A 103-Year-Old Survivor: 1923 Nash Touring Heads to a New Owner

A century-old Nash has surfaced for sale in Rogers, Arkansas, and it wears every one of its 103 years. The 1923 Touring model spends its days in a barn, its roof in especially rough shape, though the seller insists the car is “not bad” given its age. The engine reportedly still ran about a year ago, and the factory wood-spoke wheels plus reasonably straight body panels offer a glimmer of hope for a brave restorer. The title is said to be clean, and the current owner, who took the car in on trade, says he simply lacks the time to take on the project.

In 1923, Nash was a genuinely healthy operation, rolling out more than 56,000 cars that year. Founder Charles Nash built his reputation on giving buyers more than they paid for, a philosophy that translated into real engineering ambition: overhead-valve straight-eights, twin spark plugs, and eventually nine main bearings by 1930. Later models added synchronized transmissions, free-wheeling, automatic chassis lubrication, and even in-car adjustable suspension, while Nash was among the earliest advocates of four-wheel brakes. This particular Touring predates all of that, sitting a step above the four-cylinder version with a price tag of $1,240 and seating for five or seven.

Despite its rarity, the market for bread-and-butter cars of this era remains soft. Hagerty pegs a 1923 Nash somewhere between $16,000 and$28,000 depending on body style and condition, with convertibles drawing the most interest. A restorer pouring money into this sedan will almost certainly spend more than the car will ever be worth, which is exactly the dilemma facing anyone tempted by a project this old.