Nash model 690 (1923)

Year 1923

Chassis number 280328

Model 6958 (plate on the frame)

Engine number 135997

Imported into the EU

Engine, 6 cylinder capacity 4050cc, 260ci

3 speed gearbox

Rear wheel brakes with external drum brake

1 vacuum fuel pump, Stewart Warner

Carburettor, Marvel

Direction indicators with alarm function

History,

From the history of this Nash is not much known. Probably in the early nineteen-eighties there was a thorough restoration of this car in the USA. If you look at the choice of materials that are used for the hood and the upholstery, there was certainly no cutback on the costs. In detail, an optimal finish and quality have been chosen. On the dashboard is a memento of a Nash meeting “Grand NASHional Homecoming Meet from 15-16 July 1983. There is also an undated 1st prize from Lake County Florida issued by the AACC.
Nash built automobiles from 1917 onwards. Whit his experience as President at General Motors, Charles Nash had an enormous knowledge of cars and many contacts in the car business, and when he started his own car brand in 1916, he succeeded in producing the first cars and a sales organization at a reasonable short notice. Nash built quality cars with advanced technology and this was a hit in America and soon Nash was a major player in the car market. To find a Nash car from the early years of production is quite rare.
In 1989 the car was exported through Belgium and purchased by Mr. de Rijke from Oostvoorne as an addition to his museum collection. The suspicion is that during this period, in possession of “de Rijke” Museum, the car was not used for driving. After the museum closed, the car collection was sold and so was this Nash. In 2017, CVC took over the car and a thorough inspection of the technical part was carried out. It was quickly established that it was not possible to operate the brake bands on the rear wheels and the brakes did not function. A clear reason for not being able to use the car.

Technique,
The steel brake bands have been disassembled and the riveted eyes for operating the brakes have been reattached by replacing the rivets. The brake linings are immediately renewed on both sides. An intensive job in view of the fastening of the wooden wheels on the axles, to disassemble a special tool has been made. The fuel tank has been disassembled and thoroughly cleaned inside, checked for damage on the outside and provided with a new layer of paint. The vacuum fuel pump from Stewart Warner has also been checked and cleaned, which is now in excellent condition. The further piping for the fuel and the vacuum from the intake manifold has been cleaned and there is also a new petrol filter that easily can be replaced. If the situation occurs that all petrol is used and therefore the petrol pump is also completely empty, petrol can be poured into the petrol pump in a simple way by means of an small petrol tank mounted on the bulkhead and which is directly connected to the petrol system with a tap. The carburettor is also disassembled and ultrasonically cleaned, then provided with new gaskets and replaced and adjusted. The provision for exhaust gases to flow through the carburettor for heating the intake gases is blocked by placing a tight seal at the outlet connection. Considering the use of the car usually in summer, this heating is not necessary and gives the chance of a too high temperature in the carburettor with possibility for an too poor mixture and a bad running car. If this closed gasket is replaced by an original one, it is still with the car, then the operation is completely as intended. Furthermore, the ignition, switches, lighting and the wiring are completely checked and the contact surfaces of the connections cleaned, something which is of reasonable importance for a good and safe operation of a 6 Volt system. A new 6 Volt battery was applied in August 2018 with the greatest possible energy fitting within the dimensions of the battery box under the front seat. Behind the gearbox, a “type of transmission box” is driven by a short drive shaft, which is then attached to the rear axle with a second drive shaft. This second box is operated with two levers that are mounted in the floor directly in front of the driver’s seat. With this levers it is possible to place the gearbox in two positions. The first position is an “uphil assist” position in which the output shaft to the rear wheels is blocked in reverse direction. This makes it possible to park the car on a hill, facing upwards, the car cannot run backwards, and you can take off without using the brakes. The other possibility is too have a Freewheel drive. Mounted on the frame of the windshield are attachments for side windows, also called “wing windows”. There was only one side window with the car and from this example two new windows were made of hardened and laminated glass. The windows are made in the exact shape of the example and the glass is faceted. It gives a nice complete picture of the car.

Interior and exterior,
The paintwork is in a red colour that can best be described as “Bordeaux”. The mudguards are black. The whole is in a very good condition and only a few small spots can be found with traces of use.  The metal parts all fit perfectly and the doors close nice and tight, everything fits neatly and the bonnet fits good and tight and is easy to close with the handle in the middle and the two locks on every side.

The lighting is very neatly applied. The headlights are in perfect condition, undamaged and with nice paint and beautiful rims and cool glasses and reflectors.
The rear lighting is placed central in the spare wheel. It is a rear light with license plate lightning and directly below is the brake light mounted in the shape of the letters “STOP”. On the two rear mudguards the indicator lights are mounted as an addition. They are suitable lights that do not disturb the original image of the car.

The turn signals on the front are combined with the “sidelights” directly in front of the forward position.

The convertible top is made of a solid fabric in a light colour, matching the colour combination of the body. The fastening of the hood fabric to the body is made with pressure closures as it was in original condition. The rear of the hood has a part which can be rolled up to get a flow of air through the interior. For both sides there are three set-up windows that can easily be placed on the body and secured with pressure closures. In closed position it provides good protection for the passengers and the doors are easy to open and close with the attachments.

The interior is in very good condition. The benches are covered with light brown leather of good quality and the area behind the front seat is covered with a nice matching carpet. In the front the floor is made of removable solid black parts with a frame of aluminium profile. There are storage compartments in the doors and the tools are stored in the drivers door.

The driving,
starting the engine is easy with the large start button built in into the floor. The 6 Volt starter motor rotates the engine well and after a few revolutions the engine fires, hot or cold. Throttle and ignition are easy to operate with the handlebars on the steering. Switching on the gears is pretty smooth and the clutch grabs very calm when taking off. The engine has a lot of torque and without too much throttle the car takes off very easily. Some experience is necessary for shifting the gears smoothly but you soon get used to this and the shifting goes without any noise. The steering is very direct and hardly requires any force as soon as the cars moves. It is important to operate the ignition that needs to be advanced at a reasonable speed to get power from the engine. To shift to third gear, some speed is needed, but then the car soon reaches a reasonable high speed with a smooth running engine. The Nash is a car that is very easy to drive and after a short trip you get used to it and it can be controlled automatically.

For more information, a test drive or just a visit to have a look yourself without any obligation, please let us know.

Price, please contact CVC