Asahel Curtis Photo, 1931

[jeff_a]

The Washington State Historical Society archives have this on record as "Dancing Girls At Sunrise".
I cannot place the make and model. Marmon? Lincoln? LaSalle?

Edited July 23, 2019 by jeff_a (see edit history)

[edinmass]

Looks like  a 1930 large series car........not sure on make.

Edited July 23, 2019 by edinmass (see edit history)

[nzcarnerd]

1932 Nash Ambassador. I guess like many makers in the Depression era there were 'half year' models. I think the 'true' 1932 cars had hood vent doors.

 

Nash expert out there?

 

[Spinneyhill]

nzcarnerd's picture even has the little detail on the bonnet. Both cars appear to be the same and neither has a front license plate = new and unregistered?

[jeff_a]

 

Here's a 1933 Nash Big Six Series 1120 Sedan for sale on ebay. Maybe a smaller car, but finished to a high level.

$42.9K, Clearwater, FL.

[nzcarnerd]

7 hours ago, Spinneyhill said:

nzcarnerd's picture even has the little detail on the bonnet. Both cars appear to be the same and neither has a front license plate = new and unregistered?

 

I hadn't noticed that 'little detail' before.  Packard sued something similar for several years in the 1930s.

[nzcarnerd]

2 hours ago, jeff_a said:

 

Here's a 1933 Nash Big Six Series 1120 Sedan for sale on ebay. Maybe a smaller car, but finished to a high level.

$42.9K, Clearwater, FL.

 

Nash made a complex range of models in 1932-33. The 'Big Six' was actually their smallest model - 116" wheelbase, a continuation of what started as the Ajax in 1925, and became the Light Six. It retained side valves when all the other Nashes had ohv. The LaFayette evolved from this model.

 

In comparison the Ambassador was a much bigger car. The biggest model in the 1932 second series and for 1933 had a wheelbase of 142" and was nicknamed the Kenosha Duesenberg.

 

I think the mystery cars above are the 1932 first series cars, which retained the vertical windshield with a visor. The second series had a slanted windshield with no visor. Other differences as well of course.

[58L-Y8]

Packard received the rights to a spear or barb from Hibbard & Darrin, an inverted version, so the story goes.  They jealously protected that detail as a styling hallmark thereafter.  Any maker such as Nash would be ask to erase the detail from their cars if they had included it 'by mistake'.  Mercedes-Benz has done the same with their three-point star logo to keep it as an exclusive.  One example was requesting Studebaker down their variation from the 1953 models.  Does not have to be an exact copy, just close enough in form.

 

Dance nymphs were a big deal in that late '20's - early '30's period, Studebaker had similar photos done of their cars.  The big Nash Ambassadors are wonderfully elegant cars, what a shame they're so rare.

 

Steve

[jeff_a]

Here is a 1932 Nash 970 Straight-8 for sale at Klemme Klassic Kars:

 

32,000 miles/ about $20K