Nash 600

drawing of the 1942 Nash 600 showing its unibody construction Under the leadership of George W. Mason, president of the newly merged Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, a strategic objective was to redefine Nash's image in the automotive marketplace. Nash relied on Theodore (Ted) Ulrich, who worked at the Budd Company, for the innovations in automobile body manufacturing. Ulrich had previously worked with Nash's chief of engineering, Nils Erik Wahlberg, in the development of the all-new, radically styled 1949 Airflyte models. The "600" designation was a marketing strategy reinforcing the car's ability to travel on a full tank of gasoline. This resulted from the car's fuel economy, which ranged from , with a fuel tank. The Nash 600 incorporated groundbreaking innovations. Unlike the traditional body-on-frame method, where a car body is bolted onto a separate chassis frame, the Nash 600 featured a design where the car body and frame were welded together as a single, integral unit. As a result, the cars weight was reduced by approximately compared to conventionally built models. Nash invested $7.5 million for the design and tooling, a substantial amount for the small independent automaker. ==1941==

Launched for the 1941 model year, the "Nash Ambassador 600" was a breakthrough for the automaker. Four body versions featured streamlining. A four-door Slipstream (fastback) Sedan with a smooth, flowing roofline that integrated into the rear, with no protruding lights, running boards, or exposed door hinges. A four-door Sedan with a built-in trunk (notchback) with a more conventional rear design. A two-door Coupe Brougham included a full-width front and rear seating for six adults. A two-door Business Coupe for utility with a bench seat in the front and a lined cargo compartment in the rear of the cabin. A three-speed manual gearbox had an electric-controlled overdrive unit. Coil springs on all four wheels contributed to a comfortable ride while a turning circle made it agile for its size. The Nash 600's fuel efficiency was demonstrated in a 1941 event jointly sponsored by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Gilmore Oil Company. Similar to the Mobilgas Economy Runs, the new Nash 600 delivered on regular roads, making it the "Best in Class" winner. Overall production for the 1941 calendar year reached 80,428 units, giving Nash slightly more than 2% of the domestic market share. ==1942==

For the 1942 model year, the Ambassador 600 continued as one of three distinct series offered by Nash. A refreshed front end had prominent chrome-plated "NASH" letters integrated into the grille trim. The interior also saw upgrades, including enhanced upholstery and trim. As the United States prepared for and entered World War II, automakers rapidly shifted their production focus to defense orders. Nash harbored hopes that the U.S. government would permit the continued, albeit highly restricted, production of the fuel-efficient Nash 600. Approximately 5,400 examples of 1942 Nash 600 were produced before civilian car manufacturing was halted entirely in 1942. Nash received almost $100 million in non-automotive defense orders by September 1941. ==1946==

Nash-Kelvinator initiated post-World War II car production on 27 October 1945, shortly after hostilities had ended. This period was characterized by an overwhelming demand for new automobiles, as the existing vehicle fleet was aging and had suffered from neglect due to wartime restrictions on parts and a shortage of skilled mechanics. Nash, like most other manufacturers, resurrected designs based on its pre-war models. The minimal changes also reflected the ongoing material shortages, retooling challenges, and labor problems that affected the entire automotive industry at the time. Nevertheless, Nash claimed the 1946 model year 600s included over 100 updates from their pre-war versions. Nash further differentiated its lineup by using the "600" nameplate for the economy-focused series. It competed with Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth in the standard, low-price field. The "Ambassador" name was now reserved for Nash's luxury-oriented larger model. His contributions included revised trim and a projecting center section on the lower grille as well as a new dashboard. New cylinder head design increased compression ratio from 6.4 to 6.8. Enhancements were made to the cooling circulation, valve ports and the intake manifold, the combustion chamber shape, and improving the valve rocker arm ratio. All 600s included built-in ventilation with an optional "Conditioned Air" system, an advanced, non-recirculating heater with a filtered fan forced positive fresh air pressure, enhancing interior cabin comfort. Other optional equipment included a radio with antenna, foam rubber seat cushions, an oil bath air cleaner, and directional signals. The rear seat could be converted into a bed. This feature, which Nash had pioneered in 1936, allowed the rear seatback to hinge upwards, propping the cushion into a level position and creating an opening into the trunk area. The design enabled two adults to sleep comfortably within the vehicle, with their legs extending into the trunk, making the car practical for camping trips or impromptu overnight stays. This feature was particularly relevant in the post-war environment, when travel and leisure activities were more outdoor-oriented and less reliant on an extensive hospitality infrastructure. ==1947==

The 1947 model year introduced few changes to the 600 series. Continuing the three body styles, all were "Super" trim models. Nash concentrated on meeting the high demand for new cars while dedicating resources to developing future products. A validation of the 600 series fuel economy focus was the victory in the challenging Death Valley Economy Run. Driven by Andy Henderson, the Nash 600 achieved while maintaining an average speed of . This performance was particularly impressive given the conditions of the run, which traversed steep mountains and America's hottest desert. The event was sponsored by the Hancock Oil Company of California. In its effort to compete with larger automakers, Nash advertised the 600's capability to travel between on a single tank, achieving at moderate highway speeds, and emphasizing the savings for owners in the post-war era when many consumers were still recovering. The "record-breaking Flying Scot" engine was promoted as the "most efficient engine in the industry". ==1948==

The 1948 Nash 600 series continued in three body styles, now available in Deluxe, Super, and Custom trims. Exterior modifications included the removal of the chrome molding that had previously traversed the bodyside below the beltline. The moldings on the hood sides were shortened, and the hood badge design was updated. The Nash I6 engine was paired with a three-speed manual transmission, with Warner Gear overdrive as an additional-cost option. New "Super-Cushion" 6.40x15 tires were introduced for 1948, Goodyear's whitewall with bias-ply construction requiring only of pressure, providing a softer ride, shock cushioning, and longer life. The 1948 Nash 600 (and the Ambassador series) incorporated the distinctive interior work of Helene Rother, Nash's newly appointed interior stylist. Rother, who had established her design studio in 1947 and counted Nash as her first client, was known for her "modern European style". Interiors included soft, neutral seat fabric, complemented by door panels, headliners, assist cords, and fittings. A harmonizing leather roll design was integrated across the doors, center pillar, and rear quarters. Offered only in "Deluxe" trim, it was positioned as the lowest-priced model in the lineup, with a $1,478 list price. This two-door version was designed with utilitarian purpose, lacking a back seat provided ample room for samples and thus catering to traveling salesmen. Other omitted features included chrome trim, ornamentation, a sun visor, and a door armrest, emphasizing its functional, no-frills purpose. Rother's contributions were to elevate Nash cars to feature stylish interiors and even Nash's reputation from that of a conservative carmaker to a leader in fashionable luxury. This dual approach highlighted Nash addressing diverse marketplace needs. This was particularly vital for the small automaker to compete effectively against the domestic "Big Three" and to appeal to a broader demographic, including women, whom Rother specifically targeted with her designs. To change consumer shopping habits, print advertisements for the Nash 600 urged them to consider models available from automakers other than the Big Three, "Why not forget - just for one hour - all your feelings and opinions about automobiles - and check into a new 1948 Nash '600'?" == 1949 ==

The 1949 Nash 600 marked a dramatic turn in American automotive design. This model was the first to feature the revolutionary aerodynamic "Airflyte" series styling, a design that made it one of the most distinctive and technologically advanced cars of its era. The genesis of the 1949 Airflyte's design began during World War II, which saw a pause in new civilian vehicle development. The primary force behind the final design was Nils Erik Wahlberg, Nash's vice president of engineering, who championed using wind tunnel testing to create a truly streamlined vehicle. Exterior design The new Airflyte models stood out conspicuously among their competition. They were lower than the 1948 models, featuring a distinctive rounded, "envelope" body with unusual enclosed fenders. This streamlined appearance, often referred to as "ponton" styling, was so unconventional for its time that detractors quickly dubbed them the "bathtub" Nashes. The Airflyte design was a significant step ahead of the vaguely similar to the "step-down" Hudsons and the Packard luxury models produced from 1948 through 1950. However, neither of those two automakers was into aerodynamics. The 1949 Nash 600 series was built on a wheelbase and carried over the previous I6 engine. It was positioned as the economical series, directly competing with the standard popular models from Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. In contrast, the Nash Ambassador series, also part of the Airflyte line, rode on a larger wheelbase and featured a overhead-valve I6 engine with a seven-main bearing design as standard. The Ambassador was the luxurious model positioned against premium brands such as Buick, Oldsmobile, Mercury, Chrysler, DeSoto, and Hudson. Interior features The 1949 Airflytes were packed with innovations. Reviewers described Nash's "Super-Lounge" interiors as "cavernous," offering exceptional space and comfort for occupants. A particularly distinctive interior feature was a swept-away dashboard, which provided more room for the front seat passengers. For the driver, an unusual "Uniscope" instrument pod was mounted on the steering column. This innovative instrument cluster placement aimed to bring essential gauges closer to the driver's line of sight, a concept ahead of its time. The Nash 600 was offered exclusively as a sedan, in two- and four-door versions. Three trim series were available: Super (base), Super Special, and Custom (top trim level). Nash continued the "Twin Bed" feature as an option, which transformed the car's interior into a comfortable double sleeping area. Adjusting the two front passenger seatbacks down to meet the bottom of the rear bench seat formed a long, upholstered horizontal surface. This design made the Nash 600 (and the similar Ambassador line) surprisingly versatile, perfect for camping trips or impromptu overnight stays. Nash dealers offered accessories such as form-fitting mattresses designed to fill gaps between the seats and snap-in screens for the door windows, providing ventilation while keeping insects out. Production ==Replacement==

The pioneering Nash 600 was succeeded and rebranded for the 1950 model year as the Nash Statesman. The Statesman continued the 600's wheelbase. The renamed line was positioned as the mid-level offering in Nash Motors' evolving product hierarchy. It was between the newly introduced and highly innovative Nash Rambler, a compact car built on a short, wheelbase, and the established top-of-the-line Nash Ambassador, which rode on a wheelbase. This product segmentation allowed Nash to cater to a range of consumers, from those seeking ultimate economy and maneuverability with the Rambler, to those desiring luxury and space with the Ambassador, with the Statesman providing an option in the middle. The original 600 series' advanced lightweight design and reputation for fuel efficiency continued in the Statesman. ==References==