1953 Nash-Healey Roadster bodied by Pinin Farina
VIN: 25525
Engine #: NHA1378
Chassis #: 2363
Engine: 252cid (4.1L) I-6 OHV (’52-’56)
Trans.: 3-spd Manual w/overdrive
After a chance meeting in 1949 between Donald Healey (British engineer and race car driver) and George Mason (president of Nash-Kelvinator) onboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth, the Nash-Healey Roadster joint venture was born and would go on to produce "the first post-war sports car from a major American automaker," beating the Corvette by two years.
The first production model of the Nash-Healey Series 25 Roadster was debuted at the 1951 Chicago Auto Show. Production ran from 1951 to 1954 with a total of 506 vehicles built. In 1952, the body was redesigned by Battista Farina and production logistics were further complicated. Nash powertrain components were shipped from North America to England to be assembled into Healey chassis'. The rolling stock was then shipped to Pinin Farina in Italy to have the body mounted and final assembly completed. The vehicles were then exported back to Nash dealerships in America.
By 1953, this production method resulted in a sticker price that was almost double that of Chevrolet's newly introduced Corvette. None the less, with Nash-Healey having great racing success at Le Mans, 1953 saw a new coupe introduced, and the "Dual Jetfire" engine became standard for production models. This engine's 252cid produced 140hp using twin Carter carburetors. This year also saw Nash Motors sponsoring golf tournaments and Sam Snead and his roadster were shown on the cover of "Nash News." Celebrity use and product placement continued with Roadsters showing up in the "Adventures of Superman", with George Reeves, as well as the movie, "Sabrina" with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.
This numbers-matching 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster rolls on chassis number 2363 and retains its original motor number NHA1378, which is planned to be rebuilt as of this writing. This car is one of approximately 160 examples bodied by Pinin Farina that year. The body is finished in white over a red interior with a beige convertible top and side curtains.
Ranking as an impressive and historically noteworthy combination of British, Italian, and American flair, this exceedingly rare Nash-Healey creates an intriguing opportunity for its next loving caretaker. As an early and significant pioneer of trans-Atlantic cooperation, this 1953 Roadster is one of approximately 160 Nash-Healey's to feature Pinin Farina coachwork. Accompanied by its numbers-matching engine block, it is an ideal candidate for vintage racing, exhibition, or a combination of both.
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