1948 Hudson Promo Cars

rambos_ride

Since buying my stepdown last year and doing research I've kept my eyes open for 1 of these plastic promo models that Hudson put out in 48.

I've seen them go as high as 700.00 + on ebay - heres another one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6020749051&fromMakeTrack=true

So what's the scoop on these cool little toys? Are they really all that rare? What is a reasonable price for one?

My dream would be hunting through some antique store or garage sale and get one of these for 20.00!

Nevada Hudson

Try and contact Ken Poynter, or Paul Schuster. They are both experts on Hudson toys and memorabiilia.

[Deleted User]

I may keep an eye on this. Be nice to go with the car... Niels

[Deleted User]

Dan, The promo models Hudson produced in 1948 were actually made by Hudson! They had a small assembly line set up for making these car models available to dealers for use as promotional items to help sell the new stepdown Hudson. Many were half colored down the middle and the other half clear so the prospective customer could see all the features and benefits from owning a new stepdown. Subsequent to using these models in 48-9, Hudson sold all the tooling for these promo cars to the Louis Marx toy company. Marx subsequently came out with two toy Hudson wind-up cars made from these dies. One was a fire chief's car in red plastic and the other was a police chief's car in green plastic.All models are highly desirable to Hudson collectors be they factory or Marx produced. Prices are not uncommon to see these go for prices of $800-$1000. Recently the late Kelly Hinegardner tried to sell some from his collection on ebay and I'm not sure if he had any bids but the asking price was somewhere around $900.. The late Jim Fortin of Mass had a few really nice ones as well. These are tough to find now.

hudsonjeff

Bought a nice half clear half red one a year ago for $450.00

rambos_ride

I've seen the Hudson magazine or trade article that pictures Hudson workers putting together the models.



I think they are pretty darn cool - but it will be a long while before I'd be wanting to fork out that kinda $$ for a model when the real one isn't running yet!

[Deleted User]

hudsonjeff wrote:

Bought a nice half clear half red one a year ago for $450.00

Jeff,

Curious, where did you get yours from, e-bay aswell? Niels

[Deleted User]

On ebay now one of the Marx firecar's http://cgi.ebay.com/Marx-Hudson-Hornet-Fire-Chief-toy-car-vintage-truck_W0QQitemZ6022038443QQcategoryZ74986QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Park_W

I still have a MasterCaster cast metal sedan I bought from our local Hudson dealer in '48 or '49.

Aaron D. IL

susie wrote:

Wow, timing is, as they say, everything! I have one of these cool models and have been trying on and off for years to find some info on it. I just stumbled upon your website last night and onto this thread! As you can see, it is the half clear model. I picked it up at an auction a couple years ago. I would appreciate any additional info or comments on it. Thanks, Susie

Susie Don't believe anything anyone else said it's only worth $20. Wanna sell it to me?! LOL (just kidding) Seriously though the others are right it is clear so the dealers could show customers the car's advanced "step-down" frame. Just looking at the actual car a customer might not know what this engeering was that they were talking about so it helped illustrate it.

rambos_ride

susie wrote:

Wow, timing is, as they say, everything! I have one of these cool models and have been trying on and off for years to find some info on it. I just stumbled upon your website last night and onto this thread! As you can see, it is the half clear model. I picked it up at an auction a couple years ago. I would appreciate any additional info or comments on it. Thanks, Susie

Now - I haven't seen a picture of this clear style of model - again pretty darn cool! I'm going to have to find one someday...

So what's up the Susie - You have the cool model but no big one in the garage?

OBTW - I found this link where there is 1 wheel and tire for these models if someone has one with a missing wheel

http://www.carhobby.com/page1948.htm#Things

hudsonjeff

Got mine from a local HET club member along with a porcelain neon sign for 300.00 that had been hanging in his barn since the late 60s. The sign hangs in the show room of my body shop. It was a hudson dealer from 1948 thru 57 then sold ramblers into the early 60s. Ecorse Hudson sales/ Kromrei Motors. Still looks like a 1950s dealer show room 2 Hudsons on display original show cases 2 small sales offices. Alot of hudson and automobilia on display. You never know what might turn up next it pays to be an HET member both local and national.

Unknown

Greetings from Colorado!



Two of these models have "grown up" with me. I have the blue one on top of the bookcase in the living room and the toro red one is "packed" somewhere along with the History of Hudson that I gave my dad before he passed away. Lots of memories...



George T.

[Deleted User]

Well.... I won the car....29 bids and $679.99 dollars later. It matches the year, make and model of my car so I'm going to enjoy the X-mas present to myself. Niels

rambos_ride

nhp1127 wrote:

Well.... I won the car....29 bids and $679.99 dollars later. It matches the year, make and model of my car so I'm going to enjoy the X-mas present to myself. Niels

X-Mas is no fun without buying something cool for yourself!

The one with the most toys wins!

rambos_ride

susie wrote:

thanks for your input. But seriously, thanks. That's what I was thinking, but then again I had this overwhelming sense to get it on (on ebay that is ) right away.

If I wasn't such a lazy slug I would have started it last night soon after that blue one ended, but oh well.

NICE Pickup by the way! Susie

Offer it up for sale here on the forum for your asking price and save yourself some ebay commissions!

I can't buy it right now - but someone else might - and save you some $$!

Unknown

Hello,



I have just the same 1948 Hudson promo in dark and light blue. I'm in Luxemburg, Europe and I think it's one of the surviving Hudsons sended to Europe. It's a fabulous promo and I go to try to make some pictures to add to this site.



Yvon

Unknown

I have a two tone blue hudson promo car that I received from my dad in 1948. It is still in great condition, and we bought it at a Hudson dealer in Maspeth NY. It is something to treasure. I'll pass it down to my grandsonwhen he is old enough to apprecite it.

mrsbojigger

Master Caster? So thats what I have.
My brother gave this to me right after I got my "Real" one.
Peace,
Chaz

oldhudsons

I have a pristine 2 tone green one I bought at a toy show at least 20 years ago - biggest enemy would be heat as the old plastic can sag/melt.

Have one of the red fire chief models too + 1 or 2 of the metal Dinky toy models made in England.

From years of seeing these on/off I'd say the model with the clear side is the most rare ergo most valuable, of course all that depends so much on condition!

53jetman

rambos_ride wrote:

I've seen the Hudson magazine or trade article that pictures Hudson workers putting together the models.



I think they are pretty darn cool - but it will be a long while before I'd be wanting to fork out that kinda $$ for a model when the real one isn't running yet!

I'll try to post two pictures of the model assembly line at the factory. I've not done this for a while, so will see if this flys.



Jerry

53jetmanAttachment not found.



Attachment not found.



Attachment not found.