The American luxurious model that grew to become a worth marque.
Based in 1919, The LaFayette Motors Company is likely one of the many pre-war carmakers that, although it produced a big quantity of vehicles, has been largely forgotten.
Not like Edsel, which offered vehicles for simply three mannequin years—and is now identified nearly solely for being a large failure—LaFayette produced luxury-priced vehicles for a variety of years earlier than turning into a Nash sub-brand.
LaFayette: Forgotten Automobile Manufacturers
LaFayette Historical past
Named for the Marquis de LaFayette, a French nobleman and army officer who volunteered to affix the Continental Military, LaFayette produced its first automotive in 1920. Early gross sales have been comparatively modest, as LaFayette vehicles have been priced as excessive as $5000 at a time when most autos could possibly be had for beneath $500.
In 1921, Charles Nash, president and stakeholder in Nash Motors, grew to become president of LaFayette. For a number of years, Nash stored the 2 corporations separate, relating to LaFayette as a halo model. Round this time, LaFayette operations have been moved from Mars Hill, Indianna, to new quarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Interval rumors had Nash promoting its stake in LaFayette Pierce-Arrow, Rolls-Royce, and probably even Common Motors, however nothing got here of the thrill.
Nash Takes Over
In 1924, Nash took full management of Lafayette, halting manufacturing of the model, and utilizing the Milwaukee manufacturing facility to supply a more-affordable mannequin beneath the brand new Ajax model. Demand for Nash merchandise was at an all-time excessive, and Charles Nash sought to extend gross sales quantity by including a brand new, lower-priced product collection positioned under Nash.
Sadly, the general public didn’t settle for the Ajax fashions as true Nash merchandise, and the corporate killed the Ajax title, and rebadged the Milwaukee-made vehicles Nash Gentle Six.
This sophisticated drama ought to have meant the tip of the LaFayette model, and it did for a protracted whereas. However in 1934, Nash resurrected the model title, and launched a collection of vehicles branded “LaFayette by Nash.” As a substitute of being positioned as luxurious choices, the brand new line of vehicles was as a response to Despair-era swings in auto demand, and positioned in value under Nash’s core choices. Per the Encyclopedia of American Vehicles, Nash retailed 5000 of the value-priced Lafayette’s in 1934, 9000 in ’35, and nearly 28,000 in ’36. For 1937, the LaFayette ceased to be a separate model, and as a substitute grew to become a Nash trim stage.
Closing Down
The rebranded Nash LaFayette 400 stayed in manufacturing till 1941, when it was changed by the Nash 600, and the LaFayette model retired for good. Nash itself would survive the melancholy and World Struggle II, producing its final automotive in 1957.
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