'38 112 Convertible Update

RL Chilton

SO much FUN when the brightwork starts going on!

54SuperWasp

Always a pleasure to follow the progress on your restoration. Wish you a good recovery for your leg. Michel.

onerare39

Looking Good!

[Deleted User]

The Indy 500 Museum people sent me an actual picture of the '38 Pace Car. We are using it as a reference tool to make my car look as close as possible to the original. I am hopeful the finished restoration will look just as good as this picture from 72 years ago. Some HET members told me I need to put the sign back on the door. If anyone wants to comment on this I would be interested in what you have to say. By the way, I am still looking for any interior pictures of a '38 or '39 112. Thanks in advance.

onerare39

Dave,

I think you should have some nice magnetic signs made up. That would allow you to put them on or take them off whenever you want.

John

[Deleted User]

That is the direction I have been leaning towards . The guy helping me would rather have it painted. Money ( mine ) rules.

RL Chilton

Dave-

I think the magnetic signs is the way to go. Paint is somewhat permanent. Only downside to the signs is you have to remember not to leave them on for extended periods of time as UV will change the tint of your paint . . . except under the sign!!

[Deleted User]

The car will be garaged when it is finished Russell. My insurance is with Haggerty and the policy requires that it not sit outside. Here are pictures of the only interior door handle and estucion that I have. If anyone has another door handle or two estucions please let me know.

RL Chilton

Dave-

Didn't mean to imply your car would sit outside!! UV comes in more ways than sunshine.

Ol racer

FYI
Very Nice restoration work taking place. I echo using Magnetic Signs on your Car rather than decaling. A local Sign Shop should be able to make a Sign from your 500 picture.

I suggest using High Image Vinal Graphic Material on a magnetic sheet. (Its slightly thicker than a decal). If you cant get them made locally there is a Vinal Graphic Shop here that could make them. I hadFabulous Hudson Hornet magnetic Graphics made to use at special Events, but I do not leave them on the Car.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the info guys. The car will not be kept where any sunlight will hit it but I plan to only put the sign on when showing the car. I have two good friends in Hickory that own sign companies. When one of them is given the job I will make sure they use high image material.

[Deleted User]

Ol Racer, how about a few pictures of the car/truck from your avatar picture?

[Deleted User]

Pictures of the steering column with the shifter installed. Note the green turn signal lights that we added on the dash. The turn signal lever is shown hanging in the pictures. It will be mounted to the bottom of the dash. The lever will be the only part visible and will stick out about three inches. I did not want to mount it to the steering column so we came up with this solution.

[Deleted User]

Hi Dave,
Amazing job you are doing ! My Dad had the same Hudson convertible also the same colour in the south of France. I am joining you some family pictures showing the car that may amuse you.
The last one is a restored one found somewhere in Sweden. I would love to find what ever happened to the one my father owned ! I wonder how many of those were sold in Europe.
Have fun
Axel

[Deleted User]

Thank you for posting the pictures Axel. Although the lady in the interior picture blocks out some of the detail this is still one of the best pictures I have seen. I do not know if we can get a finished product that looks as nice as the red car but we are doing our best. I certainly appreciate any pictures of '38 or '39 112's that we can use for cpmparison.

RL Chilton

Dave-

Were the '38 and '39 dashes the same? What other parts were "carry-over" between the years?

[Deleted User]

The glove box with the clock inserted seems to be the same in both cars. Same with the panel with the speedometer. The middle section is different in the '39 from my '38. The picture Axel sent of the '39 dash is small so I can not make out all the detail. My center section contains an ash tray, radio, two warning lights and on/off knobs. The wiper knob appears to be in the same place. I did not look over the picture of the red car real good. Here is a picture of the '38 Indy Pace Car that you can use to see what exterior changes ther are between 38 and 39.

RL Chilton

Yup, and you can throw all that 'out the window' with the commercial series... :P

since there were considerably less, many commercial series got the previous years' parts (dashes, instrumentation, etc..), so as to use it up. My '39 has a basic '38 dashboard - although a friend's identical '39 is not so much identical and was produced later in the year, with a '39 dash...

Can't wait to see your convertible all finished! Too bad I am not closer - but, I would probably be in your workshop getting in our way most of the time. [/quote]

Most manufacturers were consistent in this regard. Most my experience is with Fords, but commercial vehicles always got the "leftovers", or in Ford's case, '39 commercials used '38 car parts and styling.

As far as the exterior on the Hudson '38 & '39 112's go, I was pretty sure just the grille and surrounding sheetmetal was different. Like the '38's better. '39 grilles look a little funky.

Jon B

I'm curious why you don't want to mount the turn signal switch on the column? Assuming you're using the Step-Down switch, it should be a perfect fit (and Hudson had a combination chrome bracket, I believe, that holds the gearshift lever at "12 o'clock" and the switch at "6 o'clock" around the steering column jacket. In addition, they had a metal raceway that neatly carried the wires from the switch down the column, and a chromed cast fitting that conducted the wires from the bottom of the raceway, up underneath the dash.

The switch itself is so minimal as to be virtually invisible (which is good, 'cause it isn't authentic to 1938). I fitted one to my 1937, and painted the switch, bracket, raceway and wire fitting all black, to match my steering column. They essentially disappear, but to the unknowing they appear "right" for the car.

In addition I drilled a small hole through the steering column jacket (hidden by the t.s. switch) and fastened a hose clamp around the steering shaft. This serves as a canceling cam. So, the turn signal is fully self-canceling.

Possibly you know this and I certainly respect your decision to place the turn signal where you like. But I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this option.

[Deleted User]

We considered using a later model Hudson turn signal on the car. If I actually had one at the time we might have went with it. However, once I had the steering coulmn and shifter chromed it became a matter of money. I bought the turn signal (chromed) for $65. If I went with a late model unit I would then have to chrome the switch, bracket and raceway. I also really did not want a bracket attached to the steering column. Just my choice. The lever I am using will not be self cancelling but it will be well within reach of the driver and still be inconspicuous. Not saying this method is better than your method Jon, just different. Io another subject I am still working on the wood header and bowed piece. Will let you know when there is new news. Thanks, Dave

[Deleted User]

Dave,

The 112 steering column is .25" smaller in diameter than the senior cars and stepdowns. Don't ask me how I know this.:whistle:

I don't know if your car was fitted with one, but you might to look for an "Auto Poise" for it. That's Hudson's fancy term for an anti-sway bar. They started using them in 39 and they helped the handling of the cars so much that 37 & 38 owners started buying them. So Hudson offered an "authorized" upgrade kit. Several forum members have upgraded their 37's & 38's.

Kevin C.

[Deleted User]

HUZZAH!

After much searching I finally found these pics of Dan Firestone's 1939 112.

On the 2nd picture, if you look closely between the trunk lid and the right rear fender you will see the remote pressure valve to check the air pressure in the spare tire. This was an option in 1939.













Kevin C.

[Deleted User]

We got the driver side windshield and both side windows in yesterday. The passenger side window parts were all with the car but the drivers side window regulator was missing. We found one in a car that is going to be roded but it was not exactly the same. We are working on modifying it to work with my car.
I also got my ivory shifter knob on the car. The one picture shows it a little bit. I will try to get a close up picture that shows it better. I would like to get all my knobs from the guy that did this knob but the cost is really high.

[Deleted User]

Four more pictures.

[Deleted User]

My car was missing the drivers side window regulator. I found one off a '39 coupe with a vent window. We tried to modify it to work in my car but the new one does not properly move the window up and down. If anyone has one for my '38 please let me know. There is a picture of the passenger side regulator in the below post. The drivers side regulator should look just like this one. Merry Christmas everyone.

[Deleted User]

Hi Dave,
I just saw a brochure for the 112 1938 for sale on e bay with a nice picture of the convertible.. You may be interested to purchase it. See attached
Axel

[Deleted User]

Here is a better picture of the shifter knob. The windshield is in. Just starting on the interior fire wall. Both side windows and door handles are now on.

Gary

Awesome work Dave! Following this thread intensely as it provides many tips for when I get moving on my '39 Coupe.

[Deleted User]

Headlights with turn signals are installed and burning. Rear license plate light also burning. Turn signal lever bolted to the dash next to the parking brake. Door panels and kick panels also in. Just starting to work on getting the rubber floor mat to relax and fit to the floor.

hudsonsplasher1

Coming together real nice. Will it be ready for some summer driving?