Stepdown Wheels

SuperDave

Some time ago There was a discussion involving the different Hudson 48-54 Wheels. Somewhere along the line, I had to find a set of wheels for my 49 tudor resurrection. Lance was able to ship me five. This will only be of interest to those that are maybe a little anal retentive about originality. LOL.. Hard to believe there were so many differences , and I would seem to have one of each!  Upon sand blasting and priming I discovered these differences. The early riveted one has no flange on the center hole and has different cap clips. Hub cap "nubs" to keep the full wheel discs from rotating are THREE different configurations.( No nub), one nub, 2 nubs and 3 nubs.  Valve stem holes varied in location.. Probably more differences that I missed.   The early riveted one will not work with the disc brake conversion.

Lance

Dave, As far as I know the clips for Hudson wheel rims were of one design. The Mopar rims had the curled clips and will work on Hudsons  but did not share the same clip design that Hudson had. The slight bumps along the air valve hole were designed for the 1954 Hudson with full wheel disc . The caps had a problem with moving when the car got up to speed and would fly off.    Hudson talked to their supplier MotorWheel about this and so they came up with 2 "bumps" to prevent the wheel cover from creeping around the rim during driving and then flying off.  Not sure if that really worked  as 54 wheel covers still would come off . Especially around a curve.

Lance

I forgot to mention that on the 54 full wheel cover there was also the problem of the air valve stem being cut by the creeping wheel cover. Another problem.

SuperDave

These should be all Hudson rims. At least, the guy that sold it to me represented it to be.. LOL.  The one with the curled clips also has no flange on the center hole. I recall my fathers "new" 51 Super 6 had a problem with riveted rims leaking with tubeless tires.  I wonder when the rivets gave way to welded?

RL Chilton

Best guess is when Hudson got involved in racing. 

53jetman

The first use of tubeless tires I remember on Hudsons were during the 1952 model year.  However, I have had both a '49 and '51 Hudson that I installed tubeless tires on without any problems.  Also have had tubeless on my 53 Super Jet during the past 40,000 miles - but it had  Chrysler 14" rims installed during those 40,000 miles.