Street Rods — HET Club Open forum

1953 Hudson Hornet Coupe Build

53HornetCoupe — Mon, 23 May 2022 01:54:56 +0000

So I am 18. I grew up watching the Disney cars movie which for those who do not know featured a character who was a 51 Hudson Hornet. Ever since then I have always wanted a real Hornet. My first car was a 1976 Mustang II which I still own. My dad bought it as a project for me and him when I was 9. After that I started a business selling R/C plane parts and accessories. My second vehicle was a 2001 S-10 ZR-2 my grandfather gave us. My dad hit black ice and flipped it. Long story short we rebuilt it with junkyard parts so I would have a 4x4 winter vehicle. After that I started a business selling R/C plane parts and accessories. I ended up buying an all original red GT 86 Mustang convertible for $4500 at the Ford Carlisle show when I was 14 with my earnings. When I was 16 I bought a 68 Ranchero for $2000 which is on a rotisserie now. My grandfather owned a Junkyard and I bought a 1972 f-100 short bed V8 for $200 from him. Between those and a couple other parts cars I had I was still on the look out for a Hudson. I did well in high school. This got me a scholarship to college which paid for half the tuition. I am a senior now and will be going next fall. This December I found a 1953 Hornet in Pennsylvania for $5000. As a reward for the scholarship my dad said he would get it for me. So at 18 I have my dream car. It is pretty complete. It is a twin-H-power car. It has a 232 head on a 308 block so I believe the previous owner was building a 7X replica. It has standard size 7/16 head bolts and it does not have the dual exhaust adapter so I assume it's not a 7X. I have not checked the cam yet. I figured I would start build thread. Because the Ranchero is on the rotisserie the Hudson will be waiting a while.
One of my grandfathers was going to buy a 57 Lincoln From an old Hudson dealership in 1986. He told me to see if they were still around as they might have some old parts. After calling five people I talked to the owner. It turns out my grandfather was right. They have barns full of parts. I am going to be getting original NOS quarters from them. If they have them I will also be getting a hood, deck lid, doors, fender and sill covers. I am also hoping they have some NOS trim and grilles

Jag IFS in my Hudson

54coupe — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 16:12:12 +0000

I rearranged the shop so I can get the front suspension out of the Jag, to put in my 54. I thought I would document it here.

New engine build

54coupe — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:47:45 +0000

1929 Essex hub 5 bolt upgrade

oldtoys — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 23:23:12 +0000

Does anyone know what hubs would fit a 1929 Essex that will give a 5 bolt pattern? Can use 5 on 4.5" or 5 on 4 3/4" Prefer the Chevy pattern. Just looking for something for the front to go with the S10 rearend. Or spindles that will fit the front axle that will take a common hub and brakes.

Heat containment

Max162 — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:45:03 +0000

Hello all,

I've finished the installation of the new Twin-H2 intake manifold from Dan White along with Clifford's headers on my 54 Super Wasp and made it's first ride to a small car expo.

It's running great and don't have major issues so far and I learned that headers obviously produce more heat than the stock exhaust manifolds and I'm suspecting that the cooling system might be slighly hotter due to the headers' radiating heat. Nothing too alarming but the heat is quite present even with the heater blower off while rolling on the highway.

I'm looking around to find a way to at least reduce the heat coming from the headers. Exhaust wraps is the first thing in mind, but I wonder if there is other methods that can help to contain the heat.

Other than this little issue, the car is running great and I'll be driving it through the entire season.

Max

1950 Hudson Pacemaker build

KFF1 — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 18:49:48 +0000

Back in Sept of last year I purchased a 1950 Hudson Pacemaker 500 Sedan. I plan to use the 232 flathead IL6 and the 3spd with OD. Car is in decent shape overall just riddled with dents for the most part. Front floor pans will need replaced. the interior is a wreck, car sat in a garage for 30 years and some woodland creatures decided to take up residence in the car.

308 + Tremec T56 Magnum

StepUp — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 03:55:18 +0000

Anyone running a 6 speed Tremec behind a 308ci street car? The close ratio transmission's gearing is 2.66, 1.78, 1.3,1.0 ,0.8, 0.63 ---seems an ideal match for the 308's 1750--2950 rpm power band with a 4.56 rear end (or 4.11)

Gear) Max Power Speed Range

1) 10 - 18 mph

2) 17 - 28 mph

3) 23 - 38 mph

4) 30 - 50 mph

5) 38 - 62 mph

6) 48 - 80 mph

Who's interested?

Subframe on stepdown

blondwookie — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 03:35:04 +0000

Has anyone attempted to put a full frame under a step down Hudson? I only ask this question to see if anyone is even attempted to do it. Would it even be possible to do with the correct subframe underneath the car?

Rhodora - '49 Hudson Brougham

Rhodora — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 23:56:32 +0000

Hello all,

Please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Wilfred from a small country called The Netherlands on, for the most of you, the other side of the Atlantic.

I have been a member of the AACA forum for a few years from back when I was looking for my dream car (a 1949 Buick Super Sedanet).

This year a very special Hudson crossed my path and now I am her caretaker. The car is a 1949 Hudson Super Six Brougham with Arizona patina. I also started a post at the AACA and got the tip to also go to this forum. Alas, until this week I could not get online here. Somehow I wasn't allowed to visit the hetclub.org website. Luckily this changed so here I am.

The previous owner saved her from the desert and took her to Sweden. He gave her a new lease on life and now it is my turn to take care of her and make her better so she can be with us for a long time to come.

We call her Rhodora. This name is a tribute to her first owner, called Jade Rhodora. She was an exotic dancer and a beautiful lady with a good taste for beautiful cars. The title says the car was in her possession from 1949 until at least 1964. That was the year her husband, Hollywood actor Wes Hudman, was tragically shot by a next door neighbour.

Next year we are planning to visit California and Arizona and amongst other things we would like to visit her grave to pay respect to her. Also I hope we can find some like minded people who own Hudsons / Buicks and if possible even visit Bill Albright and maybe some other places I don't know about yet. I'm here to learn and listen, and share the story of (the car) Rhodora.

Of course pictures say more than words:

Cheers, Wilfred

what bucket seats work well in a stepdown coupe

Bitburger — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 01:24:37 +0000

I have a temporary need to put a different front seat in my 49 Coupe. What non power bucket seats work well in size and ease of installation?

New member with a 52 Hudson intro

bk_Hudson_52 — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:15:47 +0000

Hello,

My names Brent. I'm retired from the military and live in Montana. I just picked up a pretty beat up 52 Hudson 4 door for my son and I to fix up. This old jem had seen many years out in a field. I am curious if anyone can help me with a question. From my research, it appears a commodore can be a hornet if it came with the 308. Please educate me. On the interior, the glove box says hornet, it has hornet trim on the passenger side but commodore trim on the driver's side. It does have the 6 cylinder engine. The intake and exhaust manifold were in the trunk and I was told it turned over before the previous owner pulled the manifolds. I love the builds on this forum and from what I've read so far, everyone seems to be pretty helpful. I look forward to any insight those smarter than me are willing to provide.

Respectfully

Brent

My Hudson Hornet -52 project,

vesaku — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 06:25:28 +0000

Ford rear end

JasonNC — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 12:33:02 +0000

Just curious, has anyone installed a Ford rear end on a Stepdown? I have access to a rear end from an old Lincoln Town car and considering installing it on my Super Six if it’s feasible.

51 Pacemaker

51HRH — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 20:12:08 +0000

I'm on the downhill side of building/reassembly of my grandfather's rust free Pacemaker with a BBC, 4L80E and a Currey 9", with a twist. A tribute car, town car, like the owners of Hudson built for their wives. 3 customs were made by a company in PA. All the usual mods, shaved everything, suicide rear doors, tucked bumpers, 4 corner hydraulic coilovers and some other cleaning up of mass production ugliness.

Hudson drag and drive car

49hudsonrod — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:03:08 +0000

Hello, I am working on building a drag car and I have a solid roller 49 Hudson commodore sedan. I am looking to build a drag and drive car and something that could be fairly fast. I am thinking about selling the Hudson, but before i do I wanted to see if it was a feasible option to build off of it without having to building a full tube chassis for it.

My “ultimate goal” for the drag car is f2 procharged big block Chevy, th400 trans, 4 link rear, 9 inch, some sort of tubbing, probably a radial tire, and a full cage. I would like to be in that 8-9 second range in the quarter. I know I will have to gut the car with new suspension and brakes.

My questions

How strong are the unibodies? Am I going to twist it in 2? Can put a rear section frame and four link set up in one of these cars? Has someone done this to a step down before?

Xj6 ifs leads

DTEL8811 — Wed, 31 May 2023 01:05:45 +0000

Looking for xj6 independent front suspension and k member for my 51 pacemaker 2 door. Does anyone have leads on buying?

47 Swap?

Haase — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 19:11:23 +0000

Just getting started fixing up a 47 Commodore 8, but don't think the engine/trans will be rebuildable. Want something we can just hop on the highway and visit family so considering the idea of swapping in either a new driveline or even a full chassis swap (probably not). Has anybody done a similar swap with good results?

DODGE HORNET!

StepUp — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 03:21:12 +0000

Check out the Road and Track review which includes original Step Down ad. Also spot a slanted "H" on the front grill.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a43380807/2023-dodge-hornet/

Lets see some unique intake and exhaust set ups

bent metal — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 15:05:24 +0000

I did a search on here to see some unique intake and exhaust pictures. Didn't come up with much. The pictures seem to be spread out over several threads? Anyhow, I thought it would be interesting to see photos of unique intake, exhaust, and air cleaners for the Hudson. So, please post pictures of what you have, or things you have seen.

Summit Racing- just for your info

Kdancy — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:02:17 +0000

I will be shutting down my Summit Racing account. I have done thousands of dollars worth of business with them over the years.
Recently I was looking at a hydraulic jack on their website and tried to find out where it was made. Had to call the product business owner to find out and found out it is made in China. I posted in a review what the businees told me. Summit refused to post my review because they said it was racists. I refuse to buy anything made in China unless there is no other option, due to them making inferior products and as a communists country, pay slave wages and are anti- American but love our money.

2023 Barrett Jackson, Scottsdale AZ ---Event Poster

StepUp — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 04:01:11 +0000

Nuff said!

Automatic Floor shifters

operator219 — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 14:51:20 +0000

Hello, Has anyone used American floor shifter kits? I still have a bench seat, I'm just wondering what shifting arm works best with my GM 400 trans. Thank you!

Studebaker V8

blondwookie — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:30:49 +0000

I have stumbled across a possible 1957 to 1964 Studebaker engine. I'd like to find this engine a new home along with the automatic transmission minus the torque converter. Any help on this engine finding a new home and into a Studebaker vehicle will help me a lot.
Thanks in advance

Wookie

Help needed on a Twin H setup

Bitburger — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:25:23 +0000

I have a 308 backed up with a GM 2004r trans. I am using a gm gas pedal setup. I'm looking for ideas from anyone who may have setup the gm pedal with accelerator cable and the kickdown cable from the 2004r or 700r4 or similar. I previously had a 2bl setup and attachung both cables was fairly easy. With the dual carbs it's a bit different. Any help including pics would be greatly appreciated.

AMC 15 or 20 rear end

Bitburger — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 02:03:27 +0000

Has anyone ever used an AMC 15 or 20 rear end in a stepdown?

Headers for a 350 in a '29 Essex

Traderquinn — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 15:27:47 +0000

I'm putting a 350 in my 29 Essex, and I'm wondering oif anyone out there has (for sale), or knows the ideal setup for headers to fit on the original body/frame.

1946 Hudson - looking for brake disk kit

System — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 07:36:19 +0000

This discussion was created from comments split from: '46 Hudson Disc Brakes & Master Cyl conversion Pictures, Etc.

Air ride on 48

myhudson48 — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 02:45:19 +0000

Anyone done this or know someone that has? Looking for information and guidance

My new Project

Essex33 — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 12:13:38 +0000

Anyone have correct '34 bumpers?

37 Tara plain utility coupe for sale

Val — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 18:28:07 +0000

There is a 1937 Tara plane utility coupe Hot rod for sale on the Gateway het Club website.