Luxurious 1957 Nash Ambassador Custom | Hudson-Powered 1955 Nash Ambassador | Rambler Ranch

[@davidtroxell837]

Wow... as a certified AMC enthusiast... Rambler Ranch is #1 most interesting place on Earth

[@bruceinnes3699]

My maternal grandfather drove Nashes all his adult life. I remember him pulling up my parent's driveway in one of his Nash Ambassadors, a brand new one nearly every year. He drove many tens of thousands of miles every year right up until he retired. He wouldn't drive anything else!

[@goldfieldgary]

My dad favored Nash, Nash-Rambler, Rambler, then American Motors. That 7 main bearing straight six was a big selling point for him, along with those seats that fully reclined. I remember many a camping trip with my parents sleeping in the Rambler and my brother and I out on the ground in sleeping bags!

[@2chuck]

My Dad went out to buy a new car in 1960 and me and my 2 younger brothers were excited and thought he would get a Ford Falcon. When we got home from school there was a Rambler Classic in the driveway. We were less than thrilled. As time went by his choice turned out to be the best, because the Falcon had all kinds of problems. I learned to drive in that car and it was not the coolest, but it was solid and trustworthy. I would love to have it today.

[@godfreyberry1599]

Respect to Terry for recognising something quite unique in American design and working so hard to preserve what could easily be lost forever.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

One of my savvy uncles had an Ambassador in 1962. It was quality at a decent price.

[@radioguy1620]

anyone growing up in this era would probably have their best nap since 1957 if they sat in the back.

[@choward5430]

I'd never heard of Rambler Ranch so I went to their website. AWESOME! WOW! I love it!

[@davidtroxell837]

thanks to Rambler Ranch for Dennis Gauge presentation

[@josephw2905]

I LOVE my 1941 Nash Ambassador, it's so reliable and just a great automobile.

[@johnbolt665]

We had a Nash Kalvinator (like the fridge) Pinafarina that sat in the yard for many years

[@barbaraadams8347]

This is my little "dream" car. I remember riding in my Aunt Evelyn's black and white Metropolitan. I fell in love with that little car then and would love to have one now!!!!!!

[@alanblanes2876]

I'd love to see a lot of sequels to this episode....

[@bcfairlie1]

Gosh I so love these cars. Totally unique American design. Fabulous

[@petespurgeon343]

Great car ,great video. Thanx. P.S. Tx.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Lovely!!!! 1955 Nashes with V8s had Packard engines in them. In 1956 they came out with a 327 V8 that would be in production until I think 1968.

[@gcfifthgear]

AMC had agreed with Studebaker-Packard to provide Packard engines and Ultramatic transmissions on the basis of S-P buying sheet metal from AMC--which didn't occur. George Romney ordered the production of AMC's own engines. The 250 V-8 appeared in the mid-year Ambassador and Hornet Specials, but the 327 engine followed in big Nashes, Hudsons and Rambler Rebels in 1957. The basic design ran until 1966, when the 290/343 family appeared in 1967 models

[@michaelbenardo5695]

It sure would would be sweet to have one of these today. No catalytic converters to get stolen, no smog checks. How can you not just love it?

[@mrdanforth3744]

This was Nash's answer to the Cadillac believe it or not. The body was 2" wider than a Cadillac, interior room greater, and the all coil spring suspension gave it the smoothest ride in the industry, according to independent critics. Then there were features like coil spring seat cushions, Weather Eye heating/air conditioning system (first in the industry), making this a genuine luxury car.

[@waltertaljaard1488]

Making it a really fine highway automobile and a great long distance cruiser.

[@rustybearden1800]

Imagine the family piling into this baby, freshly washed and polished (car and peoples) and tooling over to the church, grocery store, diner or the beach, mountains, family trip, etc. What a car - when relaxing and chatting was the main bill of fare rather than 0-60 times, smoky burnouts, gross horsepower and g forces. There's a lot to be said for this style and era of vehicles. Would love to road trip in this

[@retro440]

Absolutely gorgeous vintage cars!!!!

[@davidtroxell837]

thanks Dennis Gage for showing Rambler Ranch

[@mzaccagnini7179]

Cool collection of nashes. Interesting video.

[@curtn7076]

The the unique styling of the Nash, AMC, Kaiser Fraser and Hudson are beautiful and unique..All were the underdogs to Detroit big three. I would love to see modern cars have more style, like the Nash from the fifties.

[@charles1964]

The reason the instrument panel was centered was so they could sell them overseas without having to tool-up for right hand drive. Nash's "Weather Eye" flow through, integrated climate control is what is used on virtually every car on the road today, as most heaters were under the dash or front seats, with A/C units mounted in the trunk...

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Forty five years ago (yikes!) I bought a used, one-owner 1959 Rambler American...basic car, three on the tree, flat six engine, 90hp. It was straight and clean, with 90,000 miles on it...The first time I waxed it, I was amazed to see that the front turn signal s said "Nash" on them!...AMC had bought out Nash, and cannibalized parts...Romney decided to use an updated version of an early 50s Nash, give it a facelift, and call it an American...seemed kinda crazy...but the Rambler American, stodgy as it was, sold like hotcakes in the late 50s, and saved AMC for quite a few years...I loved rowing that vehicle around town....very few of them were still on the road, back in 1980. I have not even seen one of these on the road, in the last 25 years or so....mine was beginning to fall apart, when I sold it in 1981, with 130,000 miles on it....In it's time, it was the cheapest USA car made, costing around $2,000....probably why AMC sold so many of them!

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

AMC didn't buy nash so much as was created when Nash and Hudson merged to form the AMC company, so I'd figure for a while you'd still find nash parts on Ramblers and others as nash was well established at the time of the merger. I've always liked AMC's cars, and the more i learn of Nash and early AMC's the more impressed i am with them.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

You mean flathead 6. Only the Corvair and the Porsche used flat 6 engines.

[@erastuserazade9785]

This Nash Rambler presentation is a real treat ! Such a wonderful product is this , though value recognition seems to have been beyond comprehension for some. Nice show !

[@michaelbenardo5695]

These are not Ramblers. These are full-size Nashes.

[@bryduhbikeguy]

If I ever get to Denver,I'll be sure to make the dash to look at the stash of Nash.

[@jamesspeck4151]

Beautiful cars! I'm coming for a visit!

[@charleskesner1302]

Cool car.

[@DeLorean4]

2021 Mustang Mach-e: To keep the driver's eyes on the road while the autonomous features are on, we have an infrared system to track eye movement, and the display will give visual and audible warnings when the driver's stare deviates. 1955 Nash: We shaped our hood ornament to look like a naked woman.

[@dang2443]

And which one do you think you would be able to fix yourself?

[@daviddavis4444]

Mom's baby sister had a 59 Rambler Ambassador with the 327 and push button trans. I was 5 and that car seemed huge in the back seat was in the mid 60's

[@jetsons101]

Nash is a bit before my time, but I love AMC's. AMX, Rebel Machine and S/C Rambler.

[@charles1964]

My friends father had a Rebel Machine with the RW&B livery when I was a kid, but it was no big deal as my neighborhood was loaded with Chargers, Road Runners, GTO's, Corvettes, etc. The 70's was heaven for a car crazy kid, even my old man had a '64 Marauder, and my brother had a '63 Impala SS...Nowadays most cars, like my Impala LTZ, all look alike...

[@carlshowalter9629]

I love this!

[@davidallen5776]

I'd like to see one of these in person!

[@seed_drill7135]

In '57 they shoved that 327 into a Rambler Rebel creating a one year only option that was faster than anything except a fuelie Corvette.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

That Rebel is a hottly desired car today. FYI, its 327 was actually souped up - 9.5 / 1 compression vs 9 / 1, dual valve springs vs single, solid lifters vs hydraulics.

[@BlueHopi144]

great revieuw !!!!

[@josephlamb9175]

Nash Kelvinator rules the planet

[@johnfleming7879]

I had a 1950 Ambassador with an OHV six.I think it was 235 cu in. I dia a ring job after finding a set of rings with dust on them, and I forgot where I found the head gasket. It had seven main bearings, though not counter-balanced.It had a cast-iron hydramatic with 2 speed overdrive- I could rum all day at 95 mph with no wind noise or squeaks. 20 plus mph, even driving fast

[@michaelbenardo5695]

HydraMatic was not paired with OD, at least not from the factory.

[@johnfleming7879]

​@@michaelbenardo5695 it seemed to be on my Ambassador- it was somehow engaged by engine vacuum- I could cruise( without straining the engine) for hours at 95 mph on a clear interstate or similar road. Cops would just wave at me- I guess out of respect for an older vehicle It turns out it was a 238 cu in engine , by the way

[@jesuseduardostahlleija8986]

Mí papá QEPD siempre tenía Nash desde el 1950 53 y un 1955, que una vez corrió con el y ocupó el 1° lugar casi toda la carrera, pero se le safó una manguera o algo de la transmisión automática, era blanco con negro, los recuerdo con mucho gusto, aunque también tenía Studebaker Comander, Champion V8 y Golden Hawk que era un avión con , también tuvo Pakard, era muy buen carro y correlon.. acá en México no se ve ni uno, quisiera un Nash 1953

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

AMC sponsored "Disneyland" on ABC in the 1950s. Disney characters often appeared in AMC commercials.

[@MrSteveb80]

when i was a kid my dad had a 1955 Nash Ambassador. if i remember it had a built in baby seat or something in the back seat that folded out.

[@gcfifthgear]

A huge center armrest in back!

[@MrSteveb80]

@@gcfifthgear thanks.

[@hekimanash3246]

I'm a NASH also.

[@danielthoman7324]

Most AMC cars of the 50s were Frumpy looking. They got much better in the sixties, Especially sixties Ambassadors.

[@stephenmulholland4868]

I saw one of these in Nash ville

[@jerelwright1665]

I learned to drive in a rambler American 4 Dr

[@fredrailsback2081]

4:13 what kind of kicks is the Rambler Ranch guy wearing?

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Fabulous Nashes! But the 55 is Nash powered, not Hudson powered. These are great looking cars, until 57. That 57 looks great today, but in 1957, it looked dated, as it was a facelifted 52.

[@gcfifthgear]

With car companies doing three-year styling cycles in the 1950s, Nash was overdue for a styling change by 1955. With the AMC merger, stylists had to make the Nash body look distinctive for the new Hudsons, and Nash ended up playing second fiddle...and both '55-'57 Hudsons and Nashes were running on the '52 Nash body shell...

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

That 57 looks huge! And it's really pretty, the styling was really done right. Was the body made in Italy, or was it just Pininfarina styling?

[@MyClassicCarTV]

Just styled by Pininfarina.

[@colinallan1962]

@@MyClassicCarTV It is virtually identical to the other model you showed. Was it a Pininfarina design or was it just tweaked by them ? It seems a bit early to be badge engineering such as Ghia became to Ford.

[@gcfifthgear]

Actually a joint effort between Pininfarina and AMC stylist Ed Andersen, who graciously agreed to let Pininfarina have the credit since European design was all the rage in the early 1950s. And contemporary reviews said the Nash of the 1952-57 generation (and the '55-'57 Hudsons) had the roomiest interiors in the medium-priced field

[@michaelrupolo460]

Love these kind of the best strongest and the Makani one best

[@edarcuri182]

The sub title is incorrect. The 1955 Ambassador had a Nash engine. !955 and 1956 Hudsons used Hudson L head engines unless equipped with a V-8. The OHV six in the Ambassadors is a dead giveaway.

[@gcfifthgear]

Hudson made a big deal of the "Championship Six" (the former Jet engine in Wasps. the Hornet Six continuing in the '55-'56 Hornets)

[@adoreslaurel]

Only downside I saw on a Rambler wagon was an Aluminum block with a cast iron head, talk about back to front, when my local mechanic took the head off a failing wagon, he showed me a block eaten away with only the cast iron cylinders standing. obviously in the old days no one thought [or was told about] of anti corrosive additive.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

The auto makers knew, but motorists ignored it

[@adoreslaurel]

@@michaelbenardo5695 Yes, he probably told the customer to junk it.

[@sammolloy1]

I have seen one of these hood ornaments in a junk yard. If I remember correctly it was on a lesser car.

[@dannyhudson3184]

Love old cars the rambler wasn't great looking car metropolitan was cute

[@lundsweden]

Looks like a big bar of soap!

[@hugokatz]

Yeah lane dissapline went to hell after we didn't have "lane guide" fenders.

[@RandysFiftySevenChevy]

and curb feelers

[@radioguy1620]

all those cars protected by killer bees lol , seriously look out

[@Pisti846]

Why does the title say 'Hudson powered' when it is a Nash engine?

[@edarcuri182]

They just got it wrong. Happens a lot especially with cars built by the independents. I have read, more than once, that Nash wanted Hudson to get Hudson's V-8. Hudson had no V-8, as you know. After the merger, AMC bought Packard V-8s for 55 and early 56. Late 56s introduced the AMC V-8.

[@keithstudly6071]

@@edarcuri182 AMC V8 was started for Kiser but then they gave up and design and designer came to AMC and went into production in very short time. AMC had trouble with the Packard because Packard insisted that V8 engine had to include Packard's Ultramatic automatic transmission, which was not as good as the Borg-Warner. The new AMC 327 was better in most reguards than the Packard engine and that was when Packard gave up and merged with Studebaker.

[@edarcuri182]

@@keithstudly6071 I have long thought that the Kaiser connection to the AMC V-8 was strong. I have read, about a year ago, an article which indicated that Henry J gave up on the Kaiser engine owing to the cost (did none of these guys ever hear of joint ventures?). Apparently, the lead engineer on the AMC design was the same fellow who had worked on the Kaiser effort. That said, pictures accompanied the article on Kaiser's engine to which I referred. That engine did look quite different featuring, among other things, round ports. As I lack expertise on engines, I am inclined to take these reports as a group and assume that much learned in the Kaiser effort sped up AMC's development. Packard bought Studebaker in 1954. It was a bad idea. How true that was soon became apparent. By 1956, Curtiss Wright had a management agreement with SP that allowed CW to write off SP's losses against their profits - or so I am advised. The Packard, along with all of its parts and pieces good and bad was sold off, or carted off, or trotted out to the dumpster and the 57 and 58 Packards were Studebakers somewhat restyled with Packard cues. Of course, we all know that. What we don't know for certain is what combinations of bad advice, egos, and lack of foresight led to the demise of so many fine alternatives in the marketplace. By the bye, my Dad's Uncle had a 56 Ambassador with the Packard V-8. When I was a kid, he traveled west to visit us in that car and I thought it very nice. He promised to save it for me when I grew up. I was astonished visiting him in his 90's that he remembered the promise and apologized for selling the car. He told me why: that transmission! "I could never get it right." He was a long time mechanic in my Dad's estimation the best he ever knew. So, that is evidence enough for me that AMC would have been better off using Hydra-Matics as they did in their other cars or the Borg Warner that you mentioned. I owned a couple of cars with that AMC 327. Torquey and trouble free.

[@keithstudly6071]

@@edarcuri182 Well that was the way I heard it. The hiring of Kaiser's designer and his nearly finished V8 allowed AMC to cut the cord with Packard much more quickly than anyone expected. (especially Packard) They had been using B-W automatic transmissions since 1950 and Ford wanted to use the same transmission but AMC wanted exclusive so Ford worked with B-W to design the Fordomatic. Another Packard trouble was they had always relied on Briggs to build their bodies and Chrysler bought Briggs to build Imperials and cut Packard off so the last prei-Studebaker Packards were a manufacturing nightmare as they had to build all new relationships just to manufacture them.

[@edarcuri182]

@@keithstudly6071 There is no doubt in my mind that the AMC V-8 was designed as quickly as it was because so much work had been done on the Kaiser unit and the engineer who worked on that Kaiser engine came to AMC in time to speed up their design. The Kaiser was reported to be 288 CID. The mid range AMC engine, produced later, was 287. Coincidence? I think not. Both Nash and Hudson used Hydra Matics. The first Borg Warner automatics were used in the 58s by then known only as Ramblers.

[@3344stevo]

like the marlin in the yard but C O is too far from me :(

[@RandysFiftySevenChevy]

Quick story; My brother in high school had the ugliest rambler I've ever seen. All his friends had the cool cars, the Mustangs and Chevelle's .. But on any Saturday night he had them lined up to borrow it. It took me about a year to figure out why. Hey, I was 13 at the time give me a break.

[@thomasnorman4221]

Can I drive it? I don't know if you can but you may

[@dwaynetempest3433]

I could use parts to my Marlin's ??????

[@styldsteel1]

I don't know what to make of these Nashes. To me it looks as though it was designed by a committee.

[@jurivlk5433]

Very weird shape which explains the failure. Preserving the remaining cars is nevertheless very important! I just wonder who might have desiigned such atrocities!

[@johnskogman5623]

Gain some weight Dennis.

[@MyClassicCarTV]

I don’t know, I go for trim. Why carry around any extra weight. 🤔

[@mcashnv]

Perhaps Pininfarina's ugliest designs

[@gcfifthgear]

'52-'54 models were great-looking, but they were already dated by 1955

[@gregorywren6789]

.

[@courtjester4146]

These look like happy cars. Vahicles

[@rja3226]

Beautiful cars but next to 57 Chrysler Products these babies look 4 years old.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

That's what sunk the 57.