Happy Friday, Autopians! It’s the middle of winter, and I’m getting a little down, so today we’re daydreaming about a couple of fun summer cruisers. But first, let’s finish up with yesterday’s sleepy-mobiles:
As I suspected, that low number on the odometer was hard to pass up. And I suppose an Avalon is the perfect way to get around Seattle anyway, because you have to so often take a Ferry.
Now then: I know cars from the 1950s aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I like ’em. I think the trouble is that you always see the same ones: ’55-57 Chevys, ’59 Cadillacs, maybe the occasional two-seater Thunderbird. Those are cool and all, but they’re expensive collector’s items now, and cliches to boot. But there are lots of other cars from that era that can be had for a lot less money, and make better conversation-starters just because you don’t see them all the time. I’ve found a pair of them in the San Diego area that look like fun weekend toys. Let’s take a look.
1952 Buick Roadmaster – $8,499
Engine/drivetrain: 320 cubic inch overhead valve inline 8, two-speed automatic, RWD
Location: San Diego, CA
Odometer reading: 42,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep!
Has there ever been a better automobile name than “Roadmaster?” I can’t think of one. It sounds like exactly what it is: a large, comfortable cruiser, built to gobble up miles in style and speed. Even though the name was revived in the ’90s, it’s these ’50s models that I, and most people, think of when you mention the name “Roadmaster.” The portholes on the fenders, the flowing Harley Earl lines, and that big toothy grille all add up to an iconic ride.
This Roadmaster is a four-door sedan, probably the most common body style, but the least collectible; convertibles, coupes, and Estate woody wagons are all more desirable. But this is still a way cool old car, and likely a lot more affordable than the others. Plus, it’s green, which is still arguably one of the best colors for cars. Name me a car that doesn’t look better in a good shade of green. Go on; I’ll wait.
Like all ’52 Roadmasters, this one is powered by a 320 cubic inch straight-eight, coupled to a two-speed “Dynaflow” automatic transmission. This long, smooth engine is good for 170 horsepower and several zillion pound-feet of torque. The seller says this one has been overhauled and runs like a top. It has had lots of other recent mechanical work, and is ready to roll.
Inside, it’s in decent shape. The seller says the headliner needs to be replaced, but it’s unclear why. The upholstery sure looks nice. Everything works except the clock, according to the seller. But when you’re out for a summer cruise, who cares what time it is?
The outside is a bit faded and chalky, and it has a few dings, but all the trim is intact and in good shape. The Coker reproduction whitewalls are a nice touch. I think you could proudly drive this car around on weekends as-is, and have a grand time doing it.
1956 Nash Ambassador Super – $7,499
Engine/drivetrain: 252 cubic inch overhead-valve inline 6, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: El Cajon, CA
Odometer reading: 109,000 miles
Runs/drives? Not quite
What’s that? A Buick is too common for you? Allow me to introduce you to the Wisconsin-built, Pininfarina-styled Nash Ambassador. The Ambassador nameplate may have ended its life on the trunk lids of stretched AMC Matadors, but it started as Nash’s top-of-the-line model way back in the 1920s, and they were such nicely appointed cars they earned the nickname “Kenosha Duesenbergs.”
The 1952-57 Ambassador had some strangely flamboyant bits of styling, and it didn’t surprise me one bit when I learned it was an Italian design. For years, Nash cars had their front wheels deeply inset and mostly covered by the fenders; this coupled with a narrow grille gave the impression of a large body stuffed onto a much-too-small frame. By 1956, the front tires had started to emerge from their steel prisons and become visible, but the grille and headlight placement only got stranger.
Ambassadors were available with either Packard or AMC V8 engines, but this one is a six, backed by a GM-built Hydramatic transmission. The seller says this engine was rebuilt seven years ago, but the car has been in storage since then and they have not tried to start it since pulling it out. It probably would run just fine, as long as you wake it up carefully, but as of right now it must be considered non-running.
Cosmetically, it’s in great shape inside and out, with a little rust and pitting on the front bumper, but no other obvious blemishes. Black and white isn’t as much fun as most ’50s color schemes, but it suits this car well, and it shines nicely.
Plus, it has a Continental kit!
Yes, that’s actually the spare tire under that cover, not some fake vestigial bump like a ’70s Lincoln. In addition to adding a cool period flair to the car, it frees up trunk room. Speaking of which, have you ever wondered how you open the trunk lid of a car equipped with one of these? Like this:
I can’t imagine, if the engine really was rebuilt a few years ago, that this car would be difficult to get back on the road. It’s a rare, cool, weird bit of Americana, and would make a delightful classic to enjoy on weekends. And the seller used the word “splendid” in their ad, which is a word you just don’t hear often enough these days.
So that’s what I’ve got for you today: two 1950s sedans that you don’t see everywhere. Or anywhere, really. Which one appeals to you?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Nash, for oddities sake!
Those are ventiports, not portholes. Became a styling element in 1949 after a GM design put them on his Buick. https://www.bentonvillebuickgmc.com/blog/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-741310.
Oh man, this is a tough call. I’ve always loved these old Buicks, but the novelty factor is strong with the Nash. If I were serious about getting another classic car, would probably go Roadmaster – I really have no knowledge of the ecosystems for these cars, but I can only assume parts would be easier to find on the Buick? (Certainly trim pieces, etc., I guess the Nash mechanicals wouldn’t be terribly difficult to acquire. This is definitely a “why not both?” situation…
As cool as the Nash is, I’d take the Buick every day of the week and twice on Sunday, because I love early ’50s Buicks. Plus I can practically smell that interior from here, and the smell of American car interiors of that era is really evocative to me, thanks to my grandmother’s ’53 Chevy, which she drove until she died in the ’80s.
“Avalon is the perfect way to get around Seattle anyway, because you have to so often take a Ferry.”
I got that reference, but it’s because I watched Gargoyles and not because I’m cultured in Arthurian mythology.
Wow, I wasn’t even going that deep with it. I was just going for the pun of Bryan Ferry, lead singer of Roxy Music. But the Arthurian thing totally works too!
I’ve had a Buick Straight 8 and they’re wonderful.
Now it’s time for the Nash. Their owner group(s) seem good as well.
I’m an excellent driver….give me the fireball eight, definitely, definitely the fireball eight….
TIME FOR WAPNER!!!
I kinda want that Roadmaster
I’ve always wanted a 1950s car, and these cars are perfect examples of the kind I like. Less desirable models in good shape for decent prices. I voted for the Roadmaster, I love that grille. Plus, it’s one of two cars that Stephen King wrote novels about–From a Buick 8, and the other being Christine. But good luck finding a 1958 Fury for under $10k.
I didn’t think there was any way the straight 8 Buick would lose, but that Nash is delightful. The two tone paint and continental kit couldn’t be cooler. I get why most of you are voting for the Roadmaster. The quirks and charm of the Ambassador put it over the top for me.
This one is a tough one, but I have to go Buick. The Roadmaster is ready to go, and if you should decide to refresh the paint, you won’t be hunting for unobtanium trim pieces. But out of two classic, glass-smooth inline engines? I gotta pick the Fireball 70’s vastly superior torque.
Both are good choices for a weekend cruiser. The Buick has better lines to me. The Nash looks fine while at the same time having it’s face squeezed in a vice.
I’ll take the Buick by a mile. I can already hear that old man car show music playing. You know the genre I’m talking about, right? Runaround Sue, Do Run Run, The Wanderer… pretty much anything that’s in those fake jukeboxes on the tables at Johnny Rockets. What do you even call that music? The Regular Car Reviews guy calls it “Winga Dinga” music, which is as good a description as any, but if I wanted to have my Amazon Echos play it for me, what should I say to Alexa to get her to understand what I mean?
I think “doo wop” covers that genre pretty well. Or just “greatest hits of the 1950s” would do it.
Definitely Doo Wop. Both of these cars are too old for Winga Dinga, but not old enough for the big band music era (think Cab Calloway). What do we call it then? Wa Wa Waaaa is the correct sound, but I don’t like it as a name.
By “it” I mean the WWII and post-war era cars. My kingdom for an edit button!
Color. Running.
Cosmetically in better shape. Continental kit.
I like the Nash, but the Buick wins. If the Nash were running, I’d probably have to pick it. But it’d probably be going for more money if it were running.
That Roadmaster is just magnificent! I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d just drive it.
Agreed! I might lower it and maybe find a multi-carb setup.. 🙂
Between the green body/white roof combo and the straight 8, that’s it. Game over, Roadmaster for me.
That paint can be fixed in a few weekends and the chrome polished to blinding pretty easily. Then let me find my collared shirt, pomade and khakis. Put on some Chubby Checker and off to the ice cream stand we go!
The Ambassador is cool because it’s uncommon. However, I simply cannot resist 8 cylinders in a row. Buick it is!
I came in here ready to vote for the Nash but then I saw the straight 8 in the Buick. That coupled with the fact that the Buick is ready to drive today makes it the choice for me.
Yup, mee too. 4spd auto? Weird and awkward looking? No one else has/wants one? But then… the siren call of a straight 8.
The whole concept of a 2spd auto still confuses me though. Just, why?
less complicated and withstood a bunch of abuse. Fully why many drag racers still use the venerable 2speed Powerglide for racing.
https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/inside-the-buick-dynaflow/
I have never understood the Dynaflow (Dynaflush, as one of my economics professors referred to it) transmission. Articles like the one above indicate that it is not a conventional 2spd auto. Apparently, early Dynaflow transmissions usually operated with just the torque converter with low gear and reverse having to be engaged engaged.
I don’t know what advantage that would be to drag racers.
My parents had a 1947 Buick Special and a 1949 Buick Roadmaster when I was young. Being fans of obsolete technology, the replaced their Roadmaster with a 1953 Ford with the flathead V8.
yeah, it was a tough choice. body work is always the most expensive and the Nash has the Buick hands down, but a running straight 8 is hard to pass up. And the body is not all that bad. I am a little surprised they did not drain the fuel send the carb off for rebuild and soak the cylinders in Marvel Mystery oil and then at least check compression or outright try to start the old girl.
Havin previously hada 52 super, and knowing the ride on it…The Roadmaster is an easy choice here.
Same. Loved my 52 Super..then it got totaled by a kid in a Pontiac who hit it from behind while it was parked curbside. Pushed the trunk right up into the back seat.
I’ll take the Nash, but I do have.a question: how do I get this car out of second gear? Beep, beep.
…and show him that…a Cad-i-llac…IS a car to scorn!
Of course that referred to the Metropolitan
True, but couldn’t resist.
Actually, it was a Nash Rambler in the song, wasn’t it?
As much as I enjoy obscure cars with even more obscure manufacturers (Nash, relatively speaking), this Ambassador has more than double the miles, missing two cylinders and is inop at the time of the listing. Not only do you have that against you, but you’re up against the LEGEND, the Roadmaster. And that thing is sweet. The only change I’d make, a controversial one, is I’d prefer it in black. For some reason that’s the way I always pictured the Roadmaster.
But damn, Nash Kelvinator made some FINE refrigerators and freezers.
Eight in a row, all ready to go
Postwar cosplay, let’s do it bro
Master of the roads, fast or slow
Art deco styling, for the airflow
Needs lead substitute, don’tcha know
There go the valves and seats, oh no
” With your chrome heart shining in the sun / Long may you run ”
Shakey
Roadmaster, because to quote Jay Leno, “you have crash in one of those, they just hose off the dash and sell it to the next guy.”
Leno is an expert in crashes.
I wanted to go Nash.
But an inline 8 is on my long term automotive goals.
I really hoped someone would manufacture a new luxury I8 before ICE production ended – but it looks like that ship has sailed.
The reality that you could have a 3.0L I8 these days with 300-500 hp and smooth smooth torque…. that sure would have been cool. To sell to no one.
Straight Eights aren’t as good as we think they are. They’re fine as flatheads running low compression, but when you try to build one into something truly powerful, you get crankshaft whip at relatively moderate RPMs. Duesenberg dealt with this by beefing up the bottom end to a level that would never fly today.
By the 50’s, the V8 was king and there was no turning back.
That’s why this is the Fireball to get, mber.
It’s a final year, it’s the Buick OHV (Valve-In-Head,) they dumped the babbits in ’37 so it’s traditional shells, and the bottom end was repeatedly beefed up year after year. That’s what made it so smooth.
They still run this version out on the salt flats, because the block can take it. It’s not the old 4.45:1 – these can be run very high compression and decently high RPM (~5500ish; it’s a torque-monster, not a pony.) Particularly with modern pistons and rings.
Agreed on the call of the I8. If I had any machining skills (I have none, unfortunately), I would love to take a couple of ubiquitous 2.0L fours and bolt them up in series to make a 4.0L I8. With turbos, 500+ HP should be easy-peasy. Stuff it in one of these old Buicks and cruise across the country.
“Long May You Run”
‘ good enuf fer Neil Young, good enuf fer this guy.
[OK, Boomer]
I seem to recall that Neil was referring to a motorcycle – a Norton (?) IIRC.
Alas, it was about his 1948 Roadmaster Hearse.
Mortimer Hearseburg (I). I was just reading about that in the new R&T.
The green sealed it for me, personally
Absolutely. That and a straight 8, take my damn money.