Try contacting Doug Wildrick (Wildrick restorations) they might have them. The gas tank design may have changed when they moved the spare tire from the horizontal to vertical in 53' or 54'.

The difference in the '54 tank is the smaller diameter fuel inlet, otherwise the shape of the tank is the same as the '48 thru '53

This was a duplicate post, I know it, have tried to delete it, but to no avail. It would seem to me there should be a way for us to delete these posts that somehow get submitted in duplicate

Thanks guys. Doing some research and haven't come up with anything yet. I thought it was just something small like the filler neck.

Bill

I might have a decent used one sitting around. Next time you and Chris stop by, remind me to look.

Don

Thanks Don....we'll do.

From the title of this topic I was hopeful that someone had actually taken the initiative to have step down gas tanks reproduced. With the "newest" stepdowns practically 60 years old, every stepdown out there could use a new gas tank. It would seem like a golden opportunity for one or more of the "pro" parts vendors to look into

Steve,

The only problem is a Hudson is not a mustang or chevelle. Relatively, there are few Hudsons compared to more common makes,so little can be made from the investment of making these fuel tanks, especially if enough suitable tanks can still be found with a little searching. You need volume to make money on these things or they are so expensive to produce that few people will buy them. Sad fact for those of us that want to restore our cars with the best parts available. Fortunately, the Hudson cars were built very well using good methods and materials so they tend to last a long time.

The issue, IMO, is not the amount of production but the lack of desire of any HET parts suppliers.That is the ones that have National/International markets. Cadillac for 1950-1953 production figures were less then 400,000 but the gas tanks for all of those models are available as a repro for $380 on Ebay. I bought one for my 1950 Cadillac... good quality. Hudson built over 600,000 stepdowns that take the same tank. So,... what? Ricks tanks in El Paso was producing stepdown tanks ( and I think 46-47s) in stainless. Cost I remember as $650. For $400 I would buy one in a minute, even if I don't need one now. Would any one else? That is the other issue.

Cadillac is a strong brand still selling cars; Hudson has been gone for over 50 years. Cadillac was always a luxury make car (ok, hide the Cimarron in the closet). There's a big difference in the following of the two different marques and that is why people don't produce more items for Hudson. Not because there were fewer Cadillacs made in 1950 (Cadillac overtook Hudson production for 1952). Another aspect is the following list of CCCA recognized classics. Bigger following, bigger money involved, more companies willing to produce reproduction parts because they know they can find customers that will pay the cost, and even old car enthusiasts might want to buy a new Cadillac (can't do that with Hudson, even if you wanted to).

I wish, like you, that there were more parts available, but within the Hudson community, the sad fact is that most of those folks that that supply new reproduction or used parts do so completely out of their own hard work and interest in helping club members. Basically they make little money at it. When they go, a good portion of their stock gets disposed of; has happened a number of times in the past few years.

How to get better appreciation and recognition for the Hudson car? Go to events other than just Hudson Club meets. I know that is probably not looked kindly on in this forum, but the members/owners of Hudson already know what great cars they are, but unless we get them out in a broader contact with the public, not many others will know. Park a 1952 Hudson Hornet Next to a 1952 Cadillac Series 62, and you'll see why Hudson lost that race (no V8 and old styling). Likewise, park a 1933 Hudson/Terraplane next to a 1933 Cadillac, and you'll see why Hudson sold about 8 times more autos than Cadillac -- lots of contemporary style and great performance at modest cost). Much greater value for the dollar for a nation during the Great Depression.

Cadillac
All 12’s and 16’s
All V-63 from 1923
1925-1935 - All
1936-1948 - All 63, 65, 67, 70, 72, 75, 80,
85, 90 Series
1938-1947 - 60 Special
1940-1947 - All 62 Series

Hudson
1929-Series L

Edit: posted in error

Richard, that is AWESOME!

Tim, based on the survival rate of the two brands being pretty close, about 1%, the parts market for the remaining cars should be close. Yes, I agree that Caddy has a more recognizable brand, but that does not reduce the potential sales of gas tanks that need to be sold to owners of VERY obsolete transportation machines. Simply put 1% of 600000 Hudsons is a potential market of 6000 gas tanks. Good talkin' with you.

Dale Cooper is supposed to be working with a company to get the step down gas tanks remade. All the tanks are the same with the exception of the filler neck on the '54. Hopefully Coop can announce some progress on this soon as this is an item which EVERY Hudson out there is in need of.