Don Zapico's 1951 Nash Sedan Delivery As a retired Ford Motor Company engineer, and after 40 years of messing with hot rods and race cars, Dan Zapico likely has oil running through his veins. Just like with many of us, it goes far beyond a hobby and becomes more of a way of life. Of the many cars Dan has owned through the years, this unusual 1951 Nash Rambler Sedan Delivery is among those currently residing in his garage. What started out as a Deliveryman (2-Door Station Wagon) was transformed into its phantom form by Johnny Young out of Oklahoma. The car was among the top cars in the nation back in the early 1990’s, then sat for many years before Dan recently took ownership. This meant having to completely go through the car again to get it in running order, and replacing various items like gaskets, rubber seals, and so forth. At its heart is a full tube chassis with a Mustang II front end. The car has been fully tubbed, with super wide Mickey Thompsons residing out back, and a wheelie bar poking out past the low rear bumper to drive the point home....this little Nash is indeed “Nashty”. Don’t go thinking it is “all show and no go”, though. As evidenced by the velocity stacks, dual 650 Edelbrock carbs, and a portion of the blower poking through the hood, the 350 engine is ready to provide plenty of power to the compact lightweight package. This is backed by a TH350 automatic with a reverse shifter, and ultimately a very narrow Ford 9 inch rear end fitted with 3.55:1 gears. The exterior wears a monochromatic buckskin colored base, with tasteful black, orange, red and blue graphics along the distinctive lower lip of the “bathtub” style body these years of Nash’s are known for. The wheels are color matched steel units with small chrome hub caps....though you can barely see them due to the small wheel wells and super low stance. Inside is a matching buckskin colored tweed interior, done in a nice clean style with accents matching those of the multi-colored exterior graphics. However, now that the car is back in perfect working order Dan told us he will be updating and painting it in the future. Dan’s other current keeper is a 1951 Henry J, which has been treated to a similar pro-street style with a potent 427 big block, and a Hillman Wagon project is waiting in his garage. Obviously Dan likes the unusual rides, and judging from the reactions of onlookers, so do many of those who see them. CN