Editing Nash-Healey (section)

== Origin ==
In December 1949, British engineer, rally driver, and automaker [[Donald Healey]] sailed for America aboard the {{RMS|Queen Elizabeth}} [[ocean liner]].<ref name="nhn-jun2012"/><ref name="auwm-mar2012-p2"/> He was going for a meeting with [[General Motors]]' (GMs) [[Ed Cole]], hoping to secure a supply of [[Cadillac V8 engine#331 series|Cadillac's new {{cvt|331|cuin|L|1}} V8 engine]]. Healey planned to use the engines in his company's [[Healey Silverstone]] club racer. Two such Healey/Cadillac hybrids had already been built, one in the US by American sportsman [[Briggs Cunningham]], and one in England by Healey's own Donald Healey Motor Company; the Cadillac-engined ''X 4'' prototype.<ref name="Wilson"/><ref name="nhr-chassis"/><ref name="ahm-julaug2016"/>

While aboard ship, Healey encountered a man using an elaborate [[stereo camera]] system that intrigued him.<ref name="ttac-aug2014"/><ref name="hagerty-dec2019"/> The man was [[George W. Mason]], president of Nash-Kelvinator. The two made an acquaintance based on their shared interest in [[photography]]. Hearing Healey's plan and anticipating GM's reply, Mason told Healey to contact him if the negotiations were unsuccessful.<ref name="catalogue"/> When GM turned Healey down due to their defense commitments, Healey contacted Mason, and development of the Nash-Healey started.

As part of the arrangement between the companies, Nash paid off Healey's £50,000 bank debt, which was to be repaid in assembled cars.<ref name="ahr-37"/><ref name="ahe-oct2014"/><ref name="nhn-jun2012"/><ref name="hagerty-dec2019"/>

A prototype was previewed at the [[Mondial de l'Automobile|Paris Motor Show]] in October 1950.<ref name="auwm-mar2012-p2"/><ref name="hagerty-dec2019"/> The fate of this car is unknown.{{cn|date=October 2022}} The Nash-Healey made its official debut in February of the following year at the 1951 Chicago Auto show.<ref name="auwm-mar2012-p2"/> The car's full name is the Nash-Healey Series 25.<ref name="hagerty-series25"/>

Some time after its release, the Chrysler Corporation purchased a Nash-Healey from a Detroit dealership, disassembled it, and submitted an analysis of it to the company executives.<ref name="mcclurgbook"/>

The 1951 Nash-Healey is called the first post-war sports car from a major American automaker, as it was released two years before the [[Chevrolet Corvette]].<ref name="Jedlicka"/> This appellation excludes the limited volume [[Kurtis-Kraft]] and [[Muntz Jet]], as well as the diminutive [[Crosley]] Hotshot, Super Hotshot, and Super Sport roadsters.<ref name="Bomstead"/><ref name="Jedlicka"/>