07/07/2025
This Survivor 1947 Nash 600 Coupe Was One of America's First Unibody Cars
Established in 1916, Nash Motors is a company we don't hear much about nowadays. That's not surprising given that it disappeared as an independent brand in 1954 (71 years ago as of 2025), but Nash deserves to be remembered for quite a few innovations. Not only did it pioneer the American compact car segment (with the Rambler in 1950), but it also introduced the first heating and ventilation system (1938) and built the first car with optional seat belts (1949).
Nash also helped kickstart the muscle car movement with the 1957 Rambler Rebel. But more importantly, it developed the first mass-produced unibody automobile built in the United States. It's called the Nash 600 and went into production for the 1941 model year.
Unibody construction wasn't unheard of at the time, but only a handful of expensive vehicles used this technique. By abandoning the traditional body-on-frame construction, Nash offered the public an affordable, lighter, more rigid, and quieter vehicle. Additionally, the Nash 600 also featured coil suspension at all four corners and a fully independent front suspension, which were advanced features for the early 1940s.
Introduced as a replacement for the LaFayette some three years after Nash Motors merged with the Kelvinator Appliance Company, the 600 was also one of the most efficient vehicles of its era. Nash used the "600" designation to reinforce the claim that the car could travel 600 miles (966 km) on a full tank due to its lower weight.
Offered in various body styles, the Nash 600 was produced until 1942 and returned to the market in 1946, when automobile production resumed after WW2. The 600 was replaced in 1949 by the Nash Statesman. Nash sold 268,678 units. Although it was somewhat popular at the time, the Nash 600 is a rare sight today. Nash merged with Hudson to form American Motors Corporation in 1954, the 600 became obsolete, and most cars were eventually abandoned in junkyards and scrapped. The 1947 coupe you see is not only one of only a few that soldiered on for nearly 80 years, but it's also perhaps the only unrestored survivor in this type of condition.
Don't let the shiny Canterbury Gray paint fool you. It's not a respray that was applied in recent years. This Nash still sports the original factory finish. Yup, "impressive" doesn't even begin to cover it. The chrome trim and glass are also in pristine condition, and there are no signs of rust on the body.
The interior shows a bit of weathering here and there, but it could also be classified as "pristine" given the car's age. It's quite spartan for modern standards but inviting nonetheless. The Art Deco-style dash shines like new, and all the gauges and lights work. The carpets and the seat covers are the only features that aren't factory original.
The ad doesn't include photos of the engine bay, but the original 172-cubic-inch (2.8-liter) L-head inline-six engine is still there. Rated at 82 horsepower when new and connected to a three-speed manual, the mill runs, and the car "drives and stops excellent." The seller says he used it as a daily driver until circumstances forced him to put it up for sale.
While it may not be an iconic automobile produced by one of the Big Three, this Nash is a cool piece of history and a quirky coupe that should be a unique conversation starter at local car events. And at only $13,000, it's a steal for an unrestored survivor in this condition. Did I mention it only has 55,000 actual miles (88,514 km) on the odo?
