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The 1940 Nashs didn’t stray from the styling of the 1939 cars. As one of the remaining independent car companies, Nash was not in a position to update their styling every year. The 1940 cars fell right between a major redesign in 1939 and one that was planned for 1941. While the cars with their slim upright center grille and wide square lower grilles with fully integrated headlights in the fenders were still attractive, the design was a carry over from the previous model year.
The Ambassador came in two variations, the 8 with an eight-cylinder engine and the Six with a six-cylinder engine. Other than the differences in engines and the badging to match, The Eights were slightly longer wheelbases and overall length, yet the two cars looked identical.
No matter the limitations in changing styles, Nash always tried to be a leader by offering more advanced engineering than their competitors. Where most cars of the period utilized “flat-head” six-cylinder engines with the valves in the block, Nash relied on overhead valve engines, with the valves sitting on top of the engine in the cylinder head. This style of engine was more efficient to operate but more expensive to produce. Both the eight and the six used this style of engine.
The chassis was also subject to the most advanced engineering Nash could muster. independent front suspension was introduced using a system derived from the Italian automaker Lancia. Nash also benefitted from being a division of the Kelvinator Corporation and their expertise in refrigeration and air control. Nash pioneered “climate control”, mixing inside and outside air for greater comfort and being able to drive with the windows closed all the time with the introduction of their Weather-eye system in 1938. The system was further improved for 1939-40.
1940 was a profitable year for Nash, yet, it was not the sales success they hoped for. Production decreased slightly, down 2,045 cars from the previous year. Nash’s market share dropped and the company couldn’t even crack a position in the top ten American automobile manufacturers in terms of volume. -
Company
Nash Motors Company
Make
Nash
Model
Ambassador Six, 4021
Body Style
Cabriolet, 2-dr, 3/5- pass
Body Manufacture
Seaman Body Corp
Model year
1940
Wheelbase
121 inches
Length
203 3/16 inches
Engine
inline-six, OHV, 234.8 cid
Horsepower
105 @ 3400 rpm
Transmission
3-speed manual
Original Base Price
$1,085
Brand Production
63,617 calendar year
This Car Production
N/A -
This car is a lesson on why patience is a virtue.
While in an airport in the United Kingdom in about 2010, Mr. Bulgari spotted an advertisement in a British magazine for this car. He immediately called Keith Flickinger, collection curator in the USA, to investigate further. Keith flew to Southampton, England to get a look at the car first hand. The condition of the car in person did not match the description of the car as advertised. The seller was convinced the car was perfect, Keith was not impressed. The decision was made to forgo the purchase.
Keith was able to keep tabs on the car through other Nash collectors. In due time the car was sold to a buyer in Michigan, USA. Shortly after the purchase, the car was traded to a collector in Virginia. The car again was offered for sale but this time the price was about one-quarter of the price sought when in the UK. Even more importantly, the car was now in the correct country and much closer to the NB Center in Pennsylvania. The car was purchased in 2012.
This is the only known survivor of 1940 Ambassador Six Convertible.