Stepdown Spotter's Guide

cpr3333

Has anyone ever put together what I would call a spotter's guide to stepdowns? What I mean is something that gives you the basics of how to easily tell one year/model from another.



If not, here is my idea:



Probably in Excel, for each year, list which models were available and in which body styles. Then, list obvious differences like grill, parking lights, taillights, side trim, rear window size, etc. Maybe even include pictures.



I don't think I want to get too deep, like upholstery styles or dash configurations - just enough so you can look at a car and pretty reliably identify it as a 1950 Pacemaker Brougham (for example).



I'll put it together, but I need reliable sources. Half of what I see on the internet is either contradictory or just plain wrong.

RL Chilton

Chris-

Send me an e-mail about this. Would like to help.

Jon B

I'd think a simple front / back view, one for each year, would suffice. You could also simply list three or four levels of information beneath to supplement it (this would be helpful, for example, in '48 and '49, which were virtually identical). This additional information might include serial numbers, models (Pacemaker one year, Wasp the next) and maybe engine availabilities in that particular year.

Aaron D. IL

Butler's book is the closest thing to a spotters guide that exists. In most step-down years grills were basically the same or close major differences were in trim, bumper guards, etc. This is complicated by the fact some things got added on as dealer ordered accessories and were not necesarily model specific OR people mixed and matched trim and acessories later because they decided they liked this or that. If you wanted historical accuracy though the sales catalog sheets and dealer lists of options would be the final word. Rule of thumb is the cheaper models had less trim and options. If customers ordered a step-down a certain way though I have a hard time imaging that they were refused as long as the parts were compatible.



If you did a sheet for example for every possible 1951 model you'd have 24 different cars.

hudsontech

There is a chart in my General Information Handbook, on page 106, of 1946-1957 Year Identification. Just front end shots with no model break down.



A copy of the Handbook can be found @ www.HudsonManuals.com - link to the book as at the top of the page.



Welcome to use it if helpful.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

http://hetclub.org/burr

bob ward

At the less technical end of the scale, wasn't there a colouring-in book available at the Detroit National showing different stepdown models, plus some earlier Hudsons? I think you had to provide your own crayons though:-)

[Deleted User]

Here is some info that might be helpful. I have a OK Used Car Guide to Cars. Its a small pocket book that salesmen carried that showed them all the different car makers and what cars they offered with a quick write up and how to identify them. I am showing the example from the model year 54. This book has Hudsons from 46 up to 54. I scanned one to show you. I can scan the rest and post them if there is interest.

RL Chilton

Sean-

I'd love to have copies of those. I've told Chris I would help him with the project. Think you could e-mail me copies? These would be very helpful, indeed.

[Deleted User]

Sure I will scan the Hudson section and send to you.

hudsontech

Me too, me too, please, please!!!! If for nothing else for my files. Might, at some future time add it to my Handbook!!!



Thank you very much.





Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

http://hetclub.org/burr

onerare39

Can I have one too... please, please, please!



Thanks,

John



hetforkner@aol.com (drop the het)

[Deleted User]

Gimme a week to scan them. Up to my ears right now. I will scan the whole Hudson section 46-54 its really a nice thing to have. When I found this book and paid next to nothing for it I was very pleased. In a telling statement of the time it was written, it lists 20 separate US brands. Those days are long gone my friends now we have 3. I have a separate doc with brochure pics of convertibles I will toss that in as well.

hudsontech

Thank you - we will all await your pleasure, sir, with heightened anticipation!!! Always good to get more info. Like "stuff" can't have enough info!!!



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

NEChudsontech09@yahoo.com (Drop the NEC)

http://hetclub.org/burr

RL Chilton

"I have a separate doc with brochure pics of convertibles I will toss that in as well."

Awesome!! I really look forward to that!

cpr3333

51hornetA wrote:

I can scan the rest and post them if there is interest.

This is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for so please, yes, post them!



Hopefully, they point out that sometimes the differences may be little things like how the 1950 Pacemakers and Commodores have different front parking lights. (I didn't notice this until very recently.) I think the Supers match the Commodores, but I'm not 100% sure.



Even with the OK Used Car Guide to Cars at hand, I think I'd still like to make something to help you do a quick ID of a car without having to leaf through hundreds of pages.



To keep this project under some sort of control I'm not wanting to create the definitive guide to what came on what Hudson or how to absolutely identify a certain year and model. I just want enough informarion so you can pretty accurately tell which make and model it is at a glance.



For example, looking at a car from the front, you know it's a 1950 because it has the horizontal grill bars with the inverted V. You know it's either a Super or a Commodore because it has the parking lights in line with the bottom grill bar rather than below it. It has no fender ornaments so it must be a Super. (I think that's all right - tell me if I'm wrong.)



As was pointed out, this won't be foolproof due to owners adding things (especially those fender ornaments) and production runs overlapping and such but hopefully, it would be a good start.

[Deleted User]

The crash guides from the 50s provide front side and rear views of all body styles and models. Each picture is identified and multiple pictures appear on a page. It coupled with the aforementioned OK used car guide as a within year model isolator would be a complete quick to use guide for the person wanting to ID Stepdown Hudsons.

[Deleted User]

51hornetA wrote:

Gimme a week to scan them. Up to my ears right now. I will scan the whole Hudson section 46-54 its really a nice thing to have. When I found this book and paid next to nothing for it I was very pleased. In a telling statement of the time it was written, it lists 20 separate US brands. Those days are long gone my friends now we have 3. I have a separate doc with brochure pics of convertibles I will toss that in as well.

I would like to have a copy of your scans and would gladly pay you for the product. My email is listed below. Thanks

53jetman

Yes, what Ken said! I too would like a copy of the used car guide. My email is HETjbean960@msn.com (drop the HET)

[Deleted User]

Yes, what the previous posts said! I too would like a copy of the used car guide. My email is hetpbebop@gmail.com (drop the HET)

Thanks for your help, another valuable service offered to HET'ers.

cpr3333

Heart_Of_Texas wrote:

The crash guides from the 50s provide front side and rear views of all body styles and models. Each picture is identified and multiple pictures appear on a page. It coupled with the aforementioned OK used car guide as a within year model isolator would be a complete quick to use guide for the person wanting to ID Stepdown Hudsons.

Where do I find these crash guides?

Browniepetersen

Add me to the list. hetbrowniepetersen@readytek.net (drop the het like everyone else is doing....)

[Deleted User]

Chris... I purchased mine over the years on eBay or swap meets. Several titles to look for...
Crash Book Illustrations... Chilton product
Chilton's Motor Age Body and Frame Manual
Chilton's Motor Age Flat Rate Book
Chilton Wreck Estimator.

Ducor Kid

Add me to list also. hetlgarlock@earthlink.net drop het.



Thanks in advance



Larry

hornet_54

Please add my name to the list also: hetclassic@elkay.org drop the het.



Thanks for your effort



Bob

RL Chilton

Heart_Of_Texas wrote:

Chris... I purchased mine over the years on eBay or swap meets. Several titles to look for...
Crash Book Illustrations... Chilton product
Chilton's Motor Age Body and Frame Manual
Chilton's Motor Age Flat Rate Book
Chilton Wrech Estimator.

I like the Chilton "WRECH" Estimator!

That's me, describing my first wife!:eek:

brumac

Hi Alex,

I'll be another 'Me Too'er" and ask to be added to your growing list.



hetbrumac@peoplepc.com and you know about the het.



Are you the Alex that worked on the radio room of a retired sub? in the Portsmouth naval yard a few years ago?



Thank you, Bruce

hudsontech

brumac wrote:

Hi Alex,

I'll be another 'Me Too'er" and ask to be added to your growing list.



hetbrumac@peoplepc.com and you know about the het.



Are you the Alex that worked on the radio room of a retired sub? in the Portsmouth naval yard a few years ago?



Thank you, Bruce

Bruce, I worked at the Navy Yard from 1980 (around that time) to 1993, but not in the radio room of a retired sub. I worked in Building 86 in the tech library.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

[Deleted User]

I would like one to please Alex. Thanks a lot. Rob hetdiner1000@comcast.net

hudsontech

Rob Fayette wrote:

I would like one to please Alex. Thanks a lot. Rob hetdiner1000@comcast.net

Rob, I sent a PM to Chris suggesting he just send one out to me and I would put it in the HET on-line library. Then everybody could download a copy saving Chris a little time and effort. Haven't heard from Chris yet, but we will keep everybody in the loop.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

http://hetclub.org/burr

hudsontech

Rob Fayette wrote:

Thanks Alex , I wasnt sure exactly what was going on but I thought the book would be cool to have judging by the pics and data on the 54. Rob

Actually, Rob, what we had here was a failure of my brain to communicate. Blame it on the heat wave. It wasn't Chris that had the guide. We have gotten the train back on the tracks with a msg to the correct party and will post what's going to happen when it happens.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

[Deleted User]

Thanks Alex , I wasnt sure exactly what was going on but I thought the book would be cool to have judging by the pics and data on the 54. Rob