1954 Dash

Browniepetersen
Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
edited July 2013 in HUDSON
This photo was taken just after I started to pull the dash. I have cleaned up and painted the gage cluster and most all of the small parts. I finished pulling the dash today and have removed and started cleaning all the chrome. Note to anyone who bought a car from Lee (George estate) the grease that George put on the dash stuff cleans off with a typical Marvel Oil with tranny fluid and a dash of carb cleaner. I am very pleased with the bright work that I have removed and cleaned. It looks just like new. Will not have to have a single part re-plated (Other than the stuff with my new steering wheel). The dash was not tough to pull apart but it was all new experience for me. Cannot remember when I have had so much fun.... I'll do some photos when I get things back like new...

Comments

  • Chris Smith
    Chris Smith Expert Adviser
    Brownie, are you having your steering wheel recast?
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Chris, I was able to purchase a very nice red one for my car. I am doing a clean up, paint up, fix up type of driver vehicle (however, it does seem to be getting out of hand) so I am excited that I have found a nice original. The general question seems to be is my old wheel fixable or does it need to be re cast. Glen Johnson, in Brigham is going to take my old wheel and use it on his Modified Hudson. He will use a poly-filler to close up the cracks and then repaint. We have done this before and it works out quite well.
  • Chris Smith
    Chris Smith Expert Adviser
    Brownie, I bet your fix up type driver will be closer to Concours D' Elegance Ha
    I am excited at what seems like alot of 54's being restored the last few years. For whatever reason they don't get the love that earlier models get. I look forward to attend an event where there is a whole row of 54's to admire and photograph.
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    Most HET members would be amazed at the improved ride and handling of the '54 over the earlier step downs. Of course mine is a rather low mileage car (22,500 miles) and I('m sure that has something to do with the impression I get when I drive it!
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Jerry-

    At the Big Country Regional, I was privileged to drive John Forkner's '54 Sedan, a 36K original mile car and I too, was most impressed with the ride and overall drive-ability. It was also a plus to find out what factory PS and PB were like on a Hudson. Great car, would like to own one someday.
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    Yes, Russell, you'd really look good in a 1954 Hornet!
  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    i'd say any difference noted is the mileage or lack there of.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    OK, I have all the interior out and am at bare metal. I wire brushed the roof (it was painted white and had an insulation pad glued to it) and it is now ready to paint. I have most of the dash finished and am waiting for the wire harness to show up. I have a lot of time so I might start ripping out the windows....
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Brownie-

    Pictures? Pictures are good.

    Nick-

    Yes, I'm sure that was a big contributor.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Not all that happy with the photo but you get the idea. The only thing new here is the paint. All of the parts were covered in grease and after the grease was removed the parts look very good. Not good enough for one of those High Dollar show cars, but look great in this driver. The surface rust areas on the car have been coated with a high quality product that changes rust to iron and also serves as an oil base primer. It should protect the car until I sand it out next summer. Need to prep the underdash with some Pour-15 before I install the new wire harness. Oh, and I also need to paint the steering wheel....
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Looks pretty good to me, Brownie!
  • Chris Smith
    Chris Smith Expert Adviser
    Brownie, It looks like to me that the speedo needle is out of place. The tip should be on the top side of the numbers plate. That is likely why it is not resting at zero. When I got the 54 coupe (I am working on now), it had the exact same problem. If Im wrong, forgive me, but check it out. It look nice and it's great to see the car cared for indoors. I am excited to see your progress in photos and the completed car at maybe the western regional in the future. My George lauder coupe is under a cover in my driveway waiting until I finish my original 54. I will post new photos of mine soon. I am half way done with painting. I need to paint the hood, driver door and front fenders still.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    edited July 2013
    Chris,
    The speedo needle is buggered up. If you look you can see that it has some damage. I played with it a bit but I am afraid that will brake so I am weighing my options... However, when it is sitting in the proper angle, rather than flat, the needle does sit on zero.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Brownie-

    I believe those are available new from the Eshelman's, if I remember right.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Not on their list but I sent them an email. That would be a nice fix......
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    Set a new record for a complete removal and install of a wiring harness the other day. For the dash forward to headlight harness was right under 4 hours. Used a Rhode Island for the 51 Hollywood
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I am impressed Russ. I figure with the dash and everything else out, I might be lucky to do behind the dash in that amount of time? Did you push the wire from inside the car through the firewall or from the engine into the cab?

    I took the set of Hollywood interior stainless out today and with the interior stripped I did some dry fitting to see how the stainless bars would look and fit on the coupe. Not sure what I was thinking, but that is not going to work. I thought there might be some slight modifications to the aluminum strips on the side; but, the reality is that not a single part would fit without modifications. No way am I going to cut and extend stainless. I cannot believe that the Hollywood top is that much different than the coupe. Next time I have one side by side I am going to do some serious looking. OH well, I guess stock will look just great.
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    Went from the dash thru the engine compartment. Done enough of these that I know most of the colors by memory and were they attach, so no need to check the install sheet too much which save time. Although I charge by the hour so its a double edge sword
  • Chris Smith
    Chris Smith Expert Adviser
    Brownie, was there any good door panel stainless on the Hollywood?
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Chris, the Hollywood is all original and part of a local collection. I wish my restoration would look as good. I have not been out to see the car on this go-around but I will check and see for you. I will also post some photos.....
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