Nash Statesman

{{Infobox automobile

| name = First generation

| image = Nash Statestman Super Airflyte 1951 (18686938540).jpg

| caption = 1951 Nash Statesman Super Four-Door Sedan

| production = 1950 to 1951 (model years)

| manufacturer = Nash Motors

| body_style = 2-door sedan
4-door sedan
2-door coupe

| engine = {{convert|184|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} I6

| wheelbase = {{convert|112.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

}}

Nash developed its post–World War II automobiles using an advanced unit-body construction with fastback aerodynamic styling under the Airflyte name, reflecting a popular styling trend in the 1950s. The cars were available as a two- or four-door sedan. A distinguishing feature of all Nashes are the "skirted" fenders. Although the turning circle could be compromised, the front track is narrower by nearly three inches: the front is just under {{convert|55|in|mm|0|abbr=off|sp=us}} while the rear track is {{convert|60.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}. The base Nash 600 was renamed Nash Statesman for the 1950 model year.John Gunnell, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975, Revised 4th Edition, page 554

The wheelbase of the Statesman was {{convert|9.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} shorter than the companion Ambassador line. This was achieved by using a shorter front "clip" (the portion of a car from the cowl forward) than was installed on the Ambassador. Statesman and Ambassador hoods along with front fenders are not interchangeable. From the cowl rearward, the two series' dimensions were identical. Two-door models included Nash's exclusive "Airliner Reclining" front seat, which was optional on the four-door sedans. These seats could be converted to form a bed.

Statesman engine designs were based on the L-head Nash Light Six engine that was designed in the 1920s and continued into the 1940s in the Nash LaFayette and Nash 600. It is characterized by the lack of intake and exhaust manifolds. The Statesman models were comparatively lighter resulting in fuel efficiency as reported by owners and testers.

Nash Statesman models were offered in three trims, the top-line Statesman Custom and the entry-level Statesman Super as well as a base fleet-only model for commercial and institutional use.

The Statesman models, along with the Ambassador line, were the volume and profit leaders for Nash.{{cite web| url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1952-1954-nash-ambassador-and-statesman.htm |title=1952-1954 Nash Ambassador and Statesman |website=How Stuff Works |date=13 September 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200924205025/https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1952-1954-nash-ambassador-and-statesman.htm |archive-date=24 September 2020 |access-date=15 April 2022}}

File:Nash Airflyte Statesman 1951 im Museum Öhringen (1).JPG|1950 Nash Statesman Super 4-Door Sedan

File:Nash For Sale (5067927197).jpg|1950 Nash Statesman Super 2-door

File:1951 Nash Statesman - Flickr - dave 7.jpg|1951 Nash Statesman 4-door Sedan

{{-}}

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Second generation

| image = 1954 Nash Statesman Custom sedan at 2015 Macungie show 1of7.jpg

| caption = 1954 Nash Statesman Custom 4-Door Sedan

| production = 1952 to 1956 (model years)

| manufacturer = Nash Motors (1952–1954)
American Motors Corporation (1954–1956)

| body_style = 2-door sedan
4-door sedan
2-door hardtop coupe

| engine = {{convert|195.6|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} I6

| wheelbase = {{convert|114.25|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

}}

A new design was introduced for the 1952 model year featuring a large "envelope-bodied" sedan with enclosed wheels that were characteristic for Nash.{{cite web|url= http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1952-1954-nash-ambassador-and-statesman1.htm |title=1952 Nash Design |website=How Stuff Works |date=13 September 2007 |archive-date=27 August 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190827150234/https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1952-1954-nash-ambassador-and-statesman1.htm |access-date=15 April 2022}} The all-new notchback Statesman design coincided with Nash's 50th anniversary and included styling by Pininfarina, the Italian designer.{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=m-k3ONS880cC&q=Nash+Statesman&pg=PA444 |pages=444–447 |title=American Cars, 1946-1959: Every Model, Year by Year |first=J. Kelly Jr |last=Flory |publisher=McFarland |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7864-5230-9 |via=Google Books |access-date=15 April 2022}}

The 1954 models included the outside mounted "continental" spare tire increasing trunk space and making emergency tire changes easier.{{cite journal|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=9i0DAAAAMBAJ&q=Nash+Statesman&pg=PA152 |first=Wilbur |last=Shaw |title=Nash Hikes Compression, Puts spare Tire Outdoors |pages=152–155 |journal=Popular Science |date=December 1953 |volume=163 |issue=6 |via=Google Books |access-date=15 April 2022}}

The 1956 models received larger and slanted front parking lights, as well as larger tail lamps.{{cite journal|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=u-EDAAAAMBAJ&q=Nash+has+given+its+front+end+a+sharper+look+Statesman&pg=PA179 |title=Nash |page=179 |journal=Popular Mechanics |date=February 1956 |volume=105 |issue=2 |via=Google Books |access-date=15 April 2022}}

The final Nash Statesman models were built during August 1956. Starting in 1957 all full-size Nash models were Ambassadors.

File:1954 Nash Statesman Custom sedan at 2015 Macungie show 2of7.jpg|1954 Nash Statesman Custom 4-Door Sedan

File:Flickr - Hugo90 - 1956 Nash Statesman Super.jpg|1956 Nash Statesman Super

{{-}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last=Conde |first=John A. |title=The American Motors Family Album |publisher=American Motors Corporation |year=1987 |oclc=3185581}}
• {{cite book|editor-last=Gunnell |editor-first=John |title=The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975 |publisher=Krause Publications |year=1987 |isbn=978-0-87341-096-0}}

{{refend}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.carsandracingstuff.com/library/s/statesman.php Statesman at The Crittenden Automotive Library, including detailed pictures of a 1950 Statesman Super]
• [http://www.nashcarclub.org/ Nash Car Club]
• {{imcdb vehicle|make=Nash|model=Statesman|Nash Statesman}}

{{Nash Motors}}

Category:1950s cars

Category:Cars introduced in 1949

Category:Full-size vehicles

Statesman

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

Category:Sedans

Category:Streamline Moderne cars