As anyone who has heard the 1958 novelty song Beep-Beep (recorded by The Playmates) knows, the American Motors Corporation, especially in the 1950s, had a reputation for building solid but boring underpowered small cars suitable primarily for transporting little old ladies to supermarkets and places of worship. However, the 1957 Nash Ambassador belies that stodgy stereotype.
First of all, by 1957 standards, it was big at 209 inches long--six inches longer than a '57 Chevy Bel Air. If you got the configuration with the full-sized bumper and continental kit spare tire, you had 219 inches of vehicle--over a foot longer than today's behemoth Ford Flex wagon. It was powered by a 327 cubic inch V-8 (the '57 Corvette had only 283 cubic inches in the largest engine option available). Most Ambassadors, unlike many cars of the era, contained an automatic transmission.
It was highly-styled and was the first car equipped with quad headlights.
Both front seats reclined (an unusual feature at that time); an optional rear seat was available which could convert into twin beds, which made the car very popular with androgen-driven teenage boys.
Unfortunately, 1957 was the last year for this glorious vehicle. Mitt's dad, George Romney, as CEO of AMC, killed it. However, if you have plenty of cash, you can still buy a used one. The car in the photo, for example, is available (unless it has been sold by the time you read this) from the St. Louis Car Museum and Sales for $39,900. And no, I have no affiliation with that organization.
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