52 Hudson Commodore 8 Coupe for sale

bull_islander

I bought this car locally from a club member around 2007.  He had owned it since the 70's (he purchased it out of Maryland from the proverbial shade tree mechanic...the guy was literally working on it under a tree).

If you label this one by distance, then it's a good 5 footer (some elements even hold better).  I love this cars shape and think it looks good from all angles.  I've never driven it hard, the highest I've run the speedometer is 65 (probably about 70 gauging the flow of others).  Typically, I run 50-55 on the dial.  And I really haven't put a lot of miles on it since I've had it either.  Odometer reads 99931 now, it was 98942 in 2007.  Shortly after getting it, I had a valve get stuck which prompted the replacement of all the valves.  It does leak a little (front seal, I think, master cylinder, etc).  Two weekends ago we went about 100 miles roundtrip and there was some oil on the sway bar.  I wiped it clean and briefly looked for the source, but nothing returned.  It has the new sway bar from Dale Cooper and I replaced the rear motor mounts at the same time.  Let's talk about gas.  I've filled it up twice this year, both times with hi-octane (from different stations).  Both times within 5 minutes, she's started to run a little rough with hesitation in the accelleration.  I do add some Lucas fuel additive with it each time (always have, so this part isn't new).  One suggested they thought it might be carb issues.  But there is something she doesn't currently like about the new gas.

She runs on bias ply tires which have plenty of tread life left.  I haven't driven it enough to feel the need to replace them as they look and ride good to me.  She takes a little bit to start if it's sat for more than a couple of days.  By that I mean the gas dries up and it takes some revolutions to get the gas back.  She runs and sounds good.  No odd noises from the engine and it actually sounds more 'throaty' than the 52 Hornet next door.  

It's got a new interior.  Fabric came from SMS (and some spare just in case for a future emergency).  New headliner, new windlace, new carpet.  The trim mouldings have been repainted and and a wood grain pattern applied using a kit purchased from Grain It.  Some pieces took the ink better than others..the window mouldings don't have as dark of a grain pattern as do the dash and the trim pieces at the top of the doors.  The dash I did the pattern on is a spare - it is not the dash that is in the car.  It will come with the car and you will need to swap it out.  You may also want to replace the material on the top of the dash while you're there.  It looked ok before the other pieces were repainted...now it looks a bit faded.  I still need to re-do the speaker grill on the dash.  I missed that while doing the other pieces.

It's broadway blue over southern blue as it was originally.  It has the 254 straight 8 (the original engine comes with the car, but it's not the one in it) with a single range hydromatic.  Most of the chrome has been replated several years back and well taken care of.  The worst pieces are the wiper transmissions followed by some bumper pieces.  

Take a look through the pictures and take time to see if I have any commentary.  They will tell tales like that of the button on the drivers seat that is still attached, but loose.   

The pictures are here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/86841042@N07/sets/72157673412590582

I'm asking $19,000.  Phone or text 757-593-four five nine eight.  Leave a voice mail.  Daytime M-F is 757-868-three zero one three

Steve Clarke

Poquoson, VA (near Williamsburg, Newport News)

50C8DAN

Steve that is a nice looking and very rare stepdown!

Quadster

Very nice--Good luck with the sale.

bull_islander

update:  I've painted the dash and trim mouldings and am in the process of re-installing the pieces.  I've added pictures at the end of the album.  Once I get them re-installed, I'll update those pictures as well.  Some pieces came out with a heavier pattern than others, but they all look uniform and know it will look better once they're re-installed over the mix of colors there before.  Note the dash I painted is an extra that I had and is not the one from the car.  It will come with the car for the new owner to swap.

I haven't had any further issues with the hesitations associated with the gas since replacing the accelerator pump in the carb.  I plan to get to the gas station this week and fill it back up again to further explore the solution (the only time I've witnessed the hesitations was after filling up with gas).  Previously it has gone away after a short amount of time.  However, since replacing the accelerator pump, the idle is up and I need to adjust it down.  Typical of an older car, it's always going to be something!  

bull_islander

Thanks everyone.  This car will be heading across the pond to Sweden.  I posted to the two Hudson forums, two Hudson facebook pages and the HAMB.  The HAMB is the one where the buyer came forth.

Glowplug

Glad you found a buyer!