Nash car books - history and models

Storied Independent Automakers - Nash, Hudson, and American Motors

With roots extending back to the first decade of the twentieth century, Nash Motor Company and the Hudson Motor Car Company managed to compete and even prosper as independent producers until they merged in 1954 to form the American Motors Company, which itself remained independent until it was bought in 1987 by the Chrysler Corporation.

In this book, renowned automotive scholar Charles K. Hyde argues that these companies, while so far neglected by auto history scholars, made notable contributions to automotive engineering and styling and were an important part of the American automobile industry.

Hyde investigates how the relatively small corporations struggled in a postwar marketplace increasingly dominated by the giant firms of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, which benefited from economies of scale in styling, engineering, tooling, marketing, and sales. He examines the innovations that kept the independents' products distinctive from those of the Big Three and allowed them to survive and sometimes prosper against their larger competitors.

Hyde also focuses on the visionary leaders who managed the companies, including Charles Nash, Roy D. Chapin, Howard Coffin, George Mason, George Romney, and Roy D. Chapin Jr., who have been largely unexamined by other scholars.
Finally, Hyde analyzes the ultimate failure of the American Motors Company and the legacy it left for carmakers and consumers today. Storied Independent Automakers is based on extensive research in archival collections generated by the three companies.

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Nash (1949-1957) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Nash models from the years 1949-1957. Describes the Nash Ambassador, Statesman, Rambler, Airflyte, 600 and the anglo-American Nash-Healey sports car.

• The articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

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Nash 1936-1957 Photo Archive

Throughout its history, Nash remained one of the financially strongest independent auto manufacturers. Although under appreciated by collectors today, Nash was a truly innovative automobile manufacturer, introducing many advances that have been universally adopted today.

Among its many innovations were:
- fresh air heating and ventilating systems (1938)
- modern unit construction bodies in a low priced mass produced car (1941)
- the first successful postwar compact car, the Rambler (1950)
- the first combined air conditioning and heating system, dash mounted (1954)
- reclining seats (1950)
- and convertible beds (1936).

Sharp black & white photography and authoritative captions tell the story.

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Nash-Austin Metropolitan (1954-1962) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Nash-Austin Metropolitan models from the years 1954-1962. Describes the Nash-Austin Metropolitan Convertible, Coupé, 1200 and 1500.

• The articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

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More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

Works Healeys In Detail - Healey, Nash-Healey and Austin-Healey works competition entrants, car by car

Donald Healey began rallying in the 1920s and soon gained fame in European events. A successful businessman, he aspired to build high-performance cars and, in 1946, launched his first models - the Westland roadster and the Elliott saloon - from his small Warwick factory.
The Elliott was the fastest saloon of its time, exceeding 110 mph and entering rallying by 1947. Healey later introduced the Silverstone, the elegant Tickford saloon, the Nash-Healey, and the renowned 100. The 100 quickly became the first Austin-Healey, leading to the 100/6, the 3000, and the addition of the Sprite.

This book explores Donald Healey's cars in rallying, racing, and record attempts from the late 1940s to the last racing Austin-Healey Sprite in 1967. It covers competition versions of the 100, 100S, 100/6, and the highly successful 3000, which dominated international rallies in the 1960s with legendary drivers like Pat Moss, Timo Mäkinen, Rauno Aaltonen, and Paddy Hopkirk.
The author details each works car's history - entries, drivers, and results - supported by nearly all existing photographs. The book also features detailed color images of key surviving examples.

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