This very rare example of a 1948 Nash Ambassador Suburban Sedan is offered in a beautiful maroon with wood-paneling in a “sedanette” type style and can be found on Saturday, May 7 at Auctions America’s Auburn Spring Sale. The car sits on Goodyear wide whitewall tires that are mounted on color-keyed steel wheels with trim rings and center caps. The car has been through a body-off restoration that was executed to a high standard throughout.
This Ambassador Six is a 60 Series that is in the Super line; it is powered by a 235-cid overhead valve inline six-cylinder engine paired with a column-shift three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The interior is adorned with maroon leather upholstery and features a clock, radio and heater. The dashboard exhibits a lovely design that incorporates horizontal spines with engine-turned flats and Art Deco-inspired instrumentation.
Front and center, the dash fascia is dominated by a Weather Eye “conditioned air” unit; this was the trade name for the Nash Motors-designed fresh-air system for the passenger compartment heating, cooling and ventilating. Nash’s Conditioned Air System heater was now marketed as the “Weather Eye” and consumer sales literature explained that the thermostat’s “mechanical eye” watched the weather, hence the name. The use of the Weather Eye name for automobile passenger heating and air conditioning systems continued in American Motors (AMC) vehicles.
The car has many details that add to the whole of the presentation; from the sleek radiator ornament to the style of the horizontal grille “strakes” that continue the interior design theme. Uncommon and elegant; this Nash also comes with a spare tire and jack along with original owner’s manual and sales brochure. It will be offered without reserve and is estimated to bring $80,000 – $100,000.