Story of the Week

The 1957 Nash Models Offered Radical Designs
by Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher

The 1950s were a decade of space age automotive designs. For example, the 1957 Nash models offered a new and radical design when they were introduced to the public in September 1956.

The 1957 Nash Ambassador Custom models offered extra side trim for a three-toning color combination design. The styling for the Ambassador Custom was not thrilling, however, the car offered a luxury interior that some consumers liked. The 1957 Ambassador Custom two-door was offered as a hardtop model only with a 327 V8 engine, a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts as standard equipment.

Patrick R. Foster, the author of “AMC Cars: 1954-1987 (An Illustrated History),” said: “For its final year on the market, the big Nash got revised styling including a lower roof, new front fenders with full wheel cutouts, and quad headlamps. Nash was the first car with four headlamps on all models.“

To learn more about these models and see more images, click below.

This Week's Story

Join MotorCities Now as a Member! Early Bird Drawing Deadline is One Week from Friday

The MotorCities National Heritage Area has a 25-year legacy of impacting thousands of lives to the tune of thousands of jobs and millions in grants that stimulated millions of additional dollars in our local economy.

You can support our work and join a growing number of people passionate about the automobile and its history by renewing your MotorCities membership. Your support allows us to make an even greater impact.

If you renew your individual membership by Friday, December 15, you’ll qualify for our Early Bird Drawing for a chance to win one of five great prizes:

- Family four-packs of tickets for both the Sloan Museum of Discovery (pictured above) and the Longway Planetarium, part of the Flint Cultural Center (a $74 value);

- A 2024 Accelerator Membership for the Ford Piquette Plant Museum (a $100 value);

- A package of NASCAR memorabilia from the ROUSH Automotive Collection in Livonia (a $156 value);

- A private New Center or Dearborn Walking Tour for up to 12 people from City Institute (a $750 value);

- A customized guided tour of Detroit with Local 4/WJR Radio personality Greg Russell for up to 10 people on a party bus, including food and water, courtesy of Russell Brothers City Tours ($750 value).

Thank you in advance for your support.

Join MotorCities Now!

This Week in Auto Heritage

On December 7, 1941, Japanese air and naval forces attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The U.S. Pacific Fleet was severely damaged, with two battleships completely destroyed, as well as six other battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers and other vessels suffering varying degrees of damage. U.S. military casualties included more than 2,300 killed and another 1,100 injured. Army and Navy aircraft on the ground were also heavily damaged.

With the subsequent declaration of war against Japan, Germany and Italy, the Detroit area’s auto industry rapidly transitioned to the production of weapons and vehicles of war. Factories stopped production of cars for civilian use and began manufacturing jeeps, M-5 tanks, and B-24 bombers. By the summer of 1944, the Ford Motor Company's Willow Run plant was cranking out a bomber an hour.

Within the first year and a half following the attack of Pearl Harbor, 350,000 workers from the American south and elsewhere moved to metro Detroit to join the war effort. Women (i.e. "Rosie the Riveters") were also hired for factory work. You can learn more about our region's efforts as the Arsenal of Democracy here.

Events Coming to the MotorCities

Sunday: Greet Santa at the Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Twp.

On Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m., enjoy a magical day of holiday joy by meeting Santa Claus at the historic Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Twp.!

Admission is $10 for the public and $7 for Packard Proving Grounds members.

For more information and to book a timeslot, click here.

Hey Kids!  Become a MotorCities Junior Ranger! Click here for details!

Make a Donation Anytime to MotorCities Via Network for Good!