Chopping a 1950 Nash Ambassador (Unibody)

Front ideas.

 

And those rear seats...

I'd like to build individual buckets out of the front bench, too.

 

From looking at my photshop, you really barely need to chop the screen at all. Just raking ta a bit would probably make life easier and look better too. If you rake the roof back so the windows start to taper (instead of getting bigger as they currently do) it´ll look just fine.

 

James
I'm agreeing with you. Moving the trunk forward (which would be an insane job, too) would smooth everything in back.

 

How about a full width grille? The Nash one is distictive, but looks a bit stuck on. The hood needs sectioning too. Badly!

(...and cue the shameless Mercury hackjob photoshop!)

 

I did section the hood in the black side-by-side. Took the peak out, too, but my buddies keep trying to talk me out of it.

(They know I am way in over my head, but I already bought an 80 gal. 220 3-phase compressor, so I figure go for it.)

As for the wider grill, maybe. Trying to avoid customizing it into another make.

I have thought of joining two grills together and lowering it 2-3" in the front.

 

Don´t tell all the guys with DeSoto grilles and Buick side trim on their Mercs!

 

This has got to be the weirdest thing I've ever seen on the HAMB!

 

i was thinking EXACTLY the same thing!


how about sectioning it a bit?

 

well, you COULD "gasser" it.....

 

Nope on a gasser. Might section the rear fenders to get my "flow" right.

I guess I want people who wouldn't look twice at a Nash to fall in love... sick dreamer that I am.

 

That looks like a Munich Airport Limosine, doesn't it?

 

Not to hurt anybodies feelings,but those Nashes are "BUTT UGLY" They were when new and still still are.

 

True, and they were also very cool cars from an engineering (and driving) viewpoint.

Nash was the first corporate sponsor of Nascar, won a race or two, and did well in the Panamerica Carrera.

I still am going to chop it, so it isn't so "butt ugly".

 

I think your Nash can be very cool, especially because I have one also. Difficult to chop I agree. Have you decided on a direction yet? I have been sitting on mine for a bout a year. Cannot decide. Here is a photo of mine.

 

When you're done, paint it white and call it The Kelvinator... see if anyone gets the joke.

 

Cool car, and nicer than mine currently...

I decided to use the '72 Ranchero frame that the intended 351c is sitting in right now. The 121" wheelbase to 118" wheelbase is pretty unnoticeable under the skirted wheels.

When married to the Nash body, the plan is to do a traditional chop by laying back the windshield and reshape to de-arch it, and let the roof lower as a whole unit. I plan to re-curve the wing vents above the upper hinge, and need to add metal to the top of the rear fenders to meet the narrower trunk lid. It looks to be a 1.5-2" "A" pillar, 5" "C" pillar chop.

Now I just need to figure out a narrower the front track, as the Ranchero is too wide, or just use he stock Nash suspension to Ranchero frame.

I'm currently working on a scale model.

 

that is a pretty sick project. I have a 51 4 door that i am going to do a little "work" to. no chop. thing looks chopped already. going to lower the hell out of it and was thinking of skirts front and rear. not sure yet. love to see more pics of the project.

 

I have a 50 statesman with an 80 malibu wagon chassis under it and it rides nice. I would not alter the wheel wells thats what makes a nash stand out from others. Go to carnut.com and click on car pics index, nash, 1950 and mine is the 4dr with flames.

 

two minute photo-chop...image was really small to begin with

 

The shop I work at has a 50 statesman 4 door being restored.

Looking for many misc parts. pm me if you have anything. or email me at midwestmuzikk@gmail.com

 

Cool low buck, Lo-Buk. I get your opinion of the wheel wells, but I may want to stand out from other Nashes.

I keep looking at Rub-a-Dub ('49 Nash two door that's chopped) thinking it would still look better with front wells...

 

Check this out:
http://www.carsofdreams.com/cars/nash_statesman/index.html

 

Not much that I am not using would interchange with a Statesman, but let me know what you're looking for.

 

I kind of agree with you garvinzoom they are pretty neat in stock form.
I don't remember seeing any kustomized Ambassador growing up in So. Cal. but I know there might have been! That said I knew people that had them back in the 50's & 60's but any guy worth any woman did not show up to pick up his girlfriend for a date in a Nash, no Father in his right mind would let his daughter go out on a date with a guy driving a Nash!

 

I've heard of guys borrowing Nashes for dating purposes. I have no knowledge of Fathers in their right minds who have daughters, too.

I do have a daughter who drives a new Corvette that is hot fuschia pink, and I am not in my right mind!!!

 

Here is my latest:



Wheel wells!

Currently looking at what metal needs to be removed from the mid-to-rear roof edges so it matches the flatter curve of the front roof section, as a way to take out some of the peak of the bulging rear fastback without over chopping it and coming in short of the trunk. That way I wouldn't have to move the trunk lid forward, and hopefully spare me a lot of work.

Does it make things easier to do it that way? Hell if I know.

 

Rainman just dropped one of these off at the house yesterday, it's hilarious!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442135

No chop for me, it's waaaaay too goofy as-is.

now I gotta decide whether to repower it or not.......

 

Did you buy it?

That clock in the steering wheel hub (up-side-down) is pretty goofy, too.

As far a repowering, that depends on how fast you want "goofy" to get there. I have seen those flatheads hot rodded with dual carbs and custom exhausts, and they both look cool, and move fairly well. It was in the NYTimes online, Collectible Cars, which featured an Ambassador last week.

 

Yup, I had to buy it (I didn't need it, but what a wild looking ride...)

splitting the pipes and multiple carbs would be a nice period mod. Did anyone make speed equipment for these?