Rambler
Convertible
Rambler
Rambler
|
NASH
JUMPS ON THE ECONOMY CAR BANDWAGON WHILE THE INDUSTRY WONDERS,
WHO'S NEXT?
The newly
announced Rambler looks to be quite a high performance automobile.
With a power loading of about 30 pounds per horsepower,
acceleration and top speed should be tops in the low priced class.
The quality of construction is definitely good ... no corners cut
there ... in fact, the car seems good value for the money in every
way.
Most notable departure from convention is the permanent
framing around the side windows. This is needed to provide
stiffness sufficient to make up for the inadequancy of integral
frame and body in a convertible. Likewise new is the placement of
the coil springs directly above the king-pins. In other respects,
the car embodies most of the characteristic of the Nash line. The
summer and fall battle for sales between the Rambler and the small
Kaiser should be interesting, and will be watched with interest by
everyone, especially the sales departments of Ford. Plymouth, and
Chevrolet. Both Nash and Kaiser are known to be placing high hopes
for capturing an entirely new market, the people who want a
transportation car at a reasonable price. While the big three have
made statements to the effect that no such market exists, they are
none too sure of themselves.
The prospect of a price war is
still a little far away, but price reductions on all cars will be
made similar to Studebaker's on the Champion, that is, by cutting
accessories and fancy trimmings to the bare minimum. Even more
remote is the chance that any of the big three will build a small
car before 1952. They may be forced to it by then. We hope
so.
Much speculation is going on as to what effect the British
turbine cars will have on the American car market. With a power
plant far simpler than most automatic transmissions are to build,
the cost of this unit should be less than half that of a
conventional engine. If Austin. for instance, fitted a turbine to
their future Raymond Loewy styled car, and priced it near $1500,
it would be a potent factor, to say the least, in the low priced
class. If Britain's lead in automotive turbines is anything like
the edge they hold in aircraft, it will be many years before we
can build something over here comparable to theirs. (Road &
Track) |
Front
view of NASH emphasizes the very European origin of design. First
American car to have hood et fender level. the entire hood -
fender - headlight - bumper assembly is counterbalanced and swings
up for engine and front end service in same manner as on the
German STOEWER. Grille has shape and location similar to CISITALIA
while cowl-windshield line previously appeared on Zagato.
Rear
view of the new Nash n.x.i. reveals clever use of front bumper at
rear. Spare tire slides thru grille opening to mount in typical
British manner (see Healey Silverstone). Hood stamping is
duplicated for rear deck.
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NASH n.
EXPERIMENTAL
x.
International
i.
First shown at
"Survey-Previews" in major cities, the long-awaited
$1,000 small Nash is now said to be slated for
production.
Designed as purely a two passenger automobile,
familiar Nash "unitized" frame and body construction is
employed.
Nash plans to import the engine, transmission, and
rear end from Fiat, Standard, or some other well known foreign
manufacturer. Expensive engineering, development, and tooling
would be eliminated. Operating on the barter system, this plan
would give Nash an advantage in the dollar-scarce markets.
With
the Fiat 500C ohv 18 horsepower 570 cc engine, the n.x.i. would
deliver 45 to 50 miles per gallon and would have a top speed of 60
mph. Active use of the gearbox will be necessary. Weight is 1,350
pounds.
With the Fiat 1100E ohv 36 horsepower 1089 cc engine,
the gallon would last 35 to 40 miles and top would be 65 mph or
better. Weighing only 1,450 pounds, the performance should exceed
most foreign small cars and should be equal to many sports cars.
As this almost "square," inclined-valve engine is the
basic unit usede for Cisitilia and Gordini powerplants, the
potentials of this new Nash is a really hot competition car are
very interesting.
The wheelbase is 84", tread 47",
overall length 145 ", overall width 62", and height is
53". The interior width at the seat is 50", headroom is
36", and leg room is 40". For two passengers, the room
available would be equal that of a full-size car.
HOW DO YOU
LIKE IT?
The poll of public opinion being conducted by Nash
includes such questions as: How do you like its appearance? What
is your opinion of the various design features? What is your
general reaction to this car? If this car were on the marked
today, would you consider buying, one?
Nash's final decision
rests with the results of their public opinion survey. You are
invited to send your views in the matter to ROAD and TRACK where
they will be tabulated and forwarded to Nash. Make the desires of
motor enthusiasts known to Detroit. write now! (Road & Track) |
