1936 Nash Lafayette Business Coupe 

Reintroducing the LaFayette as a popular-priced entry-level line hadn't improved sales figures as much as Nash Motors had hoped it would in 1934.  This was more a reflection of the general economic climate than it was of the well-engineered, conservatively attractive cars, whose lines came from the pen of the famous Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky.  In 1936, Nash tried again with a freshly redesigned, quite modern-appearing LaFayette range, and went as far as offering two unique grille treatments in one year's time.

For consignment, conservatively rodded Nash La Fayette Business Coupe from 1936  This is a rare car, rarely seen and this one has been fully restored with a spicy engine and comfy, roomy interior completed in 2013.  It has beautiful lines, wonderful front fenders and looks very conservative.  It drives much more liberal though!

Exterior
Having been shaved of its bumpers, it now accentuates those oversize black rounded front fenders.  These mix nicely with a tall black painted vertical ribbed grille with the famous General Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, aka Marquis De Lafayette who served diligently under George Washington in the American Revolution, portrait in cloisonné badge, (that's a mouthful!).  If you look closely you can see a peek of a lake pipe hedging a look out just aft of the front wheel well prior to the running boards.  Dark raspberry paint takes over for the sweeping front radiator surround and cowled hood which has some nifty horizontal venting within its sides.  This raspberry also bathes the rubenesque body, doors and wonderfully rounded roofline and trunk, which is all straight gap minding rust free steel.  A side view shows the lovely curved fenders which are connected in the center by a wide ribbed running board.  The back of the car is a wonderful sweep of curving lines which end in a no bumper bottom.  A simple round tail light is on either corner with more teardrop shaped vertical push bars in black.  GM powder coated wheels with wide whitewall tires have 1950 Chrysler hubcaps with a Nash center script on them.  A looker and with those large voluptuous front fenders, it looks like it could nearly flap its fenders and fly away!

Interior
No rubbing your head and patting your belly as there are no poppers or magical opening techniques for this rodder, just wonderfully chromed handles which open the doors and do not require any battery!  The doors click with a Mercedes Benz like snap and thud, so they are nice and tight.  Door panels are straight black vinyl with some faux stitched vertical light tuck and roll in the centers, smooth surrounds and a nicely padded curvaceous armrest also in black vinyl.  Shiny actuators and cranks are sparkling within this door panel field.  As I slip inside in the full black vinyl bench design courtesy of a van, (unknown what kind), there is plenty of leg and belly room between the bench and steering wheel which is also as rare as this car with these hot rods.  Said steering wheel is courtesy a 1965 Chevelle with a Nash central script emblazoned on it.  The beautifully shiny and fully restored dash is truly one of a kind with its shiny full metal jacket painted black front.  In the center is a metal panel with vertical gold striping, (courtesy of the Art Deco era!), with dual large round Omega Kustom Instruments.  These have an old feel and look and present in a cream face and black lettering and numbers surrounded by some warm lighting on their edges.  A few rounded over billet style knobs and pulls are residing here too.  Just below this instrument cluster is an aftermarket tachometer facing the driver.  Below in the center of the floor, which is flooded with clean like new black carpeting, is a custom console with cup holders and a Lokar billet style shifter.  A custom gas pedal and rounded brake pedal is hovering above the carpeting.  Above, the headliner is black smooth vinyl with a ribbed black vinyl padded inserts in the center.  

Drivetrain
Under the cowled hood is some automotive mechanical art in the form of a rebuilt 327ci V8 mill.  It is painted in GM orange/red with a black long snout air cleaner covering.  Just below this is an Edelbrock intake manifold and 4-barrel Holley carb.  On the back is a TH350  3-speed automatic transmission, and way back a 2.72 rear axle connected by a custom balanced driveshaft.  A smooth firewall and a brass painted topped radiator from a 1955 Bowtie complete with an electric fan.  The car has HEI ignition, and powder coated headers with Flowmaster mufflers.  A stunner under this raspberry cowl.

Undercarriage
The easter eggs just keep on coming, and underneath is no exception!  No rust and plenty of black painted undercoated surfaces for the stamped floor pans and drilled X frame.   A 1955 Chevrolet front clip is on, and the front and rear suspension has been lowered.  For the front we see independent front suspension and for the back leaf springs.  Power disc brakes upfront and drums for the rear.  

Drive-Ability
A pure pleasure to drive with room aplenty behind the wheel, and it fired right up.  On the track it did nicely with smooth acceleration and shifting, bias free panic stopping, and easy steering.  All functions were working perfectly.

A wonderful rebuild in true hot rod style, begging borrowing and stealing from various models and years for various parts, all coming together to create a fab build and a looker that will snap necks just turning to see it, let alone when you put your foot to the floor!  Come and get it.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.