A-Z Of Marques No 51: Nash

The marque: Defunct but memorable slice of Americana.

The history: Charles W Nash was president of General Motors but by 1914 had left to set up his own company, (a little like John de Lorean 60 years later, but without the drugs). Nash bought the Jeffrey company, renamed it after himself and in 1917 launched his first effort, an OHV six-cylinder saloon of 4 litres.

The Model 328 of 1928 was "America's cheapest seven bearing-six" and sold 138,137. In 1934 came the millionth Nash car. In 1937 it merged with the Kelvinator company from which came "weather-eye air condition-ing and vacuum-operated glove-boxes". Post-war models had more aerodynamic styling touches.

When merged with Hudson to form American Motors, Nash cars died in 1957.

Defining model: The 1950 Nash Ambassador Super Sedan, with half-faired front wheels, which meant it couldn't steer properly and made changing a wheel tricky. The front seatback folded to convert the cabin into a double bedroom (mattress and curtains optional extras).

They say: Aeroform, airflyte.

We say: Air-headed.