Hornet vs Commodore 6 1950-52

RL Chilton

How does your 308 Hudson handle at 70-100mph compared to modern cars?

Modern cars suck.  My hornet handles famously.  Smooth, stable and reliable. Acceleration is good, but it's certainly not the fastest car, but comparable to anything that was on the road 60+
years ago.  Back when I had radials on the car,  a very strange phenomenon happened, which I've never experienced in any other marque.  At 90mph, the car hunkered down lower  towards the asphalt.  Around 105 she smoothed out so much I thought the engine quit and I maxxed out at 126.  It felt like 80.  She cruises all day at 70-80.  Now she carries bias-ply tires and I keep it at that respectable speed.  

There is nothing like it in the world.  Period.  And I've driven everything out there.  Very few exceptions.  

KTRON

I just went to look at Charles' 52 Businessmans coupe and 51? Super 6. WOW, I was blown away. If he is on here, he would likely describe me as "excited as a kid in a candy store!" Seeing one in person is just incredible, you guys either do not know how lucky you are, or love every second of being in and around your Hudsons. Unfortunately I left the battery to my camera at home in the charger, but I will be seeing more Hudsons tomorrow, so all is not lost! I did not get a chance to hear either of the Hudsons run, as the batteries were dead and it was < 30* outside. The styling, spacious, sleek and did I say spacious interior is just captivating! When he let me sit in the driver seat it was fantastic, like getting sucked into a different world. The 262 (in the super 6) and 231 (in the businessmans coupe) were a real treat to look at. Lots and lots of room to work on everything. I am not a very tall person, so reaching over to work on a future Hudson might not be possible without a step stool. Are the fenders at all removable? Perhaps they rotate out like a Brockway truck? Charles showed me where you lubricate the clutch and pointed out that the master cylinder was underneath a little hand hole on the driver side floor. I was quite surprised to see that there was no oil filter on the engine. Otherwise, it looks like a very simplistic vehicle, but I know there are a ton of engineering marvels and quirks which allow it to look that way. These cars are quite enchanting, Im in love and I havent even seen or heard one in the daylight.............

Chris

RL Chilton

Chris-

Glad you got the chance to go and visit some Hudsons.  Once you get stung, there's no turning back.  At least that's what happened to probably 99% of the HudNuts out there.  

hudsontech

RL Chilton wrote:  Back when I had radials
on the car,  a very strange phenomenon happened, which I've never
experienced in any other marque.  At 90mph, the car hunkered down lower  towards the asphalt.  Around 105 she smoothed out so much I thought the engine quit and I maxxed out at 126.

Russel I had that happen on a 1956 Pontiac Bonneville 2-dr hard-top I had.  Decided to find out one night just what I could get out of that thing.  Same thing happened to me about 85-90 - she just hunkered down and took off like a rocket.  Scared the daylights out of me so I lifted and slowed down a tad.  Tried again and about 85-90 did the same thing so I let her go.  At about 118 I decided enough was enough so I let off on the pedal and slowed down.
That car was one of the most dangerous cars I ever owned.  From what I could find out Pony's of that era had very heavy frames in convertibles and 2-dr hard tops.  The result was if you weren't watching the speedometer you could wind it up to 90 or 100 an think you were doing about 65 or 70.

Hudsonly,
Alex B
Memphis, TN

Glowplug

Chris - you will a great time with Charlie S too! He is also a big HET parts supplier. Super HETer...

Browniepetersen

Just as Randal says. The exact same experience.  I was running SBR tires and I maxed out at 132 but it is just as he said.  I really do think you could drive all day long above 100 in these Hudson's.  I expect to have my 54 on the road in a week or so and I am excited to be a speed nut once again.  My current two Hudson's are not 100 mph cars.

Per

Chris,

     For adjusting the valves, the inner wall of the right front fender can be unscrewed and taken off.  With the right front wheel removed you can sit comfortably on the floor, remove the valve covers, and check the adjustments.  It is best to do this cold, because the exhaust manifold is right there.

              Per

RL Chilton

Doc-

Looks great would like to see more pics in a new thread if you care to share.  

RL Chilton

Sorry about your hand, Doc!  If you get the chance, send me some pics.  Use my email, if it's easier.  Look forward to visiting in CO.  

KTRON

On Saturday, I visited Charles Salvato’s Gaslite
garage. From the minute I walked in the door I knew I was in the right place. Hudson advertisements on the
wall, and antique cars throughout the shop in various stages of restoration.
Charles took me on a 90 minute tour of his shop and shared quite a bit of his
knowledge about these cars to me. I must have asked a million questions, but in
the end I was still absolutely floored. The cars in his shop were customers
cars, a pristine gold 1952 Wasp Convertible with a Twin-H-Power setup on a 262,
a gorgeous two tone blue 1949 Super 6 with a new 308 engine and working
drivemaster setup, and a jaw dropping maroon 1950 Commodore 8 4 door sedan with
a 308 Twin-H-Power engine and 3 speed overdrive transmission. Im in love with
that 50’ Commodore. The styling, trim, interior, power plant was everything I
wanted all rolled up into one perfect car. I had the chance to hear the 1952
Wasp start up and run, which was a wonderful experience I will never forget. I
had the chance to look underneath the 52’ wasp to see how everything was laid
out. You can really tell how nice these cars were, because they shined no
matter where you looked on them. The character and personality these cars have
is something which is truly absent in modern vehicles. I wonder what sorts of
stories they share with each other when nobody is around. Charles told me about
his numerous Hudsons
and how he really enjoyed driving, working on and displaying them through the
years. Doc says I have been stung by the Hudson
bug, and the only cure is to succumb to its demands.... :P






























Chris

KTRON

Here is a video of the Wasp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MTTZRSWEfs




And pictures of Charles Rivera's 49 or 51 Super 6 I looked at on Friday (craigslist pictures)






 

So far I have had a wonderful experience looking at Hudsons and meeting the folks behind them. I cant wait until summer when I can see these cars in action!

Chris

50C8DAN

Charlie indeed has a great shop.  I visited him about 10 years ago or so and was also impressed.  Although I love all the Hudsons I do have an affinity for the '50 model.  The dash is a one year only design as some of the exterior bits, somewhere between '48-49 and '51.  I have driven my original 8 all over.  At times I have had trouble keeping the speed down as I have had it up to 75 on a couple of occasions but try to keep it between 55 and 60.  It is smooth as silk and has a unique sound.  Nothing wrong with the 8 even if the design is much older than the 308 family.  Some of you may remember Bernie Siegfried's story about the updated 8 Hudson experimented with in '50 or '51.  Pressurized oiling, new head and cam designs.  Bernie's comment was that the power the "new" 8 produced would easily outdo the Hornet!  But the day of the I8 was over and Hudson knew it.  Although putting out a new I8 would not have been any worse than bringing out the Jet!