Hi, This is my new project, a 1953 Hornet bought from a Hamber some weeks ago. She has been imported from Albuquerque to Belgium in 1991 and was never registered since. It's a very dry (almost no rust at all!) car that runs, brakes and steers. The first "project" is to get it reliable. What I did so far: Went through the carb, fuel pump and breaker points because she ran like out of fuel after a short ride. The culprit was actually the gas tank: restored from the outside but the inside is dirty as hell. So I placed a tank from Tanks inc in the trunk. Phase II : interior, putting back OG indicator lenses & trim, DROPPING Under any circumstances I'll touch the paint.
Over at classiccar.com is a good source of info. for the Hudsons. I like your car. Looks to be a good one to start with. Have fun. Hud
I was a mechanic for a Oval race car owner that used the 308 Twin Hornet engines exclusively. We'd laugh as he out cornered the V'8 cars. They'd pull up at the end of the straight but then get out cornered. Great strong engine too. The cars were engineered for cornering performance and highway ride. Several Highway Patrols used them for their handling ability. Too bad they became another victim of the Big 3 greed operation. Normbc9
She has the big 308 six indeed. Everything at its own time but I think I won't spit on a mild engine tuning once everything's squared. With the straight exhaust line it already has a nice rumble ! We have some dirt oval races in Europe maybe I'll prove the hudson cornering capacities there
Nice score. My first and best built car was a '53 Hudson Hornet. Surprised more than a few newer cars with that twin H 308 and hydro. Bought it for $50 in 1964, sold it for same 3 years later. Always started winter and summer. Great car.
Kool Car, it looks like you found a NICE car to work with. Those Hudsons make for a great cruiser, good luck with your new project and enjoy. John
Thanks for the kind words guys ! It sure will a nice cruising car. If anyone knows where I can find a passenger-side rocker trim I'm interested Next sunday I'll remove the floor pan above the gearbox to have a look inside. Looks like a bearing will need to be replaced (check my other dedicated subject).
thib if Hudson jo can find you parts see what he has on my 54 hornet here it was a job to get parts also if anyone says you cant take the rear quarters off they are wrong. I took mine off and repaired them and back on. not a quick job but what is working on any car. good luck and have jun.
The engineer that designed the 308 wide block series Hudson also designed the 300 Ford series engines. He went to Ford after Hudson folded. The 300 Ford probably was the next step for Hudson in the OHV engine. Hud
The hetclub.org will set you up with much help if needed. Great bunch of folk. Got into the club about 1.5 years ago and have been pleasantly surprised of all the great information about my car and others. Someone always know who to call when I need assistance. Good luck, I'm working on the same vehicle.
hi thib, the car you have is one i was looking to buy,but you were faster,if by any change you gonna sell it please let me know
48-53 stepdowns the rear quarters (fenders) are bolted on.The 54 stepdowns are welded quarters.Easy way to tell a 54 is one piece w/s and taillites on top of 1/4 panel.
Thanks for the comments ! I have lost my hamb password as well as the linked yahoo email account so I created a new one. If you sent a PM in the last 2 months then I probably never saw it. FYI I'm currently fixing the gearbox. The cluster gear was dead so I replaced it with a cluster/2spd gear combo from a 55-56 ford passenger car. '53 Hudson's clusters teeth count is super specific and I couldn't locate the part. AA Gears, Hetclub and Al (gearbox specialist) couldn't help me neither. I will detail what I did in the dedicated post
Hello Pitte, Indeed the seller mentioned someone else was on the car. You were the one willing to trade with a pickup or something ? You should see the car in Brugge for the polished pistons party in april/may if I recall. Then Chimay of course Have a good one ! Thib
this year its again a open garage day,the polished pistons are friends of mine i will see it there then ,and if everything goes well maybe i will be there with a wasp (not the same as the seller of youre hudson has,it's a different one it wasn't a pickup but a jeep wagoneer ,trade it later for a ford galaxie convertible from 65
Crossed fingers for your wasp then and looks like you made a great deal trading the wagoneer. Hope mine will be on the road in the meantime, I'm getting headaches with that damn trans. Joel's Wasp is a killer car too. I still have to go at his place to check it for real
it is a nice car ,wanna trade? it's just not my style,i don't find my peace in it,maybe when he's not sold i drive it in the summer with the roof down and i chance my point of view the wasp depends on how he looks and what he wil cost ,the seller thinks he has a blown engine :-( and finding peaces for a hudson in belgium is verry hard
Another hudson on the Belgium roads, thats great news!! Hope some day mine will be finished to!! Chico
i went looking today for the wasp,good quality car,but the windscreen has a crack in it ,the engine has a blown crankshaft(hole in the engine bigger then my fist) and the interior is messed up :-( it's not gonna be this one
so tomorrow is the polished pistom meet,are you comming? my car is sold so i will be there with my motorcycle
Hello Hudson Guy ,You need to look up Clifford research for speed parts for your 308,They made lots of good stuff ! I have hotter cams,headers,electronic ignition,4barrel manifolds,lots of stuff! Uncle Bill
If it was cheap enough..... Wonder if there is room under the hood for a Mercedes V8 or BMW V12? Or even a Diesel???? It's the windshield that would be the big expense, imported from America.