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Nash Rambler

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

Nash Rambler
1952 Nash Rambler Custom station wagon
Overview
Manufacturer
Production1950–1955
Assembly
  • Canada: Danforth Ave (Toronto, Ontario) Plant (1956)
Designer
  • Meade Moore (chief engineer)
  • Theodore Ulrich (body & styling)
Body and chassis
ClassCompact
LayoutFR layout
Chronology
SuccessorRambler American

On 1 May 1954, Nash-Kelvinator merged with the Hudson Motor Car Company to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). The initial run of the Nash Rambler was then built by AMC in Kenosha, Wisconsin, until 1955.

The Nash Rambler established a new segment in the automobile market and is widely acknowledged to be the first successful modern American compact car.[2][3][4] The original Rambler also established the idea of a small but luxurious economy car.[5]

The 1950 through 1955 Nash Rambler was the first model run for this platform. Using the same tooling, AMC reintroduced an almost identical "new" 1958 Rambler American for a second model run. This was a rare feat of having two distinct and successful model runs, an almost unheard-of phenomenon in automotive history.[6]

Development

Nash-Kelvinator's President George W. Mason saw that the company needed to compete more effectively and insisted a new car had to be different from the existing models in the market offered by the "Big Three" U.S. automakers. Mason also realized the basic problem that had eluded others trying to market smaller-sized cars to Americans: low price was not enough to sell in large volumes, but "also had to be big enough to appeal to families as their primary car."[7] Therefore, the Rambler was designed to be smaller than contemporary cars, yet still able to accommodate five passengers comfortably. Nash engineers had originally penned the styling during World War II.[8]

The new model was the company's entry into the lower-price segment dominated by models from Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. The Rambler was designed to be lighter and have smaller dimensions than the other popular cars. With a strategy of efficiency, Nash could save on materials in its production while owners would have better fuel economy compared to the other cars of the era. The Nash Rambler rode on a 100 in (2,540 mm) wheelbase, and power came from Nash's proven 172.6 cu in (2.8 L) L-head (flathead) straight-6 cylinder engine that produced 82 hp (61 kW; 82 hp).

Following the design of the larger "senior" Nash models, the compact Rambler's styling was rounded in form and also had an envelope body – Nash's characteristic styling with fender skirts that also enclosed the front wheels.[9] This design feature did not impair the car's cornering ability significantly.

 
1950 Nash Rambler Custom Landau Convertible Coupe

The compact Rambler line was designed with several body styles, but the inaugural year was limited to a single model: a fully equipped 2-door fixed-profile convertible. The decision to bring the new car out first in a higher market segment with more standard features was a calculated risk by Mason. Foremost in this strategy was the need to give the new Rambler a positive public image. Mason knew the car would fail if seen by the public as a "cheap little car". This was confirmed in small car comparisons in the media that described the "well-equipped and stylish, the little Rambler is economical and easy to drive" with no "stripped-down" versions, but available in only high-end convertible, station wagon, or hardtop (no "B-pillar") body styles.[10] He knew what Crosley was just finding out with its line of mini cars, and what the Henry J would teach Kaiser Motors; namely, that Americans would rather buy a nice used car than a new car that is perceived as inferior or substandard.[11]

Like other fixed-profile convertibles, but unlike traditional convertibles that used frame-free side windows, the Rambler retained the bodywork's doors and rear-side window frames. This metal structure served as the side guides or rails for the retractable waterproof canvas top. This design allowed Nash to utilize its unibody construction on its new compact. It made the body very rigid for an open-top car, without additional bracing. The strength of the windshield pillars and roof-rail structure was demonstrated by the entire car flipped upside down and the rails and supports were undamaged.[12] The convertible top is cable-driven and electrically operated. The design is similar to other fixed-profile convertibles including the 1936 Fiat 500 "Topolino", Nissan Figaro (1991), Citroën 2CV (1948–1990), Vespa 400 (1957), and the 1957 Fiat 500 (1957) as well as its 2007 Fiat 500 successor.

In developing this new car, Nash had originally planned to call it the Diplomat.[13] This name would have rounded out the Nash family of cars; as for 1950, the 600 line was renamed the Statesman, and the Ambassador remained the flagship line.[13] When the managers learned that Dodge had already reserved the Diplomat name for a planned two-door hardtop body style, Nash delved into its own past, and resurrected the Rambler name from an 1897 prototype and its first production model, in 1902.[14] Rambler was also one of the popular early American automobile brands. On 22 May 1950, the automaker filed trademarks for the Rambler and also the Statesman names.[15]

The historical context of the Nash Rambler, along with the Nash-Healey and later the Metropolitan, was that U.S. citizens were exposed to and gained experience with the smaller, more efficient compact, and sporty European cars during the Second World War. Nash's CEO had also visited Italy, France, and England to observe the development of small cars had developed in those markets.[13] Some of the styling cues for the convertible Rambler came from Italian designs.[16] The new car's input included the approach of more compact cars that came from Nash-Kelvinator having a wide market overseas. This influence is also seen directly in the Pininfarina designed models. American Motors would later continue to import European design and styling flair for its products, such as the Hornet Sportabouts by Gucci, the Javelins by Pierre Cardin, and the Matador coupes by Oleg Cassini.

Model years

1950

1950–1952
 
1951 Nash "Country Club" 2-door hardtop
Body and chassis
Body style
Powertrain
Engine172.6 cu in (2.8 L) I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase100 in (2,540 mm)
Length176 in (4,470 mm)
Height59.75 in (1,518 mm)
Curb weightApproximate: 2,500 lb (1,134 kg)

The Nash Rambler was introduced on 13 April 1950, in the middle of the model year.[17] The new Rambler was available only as an upmarket two-door convertible – designated the "Landau". Without the weight of a roof, and with a low wind resistance body design for the time, the inline 6-cylinder engine could deliver solid performance and deliver fuel economy up to 30 mpg‑US (7.8 L/100 km; 36 mpg‑imp) and even more with the optional automatic overdrive.[18]

Several factors were incorporated into the compact Nash Rambler's marketing mix that included making the most from the limited steel supplies during the Korean War, as well as the automaker selecting a strategy for profit maximization from the new Rambler line. The new Nash Rambler came only in a convertible body, a style that had a higher price in the marketplace and incorporated more standard features that make the open-top models suitable more for leisure-type use than ordinary transportation.[19] With a base price of $1,808 (equivalent to approximately $20,363 in today's funds[20]), the Nash Rambler was priced slightly lower than the base convertible models from its intended competition. To further increase the value to buyers, the Nash Rambler was well equipped compared to the competition and included numerous items as standard equipment such as whitewall tires, full wheel covers, electric clock, and even a pushbutton AM radio that were options available at extra cost on all other cars at that time.

In summary, "it was a smartly styled small car. People also liked its low price and the money-saving economy of its peppy 6-cylinder engine."[21] The abbreviated first year of production saw sales of 9,330 Nash Rambler convertibles.

 
Nash Rambler Custom convertible

1951

In 1951, the Nash Rambler line was enlarged to include a two-door station wagon and a two-door pillarless hardtop – designated the Country Club. Both the hardtop and convertible models included additional safety features.[22]

Two levels of trim were available: Custom and Super.

A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1951 had a top speed of 80.9 mph (130 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 21.0 seconds. Fuel consumption of 25.2 mpg‑imp (11.2 L/100 km; 21.0 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost $1,808 in the U.S., but British sales had not at the time started.[23]

A 1951 Nash Rambler convertible was used by Tunku Abdul Rahman in Melaka in 1957 when as Federation of Malaya's first prime minister he declared the country free from British rule.[24]

 
1952 Nash Rambler "Custom Greenbrier" station wagon
 
1952 interior

1952

There were no major changes for the 1952 model year. Models included a new Deliveryman 2-door utility wagon for $1,892.[25] The "Custom" models featured Nash's Weather Eye conditioning system and an AM radio as standard equipment. The new Greenbrier station wagons received upgraded trim with two-tone painted exteriors and they were priced at $2,119, the same as the Custom Landau Convertible model.[25]

The 1950–1952 Nash Ramblers "gained instant popularity with buyers who liked its looks, as well as loyalty among customers who appreciated its quality engineering and performance."[1] A total of 53,000 Nash Ramblers were made for the year.[25]

1953

1953–1955
 
1955 Nash Rambler 4-door Cross Country wagon
Body and chassis
Body style
Powertrain
Engine
  • 184 cu in (3.0 L) I6 (with manual)
  • 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) I6
(with automatic)
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 100 in (2,540 mm) all 2-door models
  • 108 in (2,743 mm) 4-door sedan & wagon
Length
  • 176 in (4,470 mm) all 2-door models
  • 186.4 in (4,735 mm) 4-door sedan & wagon

The Rambler received its first restyling in 1953 and resembled the "senior" Nash models that had received all-new "Airflyte" styling the year before. The new styling was again credited to Italian automobile designer Battista "Pinin" Farina.[26] The hood line was lowered and a new hood ornament, designed by George Petty was optional. The "racy" ornament "was a sexy woman leaning into the future, bust down, and pointing the way."[27]

The standard engines were increased with manual transmission cars receiving a 184 cu in (3.0 L) I6 producing 85 hp (63 kW; 86 PS), while a 90 hp (67 kW; 91 PS) 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) I6 powered cars with the optional "Hydra-Matic" automatic supplied by General Motors. The Custom models added Nash's "Weather Eye" heating and ventilation system, as well as a radio as standard equipment, with the convertible and hardtop versions all getting a continental tire at no extra cost.[26]

The marketing campaign focused on the Nash Rambler as a second family car. Advertisements also featured the wife of Jimmy Stewart and her Country Club 2-door hardtop she described as "a woman's dream-of-a-car come true!" and promoting buyers to spend "one wonderful hour" test driving to discover how "among two-car families – four out of five prefer to drive their Rambler."[26]

A survey of owners of 1953 Ramblers conducted by Popular Mechanics indicated the majority listed their car's economy as the feature they like best.[28] After they had driven a total of 1,500,000 miles (2,400,000 km), owners' complaints included a lack of rear-seat legroom, water leaks, and poor dimmer switch position, but none of the Rambler drivers rated acceleration as unsatisfactory.[28] Fully 29 percent had no complaints and "only four percent of Rambler owners described the car as too small and 67 percent rated their Ramblers as excellent over-all."[28]

Production for the model year was 31,788 and included 9 Deliveryman models in the station wagon body, 15,255 Country Club hardtops, 10,598 Convertible Landaus, 10,600 Custom station wagons (of which 3,536 were in the Greenbrier trim and 7,035 with 3M's DI-NOC simulated wood-grain trim), and 1,114 standard wagons.[26]

1954

 
1954 Nash Rambler Custom Country Club 2-door hardtop

After offering only two-door-only models, Nash introduced a four-door sedan and a four-door station wagon in the Nash Rambler line starting with the 1954 model year. This was the automaker's response to demands of larger families for more roomy Ramblers.[29] The four-door body styles rode on a longer, 108 in (2,743 mm) wheelbase. Following the industry practice at the time, the heater and radio were now made optional. Added to the options list was Nash's exclusive integrated automobile air conditioning system, a "very sophisticated setup" for the time incorporated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in one system that was "priced lower than any other competing system; at $345, it was a remarkable advance."[30]

The four-door Rambler sedan was at first only available in "Custom" trim. The "Country Club" hardtop became available in the lower-priced "Super" trim and without the "Custom" model's standard Continental tire (external spare tire carrier). The 4-door station wagons were designated Cross Country. They featured an unusual roofline that followed the slope of the sedan's roof, then dipped down behind the rear seat area before leveling and continuing rearward. The design by Bill Reddig allowed the use of the same dies to produce door framing for sedans and station wagons, while the dip in the rear portion of the roof included a roof rack as standard equipment to reduce the visual effect of the wagon's lowered roofline.[29]

There was turmoil in the U.S. automobile market as the Ford-Chevy sales war broke out and the two largest domestic automakers cut prices to gain sales volume.[30] This battle decimated the remaining independent automakers in their search for customers. The marketing battle put a squeeze on the much smaller independent automakers, so even though the Nash Rambler economy cars proved popular in the marketplace, they were not particularly profitable for the company.[31]

On 1 May 1954, Nash and Hudson Motor Car Company announced a merger, and the successor corporation was named American Motors Corporation (AMC). Following the merger, Hudson dealers began receiving Ramblers that were badged as Hudson brand cars. The Hudson Ramblers and Nash Ramblers were identical, save for the brand name and minor badging.

1955

 
1955 Nash Rambler brochure describing the interiors
 
1955 Hudson Rambler Super 2-door
 
1955 Rambler Country Club

The Nash Rambler's most significant change for the 1955 model year was opening the front wheel wells resulting in a 6-foot (2 m) decrease in the turn-circle diameter from previous year's versions, with the two-door models having the smallest in the industry at 36 ft (11 m).[32] The "traditional" Nash fixed fender skirts were removed and the front track (the distance between the center points of the wheels on the axle as they come in contact with the road) was increased to be even greater than was the Rambler's rear tread.[32] Designers Edmund Anderson, Pinin Farina, and Meade Moore did not like the design element that was insisted by George Mason, so soon as Mason died, "Anderson hastily redesigned the front fenders."[33] Tongue-in-cheek, Popular Science magazine described the altered design for 1955: the "little Rambler loses its pants."[34]

As part of the facelift for 1955, the Rambler's grille was also redesigned with only the center emblem differentiating the cars now sold by both Nash and Hudson dealers. The Rambler was a new model for Hudson dealers and it replaced the compact Hudson Jet.[35]

The interiors of the economical Nash Rambler were designed by Helene Rother to also appeal to the feminine eye. American Motors featured "Created to Your Discriminating Taste" in the car's marketing knowing what women looked for in a car and Rother's designs featured elegant, stylish, and expensive fabrics that coordinated in colors and trim.[36]

Model and trim combinations were again reshuffled with a two-door Suburban and Club two-door sedans available in "Deluxe" or "Super" versions. Four-door sedans and wagons came as Super or Custom models, while a new Deluxe four-door sedan was introduced. The pillarless Country Club hardtop was reduced to only the "Custom" trim, while the convertible model was no longer available.

Fleet sales-only versions included a Deliveryman wagon that was not shown in the regular catalog, as well as another new model, a three-passenger business coupe: a two-door sedan with no rear seat.[37]

The automaker's marketing efforts included sponsorship of the Disneyland television show on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) network. The inaugural broadcast was on 25 October 1955; just five days after the new Ramblers debuted in both Nash and Hudson dealerships, and the Disney show quickly become one of the top-watched programs in the U.S., thus helping AMC sell more cars.[38]

The focus continued on economy and a Rambler four-door set an all-time record for cars with automatic transmissions of 27.47 mpg‑US (8.56 L/100 km; 32.99 mpg‑imp) in the 1955 Mobil Economy Run.[37]

The U.S. domestic market was turning to bigger and bigger cars; therefore, prospects for the compact Nash Rambler line were limited and production was discontinued after the 1955 model year.[6]

Motorsports

The smallest car in the 13 July 1951, 400-lap NASCAR sanctioned Short Track Late Model Division race in Lanham, Maryland, was a Nash Rambler Country Club (two-door hardtop).[39][40] Owned by Williams Nash Motors of Bethesda, Maryland, the car was driven to victory by Tony Bonadies of Bronx, New York.[41] He stayed in the back of the 25-car field on the quarter-mile (0.40 km) track until making a steady move up to the lead position. The Nash Rambler was also the only car to run the entire 100-mile (161 km) race without making a pit stop.[42][43]

On 18 July 1952, the NASCAR Short Track race at the Lanham Speedway, was 400 laps on a 0.2-mile (0.32 km) paved oval for a total of 80 miles (129 km).[44] Tony Bonadies finished the race in 4th place in a 1952 Nash.[45]

Replacement

 
The new compact-sized 1956 Nash Rambler in right-hand drive (New Zealand)

The sales war between Ford and Chevrolet that took place between 1953 and 1954 reduced the market share for the remaining automakers trying to compete against the standard-sized models offered by the domestic Big Three (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler).[46] American Motors responded to the changing market by focusing development on the 108 in (2,743 mm) wheelbase four-door versions that it had introduced in 1954.[6] Production of the original compact Nash Rambler ended in 1955 as AMC introduced an all-new Rambler for the 1956 model year. These used the 108 in (2,743 mm) wheelbase and became larger cars, but were "compact" compared to ones made by the Big Three. The bigger Rambler models were sold by both Nash and Hudson dealers and they carried respective Nash and Hudson brand logos.[47]

The new for 1956 Rambler was arguably "the most important car American Motors ever built" in that it not only created and defined a new market segment, emphasized the virtues of compact design, but also enabled the automaker to prosper in the post-World War II marketplace that shifted from a seller's to a buyer's market.[48] The new Ramblers came only as four-door models. Along with the usual four-door sedan and the station wagon was a new four-door hardtop sedan, as well as an industry first, a four-door hardtop station wagon.[49][50] An OHV version of the 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) engine was also introduced for 1956 to replace the L-head version that was used in previous models. The OHV I6 was the only engine available in the 1956 Ramblers, as the new AMC V8s did not appear until the 1957 model year.

Nash Rambler Palm Beach

American Motors' relationship with the Italian designer Battista 'Pinin' Farina as a styling consultant resulted in the 1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach.[51] All the major mechanical components for the concept car came from a 100 in (2,540 mm) wheelbase Nash Rambler.[52] The only indication of the origin of the car are the Rambler “R” emblems on the hubcaps.[53]

Influenced by aerodynamic and technical innovations, the Palm Beach was constructed "so that it could be introduced to the market in a short period of time."[54] The fully functional show car was intended as a replacement for the Nash-Healey, but AMC no longer included a sports car in its lineup by 1956.[55]

Revival

 
The revived Rambler American

With AMC's focus on economical automobiles, management saw an opportunity with the economic recession of 1958 to revive the small 100 in (2,540 mm) wheelbase Nash Rambler.[56] The automaker had retained the old tooling and the old model would fit between the bigger 108 in (2,743 mm) wheelbase family-sized Ramblers and the imported two-seat 85 in (2,159 mm) wheelbase Nash Metropolitan. This would be a smaller and more efficient alternative to the standard-sized cars that were marketed by the domestic Big Three at that time. The old Nash design was slightly modified and used for AMC's "new" 1958 Rambler American.[57]

Epilogue

The book listing the 75 noteworthy American automobiles that made news from 1895 until 1970, documents "the 1950 Nash Rambler was a historic car on two counts: its ancestry and its small size."[58] While other compact-sized cars were introduced by the small independent automakers, such as the Henry J, Hudson Jet, and Willys Aero, only the Rambler survived long enough to establish a real place in automotive history.[6]

Moreover, the compact-sized Nash Rambler automobile evolved into a business strategy for American Motors as the company firmly associated itself with small cars in the U.S. marketplace.[59] In the 1960s, the automaker "prospered on the back of the Nash Rambler, the compact that recalled the name of the vehicle Thomas B. Jeffrey built in 1902 at the Kenosha, Wisconsin factory that continued to be AMC's main production plant."[59]

The Nash Rambler succeeded where others "tried to entice US consumers looking for practical, economical automobiles" during an era "when all Detroit had to offer were pricey, ostentatious behemoths."[60] The Big Three domestic automakers exited the entry-level car market to foreign makes starting in the early 1950s.[60] Nash was the only American manufacturer to get the compact formula right by offering Rambler "well equipped and priced sensibly"; "styling that was fresh, distinctive, and attractive"; and for developing "the original Rambler’s run in 1950–55 was that there was a full line of Ramblers in many body styles, including a jaunty convertible."[60]

 
Nash Rambler hardtop with right-hand-drive in the Jesada Technik Museum in Thailand[61]

According to automotive historian Bill Vance, the Nash Ramblers "are not much remembered, but they did provide reliable, economical, and sturdy service."[6] "Nash's reputation for building eminently sensible vehicles means that their products are often overlooked by the modern-day enthusiast."[62] Cars professionally restored to factory condition have been auctioned to collectors.[63]

In popular culture

The Nash Rambler is featured in the 1958 hit song "Beep Beep." The singer, driving a Cadillac, is shocked to see a "little Nash Rambler" apparently trying to drag-race his bigger, stronger car, and keeping up with it. In the end, it turns out the Rambler's driver did not know how to get out of second gear. At the end of 1959, Time magazine reported that the song helped push Rambler to set sales records along with AMC doubling production compared to the previous year.[64][65]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (28 August 2007). . howstuffworks.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  2. ^ The New Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1. 2005. p. 333. ISBN 9781593392369. first modern American compact car, the Rambler.
  3. ^ Szudarek, Robert G. (1996). How Detroit became the automotive capital: 100th anniversary. Society of Automotive Engineers. p. 193. ISBN 9780614222296. Retrieved 25 January 2015. the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation introduced the first modern compact car in 1950, and revived the name "Rambler" that dated back to 1902 when Thomas B. Jeffery created the first Rambler in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
  4. ^ Foster, Patrick R. (2004). The Story of Jeep. Krause Publications. p. 89. ISBN 9780873497350. Retrieved 25 January 2015. Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, the innovative Detroit-based independent, introduced its Rambler, the first American compact car, in March of 1950.
  5. ^ Severson, Aaron (19 September 2009). "Fashionably Small: The Compact Nash Rambler". Ate Up With Motor. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Vance, Bill (28 July 2006). "Motoring Memories: AMC Rambler American 1958-1960". autos.ca. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  7. ^ Foster, Patrick R. (June 2002). The Metropolitan Story. The Olde Milford Press. p. 28. ISBN 9780966201918. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  8. ^ Mort, Norm (2010). American 'Independent' Automakers: AMC to Willys 1945 to 1960. Veloce Publishing. p. 51. ISBN 9781845842390. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  9. ^ Ralston, Andrew (2007). Plastic Toy Cars of the 1950s and 1960s: The Collector's Guide. Veloce Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 9781845841256.
  10. ^ "Report on the small cars". Changing Times, Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Vol. 7, no. 9. September 1953. pp. 14–15. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  11. ^ Sass, Rob (11 December 2008). "Detroit's Small Packages Arrived, and Left, Early". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  12. ^ Francis, Dev0n (May 1950). "Meet the "Rambler"". Popular Science Monthly. Vol. 156, no. 5. pp. 110–114. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  13. ^ a b c Strohl, Daniel (23 September 2018). "Penny-Pinching Droptop - 1951 Nash Rambler". Hemmings.
  14. ^ Witzenburg, Gary (April 1984). "The Name Game". Motor Trend. p. 86.
  15. ^ Phillips, David (19 May 2020). "Rambler returns under new trademark, heralding postwar small cars". Automotive News. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  16. ^ Vack, Pete (20 June 2017). "Crossroads: Italy – USA at the National Automobile Museum of Turin". velocetoday.com. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  17. ^ "The 1950 Nash Rambler Convertible". The New York Times. 14 April 1950. p. 20. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  18. ^ "Nash Rambler". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 93, no. 5. May 1950. p. 105. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  19. ^ Car: The Definitive Visual History of the Automobile. DK Publishing. 2011. p. 170. ISBN 9780756671679. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  20. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  21. ^ Lent, Henry Bolles (1974). Car of the year, 1895-1970: a 75-year parade of American automobiles that made news. Dutton. p. 115. ISBN 9780525274513. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  22. ^ "The New Nash Rambler Country Club Car". The New York Times. 28 June 1951. p. 34. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  23. ^ "The Nash Rambler". The Motor. 18 April 1951.
  24. ^ Dzulkifly, Danial (29 August 2017). "Malaysia set for big 60 celebration (VIDEO)". The Malay Mail Online. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  25. ^ a b c Gunnell, John (2004). Standard guide to 1950s American cars. KP Books. p. 165. ISBN 9780873498685. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  26. ^ a b c d Gunnell, p. 166.
  27. ^ Bogart, Angelo Van (2010). 50s Flashback: A Decade of Automotive Excellence. Krause Publications. p. 63. ISBN 9781440214127. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  28. ^ a b c Clymer, Floyd (November 1953). "The Owners Report on the Nash". Popular Mechanics. pp. 102–106. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  29. ^ a b Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (29 November 2007). . howstuffworks.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  30. ^ a b Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (29 November 2007). . howstuffworks.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  31. ^ Wilson, Kevin A. (5 November 2012). "1954 Nash Rambler Cross-Country Station Wagon". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  32. ^ a b "New Cars for 1955". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 102, no. 6. December 1954. p. 99. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  33. ^ Severson, Aaron (19 September 2009). "Ramble and Roll: The Compact Nash Rambler". Ate Up With Motor. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  34. ^ "Little Rambler loses its pants". Popular Science. Vol. 165, no. 6. December 1954. p. 123. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  35. ^ Foster, Patrick R. (1993). American Motors - The Last Independent. Krause Publications. p. 17. ISBN 9780873412407. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  36. ^ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (28 August 2007). . auto.howstuffworks.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  37. ^ a b Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (29 November 2007). . howstuffworks.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  38. ^ Gunnell, p. 124. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  39. ^ "Lanham Speedway". The Maryland Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  40. ^ "Lanham Speedway". Maryland Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame. 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  41. ^ "Tony Bonadies". legendsofnascar.com. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  42. ^ "Nash Rambler wins $1,000 at Lanaham". The Record. 20 July 1951. p. 1.
  43. ^ "Car #40, Tony Bonadies driver". 3widespicturevault.com. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  44. ^ "NASCAR Short Track race". ultimateracinghistory.com. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  45. ^ "Tony Bonadies". ultimateracinghistory.com. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  46. ^ Flammang, James M. (1994). Chronicle of the American automobile: over 100 years of auto history. Publications International. p. 278. ISBN 9780785307785. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  47. ^ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (15 June 2007). "How Rambler Cars Work". auto.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  48. ^ Auto Editors ofConsumer Guide (5 September 2007). . auto.howstuffworks.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
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  50. ^ "Rambler has everything new - even a hardtop wagon". Popular Mechanics. Vol. 105, no. 1. January 1956. pp. 114–117. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  51. ^ Donaldson, Jessica. "1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach Concept". conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  52. ^ Foster, Patrick R. (September 2005). "Pinin Farina's Rambler Palm Beach". Hemmings Classic Car. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  53. ^ Wyss, Wallace; Gulett, Mike (22 July 2022). "The Nash Rambler Palm Beach - A Car That I Missed". mycarquest.com. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  54. ^ "Pininfarina Nash Rambler Palm Beach Coupe". coachbuild.com. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  55. ^ D., Nick (29 January 2016). "Nash Rambler 'Palm Beach' Coupe". supercars.net. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  56. ^ Auto Editors of Consumer Guide (6 November 2007). . Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  57. ^ Ingraham, Joseph C. (3 October 1957). "100-inch Rambler Revived for 1958; American Motors to Stress Smallest Sizes--Line to Appear This Month". The New York Times. p. 60. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  58. ^ Lent, Henry Bolles (1974). Car of the year, 1895-1970: a 75-year parade of American automobiles that made news. Dutton. p. 115. ISBN 9780525274513. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  59. ^ a b Feder, Barnaby J. (10 March 1987). "AMC's Long, Hard Struggle". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  60. ^ a b c Sass, Rob (11 December 2008). "Detroit's Small Packages Arrived, and Left, Early". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  61. ^ "Museum Classics: Jesada Technik Museum – Part 1: The Older Stuff (Pre-1960)". Curbside Classic. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  62. ^ Kozak, Graham (4 December 2012). "Beep Beep! 1955 Nash Rambler Custom Super featured on Bring a Trailer: Come for the sensible styling and value, stay for the color-matched swamp cooler". Autoweek. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  63. ^ "Lot #82 - 1952 Nash Rambler Station Wagon". Barrett-Jackson. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  64. ^ Zyla, Greg (21 October 2022). "Cars We Remember: First compact and subcompact cars, and the hit record 'Beep Beep'". The News-Item. Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  65. ^ "Autos: Rambler in High Gear". Time. 8 December 1959. Retrieved 29 December 2022.

References

  • Conde, John A. (1987). The American Motors Family Album. American Motors Corporation. OCLC 3185581.
  • Cranswick, Marc (2012). The Cars of American Motors: An Illustrated History. McFarland. ISBN 9780786446728.
  • Foster, Patrick R. (2004). AMC Cars: 1954-1987 An Illustrated History. Motorbooks. ISBN 9781583881125.
  • Foster, Patrick R. (2004). AMC Performance Cars: 1951-1983 Photo Archive. Motorbooks. ISBN 9781583881279.
  • Foster, Patrick R. (1993). American Motors - The Last Independent. Krause Publications. ISBN 9780873412407.
  • Gunnell, John, ed. (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications. ISBN 9780873410960.

External links

nash, rambler, north, american, automobile, that, produced, nash, motors, division, nash, kelvinator, corporation, from, 1950, until, 1954, sedan, wagon, fixed, profile, convertible, body, styles, 1952, custom, station, wagonoverviewmanufacturernash, motors, 1. The Nash Rambler is a North American automobile that was produced by the Nash Motors division of Nash Kelvinator Corporation from 1950 until 1954 in sedan wagon and fixed profile convertible body styles Nash Rambler1952 Nash Rambler Custom station wagonOverviewManufacturerNash Motors 1950 1954 American Motors 1954 1955 Production1950 1955AssemblyUnited States El Segundo California 1 Canada Danforth Ave Toronto Ontario Plant 1956 DesignerMeade Moore chief engineer Theodore Ulrich body amp styling Body and chassisClassCompactLayoutFR layoutChronologySuccessorRambler AmericanOn 1 May 1954 Nash Kelvinator merged with the Hudson Motor Car Company to form American Motors Corporation AMC The initial run of the Nash Rambler was then built by AMC in Kenosha Wisconsin until 1955 The Nash Rambler established a new segment in the automobile market and is widely acknowledged to be the first successful modern American compact car 2 3 4 The original Rambler also established the idea of a small but luxurious economy car 5 The 1950 through 1955 Nash Rambler was the first model run for this platform Using the same tooling AMC reintroduced an almost identical new 1958 Rambler American for a second model run This was a rare feat of having two distinct and successful model runs an almost unheard of phenomenon in automotive history 6 Contents 1 Development 2 Model years 2 1 1950 2 2 1951 2 3 1952 2 4 1953 2 5 1954 2 6 1955 3 Motorsports 4 Replacement 5 Nash Rambler Palm Beach 6 Revival 7 Epilogue 8 In popular culture 9 Notes 10 References 11 External linksDevelopment EditNash Kelvinator s President George W Mason saw that the company needed to compete more effectively and insisted a new car had to be different from the existing models in the market offered by the Big Three U S automakers Mason also realized the basic problem that had eluded others trying to market smaller sized cars to Americans low price was not enough to sell in large volumes but also had to be big enough to appeal to families as their primary car 7 Therefore the Rambler was designed to be smaller than contemporary cars yet still able to accommodate five passengers comfortably Nash engineers had originally penned the styling during World War II 8 The new model was the company s entry into the lower price segment dominated by models from Chevrolet Ford and Plymouth The Rambler was designed to be lighter and have smaller dimensions than the other popular cars With a strategy of efficiency Nash could save on materials in its production while owners would have better fuel economy compared to the other cars of the era The Nash Rambler rode on a 100 in 2 540 mm wheelbase and power came from Nash s proven 172 6 cu in 2 8 L L head flathead straight 6 cylinder engine that produced 82 hp 61 kW 82 hp Following the design of the larger senior Nash models the compact Rambler s styling was rounded in form and also had an envelope body Nash s characteristic styling with fender skirts that also enclosed the front wheels 9 This design feature did not impair the car s cornering ability significantly 1950 Nash Rambler Custom Landau Convertible Coupe The compact Rambler line was designed with several body styles but the inaugural year was limited to a single model a fully equipped 2 door fixed profile convertible The decision to bring the new car out first in a higher market segment with more standard features was a calculated risk by Mason Foremost in this strategy was the need to give the new Rambler a positive public image Mason knew the car would fail if seen by the public as a cheap little car This was confirmed in small car comparisons in the media that described the well equipped and stylish the little Rambler is economical and easy to drive with no stripped down versions but available in only high end convertible station wagon or hardtop no B pillar body styles 10 He knew what Crosley was just finding out with its line of mini cars and what the Henry J would teach Kaiser Motors namely that Americans would rather buy a nice used car than a new car that is perceived as inferior or substandard 11 Like other fixed profile convertibles but unlike traditional convertibles that used frame free side windows the Rambler retained the bodywork s doors and rear side window frames This metal structure served as the side guides or rails for the retractable waterproof canvas top This design allowed Nash to utilize its unibody construction on its new compact It made the body very rigid for an open top car without additional bracing The strength of the windshield pillars and roof rail structure was demonstrated by the entire car flipped upside down and the rails and supports were undamaged 12 The convertible top is cable driven and electrically operated The design is similar to other fixed profile convertibles including the 1936 Fiat 500 Topolino Nissan Figaro 1991 Citroen 2CV 1948 1990 Vespa 400 1957 and the 1957 Fiat 500 1957 as well as its 2007 Fiat 500 successor In developing this new car Nash had originally planned to call it the Diplomat 13 This name would have rounded out the Nash family of cars as for 1950 the 600 line was renamed the Statesman and the Ambassador remained the flagship line 13 When the managers learned that Dodge had already reserved the Diplomat name for a planned two door hardtop body style Nash delved into its own past and resurrected the Rambler name from an 1897 prototype and its first production model in 1902 14 Rambler was also one of the popular early American automobile brands On 22 May 1950 the automaker filed trademarks for the Rambler and also the Statesman names 15 The historical context of the Nash Rambler along with the Nash Healey and later the Metropolitan was that U S citizens were exposed to and gained experience with the smaller more efficient compact and sporty European cars during the Second World War Nash s CEO had also visited Italy France and England to observe the development of small cars had developed in those markets 13 Some of the styling cues for the convertible Rambler came from Italian designs 16 The new car s input included the approach of more compact cars that came from Nash Kelvinator having a wide market overseas This influence is also seen directly in the Pininfarina designed models American Motors would later continue to import European design and styling flair for its products such as the Hornet Sportabouts by Gucci the Javelins by Pierre Cardin and the Matador coupes by Oleg Cassini Model years Edit1950 Edit 1950 1952 1951 Nash Country Club 2 door hardtopBody and chassisBody style2 door convertible2 door hardtop2 door sedan2 door station wagon2 door sedan deliveryPowertrainEngine172 6 cu in 2 8 L I6DimensionsWheelbase100 in 2 540 mm Length176 in 4 470 mm Height59 75 in 1 518 mm Curb weightApproximate 2 500 lb 1 134 kg The Nash Rambler was introduced on 13 April 1950 in the middle of the model year 17 The new Rambler was available only as an upmarket two door convertible designated the Landau Without the weight of a roof and with a low wind resistance body design for the time the inline 6 cylinder engine could deliver solid performance and deliver fuel economy up to 30 mpg US 7 8 L 100 km 36 mpg imp and even more with the optional automatic overdrive 18 Several factors were incorporated into the compact Nash Rambler s marketing mix that included making the most from the limited steel supplies during the Korean War as well as the automaker selecting a strategy for profit maximization from the new Rambler line The new Nash Rambler came only in a convertible body a style that had a higher price in the marketplace and incorporated more standard features that make the open top models suitable more for leisure type use than ordinary transportation 19 With a base price of 1 808 equivalent to approximately 20 363 in today s funds 20 the Nash Rambler was priced slightly lower than the base convertible models from its intended competition To further increase the value to buyers the Nash Rambler was well equipped compared to the competition and included numerous items as standard equipment such as whitewall tires full wheel covers electric clock and even a pushbutton AM radio that were options available at extra cost on all other cars at that time In summary it was a smartly styled small car People also liked its low price and the money saving economy of its peppy 6 cylinder engine 21 The abbreviated first year of production saw sales of 9 330 Nash Rambler convertibles Nash Rambler Custom convertible 1951 Edit In 1951 the Nash Rambler line was enlarged to include a two door station wagon and a two door pillarless hardtop designated the Country Club Both the hardtop and convertible models included additional safety features 22 Two levels of trim were available Custom and Super A car tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1951 had a top speed of 80 9 mph 130 km h and could accelerate from 0 60 mph 0 97 km h in 21 0 seconds Fuel consumption of 25 2 mpg imp 11 2 L 100 km 21 0 mpg US was recorded The test car cost 1 808 in the U S but British sales had not at the time started 23 A 1951 Nash Rambler convertible was used by Tunku Abdul Rahman in Melaka in 1957 when as Federation of Malaya s first prime minister he declared the country free from British rule 24 1952 Nash Rambler Custom Greenbrier station wagon 1952 interior 1952 Edit There were no major changes for the 1952 model year Models included a new Deliveryman 2 door utility wagon for 1 892 25 The Custom models featured Nash s Weather Eye conditioning system and an AM radio as standard equipment The new Greenbrier station wagons received upgraded trim with two tone painted exteriors and they were priced at 2 119 the same as the Custom Landau Convertible model 25 The 1950 1952 Nash Ramblers gained instant popularity with buyers who liked its looks as well as loyalty among customers who appreciated its quality engineering and performance 1 A total of 53 000 Nash Ramblers were made for the year 25 1953 Edit 1953 1955 1955 Nash Rambler 4 door Cross Country wagonBody and chassisBody style2 door convertible2 door hardtop2 door sedan2 door station wagon4 door sedan4 door station wagon2 door sedan deliveryPowertrainEngine184 cu in 3 0 L I6 with manual 195 6 cu in 3 2 L I6 with automatic DimensionsWheelbase100 in 2 540 mm all 2 door models108 in 2 743 mm 4 door sedan amp wagonLength176 in 4 470 mm all 2 door models186 4 in 4 735 mm 4 door sedan amp wagonThe Rambler received its first restyling in 1953 and resembled the senior Nash models that had received all new Airflyte styling the year before The new styling was again credited to Italian automobile designer Battista Pinin Farina 26 The hood line was lowered and a new hood ornament designed by George Petty was optional The racy ornament was a sexy woman leaning into the future bust down and pointing the way 27 The standard engines were increased with manual transmission cars receiving a 184 cu in 3 0 L I6 producing 85 hp 63 kW 86 PS while a 90 hp 67 kW 91 PS 195 6 cu in 3 2 L I6 powered cars with the optional Hydra Matic automatic supplied by General Motors The Custom models added Nash s Weather Eye heating and ventilation system as well as a radio as standard equipment with the convertible and hardtop versions all getting a continental tire at no extra cost 26 The marketing campaign focused on the Nash Rambler as a second family car Advertisements also featured the wife of Jimmy Stewart and her Country Club 2 door hardtop she described as a woman s dream of a car come true and promoting buyers to spend one wonderful hour test driving to discover how among two car families four out of five prefer to drive their Rambler 26 A survey of owners of 1953 Ramblers conducted by Popular Mechanics indicated the majority listed their car s economy as the feature they like best 28 After they had driven a total of 1 500 000 miles 2 400 000 km owners complaints included a lack of rear seat legroom water leaks and poor dimmer switch position but none of the Rambler drivers rated acceleration as unsatisfactory 28 Fully 29 percent had no complaints and only four percent of Rambler owners described the car as too small and 67 percent rated their Ramblers as excellent over all 28 Production for the model year was 31 788 and included 9 Deliveryman models in the station wagon body 15 255 Country Club hardtops 10 598 Convertible Landaus 10 600 Custom station wagons of which 3 536 were in the Greenbrier trim and 7 035 with 3M s DI NOC simulated wood grain trim and 1 114 standard wagons 26 1953 Nash Rambler Country Club 1953 Nash Rambler Deliveryman 1954 Edit 1954 Nash Rambler Custom Country Club 2 door hardtop After offering only two door only models Nash introduced a four door sedan and a four door station wagon in the Nash Rambler line starting with the 1954 model year This was the automaker s response to demands of larger families for more roomy Ramblers 29 The four door body styles rode on a longer 108 in 2 743 mm wheelbase Following the industry practice at the time the heater and radio were now made optional Added to the options list was Nash s exclusive integrated automobile air conditioning system a very sophisticated setup for the time incorporated heating ventilation and air conditioning in one system that was priced lower than any other competing system at 345 it was a remarkable advance 30 The four door Rambler sedan was at first only available in Custom trim The Country Club hardtop became available in the lower priced Super trim and without the Custom model s standard Continental tire external spare tire carrier The 4 door station wagons were designated Cross Country They featured an unusual roofline that followed the slope of the sedan s roof then dipped down behind the rear seat area before leveling and continuing rearward The design by Bill Reddig allowed the use of the same dies to produce door framing for sedans and station wagons while the dip in the rear portion of the roof included a roof rack as standard equipment to reduce the visual effect of the wagon s lowered roofline 29 There was turmoil in the U S automobile market as the Ford Chevy sales war broke out and the two largest domestic automakers cut prices to gain sales volume 30 This battle decimated the remaining independent automakers in their search for customers The marketing battle put a squeeze on the much smaller independent automakers so even though the Nash Rambler economy cars proved popular in the marketplace they were not particularly profitable for the company 31 On 1 May 1954 Nash and Hudson Motor Car Company announced a merger and the successor corporation was named American Motors Corporation AMC Following the merger Hudson dealers began receiving Ramblers that were badged as Hudson brand cars The Hudson Ramblers and Nash Ramblers were identical save for the brand name and minor badging 1955 Edit 1955 Nash Rambler brochure describing the interiors 1955 Hudson Rambler Super 2 door 1955 Rambler Country Club The Nash Rambler s most significant change for the 1955 model year was opening the front wheel wells resulting in a 6 foot 2 m decrease in the turn circle diameter from previous year s versions with the two door models having the smallest in the industry at 36 ft 11 m 32 The traditional Nash fixed fender skirts were removed and the front track the distance between the center points of the wheels on the axle as they come in contact with the road was increased to be even greater than was the Rambler s rear tread 32 Designers Edmund Anderson Pinin Farina and Meade Moore did not like the design element that was insisted by George Mason so soon as Mason died Anderson hastily redesigned the front fenders 33 Tongue in cheek Popular Science magazine described the altered design for 1955 the little Rambler loses its pants 34 As part of the facelift for 1955 the Rambler s grille was also redesigned with only the center emblem differentiating the cars now sold by both Nash and Hudson dealers The Rambler was a new model for Hudson dealers and it replaced the compact Hudson Jet 35 The interiors of the economical Nash Rambler were designed by Helene Rother to also appeal to the feminine eye American Motors featured Created to Your Discriminating Taste in the car s marketing knowing what women looked for in a car and Rother s designs featured elegant stylish and expensive fabrics that coordinated in colors and trim 36 Model and trim combinations were again reshuffled with a two door Suburban and Club two door sedans available in Deluxe or Super versions Four door sedans and wagons came as Super or Custom models while a new Deluxe four door sedan was introduced The pillarless Country Club hardtop was reduced to only the Custom trim while the convertible model was no longer available Fleet sales only versions included a Deliveryman wagon that was not shown in the regular catalog as well as another new model a three passenger business coupe a two door sedan with no rear seat 37 The automaker s marketing efforts included sponsorship of the Disneyland television show on the American Broadcasting Company ABC network The inaugural broadcast was on 25 October 1955 just five days after the new Ramblers debuted in both Nash and Hudson dealerships and the Disney show quickly become one of the top watched programs in the U S thus helping AMC sell more cars 38 The focus continued on economy and a Rambler four door set an all time record for cars with automatic transmissions of 27 47 mpg US 8 56 L 100 km 32 99 mpg imp in the 1955 Mobil Economy Run 37 The U S domestic market was turning to bigger and bigger cars therefore prospects for the compact Nash Rambler line were limited and production was discontinued after the 1955 model year 6 Motorsports EditThe smallest car in the 13 July 1951 400 lap NASCAR sanctioned Short Track Late Model Division race in Lanham Maryland was a Nash Rambler Country Club two door hardtop 39 40 Owned by Williams Nash Motors of Bethesda Maryland the car was driven to victory by Tony Bonadies of Bronx New York 41 He stayed in the back of the 25 car field on the quarter mile 0 40 km track until making a steady move up to the lead position The Nash Rambler was also the only car to run the entire 100 mile 161 km race without making a pit stop 42 43 On 18 July 1952 the NASCAR Short Track race at the Lanham Speedway was 400 laps on a 0 2 mile 0 32 km paved oval for a total of 80 miles 129 km 44 Tony Bonadies finished the race in 4th place in a 1952 Nash 45 Replacement Edit The new compact sized 1956 Nash Rambler in right hand drive New Zealand The sales war between Ford and Chevrolet that took place between 1953 and 1954 reduced the market share for the remaining automakers trying to compete against the standard sized models offered by the domestic Big Three General Motors Ford and Chrysler 46 American Motors responded to the changing market by focusing development on the 108 in 2 743 mm wheelbase four door versions that it had introduced in 1954 6 Production of the original compact Nash Rambler ended in 1955 as AMC introduced an all new Rambler for the 1956 model year These used the 108 in 2 743 mm wheelbase and became larger cars but were compact compared to ones made by the Big Three The bigger Rambler models were sold by both Nash and Hudson dealers and they carried respective Nash and Hudson brand logos 47 The new for 1956 Rambler was arguably the most important car American Motors ever built in that it not only created and defined a new market segment emphasized the virtues of compact design but also enabled the automaker to prosper in the post World War II marketplace that shifted from a seller s to a buyer s market 48 The new Ramblers came only as four door models Along with the usual four door sedan and the station wagon was a new four door hardtop sedan as well as an industry first a four door hardtop station wagon 49 50 An OHV version of the 195 6 cu in 3 2 L engine was also introduced for 1956 to replace the L head version that was used in previous models The OHV I6 was the only engine available in the 1956 Ramblers as the new AMC V8s did not appear until the 1957 model year Nash Rambler Palm Beach EditAmerican Motors relationship with the Italian designer Battista Pinin Farina as a styling consultant resulted in the 1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach 51 All the major mechanical components for the concept car came from a 100 in 2 540 mm wheelbase Nash Rambler 52 The only indication of the origin of the car are the Rambler R emblems on the hubcaps 53 Influenced by aerodynamic and technical innovations the Palm Beach was constructed so that it could be introduced to the market in a short period of time 54 The fully functional show car was intended as a replacement for the Nash Healey but AMC no longer included a sports car in its lineup by 1956 55 Revival Edit The revived Rambler American With AMC s focus on economical automobiles management saw an opportunity with the economic recession of 1958 to revive the small 100 in 2 540 mm wheelbase Nash Rambler 56 The automaker had retained the old tooling and the old model would fit between the bigger 108 in 2 743 mm wheelbase family sized Ramblers and the imported two seat 85 in 2 159 mm wheelbase Nash Metropolitan This would be a smaller and more efficient alternative to the standard sized cars that were marketed by the domestic Big Three at that time The old Nash design was slightly modified and used for AMC s new 1958 Rambler American 57 Epilogue EditThe book listing the 75 noteworthy American automobiles that made news from 1895 until 1970 documents the 1950 Nash Rambler was a historic car on two counts its ancestry and its small size 58 While other compact sized cars were introduced by the small independent automakers such as the Henry J Hudson Jet and Willys Aero only the Rambler survived long enough to establish a real place in automotive history 6 Moreover the compact sized Nash Rambler automobile evolved into a business strategy for American Motors as the company firmly associated itself with small cars in the U S marketplace 59 In the 1960s the automaker prospered on the back of the Nash Rambler the compact that recalled the name of the vehicle Thomas B Jeffrey built in 1902 at the Kenosha Wisconsin factory that continued to be AMC s main production plant 59 The Nash Rambler succeeded where others tried to entice US consumers looking for practical economical automobiles during an era when all Detroit had to offer were pricey ostentatious behemoths 60 The Big Three domestic automakers exited the entry level car market to foreign makes starting in the early 1950s 60 Nash was the only American manufacturer to get the compact formula right by offering Rambler well equipped and priced sensibly styling that was fresh distinctive and attractive and for developing the original Rambler s run in 1950 55 was that there was a full line of Ramblers in many body styles including a jaunty convertible 60 Nash Rambler hardtop with right hand drive in the Jesada Technik Museum in Thailand 61 According to automotive historian Bill Vance the Nash Ramblers are not much remembered but they did provide reliable economical and sturdy service 6 Nash s reputation for building eminently sensible vehicles means that their products are often overlooked by the modern day enthusiast 62 Cars professionally restored to factory condition have been auctioned to collectors 63 In popular culture EditThe Nash Rambler is featured in the 1958 hit song Beep Beep The singer driving a Cadillac is shocked to see a little Nash Rambler apparently trying to drag race his bigger stronger car and keeping up with it In the end it turns out the Rambler s driver did not know how to get out of second gear At the end of 1959 Time magazine reported that the song helped push Rambler to set sales records along with AMC doubling production compared to the previous year 64 65 Notes Edit a b Auto Editors of Consumer Guide 28 August 2007 1950 1952 Nash Rambler Specifications howstuffworks com Archived from the original on 9 July 2020 Retrieved 9 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link The New Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 1 2005 p 333 ISBN 9781593392369 first modern American compact car the Rambler Szudarek Robert G 1996 How Detroit became the automotive capital 100th anniversary Society of Automotive Engineers p 193 ISBN 9780614222296 Retrieved 25 January 2015 the Nash Kelvinator Corporation introduced the first modern compact car in 1950 and revived the name Rambler that dated back to 1902 when Thomas B Jeffery created the first Rambler in Kenosha Wisconsin Foster Patrick R 2004 The Story of Jeep Krause Publications p 89 ISBN 9780873497350 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Nash Kelvinator Corporation the innovative Detroit based independent introduced its Rambler the first American compact car in March of 1950 Severson Aaron 19 September 2009 Fashionably Small The Compact Nash Rambler Ate Up With Motor Retrieved 29 December 2022 a b c d e Vance Bill 28 July 2006 Motoring Memories AMC Rambler American 1958 1960 autos ca Retrieved 9 March 2022 Foster Patrick R June 2002 The Metropolitan Story The Olde Milford Press p 28 ISBN 9780966201918 Retrieved 24 September 2020 Mort Norm 2010 American Independent Automakers AMC to Willys 1945 to 1960 Veloce Publishing p 51 ISBN 9781845842390 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Ralston Andrew 2007 Plastic Toy Cars of the 1950s and 1960s The Collector s Guide Veloce Publishing p 53 ISBN 9781845841256 Report on the small cars Changing Times Kiplinger s Personal Finance Vol 7 no 9 September 1953 pp 14 15 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Sass Rob 11 December 2008 Detroit s Small Packages Arrived and Left Early The New York Times Retrieved 29 December 2022 Francis Dev0n May 1950 Meet the Rambler Popular Science Monthly Vol 156 no 5 pp 110 114 Retrieved 24 September 2020 a b c Strohl Daniel 23 September 2018 Penny Pinching Droptop 1951 Nash Rambler Hemmings Witzenburg Gary April 1984 The Name Game Motor Trend p 86 Phillips David 19 May 2020 Rambler returns under new trademark heralding postwar small cars Automotive News Retrieved 29 December 2022 Vack Pete 20 June 2017 Crossroads Italy USA at the National Automobile Museum of Turin velocetoday com Retrieved 29 December 2022 The 1950 Nash Rambler Convertible The New York Times 14 April 1950 p 20 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Nash Rambler Popular Mechanics Vol 93 no 5 May 1950 p 105 Retrieved 24 September 2020 Car The Definitive Visual History of the Automobile DK Publishing 2011 p 170 ISBN 9780756671679 Retrieved 25 January 2015 1634 1699 McCusker J J 1997 How Much Is That in Real Money A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States Addenda et Corrigenda PDF American Antiquarian Society 1700 1799 McCusker J J 1992 How Much Is That in Real Money A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States PDF American Antiquarian Society 1800 present Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Consumer Price Index estimate 1800 Retrieved 16 April 2022 Lent Henry Bolles 1974 Car of the year 1895 1970 a 75 year parade of American automobiles that made news Dutton p 115 ISBN 9780525274513 Retrieved 25 January 2015 The New Nash Rambler Country Club Car The New York Times 28 June 1951 p 34 Retrieved 25 September 2017 The Nash Rambler The Motor 18 April 1951 Dzulkifly Danial 29 August 2017 Malaysia set for big 60 celebration VIDEO The Malay Mail Online Retrieved 25 September 2017 a b c Gunnell John 2004 Standard guide to 1950s American cars KP Books p 165 ISBN 9780873498685 Retrieved 25 January 2015 a b c d Gunnell p 166 Bogart Angelo Van 2010 50s Flashback A Decade of Automotive Excellence Krause Publications p 63 ISBN 9781440214127 Retrieved 25 January 2015 a b c Clymer Floyd November 1953 The Owners Report on the Nash Popular Mechanics pp 102 106 Retrieved 14 June 2012 a b Auto Editors of Consumer Guide 29 November 2007 1954 Nash Rambler Model Lineup howstuffworks com Archived from the original on 30 September 2020 Retrieved 9 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link a b Auto Editors of Consumer Guide 29 November 2007 1954 Nash Rambler Deluxe howstuffworks com Archived from the original on 26 July 2020 Retrieved 30 January 2021 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Wilson Kevin A 5 November 2012 1954 Nash Rambler Cross Country Station Wagon Popular Mechanics Retrieved 25 January 2015 a b New Cars for 1955 Popular Mechanics Vol 102 no 6 December 1954 p 99 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Severson Aaron 19 September 2009 Ramble and Roll The Compact Nash Rambler Ate Up With Motor Retrieved 25 January 2015 Little Rambler loses its pants Popular Science Vol 165 no 6 December 1954 p 123 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Foster Patrick R 1993 American Motors The Last Independent Krause Publications p 17 ISBN 9780873412407 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Auto Editors of Consumer Guide 28 August 2007 1950 1952 Rambler auto howstuffworks com Archived from the original on 9 July 2017 Retrieved 9 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link a b Auto Editors of Consumer Guide 29 November 2007 1955 Rambler howstuffworks com Archived from the original on 28 July 2020 Retrieved 9 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Gunnell p 124 Retrieved 1 September 2012 Lanham Speedway The Maryland Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame Retrieved 25 January 2015 Lanham Speedway Maryland Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame 2016 Retrieved 15 August 2019 Tony Bonadies legendsofnascar com Retrieved 25 January 2015 Nash Rambler wins 1 000 at Lanaham The Record 20 July 1951 p 1 Car 40 Tony Bonadies driver 3widespicturevault com Retrieved 25 January 2015 NASCAR Short Track race ultimateracinghistory com Retrieved 25 January 2015 Tony Bonadies ultimateracinghistory com Retrieved 25 January 2015 Flammang James M 1994 Chronicle of the American automobile over 100 years of auto history Publications International p 278 ISBN 9780785307785 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Auto Editors of Consumer Guide 15 June 2007 How Rambler Cars Work auto howstuffworks com Retrieved 9 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Auto Editors ofConsumer Guide 5 September 2007 1956 1957 Rambler auto howstuffworks com Archived from the original on 24 September 2020 Retrieved 9 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Collector Car Market Review 1999 Postwar Station Wagons Mom s Car Makes a Comeback VMR International Archived from the original on 23 April 2014 Retrieved 9 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Rambler has everything new even a hardtop wagon Popular Mechanics Vol 105 no 1 January 1956 pp 114 117 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Donaldson Jessica 1956 Nash Rambler Palm Beach Concept conceptcarz com Retrieved 9 March 2022 Foster Patrick R September 2005 Pinin Farina s Rambler Palm Beach Hemmings Classic Car Retrieved 9 March 2022 Wyss Wallace Gulett Mike 22 July 2022 The Nash Rambler Palm Beach A Car That I Missed mycarquest com Retrieved 29 December 2022 Pininfarina Nash Rambler Palm Beach Coupe coachbuild com Retrieved 25 September 2017 D Nick 29 January 2016 Nash Rambler Palm Beach Coupe supercars net Retrieved 9 March 2022 Auto Editors of Consumer Guide 6 November 2007 1958 1960 Rambler American Archived from the original on 31 October 2020 Retrieved 9 March 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Ingraham Joseph C 3 October 1957 100 inch Rambler Revived for 1958 American Motors to Stress Smallest Sizes Line to Appear This Month The New York Times p 60 Retrieved 25 January 2015 Lent Henry Bolles 1974 Car of the year 1895 1970 a 75 year parade of American automobiles that made news Dutton p 115 ISBN 9780525274513 Retrieved 25 January 2015 a b Feder Barnaby J 10 March 1987 AMC s Long Hard Struggle The Wall Street Journal Retrieved 25 January 2015 a b c Sass Rob 11 December 2008 Detroit s Small Packages Arrived and Left Early The New York Times Retrieved 25 January 2015 Museum Classics Jesada Technik Museum Part 1 The Older Stuff Pre 1960 Curbside Classic 11 August 2019 Retrieved 29 December 2022 Kozak Graham 4 December 2012 Beep Beep 1955 Nash Rambler Custom Super featured on Bring a Trailer Come for the sensible styling and value stay for the color matched swamp cooler Autoweek Retrieved 25 January 2015 Lot 82 1952 Nash Rambler Station Wagon Barrett Jackson 12 April 2014 Retrieved 25 September 2017 Zyla Greg 21 October 2022 Cars We Remember First compact and subcompact cars and the hit record Beep Beep The News Item Shamokin Pennsylvania Retrieved 29 December 2022 Autos Rambler in High Gear Time 8 December 1959 Retrieved 29 December 2022 References EditConde John A 1987 The American Motors Family Album American Motors Corporation OCLC 3185581 Cranswick Marc 2012 The Cars of American Motors An Illustrated History McFarland ISBN 9780786446728 Foster Patrick R 2004 AMC Cars 1954 1987 An Illustrated History Motorbooks ISBN 9781583881125 Foster Patrick R 2004 AMC Performance Cars 1951 1983 Photo Archive Motorbooks ISBN 9781583881279 Foster Patrick R 1993 American Motors The Last Independent Krause Publications ISBN 9780873412407 Gunnell John ed 1987 The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946 1975 Krause Publications ISBN 9780873410960 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nash Rambler Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hudson Rambler Nash Car Club AMC Rambler Club American Motors Owners Association Nash in the UK Nash Rambler at the Internet Movie Cars Database Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nash Rambler amp oldid 1135470539, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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