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1939 hudson convertible
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    does any one know any infomation on 1939 hudson country club eight convertible production numbers and export numbers, i believe that they where only exported to europe, i have what i believe to be a rare factory built right hand drive 1939 country club eight convertible. did this modle have a delux badge on the front side hood.
  • WildWaspWildWasp
    Posts: 412Platinum Member
    Drop the XXX from the atached link and email your question to Mr.Peter Booz.
    XXXOLDHUDSONS@aol.com
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    i just emaied him, cheers.
  • Huddy42Huddy42
    Posts: 1,005Platinum Member
    If my memory serves me right, my late brother may have had a white Hudson 8 conv many many years ago, I remember a mate and I borrowed it one night to try and pick up some girls, .
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    yes i can see the attraction for the girls, mine use to be blue with blue trim. The only history i have on it was that it was dragged from certain death (car crusher) from a junk yard in the late seventies and has been garaged ever since. The body is rust free, but the interior and some trim have suffered. All the original running gear is there and believe it or not the motor hadent been started for over 20years, but some new oil and fresh fuel and she just turned over and fired up. Amazingly she purred, and very quit no motor noise.
  • Huddy42Huddy42
    Posts: 1,005Platinum Member
    Where abouts do you live Watties.??

    What you should have done before you started the motor was drop the oil pan and clean it out, as Hudson has a trough above the lower pan, and you only drained the lower pan.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    i did put through a cleaner mix as the old oil would have built up into a sluge. Every thing will be eventualy rebuilt, i have collected just about every part for it over the years, just need some original bumpers and the front two smaller grills and a few smaller parts.

    I live in south australia, Australia.
  • Huddy42Huddy42
    Posts: 1,005Platinum Member
    Send me your email address and I'll send you a complimentry copy of our club magazine. The Hudson Hub.

    You should also join our club for information and you can put for sale and wanted in the Hub for free.

    Les.P.
  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    My 1936 Hudson has the 8 in it and you want to be real careful how much you drive it before you pull the oil pan (bottom as well as top). Hudson recommends you do this with each oil change if you do not have an oil filter (none of the 8's had an oil filter that I know off.) I think that is a bit consertative but I just recently did mine and the upper pan does tend to collect oil crud. I also have a 39 convertible that has the upgraded Country Club Gages when it was modified in the 50's. I am told that the production numbers are small but have not heard anyone say. Someone will pop up here in a bit and give us numbers...
    Brownie
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    watties07@hotmail.com. i was a member of the hudson club some years back but one thing lead to another,i move house, i did enjoy reading the club mag.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    browniepetersen, is you 39 conv an eight, left or right hand drive
  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    My 39 is a model 92 Brougham and had a six in it that is long gone. When I got it someone had placed a 46? engine in it and nothing was hooked up. Last time it ran (1955) it had a small block chev in it... It was modified using the book that Charles Martz authored and was featured in Motor Trend in the early 50's.

    [attachment=9468]Martz Hudson 3920Roadster20side20view20shop_2011-01-29.jpg[/attachment]

    [attachment=9467]Martz Hudson 3920Roadster20dash20shop_2011-01-29.jpg[/attachment]
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    Brownie
  • Huddy42Huddy42
    Posts: 1,005Platinum Member
    Jamie,
    Let me know if you got the Hudson Hub etc
    Les.P.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    got it. i sent you a reply. Cheers
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    love the pics, mine has the same dash and headlight surrounds. i have all the original running gear in mine. i have never seen a brougham body. i see the glove box is missing i have a clock that looks the same as the speedo in my glove box lid. Do you have the motor trend article featuring you vehicle.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    [attachment=9481]39 huddo 001.jpg[/attachment]
    here are the only pics from the day it was towed from the scrap heap, were taken in the early seventies
    39 huddo 001.jpg
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  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    [attachment=9486]MVC-005F_2011-01-30.JPG[/attachment]

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    watties wrote:
    love the pics, mine has the same dash and headlight surrounds. i have all the original running gear in mine. i have never seen a brougham body. i see the glove box is missing i have a clock that looks the same as the speedo in my glove box lid. Do you have the motor trend article featuring you vehicle.

    Here are the various dash gages and packages. The clock does fit into the glove box area and I also added a photo of one of the metal bezels that in this case I think the speedo section goes in. How about shooting a few photo's of your interior, seats, doors and stuff so I can get an idea what my car looked like before it was modified.

    I do have copies of the original article, I also have a complete history on the car from the time it was new until today. Funny thing, that was much less truble to do than the car is to build. I figure I am about two years away from actually driving my car...
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    Brownie
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    i have saved the original trim, its in very poor condition but it gives you an idea of how it looked. i will dig it up from my garage (man cave), i even have the arm rests from the doors, leather pattern and colour samples. i will take some pics and post them in the next few days. anything else i can help with pictures re assemble as mine is mostly still untouched. I see that you have the oil pressure and gen guages near the radio, do they have a guage or a light behind them, do they function.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    can any one tell me if these rare hudsons had a trim on the front middle guard and rear quarter, as in the pics i posted mine has trim that matched the hood trim the length of the vehicle. is this original. or is it a delux option.
  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    watties wrote:
    i have saved the original trim, its in very poor condition but it gives you an idea of how it looked. i will dig it up from my garage (man cave), i even have the arm rests from the doors, leather pattern and colour samples. i will take some pics and post them in the next few days. anything else i can help with pictures re assemble as mine is mostly still untouched. I see that you have the oil pressure and gen guages near the radio, do they have a guage or a light behind them, do they function.

    The four gages work, or from the testing at this point they work. The radio also works fine. I expect that since I will not be putting an original Hudson engine in this modified car I will go with a 12 V system. I will need to modify the electrical to the gages if I intend to use them. Otherwise they may end up just for looks. Will have to wait and see.
    Brownie
  • hudsonsplasher1hudsonsplasher1
    Posts: 532Platinum Member
    watties wrote:
    can any one tell me if these rare hudsons had a trim on the front middle guard and rear quarter, as in the pics i posted mine has trim that matched the hood trim the length of the vehicle. is this original. or is it a delux option.[/quote
    If you're referring to the trim strip on the front and rear fenders, I would say no, I have never seen them on other 39's.

    Looks like a nice project. Please keep us informed with the progress. We like pictures!!
    Gene.
  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    I was looking at a new book, that just arrived, that is on Woody Wagons and there was a 1939 Hudson shown. It had the stainless strip from the hood down the front. It got me to thinking so I grabbed my Don Butler book and looked them up. I am not sure what the logic was but some had the stainless strip down the front as you define and some did not. The country Club does show this. It also shows that there is a stainless strip that starts at the front of the car and goes back through the door and to where it is hidden under the convertible top. It does not appear to go past the convertible top. The coupe's and sedans seem to go back to near the high point of the fender and just past the wheel opening. Perhaps the convertible does this as well but it does not show up in the photo.
    Brownie
  • SamJSamJ
    Posts: 1,405Platinum Member
    I was looking at a new book, that just arrived, that is on Woody Wagons and there was a 1939 Hudson shown. It had the stainless strip from the hood down the front.

    BP: Here's a foe toe of Hedley Bennett's '39 Woody...



    [attachment=9544]Bennett39Wood.jpg[/attachment]
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    HETfortyqtpi@earthlink.net (drop the HET)

  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    Sam, Did you see the book or is Mr. Bennett's woody the only one?
    Brownie
  • SamJSamJ
    Posts: 1,405Platinum Member
    Sam, Did you see the book or is Mr. Bennett's woody the only one?

    I don't know of another finished '39 Woody, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. I haven't seen the book to which you refer, BP, but I'm looking forward to it. :)
    HETfortyqtpi@earthlink.net (drop the HET)

  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    The book is called American Woodies 1928-1953. It is by Norm Mort and can be found at www.velocebooks.com I bought mine at Amazon.com I was able to get a pre-release price because he used my car and text on page 75. There is a 1937 Terraplane on page 46 and the 1939 is on page 47. A good reference book for the price.
    Brownie
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    back again, i was curious about the last few comments about the guard trim, so i went and had another look at it on mine. I am 99% sure it is original as it is pressed in the same pattern and material as the hood (upper) trim. again i have many pictures of 39 hudsons and many article's but it doesn't show the guard trim. mine also has electric wipers and a factory rear view mirror.

    off topic there was a 39 convertible sold some years back that was cream in colour, i think it was in brazil. By memory it was unrestored and had lived its life in a garage. I did have the owner send me some pictures of the vehilce and its interior i will try and dig them up and post them, were is it now i wonder.

    Any graham paige fans out there, does any one know how many 1937 graham 120 supercharged models, with twin wheel equipment were made. My father still has his fathers graham it has been in the garage for the past 40 years, it was brought to australia for Helen Reubinstein back in the thirties, so she could tour Australia, for those who dont know who she was GOOGLE her. Members from the Graham brother club in americal came over to australia years back and took a heap of photos of the vehilce, they were amazed that it had custom fitting and different trim to the other grahams.

    One of my other vehcile is a 1962 chrysler imperial lebaron, this vehicle was imported to australia by Chrysler Australia. It was converted in America by chrysler and was placed on display at the Chrysler showroom here in Adelaide South Australia. I still have the news paper artical from that day. I am on the tail end of finishing a body of resto. I also have a 68 thunderbird factory 429 and a 1957 chrysler 300c coupe in need of restoration but all original and there.
    JUST NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    [attachment=9562]P2030054.JPG[/attachment]

    [attachment=9560]DSCN2538.JPG[/attachment]

    [attachment=9561]P2030058.JPG[/attachment]
    here are some photos of my 39, its looks a lot worse that it is, barn yard finds are still out there.
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  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    i love the HUDSON cast into the head. Was the husdon oil pump external on the eights, I have located a body tag rivited to the rigth hand door pillar, it says something like motor serial number, then small print stating please quote this serial when ordering parts, Hudson Motor co. then a stamped serial starting with 95
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  • hudsonsplasher1hudsonsplasher1
    Posts: 532Platinum Member
    Watties,
    I've checked the material I have with pictures, and can't find any signs of the trim pieces on your fenders. Maybe they were added for export, or a dealership added them on request of the new buyer. Looks like you have a complete car for restoration. I know what you mean about not having enough hours in the day. Maybe someone will have a more complete reference they can tap into to see if the trim pieces were available for you car. Keep us posted on what you fine.
    Gene Birdsall.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    it also has a chromed steering column, chrome trim on the inside upper of both doors, notice the factory spark plug wire holder still on the motor, they knew how to make cars in the old days. do you know if they all came with electric wipers, mine also has vents on the top of the dash to demist the windscreen.
    The only thing i want to find is the original taillights, front and rear bumbers, a radio( which is missing) and the two smaller front grills then it will be complete.
    Do you know how to tell if the 39 has an overdrive gear box
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    [attachment=9570]P2030061.JPG[/attachment]

    [attachment=9569]P2030049.JPG[/attachment]
    close up of side trim, it is the same pattern as the upper trim and has the same rolled ends, it looks identical in pattern adn even finished on the ens in a spear shape same as the top trim. for any one with info. feel free to email me any pictures of "39's" or refenence material. It all helps.
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  • hudsonsplasher1hudsonsplasher1
    Posts: 532Platinum Member
    watties wrote:
    it also has a chromed steering column, chrome trim on the inside upper of both doors, notice the factory spark plug wire holder still on the motor, they knew how to make cars in the old days. do you know if they all came with electric wipers, mine also has vents on the top of the dash to demist the windscreen.
    The only thing i want to find is the original taillights, front and rear bumbers, a radio( which is missing) and the two smaller front grills then it will be complete.
    Do you know how to tell if the 39 has an overdrive gear box

    You have the top of the line model for 39, so the chrome column and door trim would be standard. Electric wipers I'm not sure of. Maybe dealer option? The vents on the top of the dash are for windshield defrosters. The tail lights and radio show up on ebay from time to time. The side grill pieces are hard to find. I'll keep an eye open for you. They are made of pot metal and weren't made to last 70+ years. Mine have been repaired.
    Overdrive trans wasn't available until 1940. The trans with overdrive would be about 12" longer than the standard one. Post a picture of the trans, and we can tell if an overdrive has been added.
  • aminardaminard
    Posts: 87Senior Contributor
    on a slightly different topic................. Gene, what color is your 39 convt?
  • hudsonsplasher1hudsonsplasher1
    Posts: 532Platinum Member
    aminard wrote:
    on a slightly different topic................. Gene, what color is your 39 convt?
    Mine was painted this metallic green when I bought it. Originally it should be a little softer sage green.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    do you have any photos you could email me of your 39 convertible, do you know how many top of the line 39's convertibles were made. And how may are left. Does anyone know if they have heard of a factory built right one.
  • RL ChiltonRL Chilton
    Posts: 3,458Platinum Member
    Watties-

    What a cool car! Looks like a great restoration project. Thanks for sharing and look forward to the progress pics. Not sure about '39's, but as far as "still around", I'd venture to say, for a model 95, convertible, probably not more than 2 or 3, as also applies to most models from the 30's, especially the convertibles.
  • hudsonsplasher1hudsonsplasher1
    Posts: 532Platinum Member
    watties wrote:
    do you have any photos you could email me of your 39 convertible, do you know how many top of the line 39's convertibles were made. And how may are left. Does anyone know if they have heard of a factory built right one.

    I don't have the same model 39 as yours. Mine is a model 92 with a different dash, trim, bumper. But I would be glad to take pictures if it will help with your restoration. They made three different models for 39. The 112 was the low priced one. The 91, 92 model were the middle of the line, and the 95 and up were top of the line. All three have different dashes and trim packages. And the 112 had a different grill also. Let me know if I can help with pictures. The pics might have to wait until spring. The car is in storage and I'm up to my waist in snow right now.
    Gene.
  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    Gene, I for one would be intrested in some photo's. My Martz roadster is chopped up and modified but I would like to know what it looked like before they took the torch to it. I would like to include some of the original features in my car when it is done. Mine was a model 92 Convertible Brougham when it was new. I am good with you posting them on the forum or you can send them to my email browniepetersen@readytek.net
    Brownie
  • hudsonsplasher1hudsonsplasher1
    Posts: 532Platinum Member
    Gene, I for one would be intrested in some photo's. My Martz roadster is chopped up and modified but I would like to know what it looked like before they took the torch to it. I would like to include some of the original features in my car when it is done. Mine was a model 92 Convertible Brougham when it was new. I am good with you posting them on the forum or you can send them to my email browniepetersen@readytek.net

    brownie,
    I'll be glad to send pictures. Let me know what area you would like. I see by the pics of your car that you have the Country Club style dash. That is different than mine.
    Let me know.
    Gene.
  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    I expect that the Country Club dash on mine was added sometime in 1952 when the car was costomized? I plan to stay with it. By the way, the SN on mine states that it is a model 92 but the wheel base is 122". That makes me think that there is something wrong somewhere? I would like photo's of all four sides of the outside and inside. I am going to return to runningboards on my car and most of the body will look like it currently does with the exception of sucide doors. On the inside I am going with seats from a 1963 Thunderbird modified to fit the front and back. I would like to do the rear side panels and front door panels much like the original car. I would also like to see a good photo of the top of the headliner where it attaches to the front window. I would also like to see how the dash is finished around the gages and on top of the dash.

    Thanks,
    Brownie
  • hudsonsplasher1hudsonsplasher1
    Posts: 532Platinum Member
    I expect that the Country Club dash on mine was added sometime in 1952 when the car was costomized? I plan to stay with it. By the way, the SN on mine states that it is a model 92 but the wheel base is 122". That makes me think that there is something wrong somewhere? I would like photo's of all four sides of the outside and inside. I am going to return to runningboards on my car and most of the body will look like it currently does with the exception of sucide doors. On the inside I am going with seats from a 1963 Thunderbird modified to fit the front and back. I would like to do the rear side panels and front door panels much like the original car. I would also like to see a good photo of the top of the headliner where it attaches to the front window. I would also like to see how the dash is finished around the gages and on top of the dash.

    With the wheel base at 122", it sounds more like a Country Club. But who knows what has been done to your car over the years. Do you know much of the history on the car? When I get a break in the weather, I'll get it out and take some pictures for you. I'm in Michigan, so be patient.
    Gene.
    Thanks,
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    thanks for the replies; WOW good to know the huddo is a unique machine it was worth saving all those years ago. RL CHILTON are there any know 39" top of the range actualy documented to exhist, and would it be fair to say that mine maybe the only factory built right hand drive one.

    GENE thanks for the offer, i will take you up on the photos. The more reference material i have the better the resto will be. would love to know what the bumpers looked like, i was told the eight had a plaque in the middle of the bumper that said EIGHT,love to see pics of the tail lights/ convertiable top/ trim/ well everything. I do see on the news that alot of the US is under snow. Well its nice and sunny here in Australia 40+ degrees, over 100F.

    BROWNIEPETERSEN if it helps i have photos of all the original front seat frames and springs. love to see the original seats go back into it. The front was a split curved frame with wooden back it wouldnt be hard to make a new one and with all the correct messurements, a good trimmer could make new spring bases. all you need in the correct spring height and outter frame sizes. I have had a new spring base made before for by 68 t-bird.
    [attachment=9595]P2030060.JPG[/attachment]
    this is a photo of by fathers barn hidden cars. you cant realy see but there is a 62 buick, about a 47 studebaked convertiable, 64 studebaked wagon(sliding roof), 57 cadillac fleetood, 60 imperial, 37 graham 120 supercharged six wheel equiped, along with hords of spares, doors from studebakers, 50's chryslers, engines. What an adventure ground for me growing up as a child, no wonder i love US metal and chrome.
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  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    does anyone know what carby was fitted to the 1939 eight cylinder Hudsons, i believe it was a WDO Carter, but i am unsure of any part numbers. Can anyone help.
  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,418Platinum Member
    When I contacted Motor Trend a few years back they featured the car and they published part of the history of the car that I provided to them. Had a few folks contact me and fill in some gaps. I have been able to put most of it in place, not a year by year or an owner by owner for that fact but most of the states where it lived and most of the owner completed work. Way too much data to publish in this forum but anyone that wants a copy send me an email address and I will send a copy on to you....
    Brownie
  • RL ChiltonRL Chilton
    Posts: 3,458Platinum Member
    "thanks for the replies; WOW good to know the huddo is a unique machine it was worth saving all those years ago. RL CHILTON are there any know 39" top of the range actualy documented to exhist, and would it be fair to say that mine maybe the only factory built right hand drive one."

    Yes, absolutely, might very well be the only one left, certainly the RH drive factor.
  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    hope this helps some one, i found my paint chips for the 39 HUDSON Range[attachment=9604]1939-hudson-pg01.jpg[/attachment]
    [attachment=9605]1939-hudson-pg02.jpg[/attachment]
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  • wattieswatties
    Posts: 51Greasemonkey
    brownie have you got a copy of the hudson group parts book for the 1939, has some fantastic info on the Hudsons including part numbers and factory diagrams, including the brougham.