Vehicle Description
Of all the American independents, Nash of Kenosha, Wisconsin, has a
particularly fascinating story. Company founder Charles Nash is a
genuine "rags-to-riches" character who ran away from indentured
servitude at the age of 12, eventually landing a job as a cushion
stuffer at Flint Road Cart Company, owned by William C. "Billy"
Durant and J. Dallas Dort. Streetwise and hard-working, Nash
steadily rose through the ranks, winding up as manager of the
Durant-Dort Carriage Company. Working closely with Durant, Nash was
put in charge of Buick by 1910 and managed all of General Motors
just two years later. However, like most people in Durant's inner
circle, the two men had a falling out, and Nash left GM to strike
out on his own.
Charles Nash acquired the remains of the Thomas B. Jeffery Company
(producers of the original Rambler) and formed Nash Motors Company
in 1916. The first few cars were leftover models badged as Nashes
to use up existing stock, so it wasn't until 1918 that the first
pure Nash hit the market. Buyers and critics commended the new Nash
for its neat and tidy styling, refined Cardan-drive drivetrain, and
powerful overhead-valve engine designed by former Buick engineer
Erik Wahlberg. Nash quickly earned a reputation for high-quality,
stylish cars at competitive prices and was often in direct
competition with Hudson in the mid-priced market. In the 1930s, the
influential designer Alexis de Sakhnoffsky worked with Nash to
create a line of beautiful, streamlined bodies that complemented
the powerful six and eight-cylinder engines. The top-of-the-line
Ambassador was particularly stylish, with deeply skirted fenders
and a flowing, fastback roofline reminiscent of the Chrysler
Airflow. In classic Nash tradition, the Ambassador's 260.8
cubic-inch inline-eight featured overhead valves and delivered its
100 horsepower with notable refinement. The advanced and robust
drivetrain earned it a loyal following, even finding favor with
European buyers who appreciated the Ambassador's lively
performance, durability, and value.
This fascinating 1935 Nash Ambassador Cabriolet is one of a mere
handful of Nash automobiles in history to feature bodywork by an
outside coachbuilder. Even more unusual is this Ambassador's
European origins, and it's distinctive coachwork by the highly
respected firm Gl�ser-Karosserie GmbH of Dresden, Germany. First
registered in Denmark in August 1935, little is known of the first
owner. Gl�ser was a fitting choice to provide the coachwork for the
big eight-cylinder Nash, as they had a long tradition of creating
high-quality bodies for prestigious marques like Daimler, Horch,
Steyr, and others. They also bodied a select few American cars, and
the well-engineered Nash platform suited their style and quality.
This example is understood to be the only one of its kind; however,
Gl�ser's production records did not survive World War II.
After being hidden away during the war, the Nash-Gl�ser quietly
remained in Denmark for many years. It resurfaced and was acquired
by a renowned collector of rare and unusual Nashes. Following the
acquisition, he commissioned an extensive, ground-up restoration,
performed by a noted specialist in Europe. Time had taken its toll
on the structural woodwork, which restorers methodically recreated
using the original pieces as patterns. The restoration team worked
to preserve as much of the original sheet metal as possible,
recreating new segments only when necessary. The owner selected a
suitably bold color scheme of maroon and cream, with matching
two-tone wheels and a tan interior to complement the car's Art Deco
origins. Since completion, the restoration has taken on a pleasant
character with use, and it wonderfully suited to regular enjoyment
or show. The striking livery suits the design quite well, and
recently installed period-correct black wall bias-ply tires round
out the authentic presentation.
The European influence of the coachwork carries over into the
five-passenger cabin. Substantial, vault-like doors open to reveal
individual front seats trimmed in lovely natural tan leather
upholstery. Door panels, rear seats, and carpet bindings feature
the same matching leather. The bold woodgrain-effect dash is a
distinctly American feature, with art-deco detailing and beautiful
center-mounted rectangular instruments - including a speedometer
calibrated in kilometers. Other noteworthy details include gorgeous
wood door caps, curved Perspex visors, and a sporty Bluemels
Brooklands steering wheel. The black canvas top is in good
condition and features a matching canvas boot cover.
Beneath the hood sits the powerful and refined 260.8 cubic-inch
overhead valve Nash inline-eight. It is well-detailed, showing good
quality paintwork with period-correct fittings and hardware. The
goal of the restoration was to create a good looking and equally
good performing car for road events and rallies. The previous owner
reported a trouble-free run in a 500-mile rally shortly after
completing the project, and in 2020, it participated in the Amelia
Island Concours d'Elegance, reflecting both the quality of the
restoration and the robust Nash underpinnings. The Classic Car Club
of America granted it Full Classic status, putting it in a select
group of cars from Kenosha to receive that honor. It shows today in
excellent order, suitable for continued enjoyment in tours and
shows, and would be a splendid addition to a collection of American
Independents or other rare coachbuilt motorcars.
Offers welcome and trades considered
