ClassicCar

Richie

My wife and I bought a 51 Hornet and it was delivered today. After looking it over, it needs lots of work like new brake system, tires, carb and so on. I drove it around the subdivision using the emergency brake and it shifted 3 times, it only has N-DR-LO--R on the shift selector. I never had an automatic in a Hudson before, I haven't read the manual yet either. What locks the car in park?? I thought the hydramatics shifted twice unless it was a dual range or something like that. Thanks for any comments. Richie.

SuperDave

Being a 51, It's likely a single range. Placeing the selector in reverse after engine is off.. locks it up. Have Fun with your new toy..

Tallent R

You probably just did not go fast enough to go into high. There are adjustments that can be made on the way it shifts too . Dont condemn it as bad without getting a book and doing some troubleshooting, (or talk to Gus Sousa)
Roger

Park_W

Tallent, it shifted three times. That's four gears. All is well.

super-six

The Dual-range Hydra-Matic ('52 up) has 2 detents in "Drive". If it does not have this, it would in fact be a single range Hydra-Matic, which would be original for a '51. As Park_W said, it's a 4-speed. It should shift 3 times from a standstill. And as SuperDave has stated, putting in reverse while parked serves as "Park".

RL Chilton

Richie-

If you get the chance, I'm sure everyone would love to see some pics ( I know I would). ;)

Richie

Thanks to all, I appreciate all that information. I've been working on it all day, having a ball. I really like this car inspite of the color. This car was stored for quite a while I would guess. I didn't get as much info as I should have from the deceased gentleman's grandson that I bought it from.
I'll try and post some pics tomorrow unless I can find them in my computer somewhere.
Again, thanks for all the help guys. Richie.

Tallent R

Yeah Park youre right . I kept thinking sometimes the last shift is hard to feel,
Roger

Ken U-Tx

Richie, when you say you drove it around using the emergency brake, do you mean you used the brake pedal to operate the "Double-Safe" mechanical reserve brake, or were you pulling on the parking brake handle? The car should still stop with the brake pedal, if the slotted clevis and the parking brake cables are adjusted correctly. You are aware that Hudson had the "Double-safe" brakes on all models from 1936 to 1954, except the Jets and the 1954 Hornets with the Treadle Vac power brakes?

Browniepetersen

Not that I am picking, but when I got my 54 home there were no brakes. Emergency or hand pull.

Richie

Ken, I was using the brake pedal and the emergency back up system. The car stops OK like that, you just have to plan way ahead. It takes two hands to pull out the emergency brake handle, I'm too old for that kind of stuff now. I need to work on that a bit. Richie.

Richie

I took some pics of the 51 Hornet this afternoon. I'll try and post five at a time. Total of ten. Maybe someone will recognize the car, probably not too many painted this color. Richie.

Richie

Five more pics

onerare39

Very Nice Richie!

Get the brakes working so that you can go out and enjoy it.

John

GrimGreaser

Sharp!

I even like the color!

Tallent R

Even has original in tact rubber mat in the trunk - very nice Richie ,
Roger

DocHubler

Looks like Texas Tan color. Wish my 51 Hornet looked like this right now -- you have a beautiful car!

Tallent R

I thought Texas tan was a lighter color mor like almond ?
Roger

SuperDave

Those Texans REALLY tan! It's Texas tan alright I had a 52 that color long time ago.

Browniepetersen

What a nice looking car. Someday, I am going to buy on finished? Well, maybe not? Yours is sure nice....

Richie

I thank all of you for the nice comments. I will start on the brakes today and maybe by next week I'll have it driveable. I couldn't find any reference to Texas Tan until 1952, maybe the color on this car is not the original color. Again, thanks for the nice words. Richie.
Out to the garage I go !!

faustmb

Looks great, I'd like to see it again when your a few weeks into it. Was that car in middle TN?

Richie

Thanks Matt, the person that owned it lived in TN, but I don't know where. When the owner passed away the car was brought to NC to be sold by the guy that inherited it. With the car I got an owners manual and a Hudson brochure along with a paint code sheet for 1951. Texas Tan was a 1951 option according to this sheet. Richie.

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