or “average” about it. Nash cars are in fact chosen by enthusiasts to uphold the rule that an interesting car does not have to be expensive and deluxe. Under this car’s hood is a105 hp 234 cid six cylinder inline OHV engine, with distribution and intake manifolds incorporated in the monoblock. However, in the range there was also a 115 hp 260 cid eight cylinder inline available; quiet, reliable engines with moderate fuel consumption. The interior of the Nash Ambassador of the era was all about practicality, but with a refined elegance usually reserved for automobiles of a superior category.

Of the five models in the Ambassador Six series (4260), this Nash in two-tone Whaler Green/Shoal Green paint is a 2-door “Slipstream” Sedan (Model 4269), with the trunk incorporated into the body. At the time, it was ordered with optional extras available at an additional cost: three speed transmission with overdrive, incorporated ”Weather Eye” ventilation and heating system, clock, radio, cigarette lighter and external rear mirror.

The meticulous restoration was carried out recently in France at the Bonnefoit workshop.

Although this Nash was built in 1942, considering the technology of the time, the impression when driving is of a superior class, European car from the early ‘60s. The Nash Ambassador Six is extremely comfortable and pleasurable to drive, the steering is fairly light and precise in spite of the lack of hydraulic steering and radial tires. The instruments are inspired by aeronautics and the controls are arranged in an intuitive manner.

In July 2013 our Nash participated in the Rally of the Giants, the famous English event for historic American cars, and brought home the prize for the best pre-war ‘40s car.

Company
Nash Motors Company

Wheelbase
121in

Interior trim
Two-Tone Cord cloth

Brakes
front and rear drums

Make
Nash

Length
209.2in

Engine
inline 6 - 234cid

Tires
6.25x16

Model
Ambassador Six - Model 4269

Width
78.3in

Carburetor
1 Carter WAI-464S

Original Price
$1,114

Body style
2-door “Slipstream” sedan

Weight
3265lbs

Horsepower
105hp @ 3400rpm

Model year
1942

Exterior paint
Whaler Green/Shoal Green

Transmission
3-speed manual + overdrive

Nash was an independent brand from 1917, not controlled by the Ford, Chrysler and General Motors groups, which made a relevant contribution to the technological and style development of the American car. From the mid thirties Nash put into practice a three year program of development in the car sector, leading to the creation of the Nash 600, a new mid-category model, able to establish construction and quality standards previously unseen in the automobile industry of the day. Unlike traditional cars, made of a vehicle body bolted to the frame, the “little” Nash 600 was assembled on a modern unitized body: light, robust and particularly generous in terms of comfort and space. The lighter weight provided above all a reduced fuel consumption. The 1941 Nash 600 with its 2.8 liter (75 hp) 6 cylinders inline lateral valve engine, managed to achieve an average of 30 miles per gallon and 600 miles on a full tank! The sophisticated Ambassador Six and Eight were technologically less advanced in the construction of the chassis, but endowed with bigger engines and OHV.

From 1941 through 1948, Nash Ambassador models placed this unibody structure on top of a conventional frame, thus creating a solid and sturdy automobile. It was also one of the first in the “low-priced” market segment with coil spring suspension in front and back, “giving it the best ride in its class”. In the spirit of wartime conservation, the Ambassador Six and Eight lost their twin ignition feature for 1942, reverting to a single spark plug per cylinder.

In 1942, year of production of this Ambassador Six, Nash proposed a restyling to update certain details, where the front was given a more rounded shape.

The Nash 1942 model was presented to the public on 1st October 1941 and only stayed in production until the end of February 1942. When the USA entered the war, the Nash–Kelvinator assembly line was given over to the production of munitions, aircraft engines and trailers for transporting armaments. This meant the total number of Nash cars produced in 1942 was just 31,780.

The design of the Ambassador Six followed the aerodynamic fashion of the 40’s, without relinquishing the central grille, repeated in the chrome elements of the front fender and those surrounding the body behind the fenders. The ’42 Nash distinguished itself as a car for its elegant line and attention to detail, and is nowadays acknowledged as one of the American cars of the ‘40s most appreciated for its style. When production was resumed after the war, the Eights were no longer part of the program, while the 1946 Ambassador Six was now the top of the Nash line.