Vehicle Description
1936 Nash Lafayette Business Coupe
Reintroducing the LaFayette as a popular-priced entry-level line
hadn't improved sales figures as much as Nash Motors had hoped it
would in 1934. This was more a reflection of the general economic
climate than it was of the well-engineered, conservatively
attractive cars, whose lines came from the pen of the famous Count
Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. In 1936, Nash tried again with a freshly
redesigned, quite modern-appearing LaFayette range, and went as far
as offering two unique grille treatments in one year's time.
For consignment, conservatively rodded Nash La Fayette Business
Coupe from 1936 This is a rare car, rarely seen and this one has
been fully restored with a spicy engine and comfy, roomy interior
completed in 2013. It has beautiful lines, wonderful front fenders
and looks very conservative. It drives much more liberal
though!
Exterior
Having been shaved of its bumpers, it now accentuates those
oversize black rounded front fenders. These mix nicely with a tall
black painted vertical ribbed grille with the famous General
Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, aka Marquis De
Lafayette who served diligently under George Washington in the
American Revolution, portrait in cloisonne badge, (that's a
mouthful!). If you look closely you can see a peek of a lake pipe
hedging a look out just aft of the front wheel well prior to the
running boards. Dark raspberry paint takes over for the sweeping
front radiator surround and cowled hood which has some nifty
horizontal venting within its sides. This raspberry also bathes the
rubenesque body, doors and wonderfully rounded roofline and trunk,
which is all straight gap minding rust free steel. A side view
shows the lovely curved fenders which are connected in the center
by a wide ribbed running board. The back of the car is a wonderful
sweep of curving lines which end in a no bumper bottom. A simple
round tail light is on either corner with more teardrop shaped
vertical push bars in black. GM powder coated wheels with wide
whitewall tires have 1950 Chrysler hubcaps with a Nash center
script on them. A looker and with those large voluptuous front
fenders, it looks like it could nearly flap its fenders and fly
away!
Interior
No rubbing your head and patting your belly as there are no poppers
or magical opening techniques for this rodder, just wonderfully
chromed handles which open the doors and do not require any
battery! The doors click with a Mercedes Benz like snap and thud,
so they are nice and tight. Door panels are straight black vinyl
with some faux stitched vertical light tuck and roll in the
centers, smooth surrounds and a nicely padded curvaceous armrest
also in black vinyl. Shiny actuators and cranks are sparkling
within this door panel field. As I slip inside in the full black
vinyl bench design courtesy of a van, (unknown what kind), there is
plenty of leg and belly room between the bench and steering wheel
which is also as rare as this car with these hot rods. Said
steering wheel is courtesy a 1965 Chevelle with a Nash central
script emblazoned on it. The beautifully shiny and fully restored
dash is truly one of a kind with its shiny full metal jacket
painted black front. In the center is a metal panel with vertical
gold striping, (courtesy of the Art Deco era!), with dual large
round Omega Kustom Instruments. These have an old feel and look and
present in a cream face and black lettering and numbers surrounded
by some warm lighting on their edges. A few rounded over billet
style knobs and pulls are residing here too. Just below this
instrument cluster is an aftermarket tachometer facing the driver.
Below in the center of the floor, which is flooded with clean like
new black carpeting, is a custom console with cup holders and a
Lokar billet style shifter. A custom gas pedal and rounded brake
pedal is hovering above the carpeting. Above, the headliner is
black smooth vinyl with a ribbed black vinyl padded inserts in the
center.
Drivetrain
Under the cowled hood is some automotive mechanical art in the form
of a rebuilt 327ci V8 mill. It is painted in GM orange/red with a
black long snout air cleaner covering. Just below this is an
Edelbrock intake manifold and 4-barrel Holley carb. On the back is
a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission, and way back a 2.72 rear
axle connected by a custom balanced driveshaft. A smooth firewall
and a brass painted topped radiator from a 1955 Bowtie complete
with an electric fan. The car has HEI ignition, and powder coated
headers with Flowmaster mufflers. A stunner under this raspberry
cowl.
Undercarriage
The easter eggs just keep on coming, and underneath is no
exception! No rust and plenty of black painted undercoated surfaces
for the stamped floor pans and drilled X frame. A 1955 Chevrolet
front clip is on, and the front and rear suspension has been
lowered. For the front we see independent front suspension and for
the back leaf springs. Power disc brakes upfront and drums for the
rear.
Drive-Ability
A pure pleasure to drive with room aplenty behind the wheel, and it
fired right up. On the track it did nicely with smooth acceleration
and shifting, bias free panic stopping, and easy steering. All
functions were working perfectly.
A wonderful rebuild in true hot rod style, begging borrowing and
stealing from various models and years for various parts, all
coming together to create a fab build and a looker that will snap
necks just turning to see it, let alone when you put your foot to
the floor! Come and get it.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
