Nash cars: books - history and technology

Nash 1936-1957 - Photo Archive

Throughout its history, Nash remained one of the financially strongest independent auto manufacturers. Although under appreciated by collectors today, Nash was a truly innovative automobile manufacturer, introducing many advances that have been universally adopted today.

Among its many innovations were:
- fresh air heating and ventilating systems (1938)
- modern unit construction bodies in a low priced mass produced car (1941)
- the first successful postwar compact car, the Rambler (1950)
- the first combined air conditioning and heating system, dash mounted (1954)
- reclining seats (1950)
- and convertible beds (1936).

Sharp black & white photography and authoritative captions tell the story.

Storied Independent Automakers - Nash, Hudson, and American Motors

With roots extending back to the first decade of the twentieth century, Nash Motor Company and the Hudson Motor Car Company managed to compete and even prosper as independent producers until they merged in 1954 to form the American Motors Company, which itself remained independent until it was bought in 1987 by the Chrysler Corporation.

In this book, renowned automotive scholar Charles K. Hyde argues that these companies, while so far neglected by auto history scholars, made notable contributions to automotive engineering and styling and were an important part of the American automobile industry.

Hyde investigates how the relatively small corporations struggled in a postwar marketplace increasingly dominated by the giant firms of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, which benefited from economies of scale in styling, engineering, tooling, marketing, and sales. He examines the innovations that kept the independents' products distinctive from those of the Big Three and allowed them to survive and sometimes prosper against their larger competitors.

Hyde also focuses on the visionary leaders who managed the companies, including Charles Nash, Roy D. Chapin, Howard Coffin, George Mason, George Romney, and Roy D. Chapin Jr., who have been largely unexamined by other scholars.
Finally, Hyde analyzes the ultimate failure of the American Motors Company and the legacy it left for carmakers and consumers today. Storied Independent Automakers is based on extensive research in archival collections generated by the three companies.

Nash (1949-1957) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Nash models from the years 1949-1957. Describes the Nash Ambassador, Statesman, Rambler, Airflyte, 600 and the anglo-American Nash-Healey sports car.

• The articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

Click here to know more about the Brooklands Portfolio books

Nash-Austin Metropolitan (1954-1962) - Brooklands Gold Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Nash-Austin Metropolitan models from the years 1954-1962. Describes the Nash-Austin Metropolitan Convertible, Coupé, 1200 and 1500.

• The articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

Click here to know more about the Brooklands Portfolio books

Works Healeys In Detail - Healey, Nash-Healey and Austin-Healey works competition entrants, car by car

Donald Healey began rallying in the 1920s and soon won fame for his exploits on European rallies. Already a successful businessman, his dream was to become a car manufacturer himself, particularly a manufacturer of high-performance cars, and in 1946 he launched the first two models, the Westland roadster and the Elliott saloon, from his small factory in Warwick.

The Elliott was the fastest saloon car of its day, proving capable of over 110mph, and by 1947 was enjoying a rallying career. These models were followed by the stark Silverstone and the elegant Tickford saloon, the Nash-Healey and then the famous 100, which was rapidly adopted by Austin to become the first in the Austin-Healey line that developed into the 100/6 and the 3000, with the perky Sprite joining along the way.

This book tells of the story of Donald Healey's cars in the world of rallying, racing and record attempts from the the late 1940s through to the last racing Austin-Healey Sprite in 1967.
In between he produced competiton versions of the Austin-Healey 100 and 100S, the 100/6 and the gloriously successful 3000, a brutal and wayward machine that won countless international rallies in the 1960s in the hands of great drivers like Pat Moss, Timo Makinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk, to name but a few.

The author describes the career of each of the works cars individually - entries, drivers and results, with nearly all cars illustrated. In addition there is detailed colour photography of some important surviving examples.