Hi all,
2 Quick questions regarding restoration:
1) Is it possible to tell from the serial number/door plate a car's original color interior/exterior? The Paint/trim codes on the door plate are, um, difficult to read...
2) Is there a good source of original fabrics or original-ish fabrics for the interior? Seats, door panels, headliner?
2 1/2) And how about paint?
1954 Wasp for those keeping score at home..
Thank you again,
-Benjamin
Benjamin, I'm not sure if they changed it in 1954, but the paint code used to be a letter or letters stamped on the top hinge, passenger side. Certainly was for any car I think starting in 1936 or 1937 all the way through 1953. If there's a separate plate, you already know the codes.
Here's an interesting page with serial number information: http://home.comcast.net/~sarahdyoung/hudsonserialnumbers.html#1951
Paint codes: http://hudsonterraplane.com/tech/1941/1941-54_hudson_ditzler_paint_specs.pdf
Not sure about upholstery, but think it was special for 1954. Others here can give you that info.
Yeah, it's a bit faded... I was hoping the serial number itself would do it, but it doesn't sound like it. Pic is attached.
Yes, I can't read it either. But your number indicates 1954 Wasp about 1/3 way through model year production.
Another webpage with all Hudson/Essex/Terraplane/Dover serial numbers. Alex Burr is our expert on all these items.
http://hetclub.org/burr/referencesheets/1909-57_hudson_serial_numbers.pdf
My luck, it'll be factory neon green or hot pink...
Your car may have been repainted. If the tag is too worn to read (and that's not just glare in the picture), then you may have to climb all around the car and see if you can find any of the original paint hidden in any of the corners. Or you may have to chip away at some of it to see what's underneath! Once you see whatever the original paint is on the car it should be fairly easy to match the color(s) to a '54 sample sheet.
I think Hudson interior colors for '54 were either Red, Green, or Blue. They were all quite tasteful, too! I've had success with SMS Auto Fabrics. Go to their site and fill out a sample request for a '54 Hudson. Whatever's left of the interior of your car should tell you what color it was. I also e-mailed them a photo of a non-faded sample of the correct fabric and they said they are able to match it.
Paint code for '54's is printed on the plate in the front doorjam. Sometimes the ink is unreadable or at least difficult to read. Interiors in Model 4D were blue or green cloth or optional maroon leather.
I found the interior for my 53 at smsautofabrics.com Very close, send in a few samples of your material and they'll send you back a samples. Just got the seats back and they look perfect. Good luck.
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