I'm not sure about the StepDown books (as opposed to general "Hudson" histories), but you could search the on-line Library for sales literature. Also, try googling "Step-Down", you may find some hitherto-undiscovered websites devoted to Step-Downs. Also, you could check our "links" page, which is the drop-down menu under "Club" at the top of this page; I honestly don't recall if we link any Step-Down histories but you might find one.

As to the breakdown on automatic transmissions, I can almost guarantee that no such statistics exist. All we have left, is yearly (and in some cases monthly) production figures for Hudsons. There might be a breakdown for models as well. But I seriously doubt there'd be one for such things as transmission types, body styles, and so forth. Sadly, all that stuff went into dumpsters when the Hudson plant closed down and -- if not for the efforts of one devoted employee -- we'd be left with virtually no documentation from the factory.

Out of interest Jon and apologies if you've mentioned this elsewhere but who was that person?

Rob - Judging from our sales of '52 & '53 models (in a small rural community of Ohio), I'd guess that nearly 70% of our deliveries had the HydraMatic transmission.
As to books, "American Motors Family Albums", Don Butler's "History of Hudson" and "The Postwar Years of Hudson" by Richard Langworth are great bets. You may be able to find copies on ebay, or from Amazon as these are all out of print.
I noticed one of Don Butler's 'History of Hudson" on ebay the other night for $ 35.00 plus $ 6.00 shipping.

John A. Conde. retired public relations executive of AMC

Thanks Jerry. I have heard that name before but not in that context so something new learned today!

And Mr. Conde wasn't even a Hudson employee, but from the Nash side. Nash, then AMC public affairs director, as I recall.

Hello,

I would second Richard Langworth's [u]Hudson: The Postwar Years[/u], and add two others. [u]Hudson Performance Portfolio 1946-1957[/u] (published by Brooklands Books) contains reprints of period articles on Hudsons from 1945-1957. [u]The Hemmings Motor News Book of Hudsons[/u] contains driveReports from Special Interest Autos magazine, including a couple on Stepdowns.

Take care,

Steve Bryson

Thank you all for the suggestions. 🙂
I'll look these books up when I get home tonight.
I'm interested in the number of automatics as I'm trying to judge the chances of my finding a nice car with an automatic.
Thus far about one in ten has been auto, with the majority being stick.

Rob

Rob, I would think that the majority, but not by much would be autos. That was a hot new trend at the time. You have to remember, that Hudsons didn't have a fully automatic tranny until '51, and even then it was the most expensive option you could add at something like $185, which was huge for early '50's. As time went on, '52, into '53, I would think that the numbers percentage-wise of auto-equipped stepdowns grew.

Thank you Russ,

If the percentages are more or less even, perhaps the reason I'm seeing a lot more standards on the 52-53's is because the modern Hudson owners are hanging on the their automatics as they age...

It is one of the reason's I am trying to find one. Currently, shifting and clutching are a non issue; it is something I've done all my life with cars and semi's. However, when I'm out enjoying a cruise, having an automatic ads to the pleasure, and as I get older, it will simply be easier. 😉

Rob

Rob - You having never driven a Hudson std. trans, you would be amazed at how easily they shift. The torque of the engine as well as the Hudson cork faced clutch disc with the "Hudsonite" lubrication simply makes it an easy drive (this remark from a guy who's favorite Hudson is a '54 Hiornet w/Hydramatic ! ! ! However, my second favorite is the '33 Terraplane Coach, and this car will go around a street corner in high gear and walk right on down the street - no hesitation, it just goes on about it's business of getting me wherever I want to go !

Hi Jerry,

I hear you. Having a clutch and smoothly running through the gears is a lot of fun and I haven't totally discounted cars thus equipped.
If my dream car with the perfect paint color, and amenities popped up, but had a clutch, I would probably buy it... 😉

Rob

Hi Rob,

I remembered a question you were asking about highway driving with the window down and how bad the wind might be. I had to remind myself what it is like so on my way to the chapter meeting last week, 50 miles away up to 85 MPH, I left the window down and I didn''t feel any wind at all blowing on me. Mine is a 52 4dr Hornet.

One more plus for the Hornet. Hope you find one. Try to make it to Colorado Spring Aug. 11th - 15th for the 56th International HET Meet. Usually see Hudson's for sale that have not been advertised.

Lee O'Dell

Lee,

Thank you for the test results!

I'm sure I'll find one, the big question is how long it will take...
Colorado does sound fun, and you're right; probably a good place to buy a car too! 🙂

Rob