Dave, I seem to remember it does go through the steel splash guard. I think there is a metal tab with round hole for end of cable on the frame underneath that a pin, like those used to hold the flexible hoses for the front brakes, is located. I can't seem to find a picture. It's in the service manual perhaps. Did you look there?

I can't find any reference to that in the service manual. I'll keep looking. I checked a 53 Hudson this weekend but the emergency brake cable comes out through the firewall up near the windshield wiper pulley.

David,

Not a great picture, but here's my 1950 Pacemaker. Shows you where cable goes through firewall, but not how it connects underneath.

If we're using "splash guard" interchangeably with "inner fender panel" (I don't know what the book calls it), then the E-Brake cable doesn't pass through it at any point. It's clipped once, just ahead of the regulator and again at the steering box.....I think. Seems like it's final attaching point is at the cross-member under the trans.
F

Tim and Frank. Thanks for responding. I took some pictures that I think will show that the Commodore 8 emergency brake set up is completely different than the other stepdowns. The first picture shows the cable exiting through the toe board. It would then have to go through the splash guard ( which is removed in the photo) and be in the wheel well behind the tire. The next photo shows the cable exiting the wheel well near the steering box. Photo 3 shows the cable entering the engine compartment. Photo 4 shows the knock out plug intact on the dash under the wiper pulley. Photo 5 shows the massive bracket that supports the brake handle. I'm sure this setup is totally different than 6 cylinder cars. It just seems like a bad idea having the cable behind the tire. What does everyone think? Dave

Pacemaker is SWB and slightly different than Commodore. I have a 50 Commodore 6 I could look at but your front inner fender doesn't seem right somehow. ALso, the pull handle for the e-brake doesn't seem to be mounted inside correctly. I think those are not at an angle like yours seems to be. Here's a picture that shows where the cable comes out of the firewall on the Pacemaker. Wouldn't expect that to be different for the Commodore. The interior cabins are essentially the same.

My first picture was better; shows the ebrake cable exiting just below the OD relay. Firewall panels were slightly different on SWB vs LWB models, but essentially the same in the mounting of equipment since the dash was essentially the exact same lay out.

Guys, I have a 50 C8 coupe which I will be visiting in a few weeks. If the mystery is not solved by then I'll let you know how mine looks.

Found some other Hudsons to inspect. 48 through 50 Supers and Commodores have the strange emergency cable routing. Through the toe board, splash guard , wheel well, and back into the engine compartment. These models do not have it entering the engine compartment through the firewall by the wiper pulley. Don.t know about the 50 Pacemaker, but Super and Commodores are like mine. Dave

Yes, '48-9 and '50, the e-brake is routed differently, is mounted completely different, and is a different cable. If you take the dr.side inner fender panel , and the triangular piece, when you put them together like they will be installed in the car, you will see there is a small slot / window where the cable goes thru.. I would expect the change of location for '51 was because the cable is exposed in the wheel well and would get frozen up because the solid exposure to any and all road conditions, salt,water,dirt,etc,... They also changed the e-brake mechanism, doing away with the springs that are always worn out, that lock into the teeth on the pull handle. They changed the handle assembly to a more positive lock system. When you have the e-brake cable out, don't forget there is a rubber seal that seals the firewall to e-brake where the hole is. These are usually crumbling. Also, make sure the front cable is working absolutely free. If you have it apart from under the dash, it only takes a few more minutes to remove it from the car. After taking it out, go to the bench ,mount the handle assembly in the vice securely, making sure not to smash or crimp the parts and pieces, oil and clean until it works freely. We have found spraying blaster or other quick lubricates will not stay and the handle will get stiff again to pull. Clean the outside of the cable case, then oil it thoroughly for smooth operation. You will be glad you spent the time doing this necessary repair/restoration.

Huh......Ya larn somethin' every day.....or at least try to. I stand erected.
F