Beschreibung:

LaFayette was founded in 1919 by Charles W Nash, proprietor of Nash Motors, who had recruited a number of ex-Cadillac personnel to build a new luxury car. Intended to complement the medium price Nash, the LaFayette was powered by a V8 engine like the contemporary Cadillac, but unlike its rival Nash's new luxury automobile was a failure, sales failing to meet expectations in the period of economic depression that followed the end of The Great War. Production was shifted to Milwaukee early in 1923 but before the year's end Lafayette had been sold to the Ajax Motors Company, which was yet another part of Nash's automotive empire. The name remained dormant for the next ten years before being revived in 1934 for a new 'entry level' Nash. Styled like the larger Nash models, though with less external decoration, the new LaFayette was powered by a six-cylinder sidevalve engine displacing 217.8ci (3,570cc), which was carried in a chassis with a wheelbase of 113" (2,870mm). Little changed for 1935, the LaFayette was mildly face-lifted the following year and then in 1937 received a larger engine displacing 234.8ci (3,849cc). The model was last catalogued in 1940, its place at the lower end of the Nash range being taken by the all-new, unitary construction Ambassador 600. The car offered here is an example of the LaFayette DeLuxe Cabriolet, which cost $940 when new and was the most expensive model in the LaFayette line-up. Options fitted include automatic overdrive (in need of repair), radio and aerial, provision for a heater, whitewall tyres, rear wheel covers, and a 'banjo' steering wheel. Found in Uruguay by Mr Monnereau of the Monroe shock absorber company, the Nash was imported into France in 1985 and purchased from him by the current owner in 1989. The Uruguayan registration document lists the original engine number as 'H 11974' and notes its replacement with a Chevrolet engine, number '3J0417H'. When the car was first registered in France the number was mistakenly recorded as '3504417H', an error that has never been rectified. The Nash had suffered terribly on the poorly surfaced Uruguayan roads: the suspension, steering, engine and transmission were in a very sorry state, while a number of accessories had been removed. On the plus side, the body was in remarkably good condition: for example, on removal of the original anti-gravel protection, the galvanised floor appeared good as new. After a very long restoration, due among other things to the painstaking search for correct parts, the car was reunited with its original engine. Other works carried out include replacing the radiator; a full engine and carburettor check up; overhauling the gearbox, starter motor and dynamo; sandblasting the chassis and bodywork; and fitting new valves pistons, water pump, camshaft, electronic ignition, stainless steel exhaust, fan bearing, fan belt, clutch, crown wheel/pinion, wiring loom, windscreen and upholstery. Restoration invoices and a photographic record of the work are available. La marque Lafayette fut fondée en 1919 par Charles W. nash, propriétaire de Nash Motors, qui avait recruté plusieurs employés de Cadillac en vue de produire un nouveau modèle de luxe. Destiné à compléter la Nash vendue à un prix moyen, la LaFayette était dotée d'un moteur V8 comme la Cadillac contemporaine, mais contrairement à sa rivale, la nouvelle voiture de luxe de Nash fut un échec : les ventes furent inférieures aux prévisions dans cette période de crise économique qui suivit la fin de la Grande Guerre. La production fut délocalisée à Milwaukee au début de 1923, mais avant la fin de l'année, LaFayette avait été vendue à l'Ajax Motors Company qui faisait également partie de l'empire automobile de Nash. La marque demeura en sommeil pendant dix ans avant d'être réveillée en 1934 pour désigner une nouvelle Nash d'accès à la marque. Carrossée comme les modèles Nash de catégorie supérieure, mais avec une ornementation extérieure plus sobre, la nouvelle LaFayette éta