1954 Sedan

onerare39

A few years ago the engine in my 54 sedan seized due to a leaky head gasket, and in the process of getting the engine rebuilt I decided to have the engine compartment painted, then the lower body, then… you never know where to stop, but I always kept in mind that “it’s a driver”



I had been picking up parts for the sedan over the years and found the two items I wanted most, both from Jim Harmon in Banks, Oregon, (I used to live in the Northwest) a complete 54 sun visor, and a complete continental kit. Jim said that those items don’t really go on a sedan; they’re for a two door, or a convertible. I told him that I understood, but that I thought that the sun visor would add great character to the car and that the continental kit would make the car longer and add to the long sloping line coming off the trunk. I installed the sun visor and adjusted it as low as I could and reworked the continental kit a little bit to lower it and make it slope forward. I also reworked the latch mechanism so that I could use a full sized wheel cover on the continental kit. I also thought that the back bumper returns needed to be lengthened to match up with their previous location. That was some work!



The car has PS, PB, Twin H, aluminum head, no rust anywhere, and an almost flawless original interior (someone had replaced the front carpet).



I moved to Kansas a few years ago and packed up everything in boxes and bags, but found every nut bolt and screw when I got started on the car again. I just got it back on the road on Sunday, and only have 100 miles on it. When I left the comfort of my driveway for the first time in years, I didn’t take any tools with me, not a one… just a fire extinguisher. Didn’t need it. I love driving this car again!



OK, so it looks like Lumpy Rutherford convinced Wally to pimp out Ward’s family sedan while he and June were away for the weekend ( I think he drove Ford’s), but I think it works for this particular car… well it works for me anyway.



Headed to Pontiac.



John Forkner

Unknown

Now that's nice!

Unknown

You may start a trend with that

---

can't stop looking at it!

[Deleted User]

rpmonroe wrote:

Now that's nice!

At different times in past years I had two different '54 Hornet sedans however neither one looked like the car in the attachment; what a great job and a great looking car...Hudsons; pride of ownership.



Congratulations,



Ray

[Deleted User]

John , you've got a really nice car but I beg to differ with your conversation with Jim Harmon on one thing. Hudson Karvisors were meant for ALL Hudsons. Coupes ,broughams, sedans and if the customer really wanted one convertibles. What you have is one of the rarest of Hudson accessories for the 54 stepdowns. There are almost no origional 54 Karvisors available anywhere. Additionally,as a matter of fact you will find most visors on sedans. In any event you car is really nice.

hudnut1tmr

Great job, Enjoy!

MikeWA

Car looks great! Nice to see a few round bales in the background (I'm hauling hay tonight- always a joy).



You may be the only person alive who knows Lumpy's last name.

SuperDave

onerare39 wrote:

A few years ago the engine in my 54 sedan seized due to a leaky head gasket, and in the process of getting the engine rebuilt I decided to have the engine compartment painted, then the lower body, then… you never know where to stop, but I always kept in mind that “it’s a driver”



I had been picking up parts for the sedan over the years and found the two items I wanted most, both from Jim Harmon in Banks, Oregon, (I used to live in the Northwest) a complete 54 sun visor, and a complete continental kit. Jim said that those items don’t really go on a sedan; they’re for a two door, or a convertible. I told him that I understood, but that I thought that the sun visor would add great character to the car and that the continental kit would make the car longer and add to the long sloping line coming off the trunk. I installed the sun visor and adjusted it as low as I could and reworked the continental kit a little bit to lower it and make it slope forward. I also reworked the latch mechanism so that I could use a full sized wheel cover on the continental kit. I also thought that the back bumper returns needed to be lengthened to match up with their previous location. That was some work!



The car has PS, PB, Twin H, aluminum head, no rust anywhere, and an almost flawless original interior (someone had replaced the front carpet).



I moved to Kansas a few years ago and packed up everything in boxes and bags, but found every nut bolt and screw when I got started on the car again. I just got it back on the road on Sunday, and only have 100 miles on it. When I left the comfort of my driveway for the first time in years, I didn’t take any tools with me, not a one… just a fire extinguisher. Didn’t need it. I love driving this car again!



OK, so it looks like Lumpy Rutherford convinced Wally to pimp out Ward’s family sedan while he and June were away for the weekend ( I think he drove Ford’s), but I think it works for this particular car… well it works for me anyway.



Headed to Pontiac.



John Forkner

I would love to see how you extended the bumper ends. I had the same idea and have aquired two sets of bumper ends, thinking I could graft them.. Perhaps just use a section of bumper? How did ya do that?

faustmb

I think it looks great, of course I'm more of a sedan guy I guess.



Sharp looking car, thanks for posting pics.

[Deleted User]

That car is a beauty. I have a 54 sedan in the garage now in 1000 pieces and hope someday to get it looking as good as this car. You did a great job with your car. Looks pretty classy. Won't see a lot of these at the car show.

Unknown

have had one 54 sunvisor in 40 years. you have a rare setup , congrats, BILL ALBRIGHT

[Deleted User]

John,



That is a beautiful 1954 and the best-looking continental application on a stepdown that I have seen IMHO! You should be very proud of the work you have done on that car!

Unknown

Pitter- Patter, Pitter-Patter, thump-thump... my heart is now racing! What a fine car! You can only be proud of that wonderful machine. It is even green as I think a 54 should be! Thank you for sharing your great car with this envious HETer.

RL Chilton

That's really a great looking car. I'm a big fan of sunvisors and continental kits both, and you did a fine job blending these in with the car. Makes a very complete, very proportioned look to an already super-fine automobile.



I'm doing the same sort of thing with my convertible: continental kit and sunvisor, 'cause the look is just beautiful, to me. Can't wait to see this one at the National!:D

bull_islander

great looking car. I really like the sunvisor...helps add a little more balance to the roofline.

Richie

onerare39 wrote:

A few years ago the engine in my 54 sedan seized due to a leaky head gasket, and in the process of getting the engine rebuilt I decided to have the engine compartment painted, then the lower body, then… you never know where to stop, but I always kept in mind that “it’s a driver”



I had been picking up parts for the sedan over the years and found the two items I wanted most, both from Jim Harmon in Banks, Oregon, (I used to live in the Northwest) a complete 54 sun visor, and a complete continental kit. Jim said that those items don’t really go on a sedan; they’re for a two door, or a convertible. I told him that I understood, but that I thought that the sun visor would add great character to the car and that the continental kit would make the car longer and add to the long sloping line coming off the trunk. I installed the sun visor and adjusted it as low as I could and reworked the continental kit a little bit to lower it and make it slope forward. I also reworked the latch mechanism so that I could use a full sized wheel cover on the continental kit. I also thought that the back bumper returns needed to be lengthened to match up with their previous location. That was some work!



The car has PS, PB, Twin H, aluminum head, no rust anywhere, and an almost flawless original interior (someone had replaced the front carpet).



I moved to Kansas a few years ago and packed up everything in boxes and bags, but found every nut bolt and screw when I got started on the car again. I just got it back on the road on Sunday, and only have 100 miles on it. When I left the comfort of my driveway for the first time in years, I didn’t take any tools with me, not a one… just a fire extinguisher. Didn’t need it. I love driving this car again!



OK, so it looks like Lumpy Rutherford convinced Wally to pimp out Ward’s family sedan while he and June were away for the weekend ( I think he drove Ford’s), but I think it works for this particular car… well it works for me anyway.



Headed to Pontiac.



John Forkner

Looks like I have a ways to go !!! Beautiful car John. Richie.

onerare39

Thanks for all the nice comments.



FYI, this car did not get a frame off restoration, it's a driver, not built for show. If you happen to see it at the national you will see a few flaws. The paint is really nice but not perfect; the bumper returns that were fabricated are really nice but not perfect. The roof is the original Pasture Green paint and the sun visor and continental kit were painted by two different people decades later and don't match the roof color exactly.



I am anticipating that upon seeing the car in person someone may want to nit pick it apart, but I'm ok with that. I enjoy the car for what it is, a driver!



I would be happy to answer anybody's questions they may have, especially about fabricating the bumper returns. Catch me at the national or call me at home (913) 592-2288. I'm in Kansas, Central Daylight Time.



Thanks Again!

John Forkner

[Deleted User]

John...

If you are willing put together a writeup about how your completed the bumper changes. If you have pictures all the better. I will with your permission then create a PDF document and post it to my website crediting you with the information.

Thanks >>> Happy 4th of July<<<

RL Chilton

John-



Drivers are great! It means you enjoy your car the way they should be enjoyed . . . on the road. Anybody starts nit-picking, just politely shove 'em on down the row (then later you can chase them around the parking lot with the fog lights blazing and the horn a'blarin' and laughin' like a madman).:D



I personally can't wait to see the car and talk to you about it.

bull_islander

FYI, this car did not get a frame off restoration, it's a driver, not built for show. If you happen to see it at the national you will see a few flaws. The paint is really nice but not perfect; the bumper returns that were fabricated are really nice but not perfect. The roof is the original Pasture Green paint and the sun visor and continental kit were painted by two different people decades later and don't match the roof color exactly.

I am anticipating that upon seeing the car in person someone may want to nit pick it apart, but I'm ok with that. I enjoy the car for what it is, a driver!

The club was built around 'drivers.' If anybody gets critical, I'd ask them what time you can come by their car so you can critique it!"

Unknown

Onerare,

Where did you ever find that sunvisor? I've been looking for years for one.



I think my 54 wasp would look good with a visor.

[Deleted User]

Jimalberta wrote:

Onerare,
Where did you ever find that sunvisor? I've been looking for years for one.

I think my 54 wasp would look good with a visor.

Jim: Big Jims located at Lake Whitney Texas used to make fiberglass repos of this fulton accessory. Big Jim died a number of years ago.:( I do not know if his daughter and wife continued the biz. So, there are repos available, but I am not sure about the unique center mounting bracket.

Dave Sollen has a fulton visor on his 54 Convertible. I can not find the pictures of the bracket he sent me .... but possibly he will ablidge and send you the same picture.

onerare39

The interesting thing about this Fulton Sun Shade is that the leading edge of the visor is pot metal, not stainless steel.



I got the sun visor from Jim Harmon in Banks, Oregon. As the story goes (and remember you never let the truth get in the way of a good story) Jim had seen a picture of an automobile sitting in a junk yard somewhere in East Timbuktu. In the background of this picture was a Hudson with this particular sun visor on it. He called the guy at the junkyard and made the deal to purchase it. The guy took it off the car and sent it to Jim. Jim had the pot metal repaired and replated. I told Jim I would be willing to give him a blank check for the visor (I actually wrote the check myself). I had a few dings taken out of the sheet metal and had it painted (not a perfect match though). The piece that is so hard to find is the center support (horse collar) that goes around the antenna, and is sculpted to the roof line, it's cast out of aluminum I believe.

[Deleted User]

Finally found the pictures of Dave S 54 visor and mount. Also added a 54 Wasp with visor and continental kit.