World's Best 1930 Nash Model 488 Twin Ignition Phaeton

At RK Motors Charlotte we know unusual when we see it. And this 1930 Nash Model 488 Twin Ignition Six Seven Passenger Phaeton is about as cool and different as it gets! Now that name is quite a mouth full, but it's certainly fitting for such a magnificent car. You want rare? How about: there are two known to exist. Oh and by the way, the other is in Sweden, in pieces. Completely restored, captivating and as interesting as it is stately, here's one pre-war classic that's ready for both the show circuit and the museum floor!

At one time or another every car guy wonders what happened to some worn down project car he saw at a swap meet, all the while hoping for a happy ending. And fortunately, we usually find success stories like this Nash that lend credibility to our goodwill thoughts. It was picked up as a tired but complete project at AACA's Hershey meet roughly 15 years ago and taken to Northeast Ohio for a full restoration. While the bulk of the car's work was performed at a shop specially built for its restoration, some top shelf suppliers were used to handle specific components and oddball jobs. For example, the engine was sent to Martin Automotive for a refresh and rebuild. Midland handled the radiator. North Coast Upholstery reconstructed the convertible top and side curtains. Dason's restored the interior upholstery. Great Lakes Glass fabricated new windows. Custom Electric rebuilt the starter. Custom Clutch rebuilt the driveshaft. Gary's Paint Works restored the wheels and handled the bodywork. And a total of 63 pieces of bright work were refinished by the experts at Custom Chrome. Finally finished in 1998, this grand car traveled a little and won consistently when it was shown.

The body of this Nash oozes class and sophistication. Its classic white and gray color combination is the restorer's choosing, and looks fantastic. Color combinations varied greatly at Nash and, in fact, their own 1930 brochure clearly states “The Nash Motors Company reserves the option of making frequent color changes.” Guy Graphics handled the pin striping while dual side mounts, auxiliary driving lights and auxiliary horns from Don Sommer were added for even more grandeur. The car's running boards feature restored steps and new mats. Plexiglas wing windows and mounts come courtesy of Jay Fisher. And vintage 6.00x19 tires surround the restored wheels to complete a stunning look.

Open the passenger's hood hatch and you'll find a completely restored engine compartment that holds a 275 cubic inch 'Twin Ignition' six cylinder mill. There's a pair of correct ignition coils mounted to the firewall sending spark to a 12 post distributor with dual points. Each set of points energizes its own Autolite coil, and the increased spark energy makes for a smoother engine with 85 horsepower; a heady figure in 1930! Correct spark plug wires ride in their original looms while the aforementioned rebuilt starter sits below. Open the driver's hatch and you'll find a rebuilt carburetor, a correct fuel filter and vacuum canister, and an original oil can in its original mount. And naturally, the expert technicians at our own RKM Performance Center have made sure everything aspect of this vintage powerhouse is in excellent mechanical order.

The car's undercarriage was restored both mechanically and cosmetically to a better than new standards. Newbury Sandblasting and Plating gently removed years of grime and scale before a thick coat of Cumberland Gray paint was applied. The front and rear suspensions were disassembled, checked for wear and refinished. The exhaust shows surface rust, as it should due to its mild steel construction. And the car's brakes, clutch and steering are all in fine working order. After all, what good is convertible on a sunny summer day if it doesn't run?

This Nash's completely reworked interior is gorgeous all the way from its dash to its convertible boot. The Phaeton body style refers to vehicles which have cavernous rear seat and partitioned front seats; and as you've probably realized by now, these cars were often used as limousines. The driver controls, everything from the shifter and ignition key to the steering wheel mounted control levers are functional and within reach. The rear cabin is spacious and includes a pair of jump seats which pop out of the floor for additional capacity. And the car's upholstery and carpeting are in excellent condition displaying period correct grains and materials.

We have a number of original Nash books which go with the car, as well as restoration receipts, aftermarket catalogs (including one featuring the car on the cover) and other paperwork. There are pictures of the car before and during its restoration which are always good to have. And, when completed, this Nash even spent time in the prestigious Gasoline Alley museum in Casa Grande, AZ!

Excellent styling, fine workmanship, and good performance are the key factors that make the 1930 Nash a collectible automobile today. Ironically, those traits were also the reasons Nash managed to show a profit in a depressed 1930 while other independent manufacturers were struggling to survive. 1930 was a landmark year for Nash as its models classic appearance made them real contenders in the American market, and one look at this car drives that point home. If you're looking for a unique and rare car for a significant pre-war collection, it simply doesn't get any better than “the only one in the United States” and “one of only two known to exist!”