The World's Most Modern Car

I have always been proud that I can spot and identify old cars. The bumpers, the grills, the taillights all help separate a 55 from a 56 or a Dodge from a Plymouth. I thought I knew them all until I came upon Steve Matthew’s newest acquisition at the Foundation for Allen Schools Car Show in May.

Parked alongside the classics was a two tone 1950 Nash Statesman Custom Brougham. The car was so unusual and rare that nearly every visitor first asked “what is it?”

The Nash Motor Company, which merged in 1954 with Hudson to become American Motors, was still an independent car maker when the Statesman was introduced in 1949. Clearly influenced by the streamlined airplanes and locomotives of the day, the Statesman’s design was promoted as “the world’s most modern car.”

Matthews, who works as a director of governmental and public affairs for Atmos Energy, has owned at least 15 classic cars over the past 25 years but the Nash is special he admits.

“The car is unique in so many ways. Aside from the design, the car had many features that weren’t found on other cars of the era.”

These included a unibody design, a one piece curved windshield, a “uniscope” instrument cluster mounted on the steering wheel, a “weather-eye” heating and ventilation system and rear seats that resemble a train club car. The most unusual feature allows the front seats to fold backward turning the car into an overnight camper complete with mosquito netting and mattresses stored in the trunk.
Matthew’s car was first sold in Humboldt, Kansas where the original owner kept it until 1985. It passed through several hands before he purchased it sight unseen from a dealer in North Carolina. It was delivered to Allen with 55,000 original miles.

“I had recently sold my 1951 Cadillac and was looking for a new project,” says Matthews. I was looking for a Packard when I came upon the Nash, which was posted online from a classic car dealer I knew. I had spotted a 1951 Nash in 2005 but didn’t buy it. I waited five years for another one to appear.”

Nash sold about 110,000 Statesman models in 1950 and only 132 Broughams. Matthews is an active member of the Nash Auto Club and believes that his is the only one in existence. Because it is so rare, he finds it hard to place a price on it.

“The car cost about $1,800 in 1950 but today there is nothing to compare it to. I am more interested in the uniqueness of the car than the value.”

Matthew’s cars through the years demonstrate his philosophy that classic cars should be admired in their original condition and not customized. He also avoids the predictable classics such as the 57 Chevy because he wants cars that surprise and delight folks.

Among the cars he has restored since 1985 are 1956, 1958, 1963 and 1964 Chevrolets, two 1941 Cadillac’s, a 1956 and 1961 Chevy pickup, a 1957 Ford, 1954 Buick and a 1957 Pontiac.

If the unusual car looks familiar to baby boomers, they might think back to the old Superman television series. Lois Lane drove a Nash Rambler and Clark Kent drove a Nash-Healey sports car. Nash had a contract with the show and both good guys and bad guys drove the classic cars.
Matthew’s Nash Statesman rides more like a passenger plane than a speeding bullet as it cruises down the street and it is still turning heads at the age of 61, which is more than a few baby boomers can say.

It Looked Like a Classic To Me

It was a weak moment. I had been driving by it for several weeks on my way to Elkhart (Indiana) and barely slowed down. Then one day I stopped.
Assuming the price was out of my range, I walked up to the trailer and knocked on the flimsy door.
“How much for the old Buick?” I asked.

“I’m asking $400 and it’s in running condition,” he said. “You won’t find another one like it. Not much else I can tell you about it.”

His hard sell tactic worked and I bought myself a faded green 1953 Buick Special.

Let me insert a little background information here. I had owned a 1957 Chevy through college in the late 1970’s and wanted to relive that fun ten years later with this old Buick. It was one of several miscalculations I made in purchasing the roadside dream.

A 1953 Buick 4-door sedan weighs 4,315 pounds and is a 17.5’ long. Once it rumbled up to 55 mph the only thing that could stop it would be a 53 Cadillac or a train.

If the car seemed a little rough during the test drive, I failed to notice. After all it was a classic, a collectable. I might even drive it in the Mishawaka Fourth of July Parade someday.

I stopped for gas along the way home and was disappointed when the car wouldn’t restart. I called the previous owner who offered little sympathy and muttered something about flooding the engine.
I opened the hood and stared blankly at the engine. It was an inline or straight 8 engine that was massive by today’s standards. I pulled off the peculiar air filter and promptly spilled motor oil on the engine. It was my first experience with an oil bath air filter.

The car eventually started and I drove the behemoth home to show my wife. She was more bewildered than angry and I later agreed that calling her before buying the car may have been a good idea.

Over the next two weeks I came to realize that owning a 1953 Buick Special was not a good idea either. It smelled badly of motor oil that had been spilled on the old carpet. The exhaust system was exhausted and the brakes were shot. The car had great curb appeal – it just drove like a tank.
I swallowed my pride and parked the car out front on our country road. A few days later a gentleman and his son rolled away with a $300 bargain.

The lesson in all of this is that one man’s dream car may be another man’s nightmare. Leave the classic car restoration to the experts or at least to the guys with lots of tools in their garage.
Speaking of classic cars, the Foundation for Allen Schools hosts Allen’s fourth annual Customs and Classic Car Show this Saturday at the Village of Allen Shopping Center outside Dick’s Sporting Goods store.

The show, which is free to the public, is a drive-in event for custom and classic car owners who compete in numerous categories including a People’s Choice Award. Bring the family and cruise the car show on May 21 from 10 am – 2 pm (weather permitting).

“It Looked Like a Classic Car To Me”

What is it about classic automobiles that draw such attention? I can spot the make and model of a vintage car from a half mile away on the expressway.

“That was just a 58 Dodge Polaris that went by,” I exclaim to my family. They’re not listening. Mrs. Carroll is only mildly interested and the kids are plugged into their Mp3 worlds. It’s their loss.

My first car was truly a classic. My father and I found a 1957 Chevy Belair (2-door) that an elderly woman was selling. It was 1976 and I would have bought it even if it had three wheels. My father was more patient. He scrutinized the car as fathers are required to do when kids are overanxious to spend their money. Then he declared it a good deal for $250 and we bought it.

I proudly pulled the faded green classic out of the driveway and down the street hoping someone was watching – they weren’t. My first lesson is classic car ownership came five minutes later on the Garden State Parkway, a death trap by Texas standards. The car drifted across the narrow lanes with little concern for my steering. I quickly learned that a rapid back and forth motion of the oversized steering wheel kept the car aimed down the center of the lane. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal also helped slow the green machine down.

Despite its flaws, it was officially rated as a cool car on campus that fall. I probably drove it 30,000 miles over the next four years although that could be disputed since the speedometer never worked. Except for a single encounter with a Tennessee State Trooper, the lack of a speedometer wasn’t much of a setback.

The finned wonder suffered from the same problems that most “northern cars” experienced over time – rust. The car was reasonably solid but the floorboards had rusted through from below. Lifting the floor mats gave a fast paced view of the interstate and memories of Fred Flintstone starting his car. The tube radio gave off more heat than the heater and the front end continued to loosen up but it ran like a rocket.

Practicality won over coolness after we got married and I sold the Chevy to a car guy who planned to restore it.

Years later I impulsively bought a 1953 Buick Custom in an attempt to capture the fun I’d had with my old ’57. Instead it seemed like I captured one of Rommell’s tanks. The car rumbled with loose exhausts and smelled like its upholstery had been treated with motor oil. I should have known I was out my league when I couldn’t the ignition switch. It was conveniently located under the gas pedal. I kept the car for two months before admitting I had made a foolish mistake. As I mentioned earlier this year, it is hard to buy back a memory.

Still, I gaze wistfully at old cars, especially ’57 Chevies, but I find them better suited for car shows than my garage.

Speaking of car shows, the Foundation for Allen Schools hosts Allen’s first Customs and Classic Car, Motorcycle and Truck Show this Saturday in the Allen High School parking lot. The show, which is free to the public, is a drive-in event for custom and classic car owners who compete in numerous categories including a People’s Choice Award. Bring the family and cruise the car show on May 17 from 10 am – 2 pm. The price is right and you might find my Chevy there. I’m sure it’s been painted so just check under the floor mats.