Nash Rambler

Nash Rambler
1952 Nash Rambler Custom station wagon
Overview
Manufacturer	Nash Motors (1950-1954) American Motors (1954-1955)
Production	1950–55
Assembly	United States: El Segundo, California Canada: Danforth Ave (Toronto, Ontario) Plant (1956)
Designer	Meade Moore (chief engineer) Theodore Ulrich (body & styling)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Successor	Rambler American

1950–1952
1951 Nash "Country Club" 2-door hardtop
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door sedan 2-door station wagon 2-door sedan delivery
Powertrain
Engine	173 cu in (2.8 L) I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	100 in (2,540 mm)
Length	176 in (4,470 mm)

1953-1955
1955 Nash Rambler 4-door Cross Country wagon
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door sedan 2-door station wagon 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door sedan delivery
Powertrain
Engine	184 cu in (3.0 L) I6 (with manual) 195.6 cu in (3.2 L) I6 (with automatic)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	100 in (2,540 mm) all 2-door models 108 in (2,743 mm) 4-door sedan & wagon
Length	176 in (4,470 mm) all 2-door models 186.4 in (4,735 mm) 4-door sedan & wagon

The Nash Rambler is a North American automobile that was produced by the Nash Motors division of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation from 1950 to 1954. On May 1, 1954, Nash-Kelvinator merged with the Hudson Motor Car Company to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). The Nash Rambler was then built by AMC in Kenosha, Wisconsin through 1955.

The Nash Rambler established a new segment in the automobile market and is widely acknowledged to be the first successful modern American compact car.

The 1950-1955 Nash Rambler was the first model run for this automobile platform. Using the same tooling, AMC reintroduced an almost identical "new" 1958 Rambler American for a second model run. This was a rare feat of having two distinct and successful model runs, an almost unheard of phenomenon in automobile history.

Nash-Kelvinator's President George W. Mason saw that the company needed to compete more effectively and insisted a new car had to be different from the existing models in the market offered by the "Big Three" U.S. automakers. The Rambler was designed to be smaller than contemporary cars, yet still accommodate five passengers comfortably. Nash engineers had originally penned the styling during World War II.

The new model was the company's entry in the lower-price segment dominated by models from Chevrolet, Ford, and Plymouth. The Rambler was designed to be lighter and have smaller dimensions than the other popular cars. A strategy of efficiency, Nash could save on materials in its production while owners would have better fuel economy compared to the other cars of the era. The Nash Rambler rode on a 100 in (2,540 mm) wheelbase, and power came from Nash's proven 173 cu in (2.8 L) L-head (flathead) Straight-6 cylinder engine that produced 82 hp (61 kW; 83 PS).