The 1950s Nash Airflyte, as its name suggests, is a typical streamlined car of the period, styled somewhat along the lines of the Hudson Hornet. It was powered by a selection of two straight-sixes and had a big roomy interior whose benches could turn into a bed, as Jay Leno demonstrates in the video posted below.
Leno really seems to like the Nash, and as he talks about it, he seems to be defending it from those who do not appreciate its value. We don’t know how that could be, since it definitely a special car that any automobile lover will immediately get, even if it’s the first time they’ve seen one/heard of it – it was unique back in the day and it most certainly hasn’t lost it until the present day.
It really seems like a characterful car, especially in top Custom trim, with the bigger 112 hp 234 cubic inch (3.8-liter) engine and the smooth-shifting GM-sourced Hydramatic four-speed self-shifter. The Airflyte could also be had with a smaller 82 hp 176 cubic inch (2.9-liter) engine and a three-speed manual gearbox.