An attractive affordable first Classic

Great car!   All you have to do is fix the wheels.

alsancleMay 29, 2024

Great car!   All you have to do is fix the wheels.

I have never driven one of these, I did read someone comparing them to some of the Auburn sedans of that era. It is a pretty handsome sedan, straight 8. Attractive dash and body lines. 
 

as you suggested AJ, a little less bling with the wheels and it could improve the looks…..but that could be done when time and money were available to the new owner.  Lots to love for a reasonable buy in. I think these big Nash models would draw lots of interest at a public gathering.  

Agreed John.  These are attractive cars.  You can throw the pilot rays and trunk in the trash first day for free.

John,

Thank you for sharing this car.  Over the past few years I have begun educating myself on the “classic” cars more or less as defined by the CCCA.  Threads in the AACA forum have been invaluable in every way possible.  I now have a decent understanding of what the CCCA thought defined a classic car.  I’ve made purchases I’m happy with and I’m looking forward to many years of fun enjoying those cars.   The purchase of their “first” CCCA classic is probably a story that many on this forum could share.  Regardless of whether they actually joined the CCCA…

This Nash 1080 is one of a group of late 1920's - early 1930's quality upper medium priced and entry-level luxury cars with 124"-131" wheelbases with six and eight cylinder engine displacements in the ~300-340 ci range that are overlooked because they aren't the mainstream popular Classics.  While generally factory bodies, the major designers were providing designs to these makers that was not only progressive but elegant.   One would do well to pursue one of these.  

We had a dual ignition Nash and it was fantastic to drive. Admittedly it was warmed over by Tom Lester and Dale Adams, but it was just a joy to drive. It's still local to me and the new owner says he'll never give it up he loves it so much. These are vastly under-rated and overlooked.

Matt HarwoodMay 29, 2024

We had a dual ignition Nash and it was fantastic to drive. Admittedly it was warmed over by Tom Lester and Dale Adams, but it was just a joy to drive. It's still local to me and the new owner says he'll never give it up he loves it so much. These are vastly under-rated and overlooked.

I'm wishing I bought Tom Lester's Ambassador.

I bet some 70-75 years old's father was really happy to score those Pilot Rays around the time that car was about 35 years old.

Of course that's the way the hobby was headed at that time.

Gorgeous car! But don't these snap axles or something? I seem to remember that being discussed on here.

Bishop Bloom,  the above '33 Nash Advanced 8 is a terrific car; nine mains, ohv, twin-ignition.  We recall a magazine ad for such a Nash 8 when new trumpeting "to 80 miles an hour in three blocks."  That sounds ferocious, beyond even a Railton, so am probably misquoting.  But the point is, a good-looking, well engineered, well-made calash.  Ignore the above rubbish about its original price point or over the road comparisons with various more expensive, oft overrated, overhyped juggernauts by those feathering their nests and egos.   Leave the trunk in the garage, leave the Pilot Rays on for their novelty and enjoy a bargain, certainly if all the work well done.

John BloomMay 29, 2024

... I did read someone comparing them to some of the Auburn sedans of that era. It is a pretty handsome sedan, straight 8. Attractive dash and body lines. 

That's not much of a comparison. The Nash stands up to Packards of the day.

Nice looking car!

I'm on a search and have the added limitation to owning a CCCA classic that it must fit a 6'-7" driver.  I found a beautiful early 30's V8 cadillac and on a lark called Ed Minnie for advice.  First I'd say he graciously offered his time and advice, but he steered me away from the troublesome Johnson carbed Cadillacs and suggested body styles that were more likley to suit a taller driver. 

My pivot from just working on an old car to driving one came when I met a large group of early Ford drivers at the Greenfield Village.  They started their trip in Jersey and were headed to Washington State, I believe.  Several owners exclaimed how dependable the cars were, easy to find and cheap.  The tour, they said, was an amazing experience.  One owner allowed me access to his drivers seat and that was not an experience to relish without knowing a great chiropractor to put me back in order after the extracation effort. 

I bought a junk, two-door convertible, 1940 Buick Roadmaster before the struggle for it to become a designated CCCA classic.  With that I guess I slipped in.  Now the eight year and $$$ effort is nearly finished and the lesson is to just buy a completed car.  The definition of completed has a whole new meaning.  Some cars, which Ed points out, could require another $40 to $80k to become reasonably dependable on a tour.  The difference between this '40 Buick and prewar CCCA classics or, "big boy toys" as Ed defines them includes parts availability.  I had to use four additional cars, multiple forums, and swap meets to make that '40 whole again.  For a V12 Cadillac as an example, I scanned the internet for distributor cap and found one for $1,100.  

The search continues, and the shopping is lots of fun.  I've got to note that the best cars to examine are the ones that have completed a tour, not the cars that suffered a flatbed ride home during the tour.

What is your price range?  That would help us to give you ideas.

Johnny

kgreenDec 7, 2024

I bought a junk, two-door convertible, 1940 Buick Roadmaster before the struggle for it to become a designated CCCA classic.  With that I guess I slipped in.  Now the eight year and $$$ effort is nearly finished and the lesson is to just buy a completed car.  The definition of completed has a whole new meaning.  Some cars, which Ed points out, could require another $40 to $80k to become reasonably dependable on a tour.  The difference between this '40 Buick and prewar CCCA classics or, "big boy toys" as Ed defines them includes parts availability.  I had to use four additional cars, multiple forums, and swap meets to make that '40 whole again.  For a V12 Cadillac as an example, I scanned the internet for distributor cap and found one for $1,100.  

Ya gotta show us a before and after photo!!

It appears that the OP, John Bloom, is going to OK a thread hijack.  This is the photo set shows eight years effort so far.  The car is currently in Dave Prueitt's shop getting fitted with a proper interior, top and trunk liner.  Once the car returns I'll have lot's of sorting to do as I rushed the car to keep my slot with Dave.  I'd have to say this things was anything but affordable.  I could have had a decent down payment on a Duesenberg.

kgreenDec 12, 2024

It appears that the OP, John Bloom, is going to OK a thread hijack.  This is the photo set shows eight years effort so far.  The car is currently in Dave Prueitt's shop getting fitted with a proper interior, top and trunk liner.  Once the car returns I'll have lot's of sorting to do as I rushed the car to keep my slot with Dave.  I'd have to say this things was anything but affordable.  I could have had a decent down payment on a Duesenberg.

Hijacking is encouraged when you have good content. It just might lead to fame and legend…… i.e. DB Cooper. 
 

Don’t worry……..Ken will have a new thread soon, with something very special. I will plead guilty to having been involved in the episode.
 

Gotta get him into a big boy toy……….

Quite the undertaking, Ken. For anyone wanting to see the whole process, go to his restoration page: WARNING!! You may be glued to your computer for a little while. Bring a sandwich and something to drink.

This will be my second CCCA classic and was purchased strictly for touring. No crazy restoration with perfect screw type, under carriage paint colors but mud on the tires and bugs on the windshield. Picked this up today. Cred to Ed for steering me to the seller. Thanks Ed!

Not giving up on the Roadmaster convertible at all finishing it is just taking its sweet time