| Nash
Nash Motors was founded in 1916 after former General Motors president Charles W. Nash acquired the Thomas B. Jeffery Company, best known for the Rambler. Nash also enjoyed decades of success by marketing mid-priced cars for middle class buyers at an affordable price. Nash Motors was based in Kenosha, WI from 1916 to 1938. Nash lived up to its slogan in the late 1920s through the 1930s, "Give the customer more than he has paid for", and early innovations included a straight-eight engine with overhead valves, twin spark plugs, and nine crankshaft bearings. Nash aqcuired the Mitchell Motor Car Company plant in Racine, Wisconsin. Mitchell was the manufacturer of Mitchell-brand automobiles between 1903-1923. In 1924 Nash also absorbed the failing LaFayette Motors of Milwaukee, WI, as Nash was the primary stock holder. LaFayette had made large powerful luxury autos since 1920 (originally from Indianapolis). For the 1925 model year, Nash introduced an entry-level model, the Ajax, which was a car of exceptional quality for its price. The Ajax was produced at the Mitchell and LaFayette plants. Nash Motors briefly used the LaFayette name for another new entry level model. The 1932 Nash Ambassador Eight had a synchromesh transmission system, automatic centralized chassis lubrication, a worm-drive rear end, and its suspension was adjustable from within the car. In 1936 the Nash "Bed-In-A-Car" feature was introduced, which led to further development of reclining seats. Nash Motors joined with the appliance giant Kelvinator in 1937 to become the automotive division of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation. In 1938, through its partnership with Kelvinator, Nash introduced an optional conditioned air heating/ventilating system, the first hot-water car heating system to draw fresh air from outside the car, and is the basis of all modern car heaters in use today. The aerodynamic 1949 Nash "Airflyte" was the first car of an advanced aerodynamic body design. Engineer Nils Wahlberg developed the new syle using a wind tunnel. Reducing the auto body's air drag coefficient resulted in a smooth shape with enclosed front fenders. Wide and low, the Airflyte featured more interior room, although it had a wide turning radius. The 1950 Rambler compact was marketed as an upscale, feature-laden convertible. Nash also marketed the Austin-built small Metropolitan from Britain, introduced as a 1954 model. In January 1954 Nash announced a merger with the Hudson Motor Car Company, which created American Motors Corporation (AMC). Nash and Hudson model productions continued as a brand until 1957 as AMC expanded the Rambler line to replace them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_Motors
|
