How to learn?

[Deleted User]

My wife and I have been talking about getting a classic 50s car for the last few years. In general we like Buick, but once we saw the Hudson Hornet we loved it. The trouble is, they seem very hard to find. We are looking for help.



How and where can I learn more about the 1951-1954 styles and options? I want to buy with my eyes open.



How in the world can I find a Hudson Hornet in MN? eBay seems devoid of Hornets and what there is always seems to be in CA.



Thank you for taking the time to humor a new person.

rambos_ride

mjsandbe wrote:

My wife and I have been talking about getting a classic 50s car for the last few years. In general we like Buick, but once we saw the Hudson Hornet we loved it. The trouble is, they seem very hard to find. We are looking for help.

How and where can I learn more about the 1951-1954 styles and options? I want to buy with my eyes open.

How in the world can I find a Hudson Hornet in MN? eBay seems devoid of Hornets and what there is always seems to be in CA.

Thank you for taking the time to humor a new person.

Welcome!

You've already found one of the best sources of information online THIS FORUM!

There are books available on Amazon and eBay that tell some of the History models and such.

The original dealer brochures - also available on ebay - would tell about the options as well.

The HET club is also a good place to start, maybe someone could loan you a WTN?

Are you looking for one that is restored, resto-rod, project? Are you interested in a 2dr or 4dr?

Here's a seemingly reasonale price on a 4 dr Hornet in MN - I found on Craigslist.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1274074582.html

The biggest issue with these cars is the rust issues, if you didn't know, these where one of the first production cars made with "monobilt" or by todays terminology - unibody construction.

This made for a very-lightweight car (3800 lbs for a 4 dr) and strong - but also created areas that potentially rust out, like the perimeter "frame" rails.

Spend some time searching the forum, also you can poke around my website on my 49/50 builds and you'll start to get a feel of what to look for.

Please - feel free to ask as many questions as you like - that's what we're here for!

Dan

Unknown

Welcome aboard, even if you like Buicks.



As far as learning about Hudson, there have been numerous books written about this marque. Additionally, you can learn volumes from this site and its members. If you chose to join the HET club and your local HET chapter, you'll have exposure to great people, club events as well as newsletters chock full of info and Hudsons for sale.



Good luck with your search.

Lee ODell

Joining the HUDSON ESSEX TETTAPLAE CLUB and a local Hudson chapter, will provide you with access to many ads for Hudsons for sale and invaluable source of information about Hudsons. There is a book called History of Hudsons by Butler which covers all years of Hudsons, Essex, and Terraplanes made. Hope this is of help. Feel free to ask questions. Lee

Unknown

Being new to old cars and Hudson in particular your best option is the closest Het chapter, you don't have to own a car to join and it is CHEAP . You'l find the members very ready to assist you , even to looking over a car you may be thinking of buying . Look up the national HET CLUB on the net and from there you can get a contact person for your local chapter . BUD

Aaron D. IL

Look in your library for 3 books "The History of Hudson" By Don Butler.

"Hudson The Post War Years" by Richard Langworth. "The Cars that Hudson Built" by John Conde.



That will get you up to speed a lot. What might be good for you is a nice Step down sedan. Would be easier to find and less expensive. As stated above esp look for rust out around the rear perimeter frame. Roughly speaking Engine Choices (attached to models) for '51-'54 are 232, 262, and 308 cid 6 cyl. The bigger the engine the bigger the price and desireability. There's also the 254 cid inline 8 cylinder used until 1952. Trans choices are 3 speed, 3spd with overdrive, 3 spd w/ Drivemaster or supermatic drive. and hydramatic or rarely Borg Warner automatics..



Finding them is not as hard as you would think, there's many out there that need a good home. You just have to know where to look and connect the dots with the right people to help you find. Joining the club would help you a lot and you'd find cars advertised that aren't in the open market. I highly doubt you would regret it. One last tip....be patient in your search, there's good cars to be had out there.

Lee ODell

Lee O'Dell wrote:

Joining the HUDSON ESSEX TETTAPLAE CLUB and a local Hudson chapter, will provide you with access to many ads for Hudsons for sale and invaluable source of information about Hudsons. There is a book called History of Hudsons by Butler which covers all years of Hudsons, Essex, and Terraplanes made. Hope this is of help. Feel free to ask questions. Lee

I'm sorry Terraplane owners for the slip of the fingers. What in the world is a TETTAPLAE? Lee

Browniepetersen

We have a lot of Hudson members near to you. Once you go to http://www.hetclub.com you will be able to check out the local chapters and to get in contact with some local members. Members of the club are a good source for cars. Most members own two or more Hudsons and will be more than willing to help you get started and to explain what features are best for you. By the way, no one has mentioned the closeness and friendliness of the Hudson family. We have a lot of members and a lot of activities to take up your weekends. By the way, Bill Albright has the perfect car for you. You just have to decide which of his cars you want to have. You can fly out to California and have the adventure of a lifetime driving your new "rebuilt" car home. I have done this (with a friend) and it was wonderful. Also, shipping a car is not as expensive as it used to be. It is not a bad way to go once you find your perfect Hudson..:):)

[Deleted User]

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply. I have requested the suggested books from my local library. They do not own them but are working on an inter-library loan. I have also e-mailed the local club asking to join, talked to my insurance agent and the bank. Now all I need to do is research, research, research, network, and save money



By the way, we are looking for a already drivable Hudson Hornet that we can take to local shows and gatherings. I am not looking for something to rebuild at this time or something so pristine I would not want to drive it; We are looking for a Hudson to love, maintain, and potentially enhance.



Are there any Minnesota Hudson Owners here? We would love to lay eyes on some Hudsons in the near future. Are there any MN local shows we should be aware of?

[Deleted User]

This one has caught my eye http://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/1230282443.html

What should I be asking the seller that is not in the listing?



308 six cylinder.hydromatic transmission.75,000 miles.Engine rebuilt less than 1,000 miles ago by former Hudson dealer. hardened valves and seats to burn unleaded gas.interior excellent original.brake system totally gone through.wide whites with spoked rims. runs and drives excellent.owned 20 years

[Deleted User]

mjsandbe wrote:

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply. I have requested the suggested books from my local library. They do not own them but are working on an inter-library loan. I have also e-mailed the local club asking to join, talked to my insurance agent and the bank. Now all I need to do is research, research, research, network, and save money



By the way, we are looking for a already drivable Hudson Hornet that we can take to local shows and gatherings. I am not looking for something to rebuild at this time or something so pristine I would not want to drive it; We are looking for a Hudson to love, maintain, and potentially enhance.



Are there any Minnesota Hudson Owners here? We would love to lay eyes on some Hudsons in the near future. Are there any MN local shows we should be aware of?

Where in Mn are you? This info would make it easier to find someone close to you.

[Deleted User]

walt norem wrote:

Where in Mn are you? This info would make it easier to find someone close to you.

I am in the Rochester MN area (South East MN). That puts me in easy reach of Minneapolis / St. Paul, South West WI, and North West Iowa.

Rocket

mjsandbe email me at dreamtuck@yahoo.com I am in ST.PAUL give me some contact imfo and I will get a hold of you there is a lot of us in MN. Tom

Aaron D. IL

ask the seller how solid the frame is from the read wheels to the rear bumper. Even when these areas are rusted the car is rarely in danger of falling apart however repairing this is expensive and time consuming and you're better off getting a solid car to start with. Check door alignment and the condition of the weather seals. A Hornet sedan would be a good car for you I think.



Test driving should give you a good indication of the car mechanicallly it should be smooth. If it's not ask the owner if they have had trouble timng the engine as it might indicate a loose timing chain....not a repair you can't do, but still kind of a pain. Also you will notice a smoother car on the road if it has radials but that's a matter of preference. Hudson was an engineering company and there's very few weak points of the car mechanicallly if everything is in good tune.

Jon B

The National H-E-T Club homepage is at http://www.hetclub.org/index.htm , if you haven't already found it. Lots of links to Hudson and Club stuff.



Your Minnesota chapter is the North Central Chapter, homepage is http://www.hudsonclubncc.org/ . In order to join a chapter you need to also be a member of the National club. It would be good for you to get out to a local meet to start looking at the cars and talking to the owners, so contact the president and find out when the next NCC meet is.



Depending on where you live, you may find that other nearby chapters also have upcoming meets not far from you. Go to the "CHAPTER INFO" webpage (at the National website) to find other nearby chapters.