Hudson Stepdown Frame

KTRON

Fellow Hudson enthusiasts, 
Does anyone have good quality pictures of a Hudson stepdown either completely torn down, or just as a rolling chassis? 

I am interested to see the overall structure of these cars. I take it the body panels can only be removed, and your left with a perimeter frame much like an airplane, unlike what might be found in your traditional "body on frame" vehicle.

Is the frame plate steel, tube steel, c-channel?

Galvanized? mild steel? 

Thickness 3/16", 1/4" 3/8"?

Bolted, welder or riveted together? 

Do they tend to rust from the inside out? Should any parts of the frame/crossmembers be reinforced if you plan on making it a daily driver? 

At what point should a vehicle not be considered based on wheel well/frame rust?

Are there any other parts of the frame which commonly rust out?

I have only seen about a dozen Hudsons so far, and although some look really nice from afar, Ive seen some rusty wheel wells. How far is the frame behind them? Is the frame at all visible from underneath the vehicle? You cant exactly crawl underneath one of these, only lay on the floor and peek upwards? 

Thanks,

Chris

StillOutThere

The Hudson Mono-Bilt (unibody) frame is over under around and though the whole car.   Search the internet to see photos of the structure.   And there still exist some of the large scale plastic models that dealers had in their show rooms, some clear on one side of the car with the frame cast in red plastic to show exactly what you are asking about.   It was very pricey process in 1948 when begun.   It is mandatory to gain regidity and safety in every new car built today.
Every bit of iron rusts.  Hudson could not engineer that out.   Whe a Hudson gets rusty it takes a lot of time and money to repair it correctly so that doesn't always happen !

48Sed

Here are a couple of pics

Rob Fayette

Here are a few pics of my Pacemaker Convertible Frame

Rob

cpr3333

Check our Dr. Doug's website: www.wildrickrestorations.com

Lot of pictures of Hudsons in various states of repair (including mine).

Glowplug

Check my website... The frame info is there as are specific information about restorations like Ron Fayette's Convertble
http://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/index.html

Park_W

Here's a shot that shows some of the structure.  Taken 2002-2004 when mine was undergoing major teardown/rehab after getting sideswiped. Posting more below.

Park_W

Here are a couple more. Obviously there's some convertible-unique structure shown, but you can get the general idea.

SuperDave

Here is what is left of a 51 Hornet sub frame. Round indentions in the sheet metal is where the under seat heater would be mounted.