Projects 1934 Nash Lafayette 3 Window Coupe

I think this is a '34 and the detail features in the body lines are outstanding. Very solid cruisers, heavy duty stuff under the skin, they're worthy of preserving.

 

OJ I think this will make a great car for the road . How do you feel about wood being used as the main structure for the body ? Is yours a deluxe model ?
Vic

 

That one is a customers I've worked on over the years, its a great driver, I didn't know the bodyframe was wood, they share so many bits and bobs with Dodge that I assumed they were steel, I have done considerable work on a '25 Nash that is wood framed and it'll creak a little when driving (I included a photo of it), the '34 is a big car and a BBC easily fits right in there and the frame etc is substantial, there is a Nash Forum that people post to sell/look for parts etc, it is a good resource.

 

I just picked the car up. I will get some pics tomorrow to post.
It actually is a real solid central California car. When bringing it home , my wife and I received a lot of thumbs up.
Vic

 

The last time I saw one of these………Never
Cool unique car

 

Sharpone I have never seen one like this before , that was why I jumped at the chance to buy it. The dash is all original and real cool Art Deco look .
Has the complete mohair interior in it also.
Tomorrow I will get more pics of the car and post them
Vic

 

And then?!?

 

I think he's too busy out driving it to Show n Tell haha

 

What’s the back story on it? How did you come across it? Very cool car.

 

You did good, enjoy

 

I am sorry for not getting more pics of the car since I had picked it up last Friday. We have been invaded with Mormon crickets and have been battling with them. I think , I have that under control and will get some additional pics today to post. I was able to haul the car over to Nevada DMV and get VIN inspection done and a corrected new title for the car.
As I have spoken to many individuals , none have seen this model before. , as noted these fenders do not have that Art Deco type of body lines stamped in them . They are all smooth like Fords.
I had found the car advertised on Facebook Market place , it had been up about 3 hours. I had made contact with the seller and asked for additional pics . After several days of questions and answers I had planned to take a road trip to Hollister California. After a couple road attempts over Donnor Pass and 2 weeks later , I was finally able to see the car and make a deal. The owner had the car for 22 years , stored in his garage but never drove it. This car is all stock except the paint. He had plans for the car but as life has it , he was not ever able to do much with the car , except move it from home to home over the years . Always keeping it in a garage. These bodies use a wood sub structures like the GM cars of that time. As I have found , all the wood in the body is in fantastic condition , the termites nor the carpenter ants had gotten to it . I am planning on getting it running , the previous owner was using a 12 VDC battery to start the car. This electrical system like most back then used a 6 VDC positive ground system . I hope he had not burned up anything. trying to jump start the engine .


Vic

 

Here are some pics of this cool car
Vic

 

Thanks! Unique headlight bar and two piece shell & grille. Bob

 

I would install a dropped headlight bar(s) before I hit the interstate. Looks like the gangster cars in newsreels from the '30s. Weren't Nash cars built in the mid-priced to higher priced range as Buicks, some Cads, Hudsons, and others ?

 

Gary ! The Nash car company was a mid to higher end car manufacture.
As a know , the Lafayette line was a cheaper priced vehicle. That may answer the reason for no additional fender body lines.
Vic

 

I made the mistake of looking up what "Mormon crickets" are.

Those dash gauges are gorgeous. Keep us updated with any progress, please.

 

They show up at your door in twos wearing name tags?!?

I agree. The dash looks quite stately.

 

The dash in this car is real nice. as well as the interior. The seat looks like new Mohair. I am planning to keep the interior as is .
I am going to get it running first then go from there .
Vic

 

Vic, I think that you did really good! Looks like a very nice car. I like it!

 

akoutlaw Thank You. Yes it is a special different car than the average hot rod.
I am wanting to get it running and road worthy first , then decide what direction I am going with this.
Vic

 

Is that an/the ash receiver built into the glovebox door?

What are we looking at when viewing the inside/underside of the roof area? Hard to tell, but looks like a translucent panel, with chicken wire(!?) in there, too?

 

In_The_Pink the one picture was to show how clean the headliner is , but with the sunlight a guy can not see much. with the vinyl insert missing and the sun beaming through the headliner. Yes they have a ash tray built in the glovebox door and also there is a ashtray in the dash just above the steering column. The interior is absolutely mint. I am pleased with this find and purchase.
Vic

 

Thanks. It's great to be able to see one of these, as the likelihood of seeing one in person, even at the Kenosha Homecoming Show is slim to none.

You should be tickled pink with your purchase.

 

In_The_Pink ! Here is what more information I have gathered. As a correction to the car brand. The brand would be called Lafayette and made by Nash. Apparently Lafayette contracted the Nash car company in Wisconsin to build their cars . These cars were to be marketed towards the Ford , Chevrolet and Dodge brands.
Nash also built their own 34 3 window coupe . With this information , I am wondering what was the actual production numbers on this Lafayette coupe.
Vic

 

Nice Car, Vic
I remember a couple of uncles from back in the '50's, who drove Nashes, but no Lafayettes. One was a country doctor who had at least two different Nashes, the latest was a Rambler American around '55. Not the same class of car but very neat little compact.

Does your Lafayette have a flathead six?

Al Hook

 

Nash brought out the LaFayette to compete in the lower price market in 1934. They only made them a few years as they were not too successful. There was a labor strike in ‘34 which hindered production so only about 9400 were made. 1935s are similar with some mechanical changes and ‘36 was a new design with all steel body.

 

Al , yes my car has the flathead 6 which it is 216 cubic inch or 3.5 liter and a standard trans , but I do not know if it is a 3 or 4 speed .
Vic

 

Nice hotrod Vic. You sure can find the nice solid ones. Are you making smoke yet? Peggy sent my 34 5 W up the hi-way. boo-hoo
B-O-B

 

That would be a killer taildragger