32 Essex parts (and a short story)

faustmb

A few weeks ago, a vague add showed up on the local Craigslist for a 32 Hudson. It read something like "32 Hudson, needs to be put back together, $7500.00". No pics or further detail. The owner called me in response to an email, and started off with "I'll take 5k today". It was an Essex 2 door coupe, in excellent original shape but sans motor and trans, per the owner. And no title, bill of sale only. Anyway, it was an hour away, and I couldn't get there until the weekend. When I called back 2 days later, I got voicemail and no callback.

Fast forward to last night when my fear was confirmed. (What can i say, I'm a purist) A new add showed up on Craigslist a bit further away "32 Hudson Essex parts, hood, fenders etc". I immediately called the guy and confirmed it was the same car. The body shell was already chopped and channeled, and a flathead ford motor and newer axles are already mounted. In order to salvage anything I could, I made a higher offer than I normally would have for all the stuff he wasn't using. I hate that I missed the car, but at least some good parts were saved. Both complete axles were headed to scrap this morning, but he held off since I called. I drove up tonight to see the car and load up the parts. The car was definately a pretty clean restoration candidate, but not a excellent original as advertised. If was stripped years ago, so in addition to the drivetrain most of the lights, hardware, etc were missing. It will be a decent traditional hot rod, and some nice parts are now available. I'll post pics this weekend, but here's what I now have that will be for sale;

-very nice pair of frontfenders
-decent pair of rear fenders
-clean hood
- running boards (some rust)
-rear apron
-rear crossmember
-set of 5 5-Lug wire wheels
- set of drum to drum axles, not stuck
- driveshaft
- one stabilite headlight bucket with reflector( no lens)
-spare tire bracket
- gas tank, not rotted but dirty inside

Probably a few other things I didn't think of...

Sad day for one Hudson, could be a happy day for lots of others.

Matt