Nash 600

Last updated

Nash 600
1946 Nash 600 gray 2-door sedan ny.jpg
1946 Nash 600 2-door sedan
Overview
Production1940–1942 and 1945–1949
Model years 1941–1942 and 1946–1949
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
Powertrain
Engine 172.6 cu in (2.8 L) I6
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 112 in (2,845 mm) [3]
Length195 in (4,953 mm) 1941 [3]
201 in (5,105 mm) 1949 [4]
Width77.5 in (1,968 mm)
Height63 in (1,600 mm)
Chronology
Successor Nash Statesman

The Nash 600 is an automobile that was manufactured by the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation of Kenosha, Wisconsin for the 1941 through 1949 model years, after which the car was renamed the Nash Statesman. The Nash 600 was positioned in the low-priced market segment. [5] The "600" name comes from the car's advertised ability to go 600 miles (970 km) on one tank of gasoline. Introduced for the 1941 model year, the Nash 600 became the first mass-produced unibody constructed car built in the United States.

Contents

Innovations

News release drawing of the 1942 Nash 600 showing its unibody construction 1942 Nash Ambassador X-ray.jpg
News release drawing of the 1942 Nash 600 showing its unibody construction

The Nash 600 is generally credited with being the first mass-produced American automobile that was constructed using unitized body/frame construction techniques in which the car body and the frame are welded as one unit, rather than the more traditional body-on-frame (the body is bolted to the frame method). Unitized construction allowed Nash to advertise that the car was lighter in weight, quieter, and more rigid than its competitors. Elimination of the frame in favor of a combined body-and-chassis construction reduced the car's weight by 500 pounds (230 kg). [5]

Nash's innovation also required new techniques for collision repairs. [6] This included the development of a new portable body and frame puller tool that was quickly accepted worldwide. [6]

The "600" designation for this Nash reinforces the automaker's claim for this model's ability to travel over 500 miles (805 km) on one tank of gasoline. This range is due to the combination of the engine's 25 mpg‑US (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg‑imp) to 30 mpg‑US (7.8 L/100 km; 36 mpg‑imp) fuel economy combined with the car's 20-US-gallon (76 L; 17 imp gal) fuel tank. [7] Additional efficiency was due to its lower weight than similar cars.

Models

Pre-war

The new cars were introduced for 1941 and marketed as the Nash Ambassador 600 series in four body versions: a four-door Slipstream (fastback) sedan with no protruding lights, running boards, or door hinges; as a four-door Sedan with built-in trunk (now called notchback style), as a Coupe Brougham with full-width front and rear seats, and as a Business Coupe featuring a roomy rear deck cargo compartment. [3] Similar to the Mobilgas Economy Run, a 1941 event sponsored jointly by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Gilmore Oil, a California-based petroleum company, saw the new Nash 600 deliver 25.81 mpg‑US (9.11 L/100 km; 31.00 mpg‑imp) on regular roads and be proclaimed a "Best in Class" winner. [8]

The 600 had a 33-foot (10.1 m) turning circle. [3] It was powered by a 172.6 cu in (2.8 L)82 hp (61 kW; 83 PS) at 3,800 rpm, L-head straight-six engine that became known for its fuel economy. [9] The 600 featured a three-speed manual gearbox with electric overdrive and coil springs on all four wheels. [10]

For 1942, the Ambassador 600 was one of three series of Nash cars. [11] Styling featured a revised front with prominent chromed NASH letters incorporated into the front trim, as well as upgraded upholstery and interior trim. [12] Although the automaker began to gear up for defense orders for the U.S. Government, it expected to produce a sizable number of economical, low-priced 600 models. [13]

Post-war

Nash began post-World War II car production in the fall of 1945. There were few changes from the 1942 models with the exception of revised chrome trim and a projecting center section on the lower grille. Unlike the 1941-42 policy of using the "Ambassador" nameplate on all three Nash series, the 600 became simply the Nash 600 with the Ambassador nameplate reserved for the senior model.

In 1946, the "600" featured a rear seat that could be converted into a bed as an option. [14] It was possible to sleep with the legs tucked into the trunk area.

The 1948 was the only post-war year that Nash made a 600 in the business coupe body style. [15] This was the lowest-priced model with minimal features, lacking a back seat (to have room for samples) as well as no chrome trim, ornamentation, or comfort items such as a sun visor and door armrest. [15]

The 1948 Nash 600 (and Ambassador Custom) bore the work of Helene Rother, Nash's new interior stylist. They featured some of the most stylish interiors in the industry. Among her contributions were upholstery and trim colors that harmonized with specific exterior colors. [16]

Airflyte

1949 Nash 600 Super two-door Airflyte 1949 Nash 600 Super two-door Airflyte at 2015 Macungie show 02.jpg
1949 Nash 600 Super two-door Airflyte

The 1949 Nash 600 featured a new design based on the aerodynamic Airflyte series that was developed by Nils E. Wahlberg, Nash's Vice President of Engineering. [17] The new cars stood out among the competition, six inches (152 mm) lower than the 1948s with a rounded body with unusual enclosed fenders so that detractors dubbed them the "bathtub" Nashes. "The envelope shape was the most streamlined form on the road, a large step ahead of the vaguely similar Packard" at that time. [18] The 600 became the economical series competing with Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth; while the Ambassador became the premium models and up against brands as Buick, Oldsmobile, Mercury, Chrysler, DeSoto, and Hudson.

The sedan was the only body style available in either two or four doors and there were three trim series: Super, Super Special, and Custom. The interiors were cavernous and the driver had an unusual "Uniscope" instrument pod mounted on the steering column. Optional was a new "Twin Bed" that was formed by dropping the two front seat backs to meet the rear seat. The 1949 Nash 600 series were built on a 112-inch (2,845 mm) wheelbase and carried over the previous 172.6 cu in (2.8 L) I6 engine, selling at lower prices than the Nash Ambassador series that now rode on a larger 121-inch (3,073 mm) wheelbase and boasted a standard 234.8 cu in (3.8 L) overhead-valve I6 engine with a durable 7-main bearing design. [19]

Related Research Articles

Nash Motors Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer

Nash Motors Company was an American automobile manufacturer based in Kenosha, Wisconsin from 1916 to 1937. From 1937 to 1954, Nash Motors was the automotive division of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation. Nash production continued from 1954 to 1957 after the creation of American Motors Corporation.

Chevrolet Bel Air American full-size automobile

The Chevrolet Bel Air is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet for the 1950–1975 model years. Initially, only the two-door hardtops in the Chevrolet model range were designated with the Bel Air name from 1950 to 1952. With the 1953 model year, the Bel Air name was changed from a designation for a unique body shape to a premium level of trim applied across a number of body styles. The Bel Air continued with various other trim level designations, and it went from a mid-level trim car to a budget fleet sedan when U.S. production ceased in 1975. Production continued in Canada, for its home market only, through the 1981 model year.

Oldsmobile 98 Flagship car model produced by Oldsmobile from 1940 to 1996

The Oldsmobile 98 is the full-size flagship model of Oldsmobile that was produced from 1940 until 1942, and then from 1946 to 1996. The name – reflecting a "Series 90" fitted with an 8-cylinder engine – first appeared in 1941 and was used again after American consumer automobile production resumed post-World War II. It was, as it would remain, the division's top-of-the-line model, with lesser Oldsmobiles having lower numbers such as the A-body 66 and 68, and the B-body 76 and 78. The Series 60 was retired in 1949, the same year the Oldsmobile 78 was replaced by the 88. The Oldsmobile 76 was retired after 1950. This left the two remaining number-names to carry on into the 1990s as the bread and butter of the full-size Oldsmobile lineup until the Eighty Eight-based Regency replaced the 98 in 1997.

Buick Special Motor vehicle

The Buick Special was an automobile produced by Buick. It was usually Buick's lowest-priced model, starting out as a full-size car in 1936 and returning in 1961 as a mid-size. The Special was built for several decades and was offered as a coupe, sedan and later as a station wagon. When GM modernized their entry level products in the 1960s, the Special introduced the modern Buick V6 that became the core engine for GM for several decades and lives on in current upgraded V6 products.

AMC Ambassador Large-sized cars produced by American Motors Corporation

The Ambassador is an automobile manufactured and marketed by American Motors Corporation (AMC) from 1957 to 1974 over eight generations, in two- and four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, station wagon and convertible body styles. It was full-size from 1957 to 1961 and 1967 to 1974, and mid-size from 1962 to 1966.

Chrysler Imperial Motor vehicle

The Chrysler Imperial, introduced in 1926, was Chrysler's top-of-the-line vehicle for much of its history. Models were produced with the Chrysler name until 1954, after which it became a standalone brand; and again from 1990 to 1993. The company positioned the cars as a prestige marque to rival Cadillac, Continental, Lincoln, Duesenberg, Pierce Arrow, Cord, and Packard. According to Antique Automobile, "The adjective ‘imperial’ according to Webster's Dictionary means sovereign, supreme, superior or of unusual size or excellence. The word imperial thus justly befits Chrysler's highest priced model."

Hyundai Elantra Compact car

The Hyundai Elantra, also known as the Hyundai Avante, is a compact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1990. The Elantra was initially marketed as the Lantra in Australia and some European markets. In Australia, this was due to the similarly named Mitsubishi Magna Elante model; similarly, in other markets, the name Avante is not used due to its similarity with Audi's "Avant" designation, which is used for their line-up of station wagons. The name was standardized as "Elantra" worldwide in 2001.

Studebaker Champion Motor vehicle

The Studebaker Champion is an automobile which was produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana, from the beginning of the 1939 model year until 1958. It was a full-size car in its first three generations and a mid-size car in its fourth and fifth generation models, serving as the junior model to the Commander.

Chrysler Windsor Motor vehicle

The Chrysler Windsor is a full-size car which was built by Chrysler from 1939 through to the 1960s. The final Chrysler Windsor sold in the United States was produced in 1961, but production in Canada continued until 1966. The Canadian 1961 to 1966 Windsor model was for all intents and purposes the equivalent of the Chrysler Newport in the United States.

Cadillac Series 62 Motor vehicle

The Cadillac Series 40-62 is a series of cars which was produced by Cadillac from 1940 through 1964. Originally designed to complement the entry level Series 61, it became the Cadillac Series 6200 in 1959, and remained that until it was renamed to Cadillac Calais for the 1965 model year. The Series 62 was also marketed as the Sixty-Two and the Series Sixty-Two. The Series 62 was used to introduce the Cadillac Coupe de Ville and the Cadillac Eldorado which started out as special appearance packages that were later placed into production.

Nash Ambassador Large-sized cars produced by Nash Motors Corporation

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".

Nash Rambler Compact-sized cars produced by Nash Motors

The Nash Rambler is a North American automobile that was produced by the Nash Motors division of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation from 1950 to 1954 in sedan, wagon, and fixed-profile convertible body styles.

Hudson Commodore Motor vehicle

The Hudson Commodore is an automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1941 and 1952. During its time in production, the Commodore was the largest and most luxurious Hudson model.

Ford Falcon (North America) Motor vehicle

The Ford Falcon is a model line of cars that was produced by Ford from the 1960 to 1970 model years. The first compact car marketed by the American Big Three automobile manufacturers, the Falcon was the third car line introduced by Ford, following the full-sized Ford and the Ford Thunderbird.

1941 Ford Motor vehicle

The Ford car was thoroughly updated in 1941, in preparation for a time of unpredictability surrounding World War II. The 1941 design would continue in an aborted 1942 model year and would be restarted in 1946 and produced until 1948 when the more modern 1949 Fords were ready. During the initial year of this car, it evolved considerably. The front fenders came in three pieces, the theory being that small damages could be replaced easily. During the year, it evolved into two pieces with the lower front and back sections being joined. The hood risers changed, the early ones being the same as 1940 Fords, changing during the year to the better later version. The 1941 Convertible had no rear side windows, the only side windows being in the doors; in 1942, quarter windows were added so the rear occupants could see out. Five different coil/distributor arrangements were used during 1941, causing confusion for mechanics. Other variations were: two different positions for the generator, and three for the cooling fan — front of the crankshaft, front of the generator (rare) and on a bracket. This is thought to be the first Ford to offer a replaceable cartridge oil filter as an option. The two interior heaters were a "Southwind" gasoline burner, which had the advantage of keeping one warm in winter at drive-in movies, and a more ordinary hot-water type. Both had window defrosters. It had an excellent radio, which could consume the battery in about two hours. Electric windshield wipers were available in addition to the vacuum-powered wipers. Three different convertible power top mechanisms and two different header bar latching systems were used. Rear suspensions sometimes had a sway bar, most did not. It had excellent brakes and among the best handling of ordinary cars of the time. It served a transitional role in Ford’s lineup.

1949 Ford Motor vehicle

The 1949 Ford is a line of cars produced by Ford from the 1949 to 1951 model years. The successor to the prewar 1941 Ford, the model line was the first full-size Ford designed after World War II, becoming the first Ford car line released after the deaths of Edsel Ford and Henry Ford. From 1946 to 1948, each of the American Big Three concentrated on the restoration of car production, offering updated versions of their 1941-1942 model lines. Released in June 1948, the 1949 Ford was the first major "postwar" American car line, beating Chevrolet to market by six months and Plymouth by nine.

Chevrolet Fleetline Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Special Deluxe Series AH Fleetline is an automobile which was produced by US automaker Chevrolet from 1941 to 1952. From 1946 to 1948 it was a sub-series of the Chevrolet Fleetmaster rather than a series of the Special Deluxe and from 1949 to 1951 it was a sub-series of both the Chevrolet Special and the Chevrolet Deluxe. In its final year it was offered only as a sub-series of the latter.

Chevrolet Deluxe Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Deluxe is a trim line of Chevrolet automobiles that was marketed from 1941 to 1952, and was the volume sales leader for the market during the 1940s. The line included at first a 4-door sedan, but grew to include a fastback 2-door "aerosedan" and other body styles. The 1941 Chevrolet was the first generation that didn't share a common appearance with Chevrolet trucks, while the Chevrolet AK Series truck did share common internal components.

Chevrolet Stylemaster Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Stylemaster is an automobile produced by Chevrolet in the United States for the 1946, 1947 and 1948 model years.

Pontiac Torpedo Motor vehicle

The Pontiac Torpedo was a full-sized car produced by Pontiac from the 1940 through the 1948 model year. When released, it was the biggest Pontiac, used an 8-cylinder engine, and it had more standard features than other Pontiacs. Although the Torpedo name was exclusive to the highest line of Pontiacs in 1940, in 1941 the name was applied to all Pontiacs in three separate lines. The Custom Torpedoes were now top-of-the-line name, while the DeLuxe Torpedo became the base line, and the Streamline Torpedo became the middle line of Pontiacs. All Torpedo models could be had with either a 6-cylinder or 8-cylinder engine beginning in 1941. From 1942 to 1948 the Torpedo name designated only the base line of Pontiacs. The Torpedo was replaced by the Pontiac Chieftain in 1949. It was with this generation that all GM vehicles experienced increased width dimensions to accommodate three passengers on the front bench seat and an additional three passengers on rear bench seat installed vehicles. This was accomplished with the deletion of running board thereby adding additional room inside the passenger compartment.

References

  1. ↑ Farmer, Gavin (2010). Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia. Ilinga Books. p. 405. ISBN   978-0-9805229-1-4.
  2. ↑ Kimes, Beverly R.; Kowalke, Ron, eds. (1997). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 (Fourth ed.). Krause Publications. p.  477. ISBN   978-0-87341-521-7.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "1941 Nash prestige brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. pp. 15, 16, 17. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland. ISBN   978-0-7864-3229-5.
  5. 1 2 "Ford and Nash show first new cars". Popular Science: 125. August 1945. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  6. 1 2 Duffy, James E. (2003). Auto Body Repair Technology (Fourth ed.). Delmar Cengage Learning. p. 31. ISBN   978-0-7668-6272-2 . Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "1941 Nash prestige brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. p. 14. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "1941 Nash Ambassador 600 Wins". The Old Motor. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  9. ↑ Struthers, John (1977). Dinosaur Cars. Lerner Publishing. p. 39. ISBN   978-0-8225-0416-0.
  10. ↑ "Car of the Week: 1948 Nash Super 600". Old Cars Weekly. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "1942 Nash Press Kit". Oldcarbrochures.com. 8 September 1941. p. 1. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  12. ↑ "1942 Nash Press Kit". Oldcarbrochures.com. p. Image #1. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "1942 Nash Press Kit". Oldcarbrochures.com. p. Image #2. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "1946 Nash album". Oldcarbrochures.com. p. 3. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  15. 1 2 Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (15 October 2007). "1948 Nash 600 Business Coupe". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 29 January 2017.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  16. ↑ Foster, Patrick (July 2005). "First Lady of Style". Hemmings Classic Car. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  17. ↑ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (6 November 2007). "1949-1951 Nash Airflyte". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 21 December 2014.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  18. ↑ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (6 November 2007). "1949 Nash Airflyte Development". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 21 December 2014.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  19. ↑ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (6 November 2007). "1949 Nash Airflyte". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 21 December 2014.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.