Welcome to the world of Hudsons! As for the hood latch, check under the dash for the "T" handle hood release. Pull it. Now go back around to the front of the car and pull the hood release lever toward you. Lift up on the hood. It should come right up. If you are looking for new gas tanks don't bother. If your old one can be repaired-do it. There is a place called Tanks which repops gas tanks .They may be doing stepdowns by now I don't know. Have fun :).

Welcome, and congratulations on your new purchase! You didn't mention whether you're acquainted with Hudsons at all, so I'll assume you are not. There are a lot of Hudson people out there who will be more than happy to offer their help and advice. By the way, what part of the country (if indeed you're in the U.S.) are you in? It would behoove you to look up local Hudsonites, they can be a definite asset when you need help or parts. And as you may already know, there are more than 40 local chapters of the H-E-T Club, so it would make sense to get in touch with the nearest one to find out their meet schedule.

Don't panic, everything you've described, sounds fairly fixable.

[b]The hood release:[/b] did you try Lance's suggestion, and the hood still didn't pop? If the release handle just keeps coming out of the dashboard, it means the cable has come unhooked from the latch. Although I do not own a "newer" Hudson like yours, I am sure there is a way to get your hand through the grille and to reach up under the latch, and coax it to open. Someone can tell you exactly how -- if indeed that is your problem.

[b]The gas tank[/b] leak could caused by something other than a rusted gas tank. It could be happening at the filler pipe, at the connection of where the line enters the tank, or at the gas sender. Maybe just a question of replacing a gasket. Worst case: the tank is rusted, in which case you can find your local branch office of Gas Tank Renu (or there may be another company in your area). Be prepared to pay about $350 to have the tank opened up, cleaned and sealed inside and out, and then the rust removed and new metal welded on. And yes, there is a company now making brand new tanks, but at $600 apiece (or so I heard) you would do better having the old one repaired.

[b]Gears grind when clutch depressed:[/b] could be a clutch problem or maybe just an adjustment. But the first thing to do is check your Hudsonite. (You do know about Hudsonite....right?) You might try draining the clutch and installing the appropriate amount of clutch compound and see if the thing straightens out. If the car has been sitting, the clutch disk may have become "welded" to the flywheel if the car sat for a long time. In that case you may have to pour a solvent into the clutch, let it soak into the corks, and "work" the clutch to gradually free it up. But just try draining and replacing the clutch oil first. You can get the real deal (Hudsonite) from the Club Store or Doug Wildrick *who actually brews it up), or in a pinch I understand ATF of a particular type, will work.

Thank you Lance. Hood is now open so I can see my starter that doesn't engage. One step at a time. Haa!

Thanks Jon. I am in eastern Ohio, and this is my first Hudson. I love the thing. I have driven it, and once running, it drives and shifts great. The seller gave me a small bottle of clutch stuff. And said the starter bendix was bad. The starter looks like there's something strange to me, sticking out of it at right angles?

Are there "how to" youtube videos out there for these Commodores?

Welcome to Hudson John! That is a fine looking car you have there. As has been stated there are lots of Hudson people that are willing to give you advice and lend a hand or supply parts. Your gonna want to get to know Doug WIldrick. He is on this forum and he owns Wildrick Restorations and is a Hudson specialist. http://wildrickrestorations.com/ is the web address and he has lots of parts as well. reproduction a new. He has also done a couple of how to videos on you tube. Best of luck with you car and may you have many happy miles of driving ahead!

If you're in eastern Ohio you're in Western Reserve Chapter territory. They are one of the most active chapters in the Club and you'd do well to make contact with them at one of their upcoming meets -- even if you don't join. (It's generally only $10-15 to join a chapter, though you must first be a member of the H-E-T Club.) Tom Gleydura is the newsletter edtior -- you could e-mail him to ask about upcoming Hudson meets in your area: [url=xxxtkgleydura@yahoo.com]xxxtkgleydura@yahoo.com[/url] (remove the xxx before sending).

By the way, if you are a full member of this forum (and if you're an HET member you do have full privileges) you can roam the online library and download anything there, which includes a number of manuals. click on LIBRARY above, to see what's available.

Vic, we are planning on doing a "Barn find" video during the Crank-up meet- Saturday, April 27th. in a few weeks. We plan to go over the car , a '53 Super Wasp cpe. that has been sitting for numerous years. We are also going to video how to "servicing your Hudson clutch", to be performed on Mike Sheridan's beautiful '51 Pacemaker sedan. This should be a lot of fun! We will be doing Q&A during the video's.

[quote="Victor Valdez" post=24198]Welcome to Hudson John! That is a fine looking car you have there. As has been stated there are lots of Hudson people that are willing to give you advice and lend a hand or supply parts. Your gonna want to get to know Doug WIldrick. He is on this forum and he owns Wildrick Restorations and is a Hudson specialist. http://wildrickrestorations.com/ is the web address and he has lots of parts as well. reproduction a new. He has also done a couple of how to videos on you tube. Best of luck with you car and may you have many happy miles of driving ahead!

GREAT looking forward to it. See you then