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I
asked
owner Al about the name of his outfit and how he advertises his services. Al
explained that his business doesn't really have a formal name and that he never
has advertised. "Everybody knows me," he said of the Hudson community. Al is
renowned throughout the Hudson underground as a source for parts and services
otherwise very difficult to obtain. Al's advertising is by word of mouth. Just
get on a Hudson Internet chat or forum and ask about Hudson repair gurus--Al's
name will surely pop up with only a few others as full-service Hudson specialists.
At this point, Al can go to almost any Hudson show and have the satisfaction
of seeing cars that have enjoyed the gentle ministrations of his skilled hands.
A few
of the projects underway are a frame-off restoration of a '47 business coupe;,
installation of a 7x engine for a '47 Hudson pickup; and all mechanical phases,
wiring harness and mechanicals on a '54 Hornet and a '53 Hornet Convertible.
Al
is now very focused on mechanical systems. Paint and upholstery are departments
he leaves to others. But if you are interested in having your engine properly
rebuilt, Al is used to doing it right. Al's rebuild includes vatting and cleaning
of all components, cylinder block magnaflux, cylinder head magnaflux and cut,
decking of top, boring, steel-lite valve seats, new guides, stainless steel valves,
crank shaft regrind, all new bearings, manifold heat riser repairs and
planning
of gasket surfaces, all brass freeze plugs, with rebuilds for the carburetor,
starter, generator, distributor and water pump. Engine blocks are painted with
glyptal red inside. Last, but not least, engines are completely balanced, including
clutch. The engines are the same as they were new from the factory. Transmissions
include all new bearings and seals and the replacement of any worn out gearing.
Al leans toward all-original work, but also does rod and custom.
This
last year, a hazard of the Sonora desert managed to slow Al down. While out
with his dog, a sidewinder rattlesnake bit them both, striking Al on both feet.
The incident left him temporarily paralyzed from the waist down and the recovery
has taken time. I asked Al if he had someone to carry on. He said he'd love
to teach someone his trade, but today most young car enthusiasts are less interested
in restoring Hudsons than in tricking out new Hondas, "...and I can't really
blame them. Hudson's are what I grew up with. They're growing up with Hondas."
Frequently folks advise him to record his experience. He isn't against such
an undertaking; it's just that he's too busy rebuilding Hudsons.
Al's
vast store of knowledge gained from experience ought to be preserved. Since
he's plenty busy working on Hudsons, the job of preservation is rightly someone
else's. Hopefully, someone will step up to the job as either an apprentice or
archivist. When they do, let us know. There are sure to be a few good articles
in that story.