New member looking for advice

Anonymous · 2015-03-20T09:04:19Z

Hi, I’m a new member who has fallen in love with the step down Hudson’s! I’ve been an old car guy since age 10, when I spent my idle time playing in the old cars at a local junkyard. Bought my first, a 49 Chevy at 14, and have owned 30 plus since then. We just sold a 1928 Ford roadster that we had enjoyed for the last 11 years. We bought a 1960 Nash Metropolitan convertible as a temporary old car while I searched for a long, low business coupe. My wife and I enjoy long distance touring in old cars, and also camping. We have a woody camper that we pulled behind the Roadster, and want to continue the touring and camping trips with a bigger, more capable car. I’ve always owned stock original cars. Nothing against street rods and the like, but driving and experiencing cars as they came from the factory (back in another time) is a large part of the thrill and enjoyment for me. People were amazed that we pulled the 2400 pound trailer with a stock Model A, but it did just fine, and was a blast! We were very close to being empty nesters, and then our youngest had two children… We look after the boys, now 3 and 4, about half the time. They both love going for rides in the old car. So, the dream of a three passenger coupe is no longer practical… Then while searching, I found the low, long look of the step downs, and realized I could still have my dream and have a backseat for the boys. I’m excited now! B) I’ve been searching the Internet want ads trying to get a feel for what is out there, and for what price. I’ve also been reading the posts here on the boards trying to educate myself. I’m writing this post to ask for help from those of you who are experienced Hudson veterans. As with most old cars for sale, it appears most step down Hudson’s in the price range I can afford (max. $20,000) are “all original” with new or shiny paint that are priced higher than common sense says they should be? Most appear to need everything, such as front end work, engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, interior, etc. Most seem priced around $18,000-$20,000 Then there are older restored cars in the $25,000-$30,000 range. It would take a lot more than ten thousand dollars to bring one of the lesser cars up to that level of restored? Can you help me with what to look for/or avoid, and what I should pay? My want list is decent paint (love yellow!) decent interior, no rust, automatic (preferred, but 3 speed with O/D is ok too) if not older restored, at least well maintained, as in tight front end, good drive train, etc, capable of 500 mile trips. [strike]A 4 door is good[/strike], as it looks longer (to me) and I like the extra window! :) Tried a 4 door but need more window room, so shooting for a coupe! Our wish it to be able to drive the car 65-70 mph on tours, and a bit slower of course with the trailer in tow. I can go up to $20,000, but would rather stay just a little under that as there is always “something” that needs attention… I’m okay with doing minor repairs, but at my age I’d rather enjoy driving instead of lying under it… What do you think, is the wish list in the same range as the budget? Thank you! Rob Urbana Illinois PS. here is bit about me, and my passions;

Tallent R

(@tallent-r)

Posts: 1825

Noble Member Registered

All 1948-54 Hudsons are StepDowns, basically the same body. Except for the Jets of course, which are completely different.

One of your neighboring chapters is the Chicago-Milwaukee, you might check out the calendar at their website for upcoming meets near you: [url= http://www.cmhetclub.com ]http://www.cmhetclub.com[/url]. They have a 4/19 meet in Willowbrook and a 6/6 meet in Peoria.

The other nearby chapter is the Gateway chapter (out of St. Louis) but they don't seem to have a website.

The Southern Indiana Chapter is another neighboring chapter near you. They have a 4/25 meet in Shelbyville and several others through the year -- check this webpage for those and other chapters' meets (drop-down "CLUB" / Events / Chapter" at the top of the screen).

Posted : 20/03/2015 1:45 pm

Rob Hesselmann

(@Rob Hesselmann)

Posts: 0

Topic starter

Thank you Jon!

I contacted Larry Kennedy last night, and he has invited me over to look at his cars! [img] [/img] (I'm excited!)

I think that will help me a lot with understanding the different body styles.
Thanks for the meet info, several of them are pretty close.

Rob

Posted : 20/03/2015 11:36 pm

aminard

(@aminard)

Posts: 155

Estimable Member Registered

Rob - Here is another one in the midwest to consider:
Hello All,

Selling my 52 Hornet sdn. Starts, runs, drives, and stops. 83,000 miles. Rust free.
Needs cosmetics but can be enjoyed as is. This car was originally from Florida (Nichols Bros.
Tampa) Brought to PA in 1962. Placed in storage from 1965 to 97 at old Pittsburgh Hudson
dealer (Glassport Central) Owned since 97. garage kept. Relocation forces sale. Guys here
valued it between 4000 and 6000. Looking for 5000. Like to see it go to a Hudson enthusiast.

brnhornet52@yahoo.com
412-829-1877

Posted : 21/03/2015 3:48 am

Holden

(@holden)

Posts: 478

Honorable Member Registered

Did someone post a link? I don't see anything. 🙁

Posted : 21/03/2015 4:15 am

Skag

(@skag)

Posts: 253

Reputable Member Registered

I'm going to try to post a picture or two. Not trying to influence Rob, but this is my favorite body style and color. for stepdowns
This of course is a 49 two door sedan. Unlike the coupe that seems to have a turret top to me. Cornish cream or GM Butternut.

Posted : 21/03/2015 8:00 am

Rob Hesselmann

(@Rob Hesselmann)

Posts: 0

Topic starter

David,

I like the cream color!

The lines are nice too, but so far I'm kind of stuck on the 4 door look, with the three windows on the side.
It makes it look so long and low!

Thank you for sharing the pictures, is that a car you are redoing?

Rob

Posted : 21/03/2015 10:23 am

Rob Hesselmann

(@Rob Hesselmann)

Posts: 0

Topic starter

Jerry,

Thank you for the info about the car for sale!

Rob

Posted : 21/03/2015 10:25 am

Skag

(@skag)

Posts: 253

Reputable Member Registered

Rob,
Yes it's a 49 Super 6 two door I rescued. Had been in the clutches of three "Wanna be rodders". All they knew was take it off and throw it away..! By the time I got it, it was barely recognizable as a Hudson. It even had a 1949-50 Mercury two piece grille in the trunk! It was a rolling hulk, missing everything! I later found out that the car had been wrecked. Hit in the drivers cowl section. I had to section the cowl and replace the left front fender and door. Found a 262 and a HydraMatic, Rebuilt both of them. As some would call it "Clabbered Up" but since it was junk, I used what I could find. So far 18 states have made contributions. This is a great group of enthusiast! The help never ends. I found a 51 Hornet four door that contributed the cowl section and the steering column with the HydraMatic shift stuff along with the back seat. The front seat, motor mounts and battery carrier came from a Pacemaker parts car Chris (cpr333)I donated. and all 5 wheels came from Lance in Concord N.C.
It's been about three years of part time work It will have a 52-2 rear bumper, 51-3 door handles, 51 hub caps . differential gears from Texas.. I could go on and on....By.the way. it is exactly the same car as a four door with the exception of the doors. The roof and rear deck are the same . Same leg room but a little harder to get in and out of the back seat. Less parts too!
Here are some pics of the cowl replacement

By

Posted : 21/03/2015 12:44 pm

Skag

(@skag)

Posts: 253

Reputable Member Registered

They were not sideways when I posted them!

Posted : 21/03/2015 12:46 pm

Rob Hesselmann

(@Rob Hesselmann)

Posts: 0

Topic starter

David,

You're quite a craftsman!

Takes a lot of patience to think through such a project, and make a pile of parts into something useable!

Rob

Posted : 21/03/2015 12:53 pm

Skag

(@skag)

Posts: 253

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Craftsman? NOT.. I didn't get the Title of "Bondo Bandit" for nuthin!!

Posted : 21/03/2015 1:01 pm

mikew16165

(@mikew16165)

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That cream colour is familiar - very similar to my '50 Pacemaker

Posted : 21/03/2015 3:25 pm

dlm31

(@dlm31)

Posts: 960

Noble Member Registered

Rob, our annual Southern Indiana chapter meet is at our shop in Shelbyville, IN. on Saturday, April 25th. It is usually well attended by people from all over the midwest and sometimes Canada ! . We would enjoy having you. It is also not too far from Larry Kennedy's place. Check us out on the web, we restore Hudsons full-time, have parts and all the rubber products you'll need as well. We hope you can attend! www.wildrickrestoration.com

[quote="Jon Battle" post=9752]All 1948-54 Hudsons are StepDowns, basically the same body. Except for the Jets of course, which are completely different.

One of your neighboring chapters is the Chicago-Milwaukee, you might check out the calendar at their website for upcoming meets near you: [url= http://www.cmhetclub.com ]http://www.cmhetclub.com[/url]. They have a 4/19 meet in Willowbrook and a 6/6 meet in Peoria.

The other nearby chapter is the Gateway chapter (out of St. Louis) but they don't seem to have a website.

The Southern Indiana Chapter is another neighboring chapter near you. They have a 4/25 meet in Shelbyville and several others through the year -- check this webpage for those and other chapters' meets (drop-down "CLUB" / Events / Chapter" at the top of the screen).

Posted : 21/03/2015 6:56 pm

Rob Hesselmann

(@Rob Hesselmann)

Posts: 0

Topic starter

Doug,

Thank you for the invitation, I will plan to attend.

Rob

Posted : 22/03/2015 12:48 am

HudBob

(@hudbob)

Posts: 117

Estimable Member Registered

Rob, you said...
[i]The lines are nice too, but so far I'm kind of stuck on the 4 door look, with the three windows on the side.
It makes it look so long and low![/i]

I couldn't agree more! I added the sun visor to make it look lower, and the continental kit to make it longer

Posted : 24/03/2015 7:44 am

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