A Little Custom

That’s cute. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard at some point. In a non-automotive context it can range anywhere from sincere to downright demeaning, but as far as cars are concerned, it usually leans more towards the latter. I’ve heard people call Hemi-powered Model A’s cute. A blown Willys gasser? Cute. T-Modified? Cute. You get the idea.

What about a Nash Rambler? What can you call it? It’s stout and bulbous, a little clumsy but kindof slippery. Looking at it stock form, you can clearly see some efforts at streamlining were made, perhaps in the name of reduced drag or increased efficiency. (Keep in mind; the Rambler was on the cutting edge of the movement we now call the compact car.) Sure, it was—and still is—a little field mouse of a machine, but that does that make it cute?

I don’t believe that question ever crossed Bill Block’s mind when he started customizing his brand new ’53 Nash. The car took Bill and the Sunnyside Auto crew a year and a half to build, and upon closer inspection you’ll notice this one took more work than meets the eye.

Block’s Nash has been shaved, lowered and given a new grille. It’s been nosed, decked and equipped with an accessory spare. The hood scoop’s gone: replaced with two even lines of louvers. The inside’s covered in black and white tuck and roll. The outside’s covered in off-white paint. Oh, and there was a hopped up Nash Statesman engine beneath the hood.

Although certainly unconventional, this automobile has some pretty interesting lines. Are they sexy or svelte? No. But check out the lower trim running along the bottom portion of the car. It’s uninterrupted for 360 degrees. And while you’re at it, take a look at the roof. It’s a sensible hardtop. As a package, the elements of this car seem to work together harmoniously.

The staff of Rod & Custom seemed to agree, and the little Nash was a subject of a four-page feature dubbed the “Kenosha Kustom” in January 1955. As I leafed through the article, I thought I knew the name Bill Block from somewhere. Come to find out, it was the same Bill from Kenosha who built the “Custom Rod” ’36 that we took a look at last month. Small world, I suppose.

—Joey Ukrop