$100 Craigslist 1953 Hudson Super Jet pictures

dbarrett

I had a friend call me this past Sunday and ask me if I was going to buy the $100 Hudson 4 door Super Jet on Craigslist. Since I just bought a '54 Super Jet 2 door last month I haven't been following Craigslist much lately. I e-mailed the owner and luckily it was still for sale, so I told her I would take it and off to Austin I went. She said the car had been running in 2011 but her brother attempted to re-wire the car and got frustrated and parked it. I am going to try and figure out the wiring mess and see if I can get it to start, the engine turns over by hand.    David

Jon B

Wow, at a price like that you can't lose.  Probably worth it in salvageable parts, alone, and then you can sell the rest to a junkyard.  However, if that's just surface rust, it could be a keeper.  The fact that it ran just five years ago, is a hopeful sign.  Looking at the taillights, I'm guessing that the previous owner may not have tapped into the vast resources of the Hudson World, else he / she would have at least found some "serviceable" used Jet lenses!

Frankvintagefullflowcom

Heck, even I wouldn't have passed it up for that price and I certainly don't need any more. It might take a few months but my wife would eventually get over it.

F 

LHudson

Hey db. That was a good score. There was no way you could pass on that one. Parts cars are invaluable. One part could be worth the price.  L Hud

dbarrett

It has several parts that are missing on my '54 2 door, like the air cleaner and throttle linkage pieces. Plus my engine is stuck, so I may end up having to use this 202.  Mines a standard, so maybe the Hydramatic transmission can help another Jet owner out. It looks rough on the outside but the underneath is just about rust free.    David

Frankvintagefullflowcom

My advice/opinion: Don't scrap a Hudson engine just because it's stuck (I realize that you didn't say you would). It is likely still a re-buildable core.

Frank

LHudson

I agree with Frank. Never scrap a engine just because it is stuck. Being a old tractor person, I have had to deal with a lot of stuck engines. Patience is the word and lot of liquids of some sort. It is always good to have a spare engine. I bought a spare back in the fall. I am in the process of putting in the spare and see what I have.  LHud

dbarrett

i believe it can be unstuck, got the cylinders soaking now with my Dad's homemade concoction. Definitely won't scrap it, my Dad used to get them unstuck all the time. Patience is the key, most people just expect to get them unstuck in a day or two. But it is nice to have a spare just in case.   David

hudshornet

Nice score, that's probably the cheapest a Hudson has been on Craigslist in a while. I really need to start looking at other local Craigslist sites as no good deals seem to ever pop up on the Dallas one anymore.

53hud54

I thought I'd share my last two saves,the '68 LeSabre was parked 20 years with 17,000 miles and two mechanics gave up trying to free.I used Marvel Mystery Oil,poured in each cylinder and put plugs back,then poured in to oil fill until it wouldn't take any more,it took almost 7 qts.Then checked every couple weeks adding a little as it seeped through.I let it set for 6 months,then let drain for one week.I changed the plugs and cleaned all the original ignition parts,got in and the starter broke it free and she started.The neighbors came running because they thought the garage was on fire from all the smoke.10 minutes later drove it around the block on the original tires.The '60 LeSabre was parked for 35 years with 49,000,this time I used Kroil doing the same thing,but sat for one year.Started and drove away.Kroil can be bought from www.Kanolabs.com.Use it all the time,wouldn't be without.

hudshornet

I'll second the recommendation for kroil, in my opinion there is no better penetrant.

LHudson

I am familiar with homemade concoucions. Most of us ole timers have our own secret formulas. Recently was given some Kroil. Have not gotten to try it on any real tough jobs yet. Only had a couple that never moved at all. Once alum. pistons oxidizes into the cylinder walls, thats it. You have to cut them out with a chisel.  LHud