1932 Nash Standard 8

Description

A charming 1930's American 'Al Capone' look car with original interior and some mechanical upgrades including Wilwood disc brakes; starred in a George Clooney fim, The Boys In The Boat; appears remarkably preserved for a car now into its nineties

The Standard Eight Sedan represented the entry model to the exclusive eight-cylinder Nash range. WXG 486 was produced in Wisconsin in 1932. Little is known of its life before coming to the UK in November 2015 to form part of a private collection here.

The car was thought to have been stored, unused until February 2022, when it was purchased specifically for use in a UK-shot film.

It is thought that the upholstery, headlining and dashboard are all original. The front cabin features a full-width bench seat, finished in velour type fabric with vertical box pleats with deep buttoned details. Scrolled armrests are present at each side of the bench and other period details include chromed ashtrays and fabric grab handles. It has a functioning rear window blind. The dashboard is an art deco delight and fully original; instruments sit within a decorative scrolled chrome binnacle, a set of five white-on-black gauges and a bakelite three-spoke steering wheel.

Other controls include a free-wheeling knob and ride adjustment handle and a chromed handle is present to position the pillar-mounted spot lamp.

WXG is fitted with the lusty 4-litre straight-eight engine, an OHV unit breathing through an original Stromberg EE2 carburettor. Power was originally quoted at 85bhp at 3,500 rpm and fed to the rear wheels via a three-speed, synchromesh manual transmission.

This example has been retro-fitted with Wilwood disc brakes (reputedly at the insistence of the insurers of the Hollywood A-list celeb who drove it in the film), but the original drums are included if reversion to factory specification is desired. Hydraulic dampers were fitted allowing for adjustment of the ride’s firmness with a handle in the cabin for this purpose. It also has a modern fuel pump and electrics fitted to make it more reliable on the film set.

As such it is understood to run and drive as would be expected and represents a rare opportunity to grab a sensibly uprated period gem, although it is in need a new battery.  

Contact - nigel.mainard@brightwells.com