A friend needs some bumpers straightened and various other bits of metalwork. And he has too many projects and no space. I have space, no cash and way too many projects. So a trade was hammered out and before I could think it through, this was standing in front of my shop. Seems to be quite complete, although there is a bit of bodywork to do Damn this thing is BIG!! I think put it aside and let all the ideas fight it out in my head for a while - right now I'm tending towards some pretty drastic cutting, perhaps even creating a 'wagon. Time will tell. More pics in my album http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=31745
If you mean a pickup......................."ok"...if you do a nice job of it. Plenty of guys would love to have that car to customize. That said, congrats and good luck.
I know Rickybop - but this woody wagon pic has been rattling around in my head for a while..... But yeah, perhaps sanity will prevail!
Please don't hack that thing into a wagon or pickup. Like mentioned before, plenty of people would kill for a Hudson like that!
In South Africa it's going to be unique no matter what you do with it. But I say go ahead and cut it up, if you can finish it off. Then it'll be unique to the entire world. As to people wanting them, I have one just like it that's pretty decent and even has Chevy motor mounts in it and I can't even give the damn thing away. It's not like I want a fortune for it either, if scrap comes up much more I'll be able to get more money for it at the junkyard.
Barry...didn't even notice you're from S. Africa. Cool. And I was just given the business. It's your car...do what ya want...I aint gonna bash you. Actually, that's a beautiful woody you posted.
Very nice. Reminds me a lot of the one I passed up in the late nineties. I'll always kick myself in the ass for that one. That car has SO MUCH potential.
Barry, let me know if you need any concept sketches, etc. I still need to get to your shop some time ...
Love it! Why would anybody go to all the trouble of chopping a Merc when they can just buy a Hudson. Hudsons looked like they'd already had the top chopped from the factory. Hudsons ride and handle better than most early '50s cars.
It's your car ,do what you want as long as you are sure you can pull it off.I like the Hudsons art deco design.I think if it were mine I would 2 door it .
By making it a 2 door I mean stretching the front doors longer for better entry access and style.Not just welding up the rear doors like some guys do.I would use a section of the rear doors for your extension and move the B pillar back. Is that steering wheel on the right side that I see in the photo? Cool car.
Looks like a 48-9 so no 308 from the factory but is pretty much a bolt in deal. Nothing wrong with a 262 either tho. The 8 cyls. available ( 254 CID) were a splasher motor from the mid 30's and can get pricey if you have to rebuild... Stepdowns are notorious for rust in the uni-body so before I got too far into it I'd look it over REAL close. Rocker panels and rear 1/4 panels unbolt and can hide a lot of structural rust. Still, a great looking,driving,handling ride. I love mine. Lots of Hudson info here: http://www.classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=showcat&catid=13&Itemid=152
Thanks for all the replies_ Yeah it is RHD, we got quiite a few of these over here. There was a factory assembling knocked down kits, Hudson & a couple other makes. Dawie I may take you up on that..... If I were to two-door it I'd certainly stretch the doors, as it is it looks a little odd with the rear doors longer than the fronts! Unibody frame looks pretty sound but there is a fair amount of rot in floors, rockers etc. Quite a few spots with fibreglass over them Doors below the reveals are really wavy, but doesn't appear to be much mud on them - I'll likely just make up new skins for the lower sections. I will stew on this one a while - woodies from this era always get my juices flowing, but I don't know that this is the best candidate. Same applies to the wagon idea. But the car doesn't totally inspire me in stock form either - and it is HUGE (by my standards anyway). Since it will be on the back burner for a while I'm sure I'll devise a workable (and not too horrifying!!) plan for it. Engine is there in pieces - think it is the 262 L6 but I really don't know much about them... I'll take a closer look but will more likely shelve it in favour of something more workable - depends on the final plan with the car. And Frankie47, what's wrong with my '64 ?
Hmmm..a wagon....something that has never crossed my mind. My dad was (is) a big Hudson guy (had a number of them, including a convertible, back in the day). He's 89 now...I'll have to ask him if he would have considered a wagon if they would have offered one. I wonder how much weight would be added? (I took my driver's test in a '49 & bumped the guardrail in the turn-around...pity the poor guardrail.) I kind of like the idea.
why would any one wanna work on a Hudson?? you'll find the biggest pain is gonna be that crazy rear steer set up,here's a photo of the pain. there is a lot of hudson build here, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=599950 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279104 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=604334 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=549806 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=521354 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452259 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=599950 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=533872 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273441 there's plenty of other builds/tech stuff here, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382597
there is a glimmer of hope for replacement parts too! Michael Theisenis has restarted an old company & is getting an online catalog up & running,he still adding stuff each day,he is real passionate about these Hudson too! http://fulllinereproduction.com/
At that rate, I'll hitch a ride up and take it off your hands. It will give me a ride and keep it from the crusher
Barry I see a wicked custom when I look at it. I've seen your work and I really look forward to seeing the project when you get to it.
Why not just get 2 door doors and rear flanks.Move the pillar back to suit the longer stock front doors.Bill Albrights Vintage Coach that specialises in Hudsons should have parts. Bill died a couple of years ago but I believe his son is still running the business. I started with a four door and that is what we did,as well as chopping of course. http://albrightcars.com/index.htm
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