ClassicCar

Kdancy

Now for the brackets!

lsfirth

I always thought the visors look great on the vintage hudsons....did they come as on option from the factory, or was it a dealer installed option? Is there a particular brand and model to keep an eye out for that would fit a step-down and look the best?

Great looking visor you got.....wow...no rust or dents or anything....I'm jealous!!!

Thanks for the pics!

Lee

Kdancy

lsfirth wrote:

I always thought the visors look great on the vintage hudsons....did they come as on option from the factory, or was it a dealer installed option? Is there a particular brand and model to keep an eye out for that would fit a step-down and look the best?
Great looking visor you got.....wow...no rust or dents or anything....I'm jealous!!!
Thanks for the pics!
Lee

Lee, someone more knowledgeable than me needs to answer your questions. I assume they were options for dealer install. I had one on my 49 Commodore coupe and wanted this one for the 53 super wasp coupe. Yes, these are in great shape, too bad they didn't have the brackets!

bent metal

Uh-oh! This visor is nothing like anything I've ever seen. It is going to look like all the rest when installed. But the back edge, center trim, and center support underneath are all different from the classic "Karvisor" that I'm used to seeing. I don't know if my brackets will work. The outside pieces look like they would be ok? But the center pieces don't look compatable at all.

Very interesting. Is it steel or aluminum? Any name on it anywhere?

Kdancy

Aluminum and I can't find a name.
Maybe I need to send it to you for bracket construction?

BJ__TN

Those outside brackets do not look like the ones I have. They should clamp to the drip rail, and those look a little short. Im sure it can probably fit with the right brackets. The outer ones are not that hard to fabricate but the center has to clamp between two plates under the visor then it goes down to the center post of the windshield. That is as much as I remember, I can take some pictures of my outer brackets and also the top of the center bracket I do not have the arms that go from the visor to the windshield.
If you want some pictures I will be happy to post them Tomorrow night.
Bob Hickson

bent metal

You know? ...It looks like a Hudson visor as it sits. But I would like to see it bolted together and held up in proper position. Just to make sure it follows the roof line and looks about right before you invest much more into it.

Only because I've never seen one like this. It is possible it's not Hudson, but something similar? Maybe? Hmmm, it sure looks Hudson, obviously mass produced (not a one off), very unusual.

Just when I think I've seen all the step down visors, this comes up.

Very cool.

BJ__TN

One problem I see is the lack of the indentation in the center for the radio antenna. I have never seen a stepdown visor without it, but then again there are a lot of things out there that I haven't seen.
Bob Hickson

Kdancy

Crapola--- It ain't a stepdown visor-- but what for? Maybe pre-stepdown?

bent metal

My guess, just a guess, early fifties Chevy.

RL Chilton

Yep, not a step-down visor. Most popular visor were the Fultons. Had the indent for the antennas, different bracket set-up, as mentioned, mounted onto the drip rail. Also, no decorative edge on the back edge of visor.

BJ__TN

Maybe a Kaiser, or pre merger Nash. There are so many possiblities, it's hard to say
Bob Hickson

Kdancy

BJ__TN wrote:

Maybe a Kaiser, or pre merger Nash. There are so many possiblities, it's hard to say
Bob Hickson

Received this from a Visor expert-

Looks like an oddball brand to me & missing the center mounts
53" wide would allow it to fit the 1949-1952 Chevy & Pontiac sedans.
May even fit the 1949-1951 Mopar sedans

bent metal

That sounds right to me too. Early fifties Chevy. It looks like the outside brackets sandwich the drip rail? Is that right? The visor on the inside of the drip rail and the trim bracket on the outside and under the drip rail?

lsfirth

Did we every completely ID this visor?

If I was to look for an "origianl visor" for my 49, what would I look for. Were the Hudson visors unique from all other makes regarding shape and the relief for the antenna? Did Hudson use a name brand like Fulton that would help me idendify one that would fit? Pictures of the parts that are unique to Hudsons would be great since I'm really not sure what I'm looking for. With swap meet season upon us, I want to be prepaired :-)

Thanks,
Lee

lsfirth

This one was called a fulton....does this look right for a Hudson? Did fulton produce "make specific" visors, or all they all the same?

Thanks,
Lee

RL Chilton

Lee-

That's definitely not a Hudson. My visor is apart, prepped and ready for paint. I'm going to go out right now and get pics of all the parts and post them here.

Stay tuned . . .

Lee ODell

Hi Lee

On my 52 Hornet the antenna will not rotate below the visor. It stays up except when I put the car cover on. With the antenna rotated 90 degrees it will lie half way betwwen the front edge and rear edge of the visor because of the curve of the roof line. Because the car cover pushes down on the antenna I put a folded dust cloth between antenna and visor to prevent chaffing the visors paint. Learned that the hard way. Thats ok I like the antenna sticking up anyway. It keeps me from playing with it like I did with my Dads 51 Hornet antenna as an 8 year old. LOL

Have a good day
Lee O'Dell

RL Chilton

[attachment=13491]IMG_5913_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]

[attachment=13490]IMG_5912_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]

[attachment=13489]IMG_5910_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=13488]IMG_5911_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=13492]IMG_5914_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=13493]IMG_5915_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=13494]IMG_5916_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]

O.k. Pictures show a visor apart and all of it's components. Others follow that show an identical visor together and installed on a step-down.

RL Chilton

[attachment=13498]IMG_5920_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]

[attachment=13497]IMG_5919_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]

[attachment=13496]IMG_5918_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]

[attachment=13495]IMG_5917_1200x800.JPG[/attachment]

RL Chilton

These photos should show you what you are looking for when shopping for a step-down visor.

Some interesting points to note:

1. Notice on the unpainted visor on the outer ends there is a hole and a slot. The slot allows you to adjust the angle of the visor once attached to the drip edge (1st picture).
2. Notice that the end pieces actually bolt (press against) to the drip edge of the car.
3. Notice the "indent" for the roof antenna in the visor and the stainless center piece that goes down the middle of the visor.
4. Lee is right, the antenna does not "fold down" onto the antenna rest when you have a visor attached. You simply lay it at 90-degrees to add a car cover.

Lastly, I need y'all's help. I am fixin' to paint the unpainted visor for the convertible. If you look closely at the pictures of my visor on the sedan, it is a "putrid puke green" as it has been called lately. What this is, is the green primer that was so prevalent in the '50's. I have been told on numerous occasions that when the dealer installed these on a customer's car, they were covered in the green primer. The outside got painted to match the car, but the insides were always green.

My question is, is this true?

When some folks recently found out I was preparing to paint the inside of my visor "putrid puke green", they about had a cow. (As a restorer's note, I mixed up some paint that is identical to the original green primer and was planning on using paint, as the primer is no longer available).

I sent a PM to Jerry asking him to confirm this, but I haven't heard back. I'm sure Pete or some of you other long-timers could answer my question.

Thanks!

Russell

lsfirth

Awesome!! Thanks for the pictures Russell....that provides a pretty clear picture of what I'm looking for! I very much appreciate your effort. Do you know if I find one at a swapmeet, could it have all the same features and still not fit a Hudson....or if it had all the same hardware, would it definitely be for a Hudson? I suppose the notch for the antenna would be a dead giveaway!!

Lee- thanks for the info about the car cover. I'm a long ways from having that issue come up :-)

but definitely good to know.

Your rigs look great....I'll get there someday!

Thanks,
Lee

PS...our '52 airstream has that same green paint on the inside :-)

RonS

Russ, correct on the primer green< kind of a forest or ivy green color.Mine is a shade or two darker then your picture. The visor was Karvisor Hudson part #HA233456 ( on the 7C ). Came in a box with the Hudson logos etc. Warning on the antenna... Fasten some leather, or other suitable material, on the visor next to the area by the antenna mount. It is easy to have the antenna touch the visor at speeds and crosswinds. This will cause a crackling noise through the speaker while the radio plays. Drove me nuts for a few months, since the radio was just rebuilt and the noise was never consistant. Ron

Lee ODell

Thanks for looking into the vents factory color Russell. I've heard the underside were painted green primer but do not know if all were like that. Mine is green primer also. Haveing riden in a car with the underside painted the glossy car color there was a noticable reflection (depending on the suns angle shining on the car) reflecting off the vents underside into the eyes. That may be a reason for leaving them in primer? It would be interesting to know if green primer was the only factory color for the underside.

Let us know what you find out please.
Lee O'Dell

RL Chilton

Ron-

Thanks for the tip. I've seen a picture of an original box. I think Ken Cates had a picture of one.

Lee-

These were specifically made for the Hudson step-downs. You can tell because of the indent for the antenna clearance. Yes, there are others that will work, with little to a lot of work. But be careful, not all visors look "right" when mounted. Some cars, even with the right visor, was never very attractive. Look at the visor on the following convertible. It's not made for a step-down, and looks heavy and out of place. The right visor, properly mounted, can have the look of being part of the car and not something that got bolted on.

[attachment=13499]51Hornetvert-funkyvisor.jpg[/attachment]

ralpie

[quote I've seen a picture of an original box. I think Ken Cates had a picture of one.
quote]

Russell: You are correct, I have attached pictures of a NOS visor kit. The bottom side of the visor should be painted "puke green". As pointed out a dull surface is desireable as it prevents glare being reflected though the windshields.

One thing not discussed, there are two (2) different visor brackets which fasten to the visor and then to the drip rail of the car. The shorter version is meant for cars without stainless trim on the A pillar. The longer versions are for cars (52-53) with stainless trim on the A pillar. The short brackets can be modified to fit the trimmed vehicles. Using the short bracket on a car with A pillar trim usually results in the clamping edge being stretched and the visor not maintaining proper positioning and in the worst case, coming off the car while driving.

If memory serves me, Bent Metal was involved in reproducing the Hudson visor at sometime in the past. Possibly they are still available from him?

Enjoy... Ken

Huddy42

For what it's worth, all visors here in Australia were painted the green primer underside, this is to stop reflection from the hood , chrome etc, I had one made recently for a modern car and it was painted green underside.
Les.P.

Lee ODell

I didn't know if my visor was made of steel or aluminum. Went to check with a magnet. It is aluminum. That triggered my memory back 40 years ago when I was painting air planes. Aluminum required a primer specific for aluminum to prevent oxidation (called rust on steel). If I remember correctly the pprimer was called green oxided primer, a peutrid green color. I would think that is why the visors came green. Aluminum tends to corrode more around brackets and holes. We also, painted the rivets & brackets with the same primer. Might consider painting anything that comes in contact with the aluminum visor with the same primer. Checking at an air port repair hanger would be a good place to find out todays current primer for use on aluminum. The FAA is very specific what can and can't be used on air craft.

Lee O'Dell

RL Chilton

This is all good info! Thanks Ken for posting those. I forgot about the different bracket-depths. That's a good point.

That's good stuff, Lee. Thanks for posting this.

Richie

There is a stepdown visor just listed on ebay, starting bid of $50.00

stepdown

I'm looking for visor that would fit a 54 step-down hornet ,any leads.

RL Chilton

stepdown wrote:

I'm looking for visor that would fit a 54 step-down hornet ,any leads.

No, but that brings up an interesting point. As far as I know, there wasn't a visor made for '54's. Reason was because of the lack of a center windshield divider. But, you CAN fabricate a bracket that will do the job. Dave Sollon has done just that on his '54, maybe John Forkner did the same. I'm sure they have pics to show how they solved the center bracket dilemma.

RL Chilton

Richie wrote:

There is a stepdown visor just listed on ebay, starting bid of $50.00

Visors in good shape with all the hardware are typically selling in the $400 range.

RonS

Cadillac offered a visor for their one piece windshield in 1950. To stabilize the center of the visor a hole was drilled for a bracket in the roof about where Hudson has the usual antenna. Saw one sell for a bit over $1k on ebay a couple of years ago. Leaks ???

walts garage-53 · walts garage-53 March 2012 Posts: 1,488Platinum Member

Originally they were painted a gray primer on the under side to kill any reflection. Do not put a bright color on the under side. Paint the center support also. Walt

chopperchuck

RL Chilton wrote:

Richie wrote:

There is a stepdown visor just listed on ebay, starting bid of $50.00

Visors in good shape with all the hardware are typically selling in the $400 range.

i couldn't find it??

whats it listed under?

Richie

chopperchuck wrote:

RL Chilton wrote:

Richie wrote:

There is a stepdown visor just listed on ebay, starting bid of $50.00

Visors in good shape with all the hardware are typically selling in the $400 range.

i couldn't find it?? whats it listed under?

Its up to $102 the auction # is 290682003055. I don't know how to put the link here. Richie.

ralpie

Lee ODell wrote:

I didn't know if my visor was made of steel or aluminum. Went to check with a magnet. It is aluminum. That triggered my memory back 40 years ago when I was painting air planes. Aluminum required a primer specific for aluminum to prevent oxidation (called rust on steel). If I remember correctly the pprimer was called green oxided primer, a peutrid green color. I would think that is why the visors came green. Aluminum tends to corrode more around brackets and holes. We also, painted the rivets & brackets with the same primer. Might consider painting anything that comes in contact with the aluminum visor with the same primer. Checking at an air port repair hanger would be a good place to find out todays current primer for use on aluminum. The FAA is very specific what can and can't be used on air craft.

Lee O'Dell

Lee, I was a USAF and DCAS inspector for aircraft... the "primer" you speak of is ALODINE.

ALODINE - A non-anodic protective coating. Alodine {aka Iridite, aka Chromate Conversion} is a microscopic thin film commonly prescribed on aluminum to provide an excellent surface prep for paint, aid in corrosion resistance and to impose desired electrical resistance characteristics,

This is a different treatment than primer used on the Fulton visors.

Cheers...

lsfirth

RL Chilton wrote:

This is all good info! Thanks Ken for posting those. I forgot about the different bracket-depths. That's a good point.

That's good stuff, Lee. Thanks for posting this.

Yes...excellent response from everyone....thanks for all the info...very appreciated. I'm now armed to the teeth for the upcoming swapmeet season :-)

I'll check out this one on ebay, but now fear I'll be bidding against all you high rollers :-)

Thanks again!
Lee

ralpie

RL Chilton wrote:

stepdown wrote:

I'm looking for visor that would fit a 54 step-down hornet ,any leads.

No, but that brings up an interesting point. As far as I know, there wasn't a visor made for '54's. Reason was because of the lack of a center windshield divider. But, you CAN fabricate a bracket that will do the job. Dave Sollon has done just that on his '54, maybe John Forkner did the same. I'm sure they have pics to show how they solved the center bracket dilemma.

Dave Sollens Visor pictures are attached.

[attachment=13518]54withvisor.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment:2]G:\Hudson Stuff\HUDSON\Hudson accessory\Hudson visor\54%20visor2.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=13520]5420visor3_2012-03-10.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=13521]carsHudson54Hornet3_2012-03-10.jpg[/attachment]

Other 54 visor pictures are attached.

[attachment=13522]7014_6_2012-03-10.jpg[/attachment]

Cheers Ken

Lee ODell

Lee, I was a USAF and DCAS inspector for aircraft... the "primer" you speak of is ALODINE

Thank you. I could not recall what it was called. ALODINE still doesn't sound familiar. Maybe it was called by another name where I worked. It has been a few decades ago.
Lee O'Dell

bent metal

I think I agree with most what everyone is saying. I tried to find the other thread where the visors were talked about. Couldn't find it. But I did find this one.
http://www.classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=13&id=146455&Itemid=152

Get ready, because here is my two cents. :huh:

In my opinion,...I believe,...there were evolving visors produced. The early ones had the short brackets. Maybe because of clearance for the windshield surround stainless (as mentioned earlier), maybe the brackets were made longer to allow air to pass under. I wouldn't argue either opinion. Also you will find both aluminum and steel visors. I think aluminum are the early ones, the steel were the later, improved visor. If I see a visor for sale at a meet, and it's damaged. You can almost bet it is either with the short brackets or made of aluminum. Because those are the ones that blow off on the freeway.

As for the green on the underside. I agree with you guys on that too. The undersides and the center bracketry were that green primer color. Today you can paint it flat green, which is what I would suggest. Not just green primer. Any gloss would defeat the purpose of flat green. Also I think they were green for a reason. I'll bet somewhere, at some time long ago, some one did a study that confirmed a flat green in a certain shade would make for low reflectivity. ...Now stay with my on this. Before you call "BS" on me for that. Think about the earlier mentioned military stuff. AND, the underside of the bill on a baseball cap! ...Flat, ugly green equals low reflectivity.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

bent metal

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hudson-Stepdown-Sun-Visor-1949-1954-/290682003055?hash=item43adff5e6f&item=290682003055&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Looks to be aluminum, short brackets. Can't tell for sure, looks bent right in the middle on the passenger side? Maybe, maybe not.

But they mention it came off a '49.

RL Chilton

bentmetal-

I had completely forgotten you made these . . . not sure I saw that previous thread. From the looks of the brackets in the boxes, it appears you have a blue ton of these in stock. Do you stock a number of visors on hand as well?

Thanks for the info on the green aspect, as well. When the weather clears up here, I'm getting my green paint out and start finishing my visor.

And, for the record, so that you have one more infinitesimal bit of information to fill your visor folder in your head: the visor on my sedan is aluminum (as is the NOS one for the convertible). She's been around 80-85 mph for scores of hours and, on one occasion well in excess of 120, with the visor attached. Glad to report that it is still attached. I am of the opinion that proper installation outweighs any design flaws that one would find in a visor laying on the freeway.

SuperDave

I have seen several original Hudson Karvisors fresh "outa the box" They were GREEN on the underside and back in the fifties the aluminum primer was called Zinc Chromate. At least that's what they told us in the USAF Aircraft mechanics school. It should be available through several paint suppiers and is the proper primer for aluminum. It is dull and does a great job of cutting down glare.

bent metal

RL Chilton wrote:

bentmetal-

I had completely forgotten you made these . . . not sure I saw that previous thread. From the looks of the brackets in the boxes, it appears you have a blue ton of these in stock.Yes, I have a few. But none of the outside center trim pieces. Do you stock a number of visors on hand as well?No. I make those now and then when I have time. No time right now.
Thanks for the info on the green aspect, as well. When the weather clears up here, I'm getting my green paint out and start finishing my visor.[I know that there is special paint for aluminum. I use to use Vari-prime, it was sorta greeenish. But whatever the reason, the visors were all green underneath. As everyone has said.

And, for the record, so that you have one more infinitesimal bit of information to fill your visor folder in your head: the visor on my sedan is aluminum (as is the NOS one for the convertible). She's been around 80-85 mph for scores of hours and, on one occasion well in excess of 120, with the visor attached. Glad to report that it is still attached. I am of the opinion that proper installation outweighs any design flaws that one would find in a visor laying on the freeway.

A lot of people are just fine with them. I had one on my fifty-one. I guess I would just say if everything is correct, no bolts work loose. Then it's fine. But I'd still rather have the steel one. Same with the brackets. I see a lot of cars with the short ones. People seem to be fine with them. But I'd still rather have the long ones.

hudsontech

SuperDave wrote:

I have seen several original Hudson Karvisors fresh "outa the box" They were GREEN on the underside and back in the fifties the aluminum primer was called Zinc Chromate. At least that's what they told us in the USAF Aircraft mechanics school. It should be available through several paint suppiers and is the proper primer for aluminum. It is dull and does a great job of cutting down glare.

Zinc Chromate is what it was - the military used that stuff by the ton, not gallon. Right up there with the ever enduring red lead used (in my experience) on Navy and Coast Guard Ships below the water line. Everybody used both of these preservatives.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

onerare39

The visor that I have on my 54 is a Fulton Sun Shield, I think it is model 1022. It fits the roof contour perfect, and as with other visors, you can't turn the antenna to the down position.

[attachment=13534]SunVisorandContinentalKit004Small.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=13536]SunVisorandContinentalKit005640x480.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=13535]SunVisorandContinentalKit008Small.jpg[/attachment]

Lee ODell

SuperDave wrote:

I have seen several original Hudson Karvisors fresh "outa the box" They were GREEN on the underside and back in the fifties the aluminum primer was called Zinc Chromate. At least that's what they told us in the USAF Aircraft mechanics school. It should be available through several paint suppiers and is the proper primer for aluminum. It is dull and does a great job of cutting down glare.

Zinc Chromate is the primer I was trying to remember.
Thanks SuperDave
Lee O'Dell

bent metal

I'm not familiar with that '54 visor! Is it modified in any way? Or was it originally made for a '54 Hudson?

It looks like a nice fit.

onerare39

Bent,

I don't think Fulton made it for Hudson specifically, but it fits beautifully. The really cool thing that I like about this particular Fulton model is that the leading edge is cast pot metal that is chrome plated, it has a heavy look and feel to it. The leading edge in the center section is stainless steel though.

Ebay had one for sale a few months ago, new in the box never been installed. It sold for $1,125.00.

John Forkner

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