NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT INC /DE
DEF 14A, 1997-04-23
AUTO RENTAL & LEASING (NO DRIVERS)
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<PAGE>   1
 
================================================================================
 
                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                   (RULE 14a)
                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                             (AMENDMENT NO.      )
 
Filed by the Registrant  [X]
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  [ ]
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement                [ ]  CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION
                                                ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
</TABLE>
 
                           NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC.
                (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
    (NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]  No fee required.
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
     (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: .......
 
     (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ..........
 
     (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
         filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ............
 
     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ......................
 
     (5) Total fee paid: .......................................................
 
[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1) Amount Previously Paid: ...............................................
 
     (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: .........................
 
     (3) Filing Party: .........................................................
 
     (4) Date Filed: ...........................................................
 
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2

                                    [LOGO]
                             NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT
                               30000 AURORA ROAD
                               SOLON, OHIO 44139
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                            TO BE HELD JUNE 12, 1997
 
     Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of National
Auto Credit, Inc. (the "Company"), will be held at Executive Caterers at
Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124, on Thursday,
June 12, 1997, at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Savings time), for the following
purposes:
 
     1. To elect one director to serve for a term of three years; and
 
     2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
 
     Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 18, 1997, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at said meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
     By Order of the Board of Directors.
 
                                            DAVID R. POSTERARO
                                            Vice President, General Counsel and
                                            Secretary
April 25, 1997
 
     STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF
PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY
REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU WISH, EVEN IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY
RETURNED YOUR PROXY.
<PAGE>   3
                                    [LOGO]
                             NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT
                               30000 AURORA ROAD
                               SOLON, OHIO 44139
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
     This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of National Auto Credit, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to be held on June 12, 1997, at Executive
Caterers at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124,
and at any adjournment thereof.
 
     The Notice of Annual Meeting, this statement and the accompanying form of
proxy, together with the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 1997 ("fiscal 1997"), are first being mailed to
stockholders on or about April 25, 1997.
 
     The close of business on April 18, 1997 (the "Record Date"), has been fixed
as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting. On the Record Date, the Company had outstanding
28,535,444 shares of Common Stock, $.05 par value. Each of the outstanding
shares is entitled to one vote. The holders of Common Stock of the Company have
no cumulative voting rights in the election of Directors.
 
     Under Delaware law and the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws, if a quorum is present at the meeting, the nominees for Directors
who receive the greatest number of votes cast for the election of Directors at
the meeting by the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote
will be elected Directors. An abstention from voting any share with respect to
the election of any nominee for Director will have the practical effect of a
vote against that nominee. A broker non-vote with respect to any share will not
affect the election of Directors since the share is not considered present for
voting purposes.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   4
 
                              ELECTION OF DIRECTOR
 
     The Board of Directors consists of six members. At the meeting, the Common
Stock represented by valid proxies will be voted, unless otherwise specified,
for the election of Mr. Per E. Hoel to serve a term of three years and until his
respective successor is elected and qualified.
 
     If, by reason of death or other unexpected circumstance, the nominee should
not be available for election, the proxies will be voted for the election of
such substitute nominee as the Board of Directors may propose.
 
     Set forth below is certain information relating to Mr. Hoel, the nominee
for election as Director, and the Directors of the Company whose terms of office
will continue after the meeting:
 
                   NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DIRECTOR       TERM
            NAME             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND OTHER INFORMATION       SINCE       TO EXPIRE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------     ---------
<S>                         <C>                                              <C>          <C>
Per E. Hoel................ Chairman of the Board and President of             1984          2000
                            Uni-Per, Inc., a management consulting firm
                            specializing in marketing and finance, since
                            1976. Age 71.
</TABLE>
 
          DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE ANNUAL MEETING
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DIRECTOR       TERM
            NAME             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND OTHER INFORMATION       SINCE       TO EXPIRE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------     ---------
<S>                         <C>                                              <C>          <C>
Sam J. Frankino............ Chairman of the Board since the Company's          1969          1998
                            inception in 1969, founder and majority
                            stockholder. Mr. Frankino also served as
                            Chief Executive Officer from 1969 to 1992 and
                            from December 1993 until December 1994. Age
                            72.
Robert J. Bronchetti....... President and Chief Executive Officer, has         1993          1999
                            been employed by the Company since May 1991
                            and was appointed a Director in September
                            1993. Mr. Bronchetti has held the position of
                            President since March 1994 and Chief
                            Executive Officer since December 1994. Mr.
                            Bronchetti previously held the positions of
                            Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
                            Officer, Vice President and Chief Financial
                            Officer, and Vice President of Finance and
                            Treasurer. Prior to 1991, Mr. Bronchetti held
                            various financial management positions with
                            Engelhard Corporation and its wholly-owned
                            subsidiary, The Harshaw Chemical Company. Age
                            49.
 
Noah T. Herndon............ Partner of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.,          1992          1998
                            investment bankers, since 1974. Mr. Herndon
                            is also a Director of Amoskeag Company,
                            Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc., Watts Industries,
                            Inc. and Zoll Medical Corporation. Age 65.
</TABLE>
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DIRECTOR       TERM
            NAME             PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND OTHER INFORMATION       SINCE       TO EXPIRE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------     ---------
<S>                         <C>                                              <C>          <C>
 
J. Hunter Brown............ Vice President, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.,      1996          1999
                            investment bankers, since 1993. Mr. Brown
                            previously served as Director, Toronto
                            Dominion Securities (USA) Inc. from 1991 to
                            1993. From 1987 to 1991, Mr. Brown served as
                            Director, Corporate Accounts for Toronto
                            Dominion Bank. Age 43.
 
James E. Smith, Jr......... Vice President of Operations, has been             1995          1999
                            employed by the Company since May 1993 and
                            was appointed a Director in November 1995.
                            Mr. Smith held the positions of Regional
                            Director and Regional Vice President,
                            Operations prior to assuming his present
                            position in July 1994. From 1987 to May 1993,
                            Mr. Smith was Branch Operations Manager for
                            Chrysler Credit Corporation. Age 42.
</TABLE>
 
     Messrs. Frankino and Hoel are members of the Board's Executive Committee,
which exercises all of the power and authority of the Board in the management of
the business and affairs of the Company during intervals between Board meetings.
The Executive Committee met ten times during fiscal 1997.
 
     Messrs. Herndon and Hoel are members of the Board's Audit Committee, which
reviews the services provided by the independent auditors retained by the
Company, monitors the adequacy of the Company's internal accounting controls and
reviews the annual financial statements of the Company. The Audit Committee met
twice during fiscal 1997.
 
     Messrs. Herndon and Hoel are members of the Board's Executive Compensation
Committee, which reviews the cash and non-cash compensation received by officers
and key employees. The Executive Compensation Committee met twice during fiscal
1997.
 
     Four quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors were held during fiscal
1997. The Board of Directors does not have a Nominating Committee.
 
     Each incumbent Director and each member of the above Committees attended
75% or more of the meetings held by the Board of Directors and such Committees,
respectively.
 
                        DIRECTORS FEES AND COMPENSATION
 
     Each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company is paid a
Director's fee at the rate of $10,000 per year plus $500 and expenses for
attendance at each meeting of the Board. Certain additional information is set
forth under the heading Certain Transactions below.
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
     During fiscal 1997, the Company had a short-term unsecured uncommitted line
of credit with the investment banking firm of Brown Brothers Harriman and Co.
for $13,700,000 of which $9,300,000 was outstanding at January 31, 1997. Mr.
Noah T. Herndon, Director, is a partner in this banking firm.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
     The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned for
services rendered by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the four
other most highly compensated Executive Officers during the fiscal years ended
January 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           LONG-TERM
                                                                                      COMPENSATION AWARDS
                                               ANNUAL COMPENSATION                  ------------------------
                                  ----------------------------------------------    RESTRICTED    SECURITIES
                                                                   OTHER ANNUAL       STOCK       UNDERLYING       ALL OTHER
   NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION    FISCAL    SALARY      BONUS     COMPENSATION(1)    AWARDS(2)     OPTIONS      COMPENSATION(3)
       AT JANUARY 31, 1997         YEAR       ($)        ($)           ($)             ($)           (#)             ($)
- --------------------------------- ------    -------    -------    --------------    ----------    ----------    --------------
<S>                               <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>               <C>           <C>           <C>
Sam J. Frankino..................  1997     397,116    116,000        10,959           51,250            0             462
Chairman of the Board              1996     350,000     51,000        10,959           76,250            0             420
                                   1995     325,769     51,000        11,976           47,500            0           1,967

Robert J. Bronchetti.............  1997     239,135      1,000        12,812          105,625            0           3,582
President and                      1996     200,000     51,000        13,073          130,250            0           1,802
Chief Executive Officer            1995     176,154      1,000        14,216           62,938            0           3,192

James E. Smith, Jr...............  1997     110,000      1,000        10,541           37,438            0           2,106
Vice President, Operations         1996      94,423      1,000         4,170           42,250            0           1,046
                                   1995      62,500      1,000         4,980            7,125        5,500           1,299

Davida S. Howard.................  1997     113,047      1,000        10,930           42,563            0           2,697
Vice President-                    1996      98,731      1,000         5,911           35,500            0           1,289
Finance and Controller             1995      82,400      1,000         5,310            7,125        8,250           1,921

Edward T. Anderson...............  1997     103,269      1,000        12,960           42,563            0           2,518
Executive Vice President,          1996      82,804      1,000         3,251           35,500            0           1,154
Sales and Wholesale Operations     1995      56,558      3,000             0                0            0           1,471
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
1 Amounts included in this column are the imputed value for use of Company
  automobiles and relating tax reimbursements. Executive officers who are
  Directors do not receive any additional compensation for serving on the Board
  of Directors.
 
2 These awards are fully vested but may not be sold or transferred until such
  time as the recipient directly owns and maintains Company stock equal to three
  times the individual's annual salary, including bonus, or the individual
  terminates employment with the Company. Restricted stock holdings in excess of
  the required ownership amounts may be disposed of provided that minimum
  ownership requirements are maintained during the term of the individual's
  employment. The restricted shares awarded are eligible for any dividends the
  Company may declare on its Common Stock. There are no other shares of
  restricted stock held by these executive officers.
 
3 Messrs. Frankino, Bronchetti, Smith, Ms. Howard and Mr. Anderson had their
  term life and accidental death and disability ("AD&D") insurance premiums paid
  for by the Company. For fiscal year 1997, the premiums were $414 for term life
  and $48 for AD&D. For fiscal years 1996 and 1995, the premiums were $372 for
  term life and $48 for AD&D.
 
  In fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company contributed to Messrs.
  Frankino's, Bronchetti's, Smith's, Ms. Howard's and Mr. Anderson's 401(k)
  Savings and Retirement Plan and Trust Accounts in the following amounts: Mr.
  Frankino -- $0, $0 and $0; Mr. Bronchetti -- $3,120, $1,382 and $1,225; Mr.
  Smith -- $1,644, $626 and $228; Ms. Howard -- $2,235, $869 and $638; and Mr.
  Anderson -- $2,056, $734 and $439. In addition to the contributions noted
  above, in fiscal year 1995, Messrs. Frankino, Bronchetti, Smith, Ms. Howard
  and Mr. Anderson received the following additional allocations to their 401(k)
  Savings and Retirement Plan and Trust Accounts; Mr. Frankino -- $1,547; Mr.
  Bronchetti -- $1,547; Mr. Smith -- $651; Ms. Howard -- $863; and Mr.
  Anderson -- $612.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  STOCK PLANS
 
1983 STOCK OPTION PLAN:
 
     The Executive Officers referred to in the summary compensation table, as
well as salaried employees of the Company or any of its subsidiary corporations
who, in the judgment of the Stock Option Committee (the "Option Committee"),
occupy a professional or management position, were eligible to participate in
the Company's 1983 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan"). The Option Plan
provided for the granting of options for up to 2,981,716 shares of the Company's
Common Stock $.05 par value (the "Common Stock").
 
     The Option Committee determined to whom options were granted, the number of
shares subject to option, and the terms of the option. No incentive or
non-qualified stock options could be exercised, in whole or in part, prior to
the expiration of 12 months following the date such option was granted. Twenty
percent of these options become exercisable one year after the grant date, and
an additional 20% become exercisable each year thereafter. Both the incentive
and non-qualified stock options granted under the Option Plan terminate on the
10th anniversary of the date upon which they were granted and shall not be
exercisable on or after such date. In the event an employee who has been granted
options under the Option Plan leaves the Company, those vested options are
exercisable within 90 days of the date of separation from employment (but in no
event later than the end of the fixed term of such option). If an employee or
former employee who was granted an incentive or non-qualified option dies, and
at the time of his death was entitled to exercise any such option granted under
the Option Plan, such option may be exercised within 12 months after the date of
death (but no later than the end of the fixed term of such option) by his
estate, or by a person who acquired the right to exercise such option by bequest
or inheritance. Such option may be exercised only as to the number of shares of
stock for which it could have been exercised at the date of death.
 
     The Option Plan was terminated on April 17, 1993.
 
1993 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN:
 
     The Company's 1993 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") provides for the
granting of incentive options, non-qualified options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and Common Stock (all of
which are sometimes collectively referred to as "Awards") to the Executive
Officers referred to in the summary compensation table as well as to other
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and any former employee of the
Company eligible to receive an assumed or replacement award or award settlement.
Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. In addition Awards
may be made in combination, or in tandem with, in replacement of, or as the
payment for grants or rights under any other compensation plan of the Company,
including the Option Plan or the plan of any acquired entity.
 
     The Plan provides that not more than two million two hundred thousand
(2,200,000) shares of the Company's Common Stock may be issued pursuant to the
Plan. The shares to be issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued
shares, treasury shares or a combination thereof.
 
     The Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee") administers the Plan. The Committee is comprised of two
non-employee Directors, each of whom must be a "disinterested person" as defined
under the Plan. The Committee consists of Messrs. Herndon and Hoel. Such
Committee selects the employees to whom grants are to be made and determines the
form of the Award.
 
     Any compensation income realized by a participant with respect to any Award
granted under the Plan shall be subject to withholding by the Company of income,
employment or other taxes required by federal, state, local or foreign law. The
Committee may in its discretion satisfy the withholding requirement by causing
the entity or subsidiary employing the participant to withhold the appropriate
amount of any and all of such taxes from any other compensation otherwise
payable to such participant.
 
     During fiscal 1997, the Committee did not award any options to the named
Executive Officers but did award options to other select Executive Officers.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
              AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                         SHARES                             NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED           IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS
                       ACQUIRED ON                      OPTIONS/SARS AT YEAR-END(#)(1)          AT YEAR-END ($)(2)
                        EXERCISE          VALUE         -----------------------------     -----------------------------
         NAME              (#)         REALIZED ($)     EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE     EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE
- ---------------------- -----------     ------------     -----------     -------------     -----------     -------------
<S>                    <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>
Sam J. Frankino                0                0         129,140               0            633,948               0
Robert J. Bronchetti           0                0          25,300           2,200             75,013           5,925
James E. Smith, Jr.            0                0               0           5,500                  0           4,813
Davida S. Howard               0                0          16,280           9,570             51,658          10,774
Edward T. Anderson             0                0           2,860             330              7,804             889
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
1 Includes options with exercise prices ranging from $5.966 to $10.000.
 
2 Values are calculated using the January 31, 1997, Common Stock closing price
  of $10.875 per share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
                     BOARD'S COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
                           ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The Executive Compensation Committee (the "Committee") is comprised of two
non-employee directors. The Committee regularly reviews the executive
compensation policies and practices of the Company and establishes the salaries
of Executive Officers. The Committee also administers the Company's 1993 Equity
Incentive Plan. Messrs. Noah T. Herndon (Chairman) and Per E. Hoel were
Committee members during fiscal 1997.
 
     The Company's primary objective is to maximize stockholder value. To aid in
accomplishing this goal, the Committee is guided by two principles in
determining executive compensation policies: first, to attract, develop, reward
and retain highly talented individuals; and second, to motivate Executive
Officers to perform to the best of their abilities and to achieve both
short-term and long-term Company objectives that will contribute to the overall
goal of enhancing stockholder value.
 
     The Company's executive compensation program consists of two main elements:
 
     - Annual compensation which is comprised of base salary and bonus; and
 
     - Long-term incentives that provide a financial opportunity through grants
       of restricted stock and other forms of stock-based awards. The
       compensation that may be realized by executives through these incentives
       is tied directly to the value of the Company's Common Stock in the
       future.
 
     The Committee believes that the Company's executive compensation program
reflects the fundamental principles described above and provides strong
incentives to executives to maximize Company performance.
 
     In establishing total compensation, the Committee considers a variety of
measures of historical and projected Company performance. This review includes
such measures as net income, return on equity, sales, and total market value.
This information forms the basis for the Committee's assessment of the overall
performance of its executives and is the cornerstone for establishing their
compensation. The Committee also compares the Company's total compensation
package (and, to the extent possible, the compensation of individual Executive
Officers) with companies of comparable size and stature. The compensation
comparison groups are not necessarily the same peer group companies used in the
stock performance graph included in this proxy statement. In addition,
consideration is given to the specific functional responsibilities of each
executive's position.
 
     Mr. Robert J. Bronchetti served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company
during fiscal 1997. Mr. Bronchetti's base salary was increased in fiscal 1997.
In establishing his level of compensation, the Committee reviewed the Company's
financial and business performance for fiscal 1996. The review was based
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
on all of the performance criteria discussed above. The Committee did not assign
relative weights to each of these criteria but rather made a subjective
determination based on a consideration of all such factors collectively. The
Committee took note of the significant strategic actions initiated by Mr.
Bronchetti to better position the Company to compete in the challenging used car
financing environment.
 
     The Committee also awarded restricted stock to Executive Officers in
amounts ranging from 500 to 10,000 shares, as well as awarding stock options to
select Executive Officers. These awards were based on the individual effort of
each executive based upon the factors listed above.
 
     The Committee is continuing to review the qualifying compensation
regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service which provide that no
deduction is allowed for applicable employee compensation paid by a publicly
held corporation to a covered employee to the extent that compensation paid to
the employee exceeds $1 million for the applicable taxable year, unless certain
conditions are met. Currently, compensation to any employee is not expected to
exceed $1 million and thus should not be affected by the qualifying compensation
regulations.
 
                                            Respectfully submitted,
 
                                            Noah T. Herndon, Chairman
                                            Per E. Hoel
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
                            STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
 
     The graphs provided below compare the Company's cumulative stockholder
return with that of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and the approximately 87
companies which comprise The Dow Jones Financial Index (Peer Group Index). The
periods presented include the five fiscal years commencing January 31, 1992 and
ending January 31, 1997 and the four fiscal years commencing January 31, 1993
and ending January 31, 1997. The Company began the expansion of its financial
services business around January 31, 1993.
 
               COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN(1)(2)
               NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC., S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX
                         AND DOW JONES FINANCIAL INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                 <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>      <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     1/92  1/93   1/94   1/95    1/96     1/97
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC.(3)        100    67    114     95     108      105
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       S&P SMALLCAP 600              100   116    137    125     166      204
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     DOW JONES FINANCIAL             100   129    143    140     213      298
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


                                      8
<PAGE>   11
 
               COMPARISON OF 4-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN(1)(2)
               NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC., S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX
                         AND DOW JONES FINANCIAL INDEX
 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                   <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1/93     1/94     1/95     1/96     1/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC.(3)          100      170      141      161      157
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        S&P SMALLCAP 600                100      118      109      143      177
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      DOW JONES FINANCIAL               100      111      108      165      231
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
1 The above graphs assume an investment of $100 on January 31, 1992 and January
  31, 1993, respectively, including reinvestment of all dividends, and indicate
  the appreciation of or depreciation of each investment over a five year and
  four year period. The historical performance depicted on the graphs is not
  necessarily indicative of future performance.
 
2 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any document filed by
  the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission or elsewhere, these
  graphs shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general
  statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing
  under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates them.
 
3 Index has been adjusted to reflect 10% stock dividend issued April 30, 1996.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
                         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                        BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
The following table sets forth information with respect to the only person known
to the Company to be the beneficial owner, as of April 18, 1997, of more than 5%
of the Company's outstanding Common Stock:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           SHARES OF
                         COMMON STOCK          PERCENT OF
 NAME AND ADDRESS        BENEFICIALLY            CLASS
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER        OWNED(1)(3)         OUTSTANDING
- -------------------    -----------------    ----------------
<S>                    <C>                  <C>
Sam J. Frankino           15,936,152             55.60%
30000 Aurora Road
Solon, Ohio 44139
</TABLE>
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
 
The following information is set forth with respect to shares of the Company's
Common Stock beneficially owned, as of April 18, 1997 by all Directors, the
nominees for election as Directors of the Company, by each of the five most
highly compensated Executive Officers, and by all officers and Directors of the
Company as a group:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   SHARES OF
                                                  COMMON STOCK     PERCENT OF
                                                  BENEFICIALLY       CLASS
                      NAME                           OWNED(2)      OUTSTANDING
- ------------------------------------------------- ------------     ----------
<S>                                               <C>              <C>
Sam J. Frankino..................................  15,936,152(3)      55.60%
Robert J. Bronchetti.............................      52,570(3)          *
James E. Smith, Jr...............................       7,634(3)          *
Davida S. Howard.................................      26,499(3)          *
Edward T. Anderson...............................       9,699(3)          *
J. Hunter Brown..................................         550             *
Noah T. Herndon..................................       4,400             *
Per E. Hoel......................................       2,200             *
All Officers and Directors as a Group (12).......  16,048,504(3)      55.90%
* Less than 1.0%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
1 Mr. Frankino has both voting and investment power with respect to the shares
  listed. Of the shares shown above, 392,616 shares are held by the Samuel J.
  and Connie M. Frankino Charitable Foundation, a qualified charitable
  foundation, as to which Mr. and Mrs. Frankino share voting and investment
  power. Mr. and Mrs. Frankino disclaim any beneficial interest in those shares.
 
2 Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment power
  with respect to the share shown as beneficially owned by such person. With
  respect to Mr. Frankino's beneficial ownership, see note (1) above.
 
3 Includes shares which may be acquired within 60 days pursuant to the Company's
  1983 Stock Option Plan and 1993 Equity Incentive Plan (see Stock Plans on page
  5).
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>              
Mr. Frankino.........................    129,140
Mr. Bronchetti.......................     25,300
Mr. Smith............................          0
Ms. Howard...........................     16,280
Mr. Anderson.........................      2,860
The twelve Executive Officers and
  Directors as a group...............    173,580
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
               COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
 
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
Directors and Executive Officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10%
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
initial ownership and changes in ownership of such equity securities with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a
review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company or written
representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that its
Directors, officers and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all
Section 16(a) filing requirements.
 
                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     Deloitte & Touche LLP has been selected to serve as the independent
auditors of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending January
31, 1998. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders with the opportunity to make a statement
about the Company's financial condition, if they desire to do so, and to respond
to appropriate questions.
 
                             STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSAL
 
     Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the 1998 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to that meeting is advised that the proposal must be received by the
Company at its principal executive offices not later than December 19, 1997. The
Company will not be required to include in its proxy statement or form of proxy
a stockholder proposal which is received after that date or which otherwise
fails to meet requirements for stockholder proposals established by regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     This solicitation of proxies is made by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors. In addition to mailing copies of this statement and the accompanying
notice and form of proxy to all stockholders of record on the Record Date, the
Company will request brokers, custodians, nominees and other fiduciaries to
forward copies of this material to persons for whom they hold shares of Common
Stock of the Company in order that such shares may be voted. Solicitation may
also be made by the Company's officers and regular employees personally or by
mail, telephone or by other electronic means. The cost of the solicitation will
be borne by the Company.
 
     If the accompanying form of proxy is executed and returned, the shares
represented thereby will be voted in accordance with any specifications made by
the stockholder. In the absence of any such specifications, they will be voted
to elect the nominee as set forth under "ELECTION OF DIRECTOR".
 
     The presence of any stockholder at the meeting will not operate to revoke
such person's proxy. A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised,
by a later appointment received by the secretary of the meeting, or by giving
notice of a revocation to the secretary of the meeting in writing or in open
meeting.
 
     If any other matters shall properly come before the meeting, the persons
named in the proxy, or their substitutes, will vote thereon in accordance with
their judgment. The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters which
will be presented for action at the meeting.
 
     By Order of the Board of Directors.
 
                                            DAVID R. POSTERARO
                                            Vice President, General Counsel and
                                            Secretary
 
April 25, 1997
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
/  /
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR" the nominee for election
as Director.

1.   ELECTION OF DIRECTOR     FOR   X        WITHHELD   X

Nominee:  Per E. Hoel

2.   In their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may come before
     the meeting.


                                        Change of Address and
                                        or Comments Mark Here                  X


                                        Note: Please sign as your name appears
                                        hereon. If shares are held jointly, all
                                        holders must sign. When signing as
                                        attorney, executor, administrator,
                                        trustee or guardian, please give your
                                        full title. If a corporation, please 
                                        sign in full corporate name by
                                        president or other authorized officer.
                                        If a partnership, please sign in
                                        partnership name by authorized person.


                                        Date:                         , 1997
                                        ------------------------------

                                        ----------------------------------
                                           Signature(s) of Stockholder(s)

                                        ----------------------------------

                                        Vote must be indicated (X) in Black or
                                        Blue ink.                              X

(Please sign, date and return this proxy in the enclosed postage prepaid
envelope.)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC.

                                     PROXY

          Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the
                 June 12, 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

     The undersigned hereby appoints Noah T. Herndon and J. Hunter Brown, and
each of them with full power of substitution and resubstitution as proxies for
the undersigned to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of National Auto
Credit, Inc., to be held at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven
Drive, Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124, at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Savings
time) on June 12, 1997, and thereat, and at any adjournment thereof, to vote and
act with respect to all shares of Common Stock of the Company which the
undersigned would be entitled to vote, with all the power the undersigned would
possess if present in person, as indicated on the reverse side hereof.

     TO FOLLOW THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATION, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS
PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE.

                 (Continued and to be dated and signed on the reverse side.)
          
                                   NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT, INC.
                                   P.O. BOX 11192
                                   NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0192



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