ClassicCar

Browniepetersen

I would say that the laws are in place to protect those of us who restore these cars. A number of years back you could pick up any copy of Old Cars Weekly and find an article about the restoration of a collectable car that after the restoration was finished and they went to register the car the restorer is told that the car was stolen thirty years ago and the car ended up in the hands of the original owner with a fresh restoration with the restorer simply out the time and money that they had in the car. The laws you now encounter are a result of stories such as those of by-gone years. The practice of restoring a car today with out a clear title is a thing of the past.

russmaas

Just get your cousin Russell to give a you a Bill of Sale. Get the lost title packet from the state of Illinois. The whole thing cost about $275 including the title when done.

Although in that state it can only be used as a template for another vehicle. I doubt that is worth $275, maybe a $125 in metal.

Bill Weber

I spent most of today either at two local county DMV's or on the phone with the State DMV at the capitol. It seems that wherever you go, the questions you ask come back with different answers.

I ended up having to pay for a two year registration, a new plate fee, proof of insurance, and a plate surrender fee. Total final cost to me of $83.00. I get to wait for a refund for the two year registration fee, but the new plate fee and the turn in fee are lost.

Early in the day I was told that I would have to pay a sales tax on the car. Why? I don't know. They based it on a LOW BOOK value of $18,400.00!!!!! It came to $1,610.00!!!!! I nearly melted the ice cap! I'm not going to go much further with this, but the story is right up there with "Gone With The Wind"! Another call to the state capitol reduced that tax to $8.oo, based on a $100.00 value, and still another call erased it completely. Our government at work for the people!

In any case, given that there are no further glitches in the process, I've got a non-transferable registration in my hands and I must now wait for the state to send me a transferable registration, after they review the application. I don't expect any problems, but who knows?

Nothing left to do now except to try to discover the motor block number, if I ever get the daylight to do it and it stops raining!

BW

Terraplane33

Nice from your part Alex to help these cars back on the road !
Here in Europe there is a way to get a 'collectibloe car title' but without riginal title it's dead in advance :oops:
Long before I bought my ET33 in 2010, I found a 1929 Chevrolet coach in Belgium, the car was in original condition but imported from Mexico with transportation invoice but without title, the guy is still in a helpless fight and this nice car is nailed in a garage, such a pity and such a shame...
http://voiture.mitula.be/voiture/chevrolet-1929-oldtimer

hudsontech

Bill Weber wrote:

I spent most of today either at two local county DMV's or on the phone with the State DMV at the capitol. It seems that wherever you go, the questions you ask come back with different answers.

I ended up having to pay for a two year registration, a new plate fee, proof of insurance, and a plate surrender fee. Total final cost to me of $83.00. I get to wait for a refund for the two year registration fee, but the new plate fee and the turn in fee are lost.

Early in the day I was told that I would have to pay a sales tax on the car. Why? I don't know. They based it on a LOW BOOK value of $18,400.00!!!!! It came to $1,610.00!!!!! I nearly melted the ice cap! I'm not going to go much further with this, but the story is right up there with "Gone With The Wind"! Another call to the state capitol reduced that tax to $8.oo, based on a $100.00 value, and still another call erased it completely. Our government at work for the people!

In any case, given that there are no further glitches in the process, I've got a non-transferable registration in my hands and I must now wait for the state to send me a transferable registration, after they review the application. I don't expect any problems, but who knows?

Nothing left to do now except to try to discover the motor block number, if I ever get the daylight to do it and it stops raining!

BW

OUCH!! Combination of a couple things at work here - states are going after money any way they can get it and petty beaurocrats huddling in a corner, holding you over a barrel, puffed up by their own idiotic importance.

Beleive me I know from where I speak on beaurocrats - I worked, as a civilian, for over 10 years at the Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, NH. Knowledge is power to a beauraucrat - that's why nothing gets shared. To give a bit of knowledge away is to give away a little power.

Thank God I wasn't like that in my dealings.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

54SuperWasp

I've been following all that was written here and its like watching a group of talented archeologists digging and trying to identify a mummy. Hope to see the final act of it. Just writing to congratulate all of you who put your knowledge all together to try to solve that mystery. I'm sure I'm not alone to think that but I wanted you to know that we appreciate all the help that is given to anybody who need it here. Thanks guys! Michel.

bent metal

Early in the day I was told that I would have to pay a sales tax on the car. Why? I don't know. They based it on a LOW BOOK value of $18,400.00!!!!!

For that kind of money,...I'd tell um' "SOLD"! And you got ten days to get it off of the property.

Cash or cashier checks only.

oldhudsons

Bill - that's really quite typical, at least in states with a lot of cars. In Calif. I would often go to several different DMV offices 'til I found a clerk who would tell me what I wanted, then I'd do business with her for if you went back you might be assigned to another who would want something different than what the 1st one did, LOL!
In Calif. their book of rules & regs was at least 4" thick & constantly be changed & reinterpreted - god save us!

Bill Weber

GENTLEMEN:

This is the moment we have all been waiting for!

I just came from the Hudson location having not waited for the weather to change and, loaded with extra flashlights, and your information on where to look, I dug through the crud, sanded off the rust and found the motor block serial number!

As best I can determine, the motor block serial number is 1410102.

Of course, that information is not what you and I wanted to see, or hear, but that's what it seems to be, and it's a far cry from the frame numbers which are 36734. That doesn't mean that this Hudson didn't start out as an eight cylinder vehicle that may have blown its engine and been changed out subsequently, but likewise, it doesn't cement it as being originally manufactured with a I8 motor either? That would have been nice, but it's not the case.

Can anyone now inject any additional information to further identify, or confuse, what I have here?

BW

Marconi

That engine came out of a 41 Hudson model 18- eight cyl car

oldhudsons

Bill - going back to a prior post hypothesis I made it could be that Hudson shipped a '41 8 chassis to Cantrell let us say late in '41. Cantrell got an order for a wagon & by the time they made it it was '42 so it was bodied as a '42.
Also, as a few of us know, there was at one time a '42 C8 conv. sitting in an old dealer's showroom (can't remember if it was Nebr. or S. D.???) about 40 years ago. However he had put a '46-7 front end on it! The HETer who eventually got it re-made it back to a '42 as it is today.
It is possible that the owner of the '42 6 cyl. wagon found it lacking in performance, or "blew" the engine, and put a '41 8 in it which is very easily done.
You need to find the chassis #.

Bill Weber

Sorry. No more number searches.

If the chassis number, of which you speak, is the aluminum tag on the passenger side door post, it has already been established that it is no longer attached to the vehicle, is missing, and perhaps melted by the fire.

BW

oldhudsons

that's too bad. I know in the early '30s, not sure how early or late, the factory stamped the chassis # on the lower edge of the frame right behind the RF wheel but just looked at '41 & '42 Owners Manuals, when the chassis & engine # were the same, and it tells you that the serial # is on the door post plate & on top of the engine block - that of course does you no good as you have a '41 engine in a '42 chassis, seemingly.

Bill Weber

Well, gentlemen, I suppose there isn't anything more to say about this relic woody. It's time to see what it's worth. Since you folks have assisted me in much of the identity that has been discovered, I think it only fair that you should be given the first chance at purchasing it. If you are at all interested in buying it, before the snow flies, please email me with "Hudson" on the subject line to deerflyguy@gmail.com and place your bid. I'd like to see it sold before it is frozen into the ground and cannot be moved. If you have further questions, email me your phone number and I will call you back, probably at night.

BW

ralpie

oldhudsons wrote:

Bill - going back to a prior post hypothesis I made it could be that Hudson shipped a '41 8 chassis to Cantrell let us say late in '41. Cantrell got an order for a wagon & by the time they made it it was '42 so it was bodied as a '42.
Also, as a few of us know, there was at one time a '42 C8 conv. sitting in an old dealer's showroom (can't remember if it was Nebr. or S. D.???) about 40 years ago. However he had put a '46-7 front end on it! The HETer who eventually got it re-made it back to a '42 as it is today.
It is possible that the owner of the '42 6 cyl. wagon found it lacking in performance, or "blew" the engine, and put a '41 8 in it which is very easily done.
You need to find the chassis #.

[attachment=12159]DeanSeafus42Hudson8ConvertibleHETmeetNE1975.jpg[/attachment]

Peter K... the 42 8 you speak about was in SCOTIA NE and the owner during the war was Dean Seefus. Dean was involved in an accident and replaced the mangled sheetmetal with the 47 front end. The attached picture was taken by me at a Falk Family meet held in Franklin NE in 1975. The front end has been corrected back to the 42 front end at this time.

oldhudsons

Ken - OK, I don't remember when we went there but that is the name of the old dealer & town he was in.
The guy who bought it & restored it, as I am aware, was/is (not sure if he's still alive) who lived/lives in the Oakland, Calif. area. I met him several times but can't remember his name.

Bill Weber

I'm a bit confused?
With all the activity and questions presented here, I thought that there would be some interest in purchasing the 5th known existing 1942 Hudson Woody, and perhaps the only one with am eight cylinder engine?
I can still be reached at deerflyguy@gmail.com

BW

Jon B

Bill--

The few hundred Hudsonites who regularly tune into this forum are but a fraction of the H-E-T Club. It's quite possible that some Club member (who's not computer savvy) might indeed be interested in purchasing the car, were he to know about it. May I suggest that you write up a classified ad and send it, along with a photo, to the White Triangle News, for placement in their "for sale" section? As a non-member you would need an HET member to "sponsor" your ad, so to speak, and I for one would be happy to "front" you. You can e-mail me at HETdetailed@verizon.net (please delete the HET from the address before sending).

Hal

John's right: You need a larger market and the White Triangle News is larger. Larger yet would be eBay which has been suggested and you dismissed that wise advice. I just looked through all the photos again and I'm a dreamer, too. But honestly, and this won't be a popular comment or post, referring to what you have as a woody any more is like finding a piece or two of the space shuttle on the beach and declaring you have Challenger for sale. Sorry to be an ass, but this drama has drug on long enough.

ArkieJazz

It also doesn't help that the car is a hunk of junk which if given to most of us we couldn't afford to restore it.

hudsontech

Bill, what do you think it's worth, in your honest opinion. That said what are you asking.

You are wondering why nobody is rushing to your door with check in hand - drop some figures and then sit back and see what the reactions are.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

51hornetA

Also factor in that its going to cost between 50 and 100K to restore this car. Unless someone is doing all the work themselves even then more than 50K. Looking at the pics I would say its value as it sits is no more than 2k and thats what I would charge you to come pick it up. :ohmy:

Browniepetersen

There is a gentleman near to me that has a restoration shop and builds nothing but woody wagons, convertibles and coupes. I have shared with him the posts on this forum and his comments were very simple"

1. He could not find anywhere in the reference books that stated that Hudson built an 8 for their woodies. That does not mean that they didn't. But without factory documentation he would insist that any customer of his return it with a 6 cyl engine.

2. He told me that judging by what he saw in the photos it would be very difficult to bring this one back. If a customer wanted to do it his rate is $60 per hour and he would expect that with the parts that it would need, $100 K would be just a starting point.

3. He said that all woodies are rare--even the most common ones (Ford, Mopar) bring well over $100 K when they are properly restored and sold.

His estimate of value of what currently exists is aroune $4K...

Another shop down in SLC said that they would not touch it. He said it was beyond being able to be brought back to concours condition.

This is a major build but would make someone a very nice car when done.... Cost would have to be forgotten if someone were to build this car.

Bill Weber

Thank you, sir, for taking the time to run this string by the restoration shop near you. Your information is refreshing and honest, comes from a knowlegeable source, and means a great deal to me as I ponder the fate of this old relic.

BW

eddynghdsn16

Am I wrong in thinking that what my uncle told many years ago is that a 7car fire will reduce the strength of the metal meaning some will have to be re-manufactured. Also this car has been sitting in a damp snowy area for almost 50 years which doesn't help the restoration process. The restorer who looked at the pictures must know the value of this car, but $4k seems high, but if someone is willing to spend $100k on a restoration it is a minor amount. The engine would be a big problem unless you get another one that is running.

MikeWA

The other "elephant in the room" here, that nobody has wanted to mention, is that us Hudson guys are getting OLD. There are some guys on here that are capable of such a restoration, and might have taken it on 20 years ago- but not now. Unfortunately, "time marches on." :dry:

frank spring

Well stated ...I would say a whole herd of elephants!

Mike (WA) wrote:

The other "elephant in the room" here, that nobody has wanted to mention, is that us Hudson guys are getting OLD. There are some guys on here that are capable of such a restoration, and might have taken it on 20 years ago- but not now. Unfortunately, "time marches on." :dry:

denverslim

I would think someone locally might want to play with it, but I learned a long time ago that showing interest and yakking about something doesn't always equate to wanting to possess it. Man, I only have sooo much space, time, and $$$ to deal with my stuff, but I enjoy a lot of other guys' junk...slim

Kevin C.

denverslim wrote:

I would think someone locally might want to play with it, but I learned a long time ago that showing interest and yakking about something doesn't always equate to wanting to possess it. Man, I only have sooo much space, time, and $$$ to deal with my stuff, but I enjoy a lot of other guys' junk...slim

Thanks Slim!

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

Kevin C.

faustmb

Mike (WA) wrote:

The other "elephant in the room" here, that nobody has wanted to mention, is that us Hudson guys are getting OLD. There are some guys on here that are capable of such a restoration, and might have taken it on 20 years ago- but not now. Unfortunately, "time marches on." :dry:

My brother & I discussed this car this evening... I guess all things considered, age is on my side but I don't have the skill/ time/ or funds to do atything with this car as far as restoration. However, I would love to retrieve and store this car until the right person comes along to take on a project of this magnitude. I think the car is only 3 hours or so from my brothers house :whistle: If it sits for too long with no offers we may pursue something along this route.

lsfirth

That is very "white triangle" of you Mike(Wa)!!!

I think everyone that's been following this post would feel relieved to see the decaying process slowed/halted as one more winter might "push it over the edge" so to speak. Bravo FAUSTMB!!!

Lee

Bill Weber

Gentlemen:

This is to those of you who have made offers regarding the 1942 Hudson Woody of this topic and posting, or who have procrastinated doing so. It is just a reminder that the car has not been sold as yet, and most probably won't be sold until the transferrable registration is received from the NY State DMV. That could be any day.

As those who have spoken to me are already familiar, I have not made known any offers that have been made, thus no one's bid has been compromised. If you haven't made an offer as yet, or if you would like to increase your offer, I suggest that you do so as soon as you can, because when the transferrable registration is received a decision will be made as to whether or not any of the offers will be accepted.

The email address for purposes of making contact and offers is: deerflyguy@gmail.com

BW

hornetlover

why don't you put it on ebay to open it up to the "world"?

faustmb

hornetlover wrote:

why don't you put it on ebay to open it up to the "world"?

I think that has already been covered earlier in the thread...

Bill -

I'm glad you decided to start this thread and bring this car back into daylight. I hope to hear of an acceptance offer soon, can't wait to see recovery pics

Bill Weber

Gentlemen:

Yesterday, I received the transferable title for this vehicle from the NYSDMV. Should any of you have been waiting to place a bid on the 1942 Hudson "Woody" wagon, please do so now so that you will not be shut out on this latest, and perhaps last, find of a rare Hudson varient. You now have no worries about the ownership of the vehicle, and can be sure that the law will not be confiscating it should you spend your hard earned money on it. I will allow for the last bids to arrive and then make my decision to sell it to one of you, or take other steps to dispose of it through alternative means.

Thank you all for your assistance and various considerations and suggestions.

You can reach me through the email address: deerflyguy@gmail.com

Bill Weber

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