Volunteer Police Department Mascot.

I have a plan for dear Penelope.  She is going to be the only car in the "All City Volunteer Police Department."  You see, Nash was a provider of police cars in the late 40's and early 50's and Penelope just happens to fall into that category.  She wasn't a police car but she has the style of one.

I have owned many cars that were used as police cars including a 1979 LTD, a 1978 Dodge Aspen, my 1966 Ford Fairlane and now Penelope.  I am not sure why I have owned so many cars that were used for police departments but it does not really matter, Penelope is going to be the first one I dress up like a police car.

The above image shows what she might look like.  Just remember though, nothing will be shiny on my car, no sir!  It is flat black and flat white and gray for Penelope.  I just love the look of flat colors and rust.  It must be a Rockabilly thing. This is just the way of things for me.  So, now I am on the look out for vintage police car accessories.  Know anyone that might have some?

1951 Nash Ambassador Custom Lead Sled?

Penelope - 1951 Nash Ambassador Custom

Yes, here we are again talking about Penelope, a 1951 Nash Ambassador Custom that I saved from the crusher.  I love this car, strike that, I Lurve this car.  While most rat rod enthusiasts enjoy the 30's and 40's there has to be something said for the 50's.  Big fins, nice curves and well, a whole lot of car!  Penelope is over 17 1/2 feet long!

This beauty came with an inline 6 cylinder, 235 c.i.d., engine, which is great if you live in the flatlands.  I, however, live in the Ozark Mountains.  (Before you start, yes, the Ozark Mountains are more like foothills but they are far from being flat.) So, my plans are to put in a Ford 289 or 302 or maybe even a 390.  I will more than likely go with a C6 Transmission and a heavy duty Ford rear end.  Why Ford? Because I like Ford, nuff said.

Penelope does not need to be chopped, her lines are quite perfect as it is, but her stance will end up being much lower than it was originally.  I will have to put in new floor boards, and by new I mean welded in old street signs.  I am going to have to rewire the entire car, too.  I may end up adding a few modern things like power steering and an A/C if I can find something that would fit right.   It is going to take a while but the journey is a big part of the adventure.

Christmas Cards Part 1

Christmas is not far off and it is time to start thinking about sending out your cards for this year. I have designed a few cards just for the occasion.  Let me know what you think about them.  I will have some more items up in the weeks to come.

 

Click Me To Go To The Shop

Click Me To Go To The Shop

My 1951 Nash

This is me admiring my 1951 Nash Ambassador Custom.  Yes, she has some issues.  (Her name is Penelope, by the way.)  Her floorboards have seen better days.  Her chrome isn't as shiny as it used to be.  Her engine is inoperable.  But I love her just the same.  I see the potential.  Her beauty shines in my mind.

Penelope was on her way to be removed from the face of the earth.  She was to become something else.  She was on the way to the graveyard to await to be crushed.  This is the way of many great cars with potential today.  The cost of scrap metal has made it easier to haul a car to the crusher than to put it back on the road.

This is not the case with newer cars because they have very little wight to them, but these older bigger cars weigh a lot and bring a fair price at the crusher.  This car would have brought $700+ for scrap weight because she is so big.  It does not seem to matter to some that there are very few dents or damage in the body.  It mattered to me and that is why I saved her from death.

My Other Project- 1966 Ford Fairlane 500

I have always allowed myself no more than two project cars at any given time. This is my 1966 Ford Fairlane 500. I have had this car since 2002. I drove it for 4 years before I decided to take it apart to restore. This car came stock with a straight 6, 200c.i.d. engine and a 2 speed automatic transmission.

The original goal was to make a GT clone out of it. GTs had a 390c.i.d. with a 4 speed manual transmission. All original GTs are selling for $40k to $50k completely restored. GT clones are selling for $20k to 35K depending on the condition. I no longer have plans to build a GT clone as it would cost me around $15k to get it to that point. So, I am thinking about putting it back together and either driving it or selling it so that I can have another project.

I currently have not yet even worked on Penelope. For those of you who don't know Penelope, she is a 1951 Nash Ambassador Custom. The plans with her are to make her a Rat Sled. I will not be doing any kind of chop because her lines are just too beautiful. I plan to paint her up like an old cop car. Yes, the 51 Nash was used as a police car. on a side note, the 1966 Ford Fairlane 500's were also used as police cars.

I have actually owned several cars that were models that were used for police cars but that is a story for another time. Anyhow, I am hoping to find time this winter to put my Fairlane back together and get it running. Then, in the spring I will start working on Penelope. It is times like these that I wish I had a garage.

I am a member of an elite club!

Yes, I am one of two members of the Eureka Springs Nash Club! The biggest reason behind that is that there are only two people in town who own a Nash! Mine is a 1951 Nash Ambassador Custom and it is almost ready to put up on blocks!

Her name is Penelope. My wonderful girlfriend named her. Penelope is in need of a little tender loving care. As soon as it cools off a little bit I am going to delve into getting this beautiful lady back on the road.

She has been sitting in a field and has had no attention in a very long time! Apparently her rear wheels were taken off and her front tires went flat many years ago. Her lines are straight and her body solid. She deserves better than she has had and I am just the man to treat her right! I will be reporting her progress here for all of you to see.

Anyone out there have a Nash? I'd love to know about yours!

Would you like to Tweet about this article to your followers?
Please CLICK HERE