ClassicCar

Hi Todd,

As you may have read on other posts, I just picked up a 1950 Commodore 6 sedan. It was a free car. I tried to give it away to several folks and they told me that it was not worth the work. When I got it home it was in reasonable good shape. Pretty much rust free and with good solid interior and the best is that it runs. A new tuneup, brakes and perhaps a paint job over the winter and it will be a "new" car on the road. It is not the most exciting stepdown that is available but it is a good deal for me.



When you say your car needs a full restoration you have to take some things into consideration. The first and formost is how much are you willing to spend on this restoration. Once you examine this as a realistic view, then what can you buy for equal money. Sedans seldom get restored because of the cost and the money could buy that coupe or brougham.



In the end, once you consider this, you have to make the decision yourself. Those of us on the Forum have made the same decision many times but the simple fact is that although all should be restored--it is not always cost effective to bring each one back.....

Is it desireable? Heck yeah. Question is, Is it desireable to you? If it has a solid frame I'd say it's definately worth it to someone. Parts are hard to say, they'd be in demand among Hudson folks maybe but they're ususally not willing to pay a great deal for them as is say those in the market for Caddy or Packard parts. Pacemakers were Hudson's base model and short wheelbase car many parts will interchange with other Hudsons of the same year but not all and some would fit the other models but would actually be a downgrade.

As is in all makes , prestige plays a large roll in their desireability . Sure , all makes had top and low end models and top end is allways the best . That does not mean the low end models are trash to be removed from the face of the earth , If it is fixable even as a dailly driver by all means salvage it , a pacemaker makes a fine road machine and will accept commodore trim parts to dress it up a bit if desired , I've got a 51 pacemaker with a few commodore trim pieces on it and am really happy with it . BUD

One factor that will make this decision easier for you is the condition of the perimeter subframe sections under the car from the rear axle on back. Look especially at the frame section outside the rear wheels, as well as the hoop that sweeps around under the back. Since stepdowns are of unibody (Hudson called it "Monobuilt") construction, this is a vulnerable corrosion area. Repair will be difficult and/or expensive. If the frame is solid then this car is a better candidate for restoration. If the subframe back there is badly rotted, repair may be more difficult to justify.

rockin tom wrote:

That frame is almost gone on my 48 and the main frame from the rear axle to the back too... :eek: ...o man, i don't like to think about it... real many work to do on it... but it is still a stepdown, my dreamcar...

It's a common problem on these cars in areas where salt is used on the roads in the winter. This the first area to look at when checking out a Hudson to buy.

mikeyb wrote:

Maybe I´m just crazy, but IMHO the Hudson stepdown sedans look better than the coupes. It´s that long sleek line right back to the trunk that fascinates me.

Mikey, you're not crazy. The sedans ARE better looking than the coupes! At least that's what my wife tells me.:rolleyes:



Kevin C.

rpmonroe wrote:

Same here for the sedans, just love'm and more comfortable too(not enough legroom in the back seat of a coupe IMO).



Run it around in primer for years and don't worry about every little detail, have fun with it. Like someone said earlier, just find some trim from about any other stepdown and put it on for sparkle. Originality is great but enjoyment and creativity go a long way too.

Yeah, what he said.