54 Hornet Brougham Project in Denver

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Rare car. Looks rough, rough, rough.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2098303140.html

Comments

  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Brougham or 2 door sedan? Any chance it could be a Twin H? Might be worth the trip over (half day drive) to check it out. I am only two projects behind right now...
  • ski4life65
    ski4life65 Expert Adviser
    I called the guy last night. The car isn't his. He had never even seen it or knew where it was. He was listing it for a friend who was supposed to call me back. So far, nada.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Really like the license plate! Not enough to buy the car however :silly:
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    If it was a brougham it would be a rare car...looks like a cooooop, tho...:dry:
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    Also, if it's a H Special it should be a three-oh-eight, methinks...:unsure:
  • ski4life65
    ski4life65 Expert Adviser
    on my way to look. I will post pictures.
  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    Nuts. And me outta money and space...
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    Browniepetersen: Brougham and 2-door sedan are one in the same.

    SamJ: Looks to be too short of a trunklid to be a coupe. Yes, all Hornets were originally 308's but who knows what would be in it now.
  • ski4life65
    ski4life65 Expert Adviser
    Just got back and it is a brougham. Bottom of quarters and wheel wells were rusted away. I couldn't really tell if perimeter frame was bad, since it was sitting on the frame.......so likely bad. floors were gone. Rockers gone. big dent in left rear quarter. Trunk lid/hinges jacked up. interior wasted. Not sure on motor since the hood was stuck, but he seemed pretty sure it was now a 262. He towed it there 20 years ago. He has a driver Hudson and seems to know his stuff. I am pretty sure the buyer could also have the cats that were living in it as part of the deal.....
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    super-six wrote:
    Browniepetersen: Brougham and 2-door sedan are one in the same.

    SamJ: Looks to be too short of a trunklid to be a coupe. Yes, all Hornets were originally 308's but who knows what would be in it now.

    Thanks super-six, I did not know that. One good thing about being full of cats--there would be no mice or they would all be dead? I need to finish the 39 Convertible Brougham before I start another.
  • ArkieJazz
    ArkieJazz Member
    edited December 2010
    First of all, these 2-door sedans were not called broughams in 1954. Hudson called them club sedans. They were offered in Hornet Special, Super Wasp, and Wasp lines.
    Secondly, it was a very common practice to replace the 308 head with a 262 head to up the compression. Not a good idea with today's trash gas. These cars are rare because no one much wanted this body style when they were new, much less now. The car shown in the craigslist ad wouldn't be worth much even as a parts car.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    They were also called 2DR Sedans, to be technical.

    I tend to disagree about this car being a parts car. It has merit. Firstly, ANY 2DR is worth saving. Secondly, it appears to be 95% there, which is a huge plus. Metalwork can be fixed, although '54's are the toughest step-down to repair, as quarters (and rockers, I believe) were welded on, as opposed to earlier step-downs which were bolted on. Thirdly, the Broughams, Club Sedans have a very good following these days as I know many Hudson folks who prefer this body style over any other.

    I wish my convertible was in this good of shape when I got it! I'd be done by now.
  • lsfirth
    lsfirth Expert Adviser
    I would have to agree with Russell....other than a 'vert, this is the only body style I would consider restoring/fixing up. This one would be a hell of a project, but would be very cool when done!! I love the '54 grill.

    Didn't know the quarters are welded in on these....learn something every day!!
  • ski4life65
    ski4life65 Expert Adviser
    I bought it. Got it home. Worked a deal for much much less, plus a trade for some sedan parts. I will post pictures later today. Going to art museum with the family today.
  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    ski4life65 wrote:
    I bought it. Got it home. Worked a deal for much much less, plus a trade for some sedan parts. I will post pictures later today. Going to art museum with the family today.

    But the question remains... Do you now have a family of cats? :)
  • ski4life65
    ski4life65 Expert Adviser
    Pretty rough, but I've done worse. It does have a 308 with 262 head. Perimeter frame looks decent.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I would call that well aquired. A very nice looking project....
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Somehow they instantly look better once they are out of the weeds and on a trailer .
    Roger;)
  • GrimGreaser
    GrimGreaser Senior Contributor
    Tallent R wrote:
    Somehow they instantly look better once they are out of the weeds and on a trailer .
    Roger;)

    The look of relief. After years of rusting away they know something will be done to them, and that this isn't a trip to the crusher.

    Or, at the least, a nice change of scenery.

    Nice buy Don.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    edited December 2010
    Good for you. Another one saved.:cheer:
  • onerare39
    onerare39 Expert Adviser, Member
    Beautiful body style. Looks like you got to it just in the nick of time, thanks for saving it!

    John
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