Image of 1932 Nash Special, Note: These illustrations use artistic license and may differ from actual historical models.

Engine Specifications
Engine Options:	Straight-6
Displacement Range:	3.2L
Horsepower Range:	Estimated 65-85 HP
Torque:	Not available
Compression Ratio:	Not available
Ignition System:	Distributor and coil
Cooling System:	Water-cooled
Performance Specifications
0-60 Time:	Not available
1/4 Mile Time:	Not available
Top Speed:	70 mph
Transmission and Drive
Drive Type:	Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type:	3-speed manual
Fuel and Efficiency
Fuel System Type:	Carburetor
MPG:	Not available
Dimensions and Brakes
Brakes:	Mechanical drum brakes
Wheelbase:	121 inches
Weight:	Estimated 2,800 lbs

1932 Nash Special: A Refined Six from a Changing America

The 1932 Nash Special Six brought the polish of a premium American automobile to a country facing the Great Depression. Built by Nash Motors of Kenosha, Wisconsin, it combined a smooth six-cylinder engine, substantial construction, and carefully finished coachwork at a time when many buyers were postponing big purchases.

The name needs a little clarification for modern readers: “1932 Nash Special” generally refers to the Special Six, Nash’s entry-level six-cylinder series, rather than one single body style. It sat below the larger Advanced Six and eight-cylinder models in the company’s range. Even as the more accessible Nash, it was far from a bare-bones car.

A notable piece of Nash engineering was its Twin-Ignition system, which used two spark plugs per cylinder. The arrangement was intended to improve combustion and smoothness, giving this six-cylinder Nash a technical talking point well beyond its price class.

Streamlined Looks, Stately Presence

The Special Six had the upright, confident proportions typical of an early-1930s American car, but Nash gave the design a distinctive identity. A tall radiator grille, sweeping front fenders, prominent headlamps, and a long hood created a formal profile. The body sat high on narrow tires, while details such as brightwork, hood louvers, and carefully shaped fenders added visual richness without relying on excessive ornament.

Inside, the Special aimed for comfort and dignity. Depending on body style and trim, occupants found broad upholstered seats, a substantial dashboard, clear instrumentation, and thoughtful storage. Cloth upholstery was common on closed models, while higher-grade or open-body examples could feature upgraded fabrics or leather. Wood or wood-look trim and polished metal details reinforced the impression of a well-appointed car. Exact materials and trim varied with body style and equipment.

Period paint choices typically included restrained dark and medium tones, with contrasting colors or pinstriping available on some cars. Deep blue, maroon, green, and black are among the shades associated with cars of the era, but surviving finishes and individual options differ. Original paint records for a particular car are the best guide to its factory color.

Nash offered the Special Six in several closed and open body configurations, with availability varying by catalog and market. Sedans were practical choices for families and are among the body styles most likely to be encountered today. Coupes and open models have greater visual drama, but surviving examples are scarcer. Buyers could also choose equipment and trim options that changed the character and price of the car.

Engineering with a Nash Signature

The Special Six’s strongest contribution was its combination of accessible pricing and thoughtful engineering. Twin ignition was an unusual feature for an American six-cylinder passenger car, and it reflected Nash’s effort to distinguish its products through mechanical refinement rather than size alone. The company also emphasized sturdy construction, comfort, and road manners, qualities that helped Nash develop a reputation for sensible, well-engineered cars.

The 1932 Special was not a radical styling landmark, nor did it introduce a technology that transformed the entire industry. Its significance is more measured: it shows how an independent automaker competed with larger manufacturers by offering useful engineering and a premium feel across a broader range. Nash would continue to build on that identity, eventually becoming part of Nash-Kelvinator and later American Motors.

It is also worth separating later Nash innovations from this car. The well-known Weather Eye heating and ventilation system arrived later in the decade, so it should not be attributed to a 1932 Special.

Six-Cylinder Pace and Period Road Manners

The Special Six used a side-valve, or L-head, inline-six. Published specifications can vary by model and source, but the engine is commonly listed at about 201 cubic inches, producing roughly 75 horsepower. A three-speed manual transmission was typical. Twin ignition was a key selling point, though equipment details should be checked against the particular car’s specification and original documentation.

There is no dependable modern factory 0-to-60 mph figure for every Special Six body style. Based on its output, gearing, weight, and period performance, a stock car would likely take roughly 25 to 30 seconds to reach 60 mph. A top speed in the neighborhood of 70 to 75 mph is a reasonable estimate for a healthy example, not a guarantee. Tire condition, engine tune, gearing, and body style all affect real-world results.

On the road, the Nash feels like a substantial prewar car: the steering is slower and heavier than a modern driver expects, the brakes require more planning, and the driver must work the manual gearbox. The six should deliver a measured, even note rather than a sharp sporting bark. Its long wheelbase and weight help it settle over ordinary road imperfections, though rough surfaces can still make the solid axles and narrow tires noticeable. On winding roads, steady inputs and conservative speeds suit the car better than quick direction changes.

Living with a 1932 Nash

Today, a Special Six is best suited to touring, local club events, preservation displays, and occasional show use. It can be driven regularly by an owner willing to maintain it carefully, but it is not an ideal modern daily driver. Traffic speeds, limited crash protection, older lighting, and period braking all call for a thoughtful approach.

Routine work is straightforward in principle: the engine is mechanically simple, and an experienced vintage-car mechanic can service ignition, carburetion, cooling, and lubrication without modern diagnostic equipment. The Twin-Ignition setup adds components, so keeping both ignition systems correctly adjusted matters. The harder part is often finding correct parts, body hardware, trim, and model-specific pieces. A pre-purchase inspection should include the frame, wood structure where used, brakes, cooling system, and the condition of any non-original modifications.

Little-Known Nash Details

The Twin-Ignition system is the Special Six’s most memorable technical conversation starter. It is easy to assume that two plugs per cylinder automatically mean a large power advantage, but Nash’s aim was broader: improve combustion and deliver dependable, smooth operation. The system is a reminder that manufacturers experimented with practical engineering solutions long before electronic engine management.

There is no widely recognized speed, sales, or endurance record specifically associated with the 1932 Special Six, and no celebrity ownership story is firmly tied to the model as a defining part of its history. Its appeal is quieter: it represents an independent American manufacturer’s effort to make a technically interesting, carefully built car during an extraordinarily difficult economic period.

Common criticisms are typical of cars from the early 1930s. The Special is slow by present-day standards, its brakes and steering demand anticipation, and replacement parts can take time to locate. Its styling may also seem formal beside more flamboyant classics. For enthusiasts who value mechanical character and period craftsmanship, those traits are part of the experience rather than deal-breakers.

Collector Values and Availability

The 1932 Nash Special Six is uncommon in today’s market, but a precise production total for the Special Six alone is not consistently available in standard reference sources. Nash built cars in a difficult sales climate, and production was divided among several series and body styles. A sensible estimate is that Special Six production amounted to several thousand cars, while the number surviving in usable or restorable condition is much smaller. Treat any exact production claim with caution unless it is supported by factory records.

Values depend heavily on body style, originality, condition, and documentation. As a broad U.S. market estimate, a project or incomplete car might bring roughly $5,000 to $15,000. A sound, presentable driver could fall around $18,000 to $35,000, while a high-quality restoration may reach approximately $35,000 to $60,000. An especially desirable or exceptionally restored open-body car could exceed that range, while a sedan generally brings less than a rare convertible or coupe. These are guide figures, not a formal appraisal.

Prices for prewar cars have been uneven, and the Nash Special is a niche collectible rather than a guaranteed investment. Exceptional examples can hold or improve their value, but ordinary cars may take time to sell. Originality, condition, and a well-documented restoration usually matter more than simply spending heavily on cosmetic work.

A Thoughtful Classic with Character

The 1932 Nash Special Six pairs restrained American styling with a distinctive engineering feature and a comfortable, substantial road presence. It was not the fastest or most famous car of its day, but it offered buyers a refined six-cylinder automobile from an independent manufacturer determined to stand apart.

For today’s enthusiast, its appeal lies in the details: the Twin-Ignition engine, the stately coachwork, and the reminder that even in hard times, Nash kept looking for smart ways to build a better car. A well-preserved Special Six is more than a handsome survivor. It is a rolling example of American automotive ingenuity under pressure.