1957 Nash Ambassador, Green, for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $17,995.

This nicely restored 1957 Nash Ambassador comes to us from the you don't see that every day file. The great thing about the 1950s is the wide variety of automakers that were churning out some pretty amazing machinery, and the Ambassador was one of the most advanced cars of its day. With a 327 cubic inch V8, unibody construction, and daring styling by Pinin Farina, we can practically guarantee that you'll be the only kid on your block with one of these.

With updated styling that included then-fashionable quad headlights, a redesigned rear end, and a striking two-tone paint job, the Nash Ambassador was instantly identifiable on the road. This one is more subtle than most '50s paint jobs, showing a turquoise and tan scheme that fits the car's luxury mission perfectly. Bodywork is very, very good, and since there are no reproduction pieces of any kind available for this car, you know it's 100% OEM steel that fits right and looks great. The unit-body construction was a novel invention in the 1950s, but it surely contributed to the relative scarcity of Nashes available today. And, of course, being a product of the era, there's a ton of chrome such as the grille within a grille, unique parking lights perched atop the front fenders, and about two miles of stainless trim, and all of it is in excellent condition.

The interior has been upholstered to match, with turquoise fabric and tan vinyl stitched in the original patterns, which creates an interior that's every bit a match for the wild bodywork. Longer, lower, and wider than most of its competition thanks to that unibody construction, the interior is spacious both front and rear, and as a top-of-the-line car, it includes features such as Nash's famous Weather Eye climate control system. The gauges are tucked behind a sheet of plexiglass with the markings etched on its surface, so all the numbers, including those on the radio dial, appear to be hovering over the gauges-how cool is that? Even the trunk is beautifully finished in matching materials and colors, and if you take a moment, you'll notice the elaborate trunk hinges that maximize storage space.

The engine is a 327 cubic inch V8 rated at 250 horsepower, and in the relatively lightweight Ambassador, performance is impressive. The engine bay appears authentic and original, including the original generator. The bright orange paint is correct for the 327 powered Nashes, although it appears to have been repainted, perhaps during the rebuild about 200 miles ago. Key it up and it starts easily, idles smoothly, and thanks to a matching rebuilt automatic transmission, moves the car with ease. Underneath, the unitized chassis remains rust-free and solid, and it rides on a set of original steel wheels wearing correct Ambassador hubcaps and a recent set of wide whitewall radials.

Rare, funky, and just plain cool, this Ambassador is a great '50s cruiser for the guy who is tired of fitting in. Call today!