Nash Ambassador History
Nash's top-line full-size car (1932–1957) — one of the longest-lived nameplates in motoring, home of the 'bathtub' Airflyte and Pinin Farina styling.
Photo: “File:NASH Ambassador Custom sedan 1949c.jpg” by Finoskov / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
History
The Ambassador name first appeared in 1927 as the top trim of the Nash Advanced Six and became a standalone model in 1932 as the straight-eight 'Ambassador Eight'. It served as Nash's senior, most luxurious full-size car for the rest of the marque's life, giving it one of the longest-running nameplates in automotive history.
Postwar Ambassadors led with Nash's signature innovations: the fresh-air 'Weather Eye' heating/ventilation system, the fold-flat 'Bed-In-A-Car' that let the seats convert into a sleeping space, and from 1949 the radically streamlined, enclosed-fender 'Airflyte' bodywork nicknamed the 'bathtub'. By 1954 the Ambassador offered an early integrated front-mounted air-conditioning setup tied to the Weather Eye.
For 1952 Nash introduced 'Golden Airflyte' styling penned with Italian coachbuilder Pinin Farina, a look that carried the Ambassador through its final Nash years. After Nash merged with Hudson to form AMC in 1954, the Ambassador continued as a Nash through the 1957 model year, after which the badge passed to AMC.
Generations
Airflyte ('bathtub') · Airflyte
Photo: “File:NASH Ambassador Custom sedan 1949c.jpg” by Finoskov / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The radically streamlined, enclosed-fender 'bathtub' Airflyte — the first all-new postwar Nash design, with unitized construction and the Weather Eye system.
1949 Photo: “File:1949 Nash Ambassador (3889875269).jpg” by JOHN LLOYD from Concrete, Washington, United States / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1950 Photo: “File:1950 Nash Ambassador Airflyte 3.8.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Pinin Farina era · Golden Airflyte
Photo: “File:1955 Nash Ambassador Custom four-door sedan in green and white at Rambler Ranch.jpg” by CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia. Please also include the location of the image: the Rambler Ranch collection in Elizabeth, Colorado. See: https://www.ramblerranch.com / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Restyled with Italian coachbuilder Pinin Farina for Nash's 'Golden Anniversary' 1952 cars; the look that carried the Ambassador to the end of the Nash brand in 1957.
1953 Photo: “File:1953 Nash Ambassador hardtop Hershey 2015 - 1of6.jpg” by CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz — a photo credit is required if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia. / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1954 Photo: “File:1954 Nash Ambassador Super (26557904283).jpg” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1955 Photo: “File:1955 Nash Ambassador Custom sedan in Turquoise and White, front left.jpg” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1956 Photo: “File:1956 Nash Ambassador Super four-door Sedan.jpg” by CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia. Please leave a note at Wikipedia here . Thank you! / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain
1957 Photo: “File:1957 Nash Ambassador (32464694).jpg” by Joe Ross from Lansing, Michigan / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Sedan
- Coupe
- Convertible
- Hardtop
- Wagon
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Nash Ambassador
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