Narrated by noted outdoor writer Ed Zern, this 1956 American Motors promotional short pitches the big, luxurious Nash Ambassador to hunters and fishermen. Maybe he can sell us one, too.
When we think of the Nash brand in the ’50s, we usually recall the Rambler compact pioneered by American Motors CEO George Romney, or even the subcompact Nash Metropolitan, one of the smallest cars ever sold in volume in America. But in truth, Nash offered a full line of autos in those years, including the big, roomy Ambassador. The senior Nash offered V8 power and a generous 121.3-inch wheelbase, with a price and standard features that slotted the model solidly into the Buick-Oldsmobile range.
This five-minute American Motors promotional film is narrated by Ed Zern, noted outdoor writer for the New York Times, Field & Stream, and others, and pitches the Ambassador to hunters and fishermen. With its color nature footage, we presume the short was produced for showings at local sportsmen’s clubs and such, and the droll comic delivery of Zern, regarded as the outdoor guy’s Robert Benchley, is on full display here.
Features deemed useful to the outdoor crowd in our clip include Nash’s famous fold-down Twin Travel seating, the big, powerful V8 (though it’s not mentioned here, manufactured by Packard), and All-Season Air Conditioning. We’re sold. When can we pick up ours? Video below.
Thanks, Mac. You continually amaze me with your knowledge of cars and history and culture. I thought I was the only person who still knew of Ed Zern, and thanks to you now I got to hear his voice for the first time. I cherish my dad’s collection of Field & Stream and I have read every “Exit Laughing” column by Zern countless times. Thanks McG!
Thanks for the kind words. Every writer in America knows of Ed Zern, or they should. Among other things, he wrote the famous review of Lady Chatterly’s Lover for Field & Stream. By the way, long before he became an outdoor writer, he wrote ad copy for Nash. Also, you’re hearing and seeing Ed here. I believe that’s him in the glasses.
I’m a little too young to remember Ed Zern (and Robert Benchley) but thanks to posts like this, I now know who they are. On an Internet search I came across a relevant quote from Benchley: “We are constantly being surprised that people did things well before we were born.”
PS: Can you imagine today’s sportsmen using the family sedan in the field?
Nash offered a bit of everything……but styling. They sure were fugly! Probably no less so than other makes those years, just seems that way now.
Wonderfully droll.