Unveiling the Classic Elegance: The 1951 Nash-Healey Roadster

The expansion of the Warwick-based company’s lineup with a new model that was designed specifically for the American market was made possible by a chance encounter that took place in 1949 between George Mason, the head of Nash-Kelvinator, and Donald Healey. The Nash-Healey was the result of this meeting. The Nash-Healey was a sports car that was built on the chassis of the Healey Silverstone sports car. It had an aluminum construction and a distinctive Nash-style grille, which hinted at the future design direction of the Austin-Healey 100. The engine was a 234.6ci (3.8-liter) overhead-valve six engine. The transmission was a three-speed/overdrive type.

 

Despite remarkable accomplishments in racing, such as finishing in fourth place at Le Mans and ranking ninth in class at the Mille Miglia in 1950, sales did not meet expectations, which resulted in the manufacture of the vehicle being halted in 1951. Pinin Farina was responsible for the redesign of the Nash-Healey, which was reintroduced in 1952 with a steel body but kept its weight the same. It was now driven by a larger engine that put out 252.6 cubic centimeters (4.1 liters) and 140 horsepower. There was a continuation of victories in racing, most notably a third-place finish at the Le Mans race in 1952.

 

Buoyed by racing successes, a ‘Le Mans’ long-wheelbase fixed-head coupe debuted in 1953. Adorning screens in popular culture, the Nash-Healey featured in the Superman TV series and Billy Wilder’s 1954 movie “Sabrina.” Despite its glamour, sales remained below projections, leading to the cessation of Nash-Healey production in 1954 after 506 units were sold.