Very few Nashs downunder but.....

[huddy55]

.... they are still around along with plenty of Hashs. Between my stepdad Keith, my twin brother Jeff and myself we have three restored, three more to be restored and three parts cars. That is a total of nine for those that can not add...lol. As editor for the Hudson AMC car club of Australia, I tend to get articles on Nashs from time to time.

Here is some numbers of Nashs that were sold in Australia up to 1955.

1930 and prior 1068 vehicles sold
1930 - 1934 704
1935 - 1939 1538
1940 - 1945 153
1946 228
1947 388
1948 293
1949 51
1950 68
1951 36
1952 49
1953 54
1954 53
1955 35
Not stated 6

I couldn't tell you if the total include La fayette, Ajax, Metropolitan etc. The Not Stated are registrations the did not tell you which state they were registered in. These facts came from the 1955 Censis.

Different number below from Bueau of Censis and Statistics.

1949 112 vehicles 1 other & not stated
1950 37 21 other & not stated
1951 41
1952 N/A
1953 61 cars & 6 trucks
1954 48 cars & 8 trucks
1955 N/A
1956 N/A
1957 N/A
1958 Nash/Rambler 57 cars/21 station wagons

Both these reports differ in more than one way but these numbers are from an Australian Restored Cars Magazine. The trucks I don't know anything about. I believe Nash stop building in the 40's.

55 to 57 Nashs here are very rare. I recently took photos of a 55 Statesman at a recent national rally and I know of 2 57 Ambassadors.

Hashs easily out sold 55 - 57 Nashs in Australia. A friend of mine owns a 53 Nash Statesman.

[Nevada Hudson]

Nice '57 Hudson !

[huddy55]

Yeh it is, this photo is over twenty two years old when my grandfather was the owner, he died back in 1985. He purchased the car in 1969 with only 13,000 miles onit. A Gibson - Bink head was fitted by Clive Gibson but over the years has since disapeared. The car was left outside for many years until my brother purchased it about ten years ago. It is an Australian assembled 57 6cyl car, one of 72. They used the high roof 56 body which were left over bodies from the US. This car only has 72,000 miles on it today put needs some work. This 57 will be restored in the future.

Note no V8 badges on the front fender, 15" wheels, high roof etc.

[mars55]

Nash built trucks from 1904 to 1955. The last (1947-1955) were one ton jobs. Nash was once the world’s largest manufacturer of trucks.

[Harry Hill]

Man, I wish I had a visor like that for my 55. Being the totally ignorant American that I am I guess I always thought Australia imported all their cars. I sure do learn a lot from this forum. What engine do you have in your 55?

Harry

[huddy55]

Hi Harry, my 55 Hornet has the 308 with single carby. It has 3 spd manual bos and overdrive. Twin H-Power was never available in Australia. The only way yo get them is from ebay or from other contacts. My brother Jeff put twin-H on to his 56 Hornet, looks great mind you. The sun visor on the 57 shown were an aftermarket Australian option. Many Hudsons in Australia used them in their day. Here is a picture of my stepfathers 57 Hornet V8, note the low roofline compared to my previous picture. This V8 also has a sunvisor.

[Harry Hill]

Steve; it looks like the hood took a shot at some time or another. I don't think I'm a fan of what Hudson was doing to all the triangles on the 56 and 57 but until I got the 55 I didn't even know I was a Hudson fan. Now I love the car. I will love it a lot more when I get these carbs straightened out. One of the things I miss about my Dad not being around any more is he knew cars. I could have had him listen to this car and he would have told me exactly what I needed to do. Thirty years ago I had the ability but I lost it by not using it. I sure hope it comes back soon.

Harry