#645 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster
VIN: 25525
Engine #: NHA1378
Chassis #: 2363
Engine: 252cid (4.1L) I-6 OHV (’52-’56)
Trans.: 3-spd Manual w/overdrive
After a chance meeting in 1949 between Donald Healey (British engineer and race car driver) and George Mason (president of Nash-Kelvinator) onboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth, the Nash-Healey Roadster joint venture was born and would go on to produce "the first post-war sports car from a major American automaker," beating the Corvette by two years.
The first production model of the Nash-Healey Series 25 Roadster was debuted at the 1951 Chicago Auto Show. Production ran from 1951 to 1954 with a total of 506 vehicles built. In 1952, the body was redesigned by Battista Farina and production logistics were further complicated. Nash powertrain components were shipped from North America to England to be assembled into Healey chassis'. The rolling stock was then shipped to Pinin Farina in Italy to have the body mounted and final assembly completed. The vehicles were then exported back to Nash dealerships in America.
In 1953, this production method resulted in a sticker price that was almost double that of Chevrolet's newly introduced Corvette. None the less, with Nash-Healey having great racing success at Le Mans, 1953 saw a new coupe introduced, and the "Dual Jetfire" engine became standard for production models. This engine's 252cid produced 140hp using twin Carter carburetors. This year also saw Nash Motors sponsoring golf tournaments and Sam Snead and his roadster were shown on the cover of "Nash News." Celebrity use and product placement continued with Roadsters showing up in the "Adventures of Superman", with George Reeves, as well as the movie, "Sabrina" with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.
This numbers-matching 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster rolls on chassis number 2363 and retains its original motor number NHA1378, which is planned to be rebuilt as of this writing. This car is one of approximately 160 examples bodied by Pinin Farina that year. The body is finished in white over a red interior with a beige convertible top and side curtains.
Ranking as an impressive and historically noteworthy combination of British, Italian, and American flair, this exceedingly rare Nash-Healey creates an intriguing opportunity for its next loving caretaker. As an early and significant pioneer of trans-Atlantic cooperation, this 1953 Roadster is one of approximately 160 Nash-Healey's to feature Pinin Farina coachwork. Accompanied by its numbers-matching engine block, it is an ideal candidate for vintage racing, exhibition, or a combination of both.
A little more Nash history for those interested…
Gooding & Co. wrote:
Based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Nash Motors was the automotive arm of industrial conglomerate Nash-Kelvinator. Famed for the relatively affordable and economical family cars they produced before WWII, Nash earned a devoted following despite building rather austere, conservative products. Rarely had the company produced a daring car, and by the late 1930s, the company was beginning to see customers migrate to more exciting car manufacturers like Auburn, Ford and Plymouth. All that changed when Charles Nash hired the visionary designer George W. Mason as his successor.
Immediately following WWII, Mason began experimenting with aerodynamic, enveloping bodies for the full-size line. He organized a modern, in-house styling department in the manner of the Big Three. He then hired former General Motors styling executive, Edmund Anderson, together with a crew of talented designers from Ford and GM. Mason’s ground-breaking new model, dubbed the Airflyte, was a company mainstay until Nash was absorbed into the American Motor Company during 1957.
Beyond his interest in aerodynamics, Mason was also a major proponent of small cars. Convinced that a sporting compact car could find success in the US, he helped launch the Rambler and partnered with Austin of England to produce the Metropolitan.
Mason’s business, status and international projects took him around the world and his frequent trips to Europe influenced his perception of the American automobile. As early as the 1940s, Mason began to form a relationship with legendary Italian designer Battista “Pinin” Farina and, by 1951, he had successfully partnered with Donald Healey and Pinin Farina to create the Nash-Healey, a beautiful, albeit slow-selling, two-seat roadster.
Supported by a long-term consulting agreement with Pinin Farina, Mason was able to put in place the last major design proposals for Nash Motors during the mid-1950s. The most striking of the designs was this cutting-edge sports car – the Palm Beach – constructed with the running gear of the Rambler. The Pinin Farina concept was created as a replacement for the Nash-Healey and intended not just as a “dream car” with little hope of reaching the road but constructed so that it could be introduced to the market in a short period of time.
Although founded on contemporary Nash components, Pinin Farina took a very different approach to construction than did the Americans. Rather than the standard, unitized body, a ladder-type chassis and box-section side members were fabricated and equipped with Nash suspension, engine, gearbox and brake parts sourced directly from Kenosha. The only substantial change to the drivetrain was the installation of a single side-draft Weber carburetor. Unusually, the Weber was fitted not for increased performance, but rather to accommodate the sleek bodywork. Once the details of the chassis were put to rest, Pinin Farina got to work on what really mattered – the shape.
During the mid-1950s, Pinin Farina had been experimenting with various “jet-age” themes. The influence of American car design, combined with aerodynamic and technical innovations, inspired Pinin Farina to create some spectacular designs that would pay tribute to the exciting new aerospace technology.
This dramatic theme first appeared in the PF 200, a one-off Lancia with a similar Pinin Farina design which debuted in 1953. In the years that followed, the instantly recognizable circular intake and tubular volumes could be found on a handful of custom bodies that graced everything from Cadillac to Maserati chassis. Several of these PF 200-style cars participated in the contemporary European Concours d’Elegance, often finding great success.
VIN: 25525
Engine #: NHA1378
Chassis #: 2363
Engine: 252cid (4.1L) I-6 OHV (’52-’56)
Trans.: 3-spd Manual w/overdrive
After a chance meeting in 1949 between Donald Healey (British engineer and race car driver) and George Mason (president of Nash-Kelvinator) onboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth, the Nash-Healey Roadster joint venture was born and would go on to produce "the first post-war sports car from a major American automaker," beating the Corvette by two years.
The first production model of the Nash-Healey Series 25 Roadster was debuted at the 1951 Chicago Auto Show. Production ran from 1951 to 1954 with a total of 506 vehicles built. In 1952, the body was redesigned by Battista Farina and production logistics were further complicated. Nash powertrain components were shipped from North America to England to be assembled into Healey chassis'. The rolling stock was then shipped to Pinin Farina in Italy to have the body mounted and final assembly completed. The vehicles were then exported back to Nash dealerships in America.
In 1953, this production method resulted in a sticker price that was almost double that of Chevrolet's newly introduced Corvette. None the less, with Nash-Healey having great racing success at Le Mans, 1953 saw a new coupe introduced, and the "Dual Jetfire" engine became standard for production models. This engine's 252cid produced 140hp using twin Carter carburetors. This year also saw Nash Motors sponsoring golf tournaments and Sam Snead and his roadster were shown on the cover of "Nash News." Celebrity use and product placement continued with Roadsters showing up in the "Adventures of Superman", with George Reeves, as well as the movie, "Sabrina" with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.
This numbers-matching 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster rolls on chassis number 2363 and retains its original motor number NHA1378, which is planned to be rebuilt as of this writing. This car is one of approximately 160 examples bodied by Pinin Farina that year. The body is finished in white over a red interior with a beige convertible top and side curtains.
Ranking as an impressive and historically noteworthy combination of British, Italian, and American flair, this exceedingly rare Nash-Healey creates an intriguing opportunity for its next loving caretaker. As an early and significant pioneer of trans-Atlantic cooperation, this 1953 Roadster is one of approximately 160 Nash-Healey's to feature Pinin Farina coachwork. Accompanied by its numbers-matching engine block, it is an ideal candidate for vintage racing, exhibition, or a combination of both.
A little more Nash history for those interested…
Gooding & Co. wrote:
Based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Nash Motors was the automotive arm of industrial conglomerate Nash-Kelvinator. Famed for the relatively affordable and economical family cars they produced before WWII, Nash earned a devoted following despite building rather austere, conservative products. Rarely had the company produced a daring car, and by the late 1930s, the company was beginning to see customers migrate to more exciting car manufacturers like Auburn, Ford and Plymouth. All that changed when Charles Nash hired the visionary designer George W. Mason as his successor.
Immediately following WWII, Mason began experimenting with aerodynamic, enveloping bodies for the full-size line. He organized a modern, in-house styling department in the manner of the Big Three. He then hired former General Motors styling executive, Edmund Anderson, together with a crew of talented designers from Ford and GM. Mason’s ground-breaking new model, dubbed the Airflyte, was a company mainstay until Nash was absorbed into the American Motor Company during 1957.
Beyond his interest in aerodynamics, Mason was also a major proponent of small cars. Convinced that a sporting compact car could find success in the US, he helped launch the Rambler and partnered with Austin of England to produce the Metropolitan.
Mason’s business, status and international projects took him around the world and his frequent trips to Europe influenced his perception of the American automobile. As early as the 1940s, Mason began to form a relationship with legendary Italian designer Battista “Pinin” Farina and, by 1951, he had successfully partnered with Donald Healey and Pinin Farina to create the Nash-Healey, a beautiful, albeit slow-selling, two-seat roadster.
Supported by a long-term consulting agreement with Pinin Farina, Mason was able to put in place the last major design proposals for Nash Motors during the mid-1950s. The most striking of the designs was this cutting-edge sports car – the Palm Beach – constructed with the running gear of the Rambler. The Pinin Farina concept was created as a replacement for the Nash-Healey and intended not just as a “dream car” with little hope of reaching the road but constructed so that it could be introduced to the market in a short period of time.
Although founded on contemporary Nash components, Pinin Farina took a very different approach to construction than did the Americans. Rather than the standard, unitized body, a ladder-type chassis and box-section side members were fabricated and equipped with Nash suspension, engine, gearbox and brake parts sourced directly from Kenosha. The only substantial change to the drivetrain was the installation of a single side-draft Weber carburetor. Unusually, the Weber was fitted not for increased performance, but rather to accommodate the sleek bodywork. Once the details of the chassis were put to rest, Pinin Farina got to work on what really mattered – the shape.
During the mid-1950s, Pinin Farina had been experimenting with various “jet-age” themes. The influence of American car design, combined with aerodynamic and technical innovations, inspired Pinin Farina to create some spectacular designs that would pay tribute to the exciting new aerospace technology.
This dramatic theme first appeared in the PF 200, a one-off Lancia with a similar Pinin Farina design which debuted in 1953. In the years that followed, the instantly recognizable circular intake and tubular volumes could be found on a handful of custom bodies that graced everything from Cadillac to Maserati chassis. Several of these PF 200-style cars participated in the contemporary European Concours d’Elegance, often finding great success.
VIN: 25525
Engine #: NHA1378
Chassis #: 2363
Engine: 252cid (4.1L) I-6 OHV (’52-’56)
Trans.: 3-spd Manual w/overdrive
After a chance meeting in 1949 between Donald Healey (British engineer and race car driver) and George Mason (president of Nash-Kelvinator) onboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth, the Nash-Healey Roadster joint venture was born and would go on to produce "the first post-war sports car from a major American automaker," beating the Corvette by two years.
The first production model of the Nash-Healey Series 25 Roadster was debuted at the 1951 Chicago Auto Show. Production ran from 1951 to 1954 with a total of 506 vehicles built. In 1952, the body was redesigned by Battista Farina and production logistics were further complicated. Nash powertrain components were shipped from North America to England to be assembled into Healey chassis'. The rolling stock was then shipped to Pinin Farina in Italy to have the body mounted and final assembly completed. The vehicles were then exported back to Nash dealerships in America.
In 1953, this production method resulted in a sticker price that was almost double that of Chevrolet's newly introduced Corvette. None the less, with Nash-Healey having great racing success at Le Mans, 1953 saw a new coupe introduced, and the "Dual Jetfire" engine became standard for production models. This engine's 252cid produced 140hp using twin Carter carburetors. This year also saw Nash Motors sponsoring golf tournaments and Sam Snead and his roadster were shown on the cover of "Nash News." Celebrity use and product placement continued with Roadsters showing up in the "Adventures of Superman", with George Reeves, as well as the movie, "Sabrina" with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.
This numbers-matching 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster rolls on chassis number 2363 and retains its original motor number NHA1378, which is planned to be rebuilt as of this writing. This car is one of approximately 160 examples bodied by Pinin Farina that year. The body is finished in white over a red interior with a beige convertible top and side curtains.
Ranking as an impressive and historically noteworthy combination of British, Italian, and American flair, this exceedingly rare Nash-Healey creates an intriguing opportunity for its next loving caretaker. As an early and significant pioneer of trans-Atlantic cooperation, this 1953 Roadster is one of approximately 160 Nash-Healey's to feature Pinin Farina coachwork. Accompanied by its numbers-matching engine block, it is an ideal candidate for vintage racing, exhibition, or a combination of both.
A little more Nash history for those interested…
Gooding & Co. wrote:
Based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Nash Motors was the automotive arm of industrial conglomerate Nash-Kelvinator. Famed for the relatively affordable and economical family cars they produced before WWII, Nash earned a devoted following despite building rather austere, conservative products. Rarely had the company produced a daring car, and by the late 1930s, the company was beginning to see customers migrate to more exciting car manufacturers like Auburn, Ford and Plymouth. All that changed when Charles Nash hired the visionary designer George W. Mason as his successor.
Immediately following WWII, Mason began experimenting with aerodynamic, enveloping bodies for the full-size line. He organized a modern, in-house styling department in the manner of the Big Three. He then hired former General Motors styling executive, Edmund Anderson, together with a crew of talented designers from Ford and GM. Mason’s ground-breaking new model, dubbed the Airflyte, was a company mainstay until Nash was absorbed into the American Motor Company during 1957.
Beyond his interest in aerodynamics, Mason was also a major proponent of small cars. Convinced that a sporting compact car could find success in the US, he helped launch the Rambler and partnered with Austin of England to produce the Metropolitan.
Mason’s business, status and international projects took him around the world and his frequent trips to Europe influenced his perception of the American automobile. As early as the 1940s, Mason began to form a relationship with legendary Italian designer Battista “Pinin” Farina and, by 1951, he had successfully partnered with Donald Healey and Pinin Farina to create the Nash-Healey, a beautiful, albeit slow-selling, two-seat roadster.
Supported by a long-term consulting agreement with Pinin Farina, Mason was able to put in place the last major design proposals for Nash Motors during the mid-1950s. The most striking of the designs was this cutting-edge sports car – the Palm Beach – constructed with the running gear of the Rambler. The Pinin Farina concept was created as a replacement for the Nash-Healey and intended not just as a “dream car” with little hope of reaching the road but constructed so that it could be introduced to the market in a short period of time.
Although founded on contemporary Nash components, Pinin Farina took a very different approach to construction than did the Americans. Rather than the standard, unitized body, a ladder-type chassis and box-section side members were fabricated and equipped with Nash suspension, engine, gearbox and brake parts sourced directly from Kenosha. The only substantial change to the drivetrain was the installation of a single side-draft Weber carburetor. Unusually, the Weber was fitted not for increased performance, but rather to accommodate the sleek bodywork. Once the details of the chassis were put to rest, Pinin Farina got to work on what really mattered – the shape.
During the mid-1950s, Pinin Farina had been experimenting with various “jet-age” themes. The influence of American car design, combined with aerodynamic and technical innovations, inspired Pinin Farina to create some spectacular designs that would pay tribute to the exciting new aerospace technology.
This dramatic theme first appeared in the PF 200, a one-off Lancia with a similar Pinin Farina design which debuted in 1953. In the years that followed, the instantly recognizable circular intake and tubular volumes could be found on a handful of custom bodies that graced everything from Cadillac to Maserati chassis. Several of these PF 200-style cars participated in the contemporary European Concours d’Elegance, often finding great success.