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05/18/2009 Nash
1942 Nash line took a direct hit from the war effort
The year 1942 was a difficult one, to say the least, for American automobile manufacturers and dealers. U.S. involvement in World War II was ramping up and along with it, the United States military’s need for planes, trains and automobiles, not to mention tanks, boats and just about any sort of transportation for man and materials that one could imagine. (photo: Kit Foster's CarPort)At first, manufacturers were advised to begin converting from building civilian automobiles to production of military equipment. Automobile executives, including Nash CEO George W. Mason, were understandably concerned, fearing a loss of retail automobile sales to competitors who may not be so willing to convert.
As the war began to escalate in a serious way, it soon became obvious that there would be no other choice if the United States was to conquer its enemies in the global turmoil. Uncle Sam eventually made conversion a no brainer by mandating that all manufacturing facilities, with certain exceptions, be converted to production of military supplies.
Given the information in the preceding paragraph, is it any wonder that 1942 vintage automobiles are today, few and far between? In order to have the best chance of seeing a 1942 Nash, or for that matter any 1942 model, you’ll need to attend a fairly large car show, e.g. the Horseless Carriage Club’s annual Easter Sunday Concours de Elegance in Forest Park.
Nash brochures and magazine ads of the day proclaimed the new Nash as the “Million Dollar Beauty of the low-price fields for 1942”. Perhaps the most notable design feature of the ‘42 Nash that inspired that bold title was its distinctive front grill treatment. No gaping fish mouth grill... (not that those can’t be equally attractive)... no towering waterfall grill either– just a neat little square set of horizontal bars, topped with what, at first glance, looks like an early Cadillac badge on the ‘nose’.
Beneath that tastefully designed upper front clip area was a low, horizontal grill consisting of a simple, horizontal bar design which stretched the entire width of the front end and then wrapped neatly around the front quarters. This motif was picked up and repeated at the back end of the front fenders, just behind the wheel opening. A set of four sharply edged ‘bumperettes’ protected the shiny, horizontal grill bars from parallel parking mishaps.
All-in-all, it was a pretty well thought out design... I couldn’t have done better myself– even though I spent plenty of time practicing my automotive design skills during my math and history classes at McCluer Senior High! Once you got behind that interesting front clip, however, the rest of the car’s design was pretty basic, frumpy forties fare from the Humpback Whale School of Design. The greenhouse and fastback tail were pretty much run-of-the-mill, save the low cut wheel opening and one final follow up on the horizontal, chrome bar treatment borrowed from the front end.
Despite the rather attractive yellow/beige over maroon example above, most of the palette for the 1942 Nash automobiles was military drab to say the least. A wide selection of hues in many shades was available, as long as you wanted gray, blue, green or brown. Twenty in all, they included such names as
Nash made but one model series for 1942, the Ambassador. Within this series, however, there were three ‘sub series’, the 4200, or Ambassador 600, the 4260 Ambassador “Six” and the top-of-the-line 4280 or Ambassador “Eight”, so named because it was the only one of the three powered by an eight cylinder engine.
The base six cylinder engine had a displacement of 173 cubic inches and produced just 75 brake horsepower at 3,400 r.p.m. The larger six had a displacement of 235 cubic inches and produced 105 horsepower. The straight eight cylinder engine had nine main bearings, solid valve lifters, displaced 260 cubic inches and produced 115 horsepower. All Nash engines were fitted with Carter carburetors.
Practical in every way, the 1942 Nash had a lot going for it. Known for its interior amenities and creature comfort on long hauls (the options list included ‘Bed equipment’ at $21.00), this early Nash would have been ‘just the ticket’ for my aunt Dorothy. Other options of the day included:
Factory suggested base prices for 1942 Nash automobiles began at just $918.00 for a 4200 series coupe and topped at $1,200.00 for a Series 4280 4-door touring sedan. If one were to stumble across one of these fine automobiles in today’s collector market, the asking price would likely be just under $20,000.00 according to the Old Cars Price Guide. The trick would be finding an owner who would be willing to part with such a rare automobile. Due to military involvement, Nash produced a total of only 5,428 vehicles for calendar year 1942.
If you remain undaunted by this statement, and have a burning desire to scout out a ‘42 Nash Ambassador for summer cruising, or, if you just want to learn more about this fascinating, early American marque, a good place to start might be the Nash Car Club of America. These national clubs are excellent sources to find collectible automobiles for sale.
In typical American automobile marketing fashion, the 1942 Nash models were introduced in the fall– October 1, 1941 to be specific. Production ceased on February 1, 1942 in order that Nash’s efforts, like all other manufacturers of the day, could be directed exclusively to military needs.
As the war began to escalate in a serious way, it soon became obvious that there would be no other choice if the United States was to conquer its enemies in the global turmoil. Uncle Sam eventually made conversion a no brainer by mandating that all manufacturing facilities, with certain exceptions, be converted to production of military supplies.
Given the information in the preceding paragraph, is it any wonder that 1942 vintage automobiles are today, few and far between? In order to have the best chance of seeing a 1942 Nash, or for that matter any 1942 model, you’ll need to attend a fairly large car show, e.g. the Horseless Carriage Club’s annual Easter Sunday Concours de Elegance in Forest Park.
Nash brochures and magazine ads of the day proclaimed the new Nash as the “Million Dollar Beauty of the low-price fields for 1942”. Perhaps the most notable design feature of the ‘42 Nash that inspired that bold title was its distinctive front grill treatment. No gaping fish mouth grill... (not that those can’t be equally attractive)... no towering waterfall grill either– just a neat little square set of horizontal bars, topped with what, at first glance, looks like an early Cadillac badge on the ‘nose’.
Beneath that tastefully designed upper front clip area was a low, horizontal grill consisting of a simple, horizontal bar design which stretched the entire width of the front end and then wrapped neatly around the front quarters. This motif was picked up and repeated at the back end of the front fenders, just behind the wheel opening. A set of four sharply edged ‘bumperettes’ protected the shiny, horizontal grill bars from parallel parking mishaps.
All-in-all, it was a pretty well thought out design... I couldn’t have done better myself– even though I spent plenty of time practicing my automotive design skills during my math and history classes at McCluer Senior High! Once you got behind that interesting front clip, however, the rest of the car’s design was pretty basic, frumpy forties fare from the Humpback Whale School of Design. The greenhouse and fastback tail were pretty much run-of-the-mill, save the low cut wheel opening and one final follow up on the horizontal, chrome bar treatment borrowed from the front end.
Despite the rather attractive yellow/beige over maroon example above, most of the palette for the 1942 Nash automobiles was military drab to say the least. A wide selection of hues in many shades was available, as long as you wanted gray, blue, green or brown. Twenty in all, they included such names as
- Ghost Gray
- Spar Beige
- Silver Dust Gray (sounds like the color of my hair… what’s left of it!)
- Nocturne Blue
- Platinum Blue
- Haze Blue
- Winchester Gunmetal
- Steel Blue
- Shadow Gray
- Storm Gray
- Marlin Blue
- Aqua Green
- Strato Blue
- Shoal Green
- Strato Blue
- Whaler Green
- Sunset Maroon
- Bolero Red, and of course
- Black
Nash made but one model series for 1942, the Ambassador. Within this series, however, there were three ‘sub series’, the 4200, or Ambassador 600, the 4260 Ambassador “Six” and the top-of-the-line 4280 or Ambassador “Eight”, so named because it was the only one of the three powered by an eight cylinder engine.
The base six cylinder engine had a displacement of 173 cubic inches and produced just 75 brake horsepower at 3,400 r.p.m. The larger six had a displacement of 235 cubic inches and produced 105 horsepower. The straight eight cylinder engine had nine main bearings, solid valve lifters, displaced 260 cubic inches and produced 115 horsepower. All Nash engines were fitted with Carter carburetors.
Practical in every way, the 1942 Nash had a lot going for it. Known for its interior amenities and creature comfort on long hauls (the options list included ‘Bed equipment’ at $21.00), this early Nash would have been ‘just the ticket’ for my aunt Dorothy. Other options of the day included:
- a radio (AM only of course) for $65.00
- clock ($10.50)
- cigar lighter ($2.10)
- spotlight ($17.75)
- fog lights ($12.00)
- outside mirrors ($2.45 ea.)
- a heater (just $35.00)
Factory suggested base prices for 1942 Nash automobiles began at just $918.00 for a 4200 series coupe and topped at $1,200.00 for a Series 4280 4-door touring sedan. If one were to stumble across one of these fine automobiles in today’s collector market, the asking price would likely be just under $20,000.00 according to the Old Cars Price Guide. The trick would be finding an owner who would be willing to part with such a rare automobile. Due to military involvement, Nash produced a total of only 5,428 vehicles for calendar year 1942.
If you remain undaunted by this statement, and have a burning desire to scout out a ‘42 Nash Ambassador for summer cruising, or, if you just want to learn more about this fascinating, early American marque, a good place to start might be the Nash Car Club of America. These national clubs are excellent sources to find collectible automobiles for sale.
In typical American automobile marketing fashion, the 1942 Nash models were introduced in the fall– October 1, 1941 to be specific. Production ceased on February 1, 1942 in order that Nash’s efforts, like all other manufacturers of the day, could be directed exclusively to military needs.
Trivia Questions (answers below)
1942 Nash Ambassador Trivia Questions of the Week:
1. Shortly after the war, the Nash automobile company would become associated with what famous name in kitchen appliances? (NO ‘baby boomers’, it’s NOT Panasonic... and NO Gen Xers,– it’s NOT Samsung!)
2. Who was president of the United States in 1942?
4. On June 7, 1942, Japanese forces invaded the Aleutian Islands in what was the first invasion of American soil in 128 years. Where are the Aleutian Islands located?
5. On February 24, 1942 the United States government began a worldwide broadcasting network on the shortwave frequency band for the purpose of promoting a positive view of the United States. What was this network called?
6. The number three top hit song for the year 1942 was a Glenn Miller tune titled “I’ve Got a Gal in ___________." (Fill in the blank.)
1. Shortly after the war, the Nash automobile company would become associated with what famous name in kitchen appliances? (NO ‘baby boomers’, it’s NOT Panasonic... and NO Gen Xers,– it’s NOT Samsung!)
2. Who was president of the United States in 1942?
A. Dwight D. Eisenhower3. Born January 1, 1942, ‘Country Joe McDonald was the lead singer of what 1960s psychedelic rock group?
B. Franklin D. Roosevelt
C. Harry S. Truman
D. Theodore Roosevelt?
4. On June 7, 1942, Japanese forces invaded the Aleutian Islands in what was the first invasion of American soil in 128 years. Where are the Aleutian Islands located?
5. On February 24, 1942 the United States government began a worldwide broadcasting network on the shortwave frequency band for the purpose of promoting a positive view of the United States. What was this network called?
6. The number three top hit song for the year 1942 was a Glenn Miller tune titled “I’ve Got a Gal in ___________." (Fill in the blank.)
(answers below)
Trivia Answers
1942 Nash Ambassador Trivia Answers of the Week:
1. Shortly after the war, the Nash automobile company would become associated with what famous name in kitchen appliances? (NO ‘baby boomers’, it’s NOT Panasonic... and NO Gen Xers,– it’s NOT Samsung!)
The upscale Kelvinator line of home appliances became associated with the Nash automobile when the two companies merged at the insistance of George W. Mason prior to his appointment as CEO of Nash. In 1952, Kelvinator introduced the ‘Food-A-Rama Side by Side Refrigerator’, one of the earliest frost-free, side-by-sides in the industry.
2. Who was president of the United States in 1942?
3. Born January 1, 1942, ‘Country Joe McDonald was the lead singer of what 1960s psychedelic rock group?
Born Joseph Allen McDonald, ‘Country Joe’ was the leader of ‘Country Joe & the Fish’. He recorded 33 albums in his career.
4. On June 7, 1942, Japanese forces invaded the Aleutian Islands in what was the first invasion of American soil in 128 years. Where are the Aleutian Islands located?
The Aleutians are a string of more than 300 small, volcanic islands that trail off the southern coast of Alaska like a kite tail. They are the westernmost part of the United States. (Yes, they are farther west than Hawaii. I was surprised too.)
5. On February 24, 1942 the United States government began a worldwide broadcasting network on the shortwave frequency band for the purpose of promoting a positive view of the United States. What was this network called?
Broadcast in forty-six languages, the U.S. propaganda network was called the Voice of America.
6. The number three top hit song for the year 1942 was a Glenn Miller tune titled “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo."
1. Shortly after the war, the Nash automobile company would become associated with what famous name in kitchen appliances? (NO ‘baby boomers’, it’s NOT Panasonic... and NO Gen Xers,– it’s NOT Samsung!)
The upscale Kelvinator line of home appliances became associated with the Nash automobile when the two companies merged at the insistance of George W. Mason prior to his appointment as CEO of Nash. In 1952, Kelvinator introduced the ‘Food-A-Rama Side by Side Refrigerator’, one of the earliest frost-free, side-by-sides in the industry.
2. Who was president of the United States in 1942?
A. Dwight D. Eisenhower‘FDR’ as he was often called, served as president of the United States from March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945. Elected four times, he was the only president to serve more than two terms in office.
B. Franklin D. Roosevelt
C. Harry S. Truman
D. Theodore Roosevelt?
3. Born January 1, 1942, ‘Country Joe McDonald was the lead singer of what 1960s psychedelic rock group?
Born Joseph Allen McDonald, ‘Country Joe’ was the leader of ‘Country Joe & the Fish’. He recorded 33 albums in his career.
4. On June 7, 1942, Japanese forces invaded the Aleutian Islands in what was the first invasion of American soil in 128 years. Where are the Aleutian Islands located?
The Aleutians are a string of more than 300 small, volcanic islands that trail off the southern coast of Alaska like a kite tail. They are the westernmost part of the United States. (Yes, they are farther west than Hawaii. I was surprised too.)
5. On February 24, 1942 the United States government began a worldwide broadcasting network on the shortwave frequency band for the purpose of promoting a positive view of the United States. What was this network called?
Broadcast in forty-six languages, the U.S. propaganda network was called the Voice of America.
6. The number three top hit song for the year 1942 was a Glenn Miller tune titled “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo."
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The FIN MAN is available for your group’s special occasions.
book my services
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