1954NashAmbassador
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Transcript of 1954NashAmbassador
Motor Mouth: ’54 Nash was ahead of its time
By Mike McMillan
Independent Mail
When Verlie Stonehocker got rid of his 1954 Nash Ambassador years ago, it didn’t take him
long to realize he made a mistake.
He realized he had to get one again some day — no matter the cost. That chance came in 2009
when he found one in Dallas. He believes he paid too much, but what he got was an example —
identical in appearance to his first purchase — that was 90 percent original.
There have been a few changes over time. Some of the upholstery was replaced. There was
some mechanical work — mostly underneath the car — and at some point the car was
repainted. The chrome is all original, and there’s no rust — not even underneath. It’s very much
a time capsule to the 1950s.
Everything in the car works except the clock and radio. This Nash also carries the optional
factory air conditioning, which was a pricey option at $399 (approximately $3,500 today).
When he got the car, the A/C was non-operational, but a quick fix from a trusty mechanic and
some modern refrigerant got this system cooling down the car even on hot June afternoons.
Under the hood is a 252.6-cubic-inch straight six making about 130 horsepower, backed by a
three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Stonehocker said it’s not a terribly fast car, but
it has its moments.
“Get it moving, and it will roll,” he said.
Like many vehicles of its day, it doesn’t have many power options. That means no power
steering or brakes.
“I call them Fred Flintstone brakes,” Stonehocker said.
Even with its lack of power equipment, the Nash was still a trailblazing vehicle. Its exterior
borrowed styling from Pininfarina, an Italian design house with clients including Ferrari and Alfa
Romeo.
The exterior has some interesting touches, like fender skirts along the front wheels and ribbing
near the beltline. Nash even offered a continental kit standard, although it could be ordered
without it.
The front end, Stonehocker said, was set up similar to a MacPherson strut suspension, which is
something used to this day on cars. It also has a flow-through air ventilation system — another
system pioneered for today’s cars.
“I liked the way it drove and rode,” he said.
Stonehocker remembers the issues he had with the front fender skirts on his first Ambassador.
At the time, he was living in South Dakota, and snow would pack between the fender and tire,
making it difficult to turn. During snowstorms, he would often have to dig out the snow trapped in
there.
In this car, Stonehocker said the car needs more work but is perfectly driveable. On an average
drive, it takes about 10 miles or so for the car to loosen up as it tends to squeak and groan while
the chassis gets lubricated.
The seats are comfortable and will even fold into a bed, if needed. Above the windshield inside
are two visors that are semi-transparent and resemble material that might be used for
sunglasses.
Stonehocker doesn’t get his car out much, except for the occasional car show and trip out to
eat. He said he hasn’t even had to wash the Nash in more than two years.
“I just dust it off,” he said.
Sadly, the 50s were the last few years for Nash, as the brand would eventually be retired when
American Motors formed. Stonehocker said most people have never heard of Nash and aren’t
even sure what country it comes from.
“I tell people I show it for history,” he said.
1954 NASH AMBASSADOR FACTS
Sticker price: $3,368 ($29,727 today)
Wheelbase: 121.25 inches
Engine: 252.6-cubic-inch straight six
Output: 130 horsepower @ 3,700 rpm
Torque: 220 lb./ft. @ 1,600 rpm
0-60 mph: 14.2 seconds
Quarter-mile: 19.7 seconds @ 70 mph
Fuel economy (combined): 15.7 mpg
Carburetor: Single-barrel Carter sidedraft
Transmission: Three-speed manual with overdrive
Curb weight: 3,480 pounds
Source: Automobile-catalog.com and the Classic Car Database