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Poohah91

Hello Hudson Community... I am turning to you because I can't find anyone in my area with any Hudson expertise. Apologies in advance for my lack of knowledge, but I am trying to learn as fast as I can. I have always liked the '49-'51 look of the Pacemaker, Super 6, Commodore styling of the Hudsons.

I need recommendations for more info. I have been reading everything I can on these boards. Wikipedia just won't cut it with the generic write up on Hudson Motor Co. However, I am not a tech or mechanic or gear head. Wish I was, but not yet. I just want to learn more so I can make a wise decision when I purchase my first Hudson. What to look for, what to stay away from, where to get parts, and anything else that could be helpful. I know this is pretty generic, but I just a place to start. Maybe this is it. Just keep reading the forums I guess.

I am not as interested in "collector status" or rarity, as I am in just enjoying and being able to occasionally drive a car I like. I have my eye on a '49 Pacemaker in Canada, and also on a '49 Super 6 in Florida. Dang, I don't even know what to ask to get started, I just know I like these cars..

Aaron D. IL

First best thing you can do is join the HET club and go to a meet and talk to some guys. Also Joining will put you in touch with the network of people who have parts and expertise (and cars for sale). If you're outside this network then you'll find life more difficult.

Second, Do your homework esp if you're not a gear head yet. Read "Hudson The Post-War Years" by Richard Langworth. "The Cars That Hudson Built" By John Conde and "The History of Hudson" by Don Butler... check your library network for a copy.

Third, You can't get a '49 Pacemaker because they didn't make that model until 1950. I know I'm being picky but point is to read up. You don't want to get taken advantage of when shopping and if you are get an expert to go with you if you can.

Jon B

Welcome to the madhouse! You've come to the right place.

First, a shameless plug: most of the people who hang out here, are members of the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club and you might want to consider joining. It's a great clearinghouse of information, historical and technical, plus the bi-monthly magazine makes great reading. And it is the portal to a vast network of Hudson enthusiasts, worldwide. And parts vendors. Here's the Club homepage: http://www.hetclub.org/

You'll find a growing number of Hudson folks in Canada as well. What part of Canada are you from?

Once in the National club you may wish to join a local chapter if there is one in your area. You'll be able to get to know the LOCAL Hudson folks, who can offer technical expertise, and sometimes parts! Then too there is the benefit of local get-togethers. And once you find your dream Hudson, it will be great to know someone with a similar car should you need to see what "the real thing" looks like when restoring yours. You may not want to wait until you actually have a car, because these same local members can give you good advice on what to look for (and avoid) when shopping for a Hudson. And they may even have the inside track on Hudsons that will soon be available for purchase, before the cars hit the market. For example, our local newsletter featured an ad for a nice '49 Super Six, in all-original condition, for only $6,500 "or best offer" -- a real steal -- and the car was gone before it was ever able to be featured in the classified ads of the national Club magazine.

Poohah91

Great advice already. And my excitement got the better of me while I was typing. I am looking at a '51 Pacemaker, and a '49 Super ( four? I think). I am not in Canada, but actually Texas. Not a lot of Hudsons down here, or enthusiasts. That is why I turned here. And actually, the HET page is how I found this forum. Plan on joining for sure.

Appreciate all the advice, and anything else that can be added. I know the Pacemakers were kinda the entry level models, and don't seem to be sought after very much. But I don't know much about the '49Super line in comparison... Oh well, more reading I guess.

Ken U-Tx

What part of Texas are you in. I am in the North DFW area.

Ken U-Tx

Are you anywhere near the Woodlands, Conroe, Spring TX?

Browniepetersen

I see that you have Huston listed as your home town. One of my favorite areas of the country. I would love to pick up and move down to Fredricksburg or one of the other areas in the Hill Country. I am thinking that our South Texas Chapter in Spring Branch Texas would be in your area. Anyway, give Vince Parziale a call (830 935-2421) (chinapuzz@aol.com) Vince, is the Chapter President. I looked in the HET Club Roster a few minutes ago and noticed we have quite a number of members in and around Huston. I once lived in San Antonio so I know how big Texas is and what it is like to get around down that way. But, the good thing is that there is year around car activities.

There have been some great ideas given so far and from my way of thinking you should do them all. Also, I would suggest that you set a goal of waiting no less than a year before you buy. This will give you time to make a decision on what car would work best for you and would also give you time to set up a budet for expenses and to meet some of the locals and see the type of cars available down that way. And by all means check back on this forum often. We love to give advice and have a varied range of opinions...

Park_W

Poohah, email me at hetpwald@comporium.net (remove the het for actual address). I'll send you a nicely done history of Hudson that will soon be posted permanently on the club's web site. It'll give you some good background on the company and the cars.

Poohah91

Wow, I am in Houston, and if there is anyone in the Spring Branch or Houston area, I would be thrilled to meet them. Much appreciation for the advice so far. Like I said, I already have my eyes on 2 different cars, and think I would be lucky to have either of them

The '51 Pacemaker is a little more affordable, runs great, but not as "finished" cosmetically, and it is in Canada so it will cost more to get to Houston. The '49 Super looks great, runs strong, and wouldn't cost as much to transport from Florida, but costs a little more

I don't know much about the Super line though. They were not as nice as Commodores I think, so were they just pre-Pacemakers in name? I am trying to research the models offered for comparison sake, so thanks for the useful info everyone has been posting.

RL Chilton

Poohah-

I am in Spring Branch, but north of San Antonio, not around Houston. You can e-mail me at:

HETrlchilton52@gmail.com (drop the HET)

Russell Chilton

onerare39

Poohah91,

Email me you mailing address and I'll get the next edition of our award winning publication the White Triangle News (WTN) sent to you along with a membership application form. The next issue of the WTN will cover the Hudson Essex Terraplane International Meet that was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in July. It will have classified ads with cars for sale also.

John Forkner

HETForkner@aol.com drop the HET

Tallent R

Well Poohah the big differance in the Pacemaker and Wasp models was that the were about 6 inchs shorter than the "Big" Hudson. And of course The appointments were not as nice. A basic Pacemaker just had a decorative cardbord doorpanel .

Aaron D. IL

Model lineup for 1951 from base model to most expensive goes in this order:

Pacemaker 119" short WB 232 engine, Super 6 262 engine, Commodore 6 262 engine, Commodore 8 254 8 cyl, Hornet 308 engine.

I started in the club with a '51 Pacemaker Coupe and have owned a few Pacemakers they tend to go a little cheaper on the open market, they're great for around town driving but if you want it on the highway you'll want one equipped with overdrive. You may find Pacemakers for sale that have the bigger Hudson engines put in them, it's not uncommon as physically the 232,262, and 308 will fit in any 6 cyl Hudson car. There's even a few guys in the club that prefer the short wheelbase models. Wasps are basically the same car as Pacemakers except made from '52 - '54 (during step-down years 1948-54)
Pacemakers were made 1950-52

mjsandbe

Welcome to the Hudson community. I went through my own search for my first Hudson only a couple of years ago. I found my 52 Hudson Hornet in TX. You can follow my adventure from the beginning here <LINK>. I have had a great time with my Hudson and wish you the best.

Hudson Grandpa

I'm in Austin. 290 West. You can Pm anyone of us at anytime.

dwardo99

One thing you should be aware of, is that the steering effort on the SWB cars is significantly higher than the longer cars, due to a change in steering box ratio. With wide modern tires it can be downright brutal at slow speeds. My '54 SW drives very nicely and in fact I think it handles better than my Hornet for the most part, but if you have to parellel park much or do a lot of 3-point driveway turns like I do, just be aware of it.

ClassicCar

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