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MY FORMER 1942 NASH
Now The Property of
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Q:
Is
this a "Nash 600" or "Nash Ambassador 600"?
A:
In
1941 & 42 these were Nash Ambassador 600's. In 1946 the "Ambassador" was
dropped and they were then simply called Nash 600. Reference Nash Company 1942 Original color sales brochure and Owner's manual
and the Standard Catalog
of American Cars 1805-1942 & 1946-1975.
Q: Were there staff cars specially
made and was there a standard paint scheme for WWII staff cars?
A: Staff cars are essentially
civilian passenger cars used by the military for carrying high ranking officers,
messengers and performing administrative functions. During World War II,
civilian automobiles were taken from the production line and painted to suit the
particular service. The Army typically painted the vehicle olive drab and
stenciled on white identification numbers and a white star. Some vehicles were
used with the original paint such as Cadillac sedans (black), Nash (shoal
Green), and two tone gray for some Buick Specials used by the Navy. Early in
World War II, all types of vehicles such as Buicks, Cadillac's,
Chevrolet's Nash's, Ford's, Studebaker's and Packard's were used since they were
readily available off the production line. Toward the middle of the war the
addition of blackout lights were added to these vehicles. Overall, very little
modification was performed to these vehicles when entering the military. Early
in the war both State-side and overseas vehicles had the chrome painted over.
Later in the war only in-theater vehicles had the chrome painted.
The vehicle number usually appeared on the right and left sides of the hood and
the trunk. The white, 5-pointed star, also known as "Invasion Star", was applied
to ALL allied vehicles prior the invasion of Normandy (although it was also used
in the Italian and Pacific theaters of operations). They came in a number
sizes/variations:
The white star was sometimes placed on the right and left door, front or rear.
It was not unusual to have WAC ( Women's Army Corps) drivers who were expected
to perform, not only the driving, but also maintenance such as checking the oil,
changing tires and checking tire pressure. The 1942 Nash Ambassador 600 was
equipped with a straight six engine, 171 cubic inch displacement, and 79
horsepower. This model had single carburetors, standard on the 40 Series Nash
600. The carburetor was manufactured by Carter. The straight 6 was connected to
a three speed manual transmission and rigid torque tube drive shaft connected to
the rear axle. The vehicle was equipped with overdrive giving it a gear ratio
that was quite high on this vehicle, allowing it to travel at a high rate of
speed. Press
on an Image to see it larger
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This Ambassador 600, Standard equipped exterior. Deluxe equipped interior. I guess the US Army Air Corps, just didn't want to be flashy.
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This car was painted once by the Army. Original color was Shoal Green, a little lighter than the olive drab. When originally painted by the Army all the chrome was also painted over. It then became a State-side staff car and the chrome was uncovered.
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Look at that "Slipstream" or Fastback...WOW!
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The Flying Scot Engine (L-Head Six). At 75 horsepower it doesn't fly fast or high, but it goes a long
way at 3o miles per gallon!
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This car is all original. The only restoration has been rebuilding the engine
to allow modern detergent gasoline seals, and some interior repair. All materials, fabrics, and mechanical system are original, with
38,000 original miles on the car.
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There was no standard US Army regulation paint scheme, this one with the big white star on the front door is was generally used in the Pacific Theater and was also used
inconsistently stateside during the war. Stars were painted sometimes painted on the back doors, or not at all.
This car was a stateside staff car and in late
1945 restored to a gloss paint w/chrome like it's current configuration.
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