Also....I think I posted this to the wrong forum 🙁 Any chance a Moderator could move to the Hudson topic or wherever it's felt to be most pertinent? Regardless, thanks!

[quote="Jeffrey DiOrio" post=6620]Also....I think I posted this to the wrong forum 🙁 Any chance a Moderator could move to the Hudson topic or wherever it's felt to be most pertinent? Regardless, thanks!
Done.

You might also look at http://forum.hetclub.org/ as well -

Look at 'library' and you have the first step done--wife's approval-----kudos

Welcome to the H-E-T Forum! And Rick's suggestion is a good one: go over to the Hudson Open Forum and join that too. Both are administered by the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club, which you might want to join if you're serious about someday owning a Hudson. (You'll see a link to Membership at the top of this page.)

Let's face it: if you buy a Hudson you are NOT going to be able to go on the internet, go to one website like Mac's, browse amongst thousands of Hudson parts, click on your choice of parts, and get a brand new fender delivered in three days. Hudsons are not '57 Chevies or '29 Model-A's. While most of the engine/drive train parts are available, you'll have difficulty finding new body parts.

What you WILL find is a friendly and helpful (by necessity!) network of owners who will offer you assistance, as well as a number of (mostly home-based) producers and vendors of Hudson parts. Most of these vendors specialize in one type of part: engine parts, gaskets, clutches, rubber repro's, plastic repro's, and so on. There's no Mac's. However, our club magazine is a clearinghouse of information on technical topics and where to find parts. And this club website continues to expand its services, now offering downloadable manuals and sales literature. But the best resources are the members themselves, especially those who own car models such as the one you will have. Unlike more popular marques, where you can get parts and advice quickly from a central source, Hudsons require you to rely on fellow owners. And that creates friendships, in a way that shopping off the internet does not.

My advice would be to join the Club, at least for a year, so you can learn more about Hudsons through the magazine, AND to attend a chapter or regional Club meet (sorry, the 2014 National meet's now history!). At a meet you can talk to the actual owners about the good and bad points of the cars, and what to look for / avoid when shopping for individual cars. You can see the cars up close, and (probably) get to ride in one that's similar to what you want to buy. There's a calendar of meets here at this website, but there are lots of meets that never make it to the calendar. So, click on "Chapters" at the top of the page and find out the nearest one. Contact their listed representative and find out when their next meet is.

Attending a meet in person is a simple way to sample the cars and learn about what it's like to own one, and in an enjoyable way.

Thanks so much! I'm definitely looking forward to getting more and more immersed in the Hudson community!

Yea, I figured there was no Mac's equivalent for Hudson. Was kinda' hoping for maybe even a Kanter's type shop (they specialize in Packards), but oh well.

Anyone know of some good books on Hudsons an Hudson history? I'm waiting for the Langworth book on '46-'57 Hudsons to come into my library, but other than that I haven't found too many. I remember reading a good book a few years ago on AMC history which had good Nash and Hudson sections, but I can't remember the name anymore.

I can't think of any definitive history books on the StepDown era of Hudson, at the moment.

In the early 1970's Automobile Quarterly had an issue that included an article on Hudsons, with an overall history of the marque and contemporary (1970's that is) photos of nice examples of these cars from all eras. I spotted one on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTOMOBILE-QUARTERLY-AQ-Vol-9-4-Mudolo-Hudson-Datsun-240Z-/190840774562

This Automobile Quarterly has a short (less than 10 pages) article on the StepDown: http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTOMOBILE-QUARTERLY-VOL-34-No-3-1995-Like-New-Beauty-Private-Collection-/201135531783?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item2ed49ca707

Don Butler's "History of Hudson" has hundreds of factory photos of Hudsons, again from all eras. For some reason every book I've seen on sale, seems to be overpriced, just because the book is out of print. You should be able to search around and find one for less than $20 if you try.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-History-of-Hudson-Automobiles-by-Don-Butler-1982-Auto-/351152002993?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item51c24a57b1

Frankly, I think you can glean a good history of the era you're interested in, by simply Googling it. The StepDown story begins during World War II, as the car began to take shape, so that period is where you'll want to start your investigations. Here for example is an interview with Robert Andrews, considered to be the chief designer of the StepDown: http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Andrews_interview.htm . There is a lot of stuff out there if you're willing to poke around!

Jeffrey,
Hudson Automobiles by Patrick R. Foster
Hemmings Motor News Book of Hudsons
Total Domination by Jack C. Miller (a must have book)

Also found this list by the Southern California Chapter--
http://socalhet.org/

Welcome aboard Jeff - in addition to the H-E-T club library run by John O'Halloran we also have an online library (see link below) that will give you all sorts of material (shop manuals, some sales stuff, etc). I have a copy of Hudson automobiles by Patrick R. Foster that is a history of Hudson that I'll be happy for you to have for postage. (I'm thinning out the books.) Drop me an email at NEChudsontech09@yahoo.com (drop the NEC).

Y'all take care - and by all means join our happy bunch of Hudson lovers as soon as you can. Our bi-monthly magazine, the White Triangle News will help you find that Hudson you are looking for. H-E-T is more than a car club - it is a family that loves Hudsons. As our unofficial logo says "Come for the cars - stay for the people." I came and I've stayed - for 45 years!!!

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr

When I talk to folks about getting an old car I have just a few recommendations. You have already shown an interest in Hudson's and given us a range of car you like (basically a Hudson Step Down). The better part of your research is now behind you. I really do think the next step you want to take is to join a local and the National organization. There are quite a few folks around you that have Hudson's. We are not that visible because we drive a different type of car than most other folks. I have been at this for a lot of years and after moving thru most other brands I now only own Hudson's. I think everyone should have three cars, and one should be a stepdown. By joining a local group you can see what a tight family we are. But, for some reason our main goal is to get our cars on the road and to help other Hudson folks do the same. Parts are available, and once you get to know a few folks, it is a simple process of contacts to get what you need for your car. I have found really rare parts with one or two phone calls. Next year our National Meet is in Colorado--a simple drive for any member. This is a must meet to visit. Often there will be from 150 to 200 Hudson's. Most owners will give you a ride, an education, and a lot of encouragement about their car. I often suggest that someone starting out wait a year or so before they get a car. It takes that long to make up your mind on what you want. That is also the best way to find the right car at the right price for you. Good luck in a new and exciting adventure and also thank your wife for starting you on this great quest.

As I read and learn more and more about Hudson (just finished Mr. Langworth's book!) , here's a question for the group that I'd really appreciate some insight on: from a parts availability standpoint, is there a particular Year/Model/Engine that is easier to service than others in the 1948-1953 timeframe?

I'm probably most interested in getting into a '51-'53 Hornet (so that'd be a 308 I6, right?). But that having been said, I'm not against the idea of any Year/Model/Engine in that '48-'53 timeframe, particularly if there's some advantages to them that I simply don't know about right now.

Being a Ford guy (but Hudson now too!! :cheer: )the parts availability thing is still something that's on my mind, so if the word is "hey, Hornets are great but a lot more difficult than XYZ to find parts for, that would be a factor for me. Even for my '55 Fairlane, I just paid a ridiculous price for a chrome piece...just about the only piece that's not currently being reproduced for that car, so it's fresh in my mind!

Maybe it's 6 of one/half dozen of the other between all of them?

Thanks again!

Jeffrey,

One general preference you may have is transmission. Do you prefer manual or automatic? Hudson did not have a real automatic up through 1950. Starting in 1951, hydramatic (a four gear transmission) was offered as their automatic. Standard shift was available with or without overdrive throughout the step-down years.

Per

I'm fine either way (both my Daily Driver and Fairlane are both manual), however since I want to make sure that my wife is comfortable enough to drive her as well, I think I'm going to have to go with an automatic. With some luck a decent-enough number of '51-'53s were equipped that way to make them (relatively) plentiful.

She knows how to drive standard, but try as I might she's never gotten comfortable with it. Given that she's the angel who said we needed a Hudson, I figure this is the least I can do!

Jeffrey,

Fortunately there are a good number of automatic shift '51 to '53 Hornets. Also, with the same nice trim level, automatic shift, and wheelbase is the '51 & 52 Commodore 6, with 262 cubic inches, and the '51 and'52 Commodore 8 with 254 cubic inches.

What area of the country are you in? That determines whether you are more likely to be dealing with faded paint or rust holes!

My first Hudson was a '51 Hornet automatic 4 door sedan, which I enjoyed very much.

I've had my present car, a '35 Hudson 8, also a 4 door sedan, for many years.

Per

Hi Jeff,
I'm also a Ford guy, but let me tell you that you won't find a better club then the Hudson club anywhere!!! I never owned a Hudson before in my life and I have some cars, but never came close to a Hudson until Three years ago. These are great cars and the people you will meet are the best. No ego's here. Yes body parts are tough to find but most engine and drive train parts are around. You need to buy a Hudson and join in the fun.
Terry.