51 Hornet - Here I go Again ;)

rambos_ride

OK - Hope I don't jinx myself - put money down on this car yesterday, with a transfer of ownership tomorrow (monday) if all goes well.

ITS A DRIVER!

Rough, rat-rod look, but nearly all original California car - supposedly I'd only be the 4th owner?

Twin-h, carbs were rebuilt but they are now leaking a little from sitting,
Converted to 12v, most everything works.
Electic fuel pump
All hornet badges, trim and chrome peices are there - most in nice shape..chrome needs redone..but its a rat-rod..
Gas tank relined
Brand New Exhaust
Brakes/MC were done a couple years ago, might need to freshen.
Needs a total interior
Hydramatic Trans
Motor has a light freshening a few years ago, looks to have some oil leaks though.
Seems to run strong, but I'm sure could use a full rebuild someday.
Rust - lotsa surface spots, front of hood, some small spots on doors - but overall being a California Car - pretty nice - especially compared to what the 49 turned out to be.

I'm not giving up on my custom 49 "Rambos Ride" - but thats a 10-15k hit to put back on the road and I just don't have the resources to do that right now with Rambos surgery and all earlier this year.

I wanted something I can drive and mabye tinker with this summer, so this was my best option for getting there.
I'll get the basic leaks taken care of, then just drive it as is.

Then this winter, I may do some of the cosmetics and flip it next year or possibly try and commission a restoration/rod build if someone wanted to buy the car and didn't want to do the work themselves - who knows.

After the 50 Super I had to sell for pennies on the dollar - I vowed...no more, non-running Hudsons

If Everything goes well - I'll post some more pics in the next couple days..and maybe see some of you at a car show this Summer after being on this forum for 8 years..its about time!

[Deleted User]

Looks like a nice car and with your skills will make it an even better car...I have read window for same car in very good condition.

Good Luck,

Ray

SuperDave

Welcome Back! Now you have something to talk with us about... Greeeeaaat!

RL Chilton

Congratulations, Dan! Looks like a pretty good car, and best yet, you finally get to drive a Hudson!! I think you've got a good plan, too. Look forward to more pics. Also, I'm sure Rambo will look forward to riding in a Hudson, too.

[Deleted User]

Looks like a nice car and with your skills will make it an even better car...I have REAR window for same car in very good condition.

Good Luck,

Ray

TwinH

Man,that's great news. Congratulations!

Browniepetersen

Today is the big day... Hope it all goes well....

J Spencer

Drive it and enjoy it!! Good luck with it.

MikeWA

Hey, Dan, good to see your "back in the Hudson bidness" again. Believe me, its nice to have a runner, to keep your interest up. I had a non-runner for about 10 years, and finally sold it, as it was obvious that I was not going to finish it. I am happy it went to Ray in Nevada who made a beautiful car out if it.

Be sure to come to Frank and Patty Hughes' annual meet south of Shelton, in early summer (they already had this years, in May).

Jon B

I heartily recommend that anyone with a long-term restoration (of WHATEVER kind of car) buy a nice "runner" to use "for the duration" until the other car's finished. A restoration can take years and tens of thousands of dollars and there is no instant gratification. It just sits there in your garage, year in and year out, taking up space. While you drive to Hudson meets in a Brand X. Much nicer to have a "driver" for the meantime, even if it's a bit rough around the edges. And generally, if you didn't pay too much for it, you can sell it off for pretty much what you paid for it, when the other car's restored and ready to go.

[Deleted User]

Very good advise

faustmb

Runners are always good, glad to see you back !

rambos_ride

ITS a RUNNER!

Dropped it off the trailer and ran it around the block - its both in better and worse shape than I hoped..but it's all there and did I mention I drove it?

Brakes - If they were done a couple years ago the lines need to be bled or the MC is toast..it stops..but I really gotta stand on the pedal.

Bad oil leak at the distributor - hope thats an easy fix.

Front suspension is shot - needs springs and shocks...when I was chaining up the car I noticed 3/4" nuts being used as spring spacers...its a hoot..I'll take some pictures.

1 of the Radiator support pieces is actually a cut-up road sign...now that DOES say Rat-Rod eh?

Transmission..works, but....Doesn't stay in reverse, 1-2-3...shifts withn about 20ft - I'm assuming theres some kickdown adjustments someplace for the auto transmission?
(It will however spin the rear tire from a stop )

Needs door, trunk seals to stop rattling..

Needs all glass but the rear window.

Don't get me wrong..so far, still happy with it..I'll live with the Rat-Rod nature of the car and have fun with it while I do modest repairs.

Don't have time to take pics tonight..will try to get some up tomorrow.

[Deleted User]

Congratulations Dan!!!

Take your victories where you find them!

Kevin C.

[Deleted User]

Dan,

I wouldn't attempt to pack and mail glass, if you want and have someone to pick up '51 Hornet sedan rear window in good shape it's yours. Also have a couple of distributors and generators that can be picked up at same time.

Ray

bent metal

Congrats Dan! Hope you don't try and fix so much at once that you put her out of service.

The brakes. You mentioned you have to stand on it, not pump them up. You might want to make sure you have the 'soft' linings. If you have pedal and she still won't stop, it's probably not bleading, it's the lining of the shoes is too hard. ...Atleast that's my guess. But I'm no mechanic.
Maybe some one more qualified will comment on that?

And I'm ready for some more pictures of your new car.

rambos_ride

I wouldn't attempt to pack and mail glass, if you want and have someone to pick up '51 Hornet sedan rear window in good shape it's yours. Also have a couple of distributors and generators that can be picked up at same time.

Ray - Thanks for the offer, so are you still in Nevada?

Bent-Metal - could be the linings possible soaked in brake fluid or axel grease? Another thing I'm wondering..if the Master Cylinder is toast..could I actually be hitting the Manual Backup? That would explain my still being able to stop...but not really having good pedal pressue.

[Deleted User]

"1 of the Radiator support pieces is actually a cut-up road sign...now that DOES say Rat-Rod eh?"

THAT'S classic!

RL Chilton

Dan-

That's my first guess about the brakes: you are on the mechanical back-up. Surprisingly, they work pretty well when adjusted properly-- way better than the early 30's pre-hydraulic systems, IMO. My guess is the wheel cylinders and/or the MC is shot. If that's the case, best to replace all of it. Replacing with a good MC for example, will make so-so wheel cylinders give up the ghost in a hurry.

[Deleted User]

Rambo, I am still in Las Vegas...Starting to work on new 1950 Packard sedan, which is in pretty good shape. Added to my above message: Also have a couple of distributors and generators that can be picked up at same time for same free/price.

Best wishes to Rambo and your good self,

Ray

Lee ODell

Hi Rambo

I'm glad to see you are back in the saddle again. I like the look of your Hudson. Keep it a driver and enjoy cruising. Down time stinks.

When I bought my 52 Hornet Sedan in Las Vegas I drove it home to Burbank. I didn't realize the master and wheel cyls were toast until I got home and checked them. Never having driven a Hudson before, I found the mechanical brake system worked so good I didn't realize the hydrolic brakes were not working. At the time I didn't know Hudsons had the mechanical back up system and I was very impressed. It didn't have the hard brake lining so I'm sure that contributed to its good braking ability along with good mechanical backup.

I once put high performance lining on a car not designd for and it was scary trying to stop. It took forever to stop. Exagerating a little but it was not safe with that lining.

Let us know what you find with the brakes.

Have a great day.
Lee

[Deleted User]

Your right Lee , the only bad thing about the backup brake system is if you have a gradual failure you don't notice it. Just as you say they work good when in proper order ,
Roger

[Deleted User]

Do you live near Olympia? I looked at that car a couple weeks ago. Good Luck!

rambos_ride

gscott - Port Orchard, about an hour away from Olympia...yeah - he was asking way too much a couple weeks ago.


I always want to pay less..but for a runner I'm happy enough for the price I got it at.

Richie

Dan, take your time and enjoy doing every little job one at a time. I used to hurry through the repairs but now I go slow and enjoy everything I do on them. The fun is fixing and driving our old Hudsons. Good luck with your new ride. Richie.