Here is a 52 Wasp sedan, the unibody with parameter frame will be like the one you are contemplating -- photo bucket link -
http://s294.photobucket.com/user/studebaker2/library/Ruth%20Leaders%2052%20Wasp?sort=3&page=1

I don't have a StepDown but I keep my ears open. The biggest "frame problem" you might encounter will [u]not[/u] be under the door, it will be back around the rear axle, where plenty of salt and mud would collect back in the days when this car was driven year-round. If possible, carefully examine the frame in this area. If it's "Swiss cheese" you probably want to walk away from this car.

All Hudsons are not fated to succumb to frame rot. Just the ones that led a hard life. So, if the Hudson you've seen intrigues you, please know that there are plenty of good, solid restoration candidates out there with little or no rust, and they are not particularly expensive.

If you reached way under to feel that frame rail, you may have been feeling the square-tube front frame member. These two heavy stub frame pieces bolt to the body assembly and extend forward to support the front suspension and everything else forward of the firewall.

Thank You Jon and Kerry. I took a flashlight over to the yard today. The trunk is solid and so is the body, it's just the front half of the floor. I'm going back over and have a look at the rear axle area. Is this a 49? I thought I saw a match online but I noticed it's marked on the windshield as a 51.

I think it's a '51 Hornet due to the long, wide chrome thingie over the trunk handle. But again, I'm a "pre-war" guy so wait for someone more knowledgeable to step in.

Here's the back view of a '48-9 Commodore (the more expensive Hudson). You can see the lack of the wide chrome strip above the trunk handle. Also you can see what the dash would look like in '49. If the car you've been looking for is a '51, it will look different.

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Here is a view of a StepDown coupe with the rear quarter, door and rocker panels removed. This gives you some idea of the frame construction beneath:

[img] [/img]

Side trim and trunk lid handles say it's a '50 Commodore, and the other photo says it's a Commodore Six. A desirable model and body style. Does the dash have quite a bit of cast metal trim on the main face area? If so that cinches it as a '50.

Looks like a 50. 51 would have a bigger rear window.

The first digits of the body serial number will tell the tale:

492 -- 1949 Commodore Six
494 -- 1949 Commodore Eight
502 -- 1950 Commodore Six
504 -- 1950 Commodore Eight
6A -- 1951 Commodore Six
7A -- 1951 Hornet Six
8A -- 1951 Commodore Eight

StepDown Guys, where does he look for the number plate -- on the driver's side door front post, as in the pre-war cars?

Serial number plate will be on the top door hinge of the right hand passenger door opening

Looks like a 1950 Commodore, just like mine.

Going. Out for more pics this afternoon.
Steve

The Yard is only open Thursday-Saturday so my Son and I didn't get back in till today. The owner was kind enough to pick the car up with his forklift so we could get a good look underneath. The only rotten part we could find is the floor pan area around the passenger door. I went around and whacked on the unibody frame members and they all seemed nice and solid. We couldn't find any rot around the rear axle. Here are some pics. I hope they are helpful.
Thanks
Steve

More Pics

Are repro floor pans available?
Steve