Rob,
I agree with your opinion of the appearance. Properly installed, they add a bit of a nasty, aggressive element to the already great styling of the S/Ds. It's all in the angle. I see some tilted back which doesn't work for me.
I have one on our Hornet Coupe and have never heard any wind noise attributable to it, in fact, we can drive at 60, windows open, and carry on a conversation at ordinary voice levels......maybe that's 'cause we yell at each other anyway. I've always found that to be very interesting and wonder if it's by design or just a positive unintentional trait.
I have a look at mountings occasionally since there may be a bit of movement from wind at higher speeds (esp in a strong headwind, of course) but have never seen any evidence of impending doom. I have replaced the original 1/4-28 drip-rail set-screws with stainless steel copies but that's just a personal preference I changed out the other fasteners with SS as well.
If I were to cite a downside, it would be the obstruction of overhead traffic lights while stopped at a red one. Get used to stopping a car length back so you can see when it turns green or add a dash-mounted traffic light "finder" so you don't get honked at.
Turn up your sound and you can hear my wife screaming in that photo, "we're going too fast!" Not possible......

Frank

Several years ago one of our local HET members got onto the Capital Beltway (Washington DC area) and opened it up to see how fast his '48 S6 would go. Somewhere north of 90 MPH there was a strange sound, and suddenly sun poured into the windshield. Milt's exterior sun visor had blown off!

They are a little noisy, and you may have to stick your head out the window to see the light, but it really compliments the body style. It wiggles a little when you meet a big truck, but it's still on after 10K miles.

I have one on my 53 coupe for 143,000 miles so far, 17 trips ocean to ocean and over 100 MPH at times and have never touched it. You must have the correct angle and space between it and roof for air to escape. I starting installing the visors in the 50's in my business and learned from customers, an adjustment here and there. One secret is to put an aluminum strip 1/4 inch wide and 4 inches long in the rain gutter to tighten the screws against. Walt.

Walt here, forgot to mention, you must have a traffic light finder. Hudson made it easy to install, lay on the floor on the drivers side and look up with a light and you will see a 1/4 inch hole in the dash about 4 inches from the end, just run an ice pick up through it and you now have the correct place for the traffic light finder.

[quote="Walt and Margaret Mordenti" post=10041]Walt here, forgot to mention, you must have a traffic light finder. Hudson made it easy to install, lay on the floor on the drivers side and look up with a light and you will see a 1/4 inch hole in the dash about 4 inches from the end, just run an ice pick up through it and you now have the correct place for the traffic light finder.

Walt, I think 1952 was first year the hole was predrilled in dash, correct me if I am wrong.
( Original traffic finder had template that showed where to drill, but you need offset drill.).

Would anyone have that template that could post it?

I've driven as fast as 85 by speedometer but probably around 77 real speed because of speedometer error. At 75 I'm really going 67 according to my speedo error chart from North Hollywood Speedometer. I believe that is a close speed error approximation on most stepdown speedometers. Have not had a problem with sun visor. I do not have a view finder so it is more challenging to see the red light with visor. Wind noise and wind buffeting against side of head with windows open is greater on 4drs because the door pillar will be right at your head whereas the coupe pillar will be further back because of longer doors. Opening wind wings help control that somewhat. I suppose conversation will depend on how good your hearing is and how fast you dive.

Lee O'Dell

[quote="Paul Batson" post=10043]Would anyone have that template that could post it?

If no one comes up with one, I will be back in PA next week and will look for it.

Thank you all for the tips, and for sharing your experiences! 🙂

It sounds like there isn't much to be concerned about as long as it is correctly installed and I get a traffic light finder.
That is good news, because if the car I buy doesn't have one, I want to install one.
I'm guessing E bay is the best bet for finding a visor?
What is the average going rate for one?
Are there Hudson specific visors, or will the universal ones work?

Rob

I have an after-market fiberglass one; have no idea where it came from, but that means they were{are} out there.
Love it; just makes the unusual car I have MORE unusual. And watching it 'vibrate @ speed' adds to my EUPHORIA !!!!!

The traffic light finder were original for Chevy's, then Hudson had them made for Hudson's and started in the 1950 model. 48 and 49 you had to drill the hole and it was a job as the drill would walk and ruin the dash top. The windshield was close to where you had to drill. Walt.

Rob,I just bought my first Hudson's out of 80 some vehicles in my past, fell in love and haven't even heard them run yet.I have some real good before and after pictures to make comparison with and without the visor in the gallery,on my '53.I think it turned it into a different car,making her scream 1953 even louder than my weird pink and blue,mixed up interior!! I am going to add the headlight visors to finish her off. When i'm able to take them for a cruise,who cares about fuel mileage! They can't be as bad as my '72 Riviera that gets around 8 to 10 miles to a gallon,of course the four barrel is too much fun in that one.And also,the '53 is one car I would rather have a four door,they are so much wilder looking.Good luck in finding one,keep my info,I have lots of parts. I think you should tell the story of your album cover,I love it!

Hi Dan,

Thanks for sharing your excitement! 🙂

I'm sure it won't be long before there is one in my driveway too! B)

Which picture do you mean?
The motorcycle in my album here, or the old car picture on my Web page?

Rob