What do you guys think? I have a chance to buy this 1940 Lafayette. The body is in good shape except the roof where some snow fell on it. The front suspension is off. All the fenders, grille, even the seats are supposed to be in pretty good shape. It actually was kind of an old hotrod. The original engine went bad so they replaced it with a 40 Ford flathead. That one went bad, so they replaced it with a 312 Ford Y-block. There is a slight possibility that the 312 might go with it if he can find it. The rear end is 1957 ford and the tranny is 39 Ford. Quite a mix! Not really a traditional rod, but I wonder what it would be like finished. Not exactly beautiful, but it does have a clear title and he wants $500.00. The old guy is the second owner of the car. Any ideas? Any Nash owners out there? Pictures? Thanks, Tom
It doesn't sound like you are very excited about it...I don't know about you but I'm not getting any younger and I have to be excited in a big way about a project before I spend any time or money on it. A good cruiser I'm sure when you are done.... Think about trying to sell it at some point.....not a big market for more door orphans!!
I had a 35 2 door sedan. The old Nashes have some pretty nice lines. and a y block would be cool!! Price is right ..Go for it!!!
I guess I'm not real excited about it, but I will go and check it out. We have just talked on the phone so far. It's close by so it warrants a look anyway. I was hoping it would be a little more together, but the body looks good. I was thinking maybe a Cadillac drivetrain. Just hate it when someone strips it down and just leaves it. Tom
I'd say check it out. If it's all there, just dissasembled, it'd be a cool project. While it is an "orphan more-door" its hard to argue with one of the sexiest pre-war front-ends... ...even if the '39 nose trumps it.
do it it looks cool, suicide doors right? I have a 47 nash ambassador more door that is looking for love. I will post some pics. Nash is a cool car and a little different but with the same lines as cars of its era.
Yes, suicide rear doors. I have to at least check it out next week, it's just a couple of miles away. Tom
It does look solid. Thats a real time saver with any project. Being only a few miles away is allready saving you travel time and transport costs as well.
If it does come with the 312, it will be hard to turn down. Those things are getting hard to find. Tom
Never a fan of 4 doors but for $500 it would be hard to pass up, but think about how much time and money it will take just to get road worthy let alone a full on resto/hot rodding. Do not buy it unless you love it or can part it out for more to help someone finish theirs, because otherwise it will stay in pieces and take up space at your place.
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> Go for it Nash will make a great classic hot rod. Be differenced.
Nothing wrong with more doors. The family fits real nice in mine. I don't have a current pic as its under going a rebuild at present. This pic is from 1980 when my sister got married. '37 Nash Lafayette 400 more door.
OMG...that is Beautiful....my first car at 14 years old was a 1940 Nash Ambassador with the twin ignition straight 8 and had that front end...sure wish I had it back now !!! Cheers......
I haven't checked it out yet, maybe today. I've been up to my elbows in paint work on the '39 Chevy. Just got the last coat on 10 minutes ago. I had a guy photoshop the Nash without the roof. I did that because there is some roof damage from ice falling on it. I'll try and post the picture. Kinda looks like a presidential limo. Tom
Just got back from looking at the Nash. I believe I'm going to pass on it. It's not something that I need right now. It's basically all there. The fenders and hood are stored inside as well as any other stuff that you don't see. There is a clear title. No engine, but there is a 39 Ford trans. (he once had a flathead V8 in the car) I think he said the diff is a later model Chrysler. There is some rust in the rockers and the bottom of the center door post has rot as well as the floor in that area. Fenders and hood are in good shape. The roof is dented from falling ice, but could be worked out. Definately has possibilities. If anyone is interested, P.M me and I will give you the guy's number. Tom
I like it. But if you don't have time or inclination best to leave it. There are 3 of those near me that were stripped, pushed off a bluff and down a hill.. just big lumps of metal. It took me ages to figure out what they were, finally put together rear window, partial grille and a "ette" on the dashboard of one to figure out what they were.
The Jalopy Journal
