Vehicle Description
1948 Nash Ambassador Convertible
The Nash Ambassador is a luxury automobile that was produced by
Nash Motors from 1927 until 1957. For the first five years it was a
top trim level, then from 1932 on a standalone model. Ambassadors
were lavishly equipped and beautifully constructed, earning them
the nickname "the Kenosha Duesenberg".
For consignment 1 of approximately 1000 produced as a 1948 1 year
only convertible model. This stunning car was completely restored
in 2018 which included a seat upholstered interior, body work and a
complete respray, a new convertible top, and an engine rebuild by
Chip Vollmer from the Pittsburgh area.
Exterior
A slipstream smoothed over body design for this model features
pontoon fenders and wonderfully curved lines for the body panels.
These panels are very straight and have well minded gaps
throughout. A nice mixture of added on chrome can be seen
throughout the exterior with 2 grilles, a smaller upper one, and a
longer lower one with a bumper framing its bottom. Above a bulbous
hood features a large front can center badge, and a winged female
art deco inspired form. A stainless trimming runs through the
center of the hood and takes us rearward visually to the split
windshield. Big rounded fenders have a single headlight with an
attached turn signal all surrounded by nice chrome bezels. A wide
straight access door, and a smaller rounded rear fender which
matches the curvature of the back of the car which is trimmed on
the bottom with a dual bumper and more tail lighting with near
perfect bezels. The rockers are solid and have just a hint of
rubber running board at their tops. This rubber also adorns the
fronts of the rear fenders curving along with their design. Deep
red painted wheels with a chromed trim ring on the outside and a
shiny mood cap badged with NASH in the centers are all wrapped with
wide white radials completing the awesomized aero look.
Interior
A swing of the doors, and we are greeted with a near perfect
oxblood colored bench stretching from door to door. The doors are
also covered in the oxblood vinyl and are in excellent condition.
Upfront an art deco styled dash with horizontal ribbing which runs
the length of the dash which is painted gray metal, and the
horizontal bands are chromed. In the center is a white bakelite
"weather eye" and a radio just below with nicely aged bakelite
knobs and wide buttons. In front of the driver is a trio of
circular gauges with the 2 smaller outlying gauges in gold, and the
center larger speedo in bronze. Fronting this beautiful dash is a
near perfect white bakelite big round steering wheel with a chromed
horn ring inside. In the back we can slide into a wide rear bench
which is framed above by the black canvas convertible top which is
new. Gray carpeting covers the rear floors, and front floors which
sport wool stitched black floor mats. A shout to the trunk where it
has also been completely restored and has a nice spare tire that
matches the exterior 4 setup.
Drivetrain
A lift of the heavy hood and underneath in a completely restored
engine bay sits the original to this car 235ci inline 6-cylinder
engine. It is topped with a 1-barrel carburetor that has a big and
black painted air cleaner system on top. On the back is a 3-speed
manual transmission with overdrive. The rear axle weighs in at
4.11. All in shades of gray with new wiring, belts and hoses.
Undercarriage
Completely up to snuff underneath with nary even a hint of road
splatter, just some dust. Straight black painted steel with front
independent coil springs suspension and leaf springs on the back.
Drum brakes are on all 4 corners.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and very smooth runner with near perfect handling
and good solid braking. A lovely comfy interior, with all working
controls. We noticed the taillights were not lighting up when
braking, and the consignor states that there is a new hydraulic
pump for the convertible top, but it is not currently
installed.
A beautiful overall job for every aspect of this 1 year produced
convertible slipstream art deco styled beauty. A show winner, and a
wonderful cruiser right out of 1948! Amazing.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.