54 Hornet Hollywood purchase, whats a fair price

Val
Val Member
in HUDSON
54 Hornet Hollywood. Car has no motor or trans. But seems otherwise complete. What is the going rate for such a car? I mat purchase if the price is right and parts are easy to come by.

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Just be sure the body is straight, complete and un-rusted!  Engines and transmissions are a pittance, in comparison to thousands of dollars worth of body work.
  • Val
    Val Member
    Thanks Jon B, I know nothing about the stepdown cars so not sure what to look for or what to pay for a car that has no engine or trans. 
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I don't own a StepDown myself, but my feeling has always been: if you find a StepDown with a solid, unrusted body, it almost doesn't matter whether it even has an engine; buy it!   Engine parts are available and you can even find good used engines to install.  But body parts are made of Unobtainium, and panel repair is really, really expensive!  The parts that rust out are generally the frames, from the rear wheel opening and back.  You may also want to look for large amounts of plastic body putty in the fenders and doors by use of a magnet.

    That said, I really have no idea of the going price for a good, rust-less StepDown, but I'm sure someone will jump in here with some ideas.
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    Can you post some pics of the inside and out?  As Jon notes rust is the big deal here, especially rear frame rust.
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    edited June 2018
    Nice Hollywoods done bring good money, always more than sedans in comparable condition.  However, there may be rattles and leaks to contend with that do not effect most sedans and coupes.  Most in WTN that look reasonable to very very good run $20K to $40K ($40K for top of the line quality inside and out).
  • Val
    Val Member
    Thanks for the info Jon B and 50C8DAN. I'll try and get some pics. If its a rusted basket case I don't want it. A friend of mine will buy it if I don't. So he says.  
  • Nevada Hudson
    Nevada Hudson Senior Contributor
    Unless you  own your own shop and have free labor, the cost of restoring one is way more than they are worth! ( Unless money is no object ) Better to find one that is done or an original one that needs very little. Ask me how I know!
  • 2manyprojects
    2manyprojects Expert Adviser
    when selling a real nice hudson your generally better off selling at a auction due to hudson guys are frugal.
  • Glowplug
    Glowplug Expert Adviser
    “2” you are “TOO” polite!
  • 2manyprojects
    2manyprojects Expert Adviser
    thank you CHEAP AND EXTREMELY TIGHT did not seem club friendly !
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    In the Studebaker club we have a term: CASO.  I guess it could be applied to Hudson club members as well: CAHO.
  • keithfullmeryahoocom
    keithfullmeryahoocom Expert Adviser
    LOL.  I think I get it.  Indeed I think I AM one!
  • keithfullmeryahoocom
    keithfullmeryahoocom Expert Adviser
    To get back to Val's question, you can always start with Kelly or Nada classic car guides.   Nada shows low at 8750, high at 30800, with average at 18000.   Lots of room for negotiating, but ya gotta start somewhere...k
  • duncan
    duncan Expert Adviser
    Do you have some pictures especially the interior. As I have reproduced Brown cord cloth material done by SMS fabric of portland org Also the 55 Hornet Hollywoods used the same material. I am sure I have enough left over to do another 54 Hollywood.  Ray from Canada
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor

    Well, a tough question on any day of the week but let me give you some thoughts I have.  I am 98 percent complete with my 1954 Hudson Hornet Special Coupe.  I purchased the car for $800.  It was said to be rust free, it was not.  Did not run and had been parked for 50 years in California.  It was 80% complete.  Since this was the last car I plan to own (Last famous words) I wanted a Coupe, Hollywood or a Brougham. Since purchase I have replaced everything on the car once or twice.  In short, it has been a total re-build.  I have done around 80 percent of the work and 20 percent has been farmed out.  It is my dream car (as all my builds have been) and is being finished up just as I wanted it done. (much like ordering your car from the factory)  So, bottom line: I could take $30,000, look over all the cars out there and make a purchase of about anything in the Hudson market.  I am a builder, I love the build first, cars second and right there close would be the people.  So ask yourself, what do you want, when do you want it?  There is a lot of pride and love of the car that you build yourself.  But, in the end, you can most likely find a complete car that you can accept as it is, and love it just as much.  If you like the car, if you love the build process, if you want to learn a lot of new things (and trivia) the purchase price is not the big thing. You only live once and you cannot take it with you. I am in the fifth year of my build process.  I have driven it around 2000 miles during the build.


  • Val
    Val Member
    Thanks for the info, the car has no motor or transmission. Some damage to the roof top I'm told. Waiting on Pics.
  • ski4life65
    ski4life65 Expert Adviser
    Val,
    Where do you live? That might have some bearing on value.
  • Val
    Val Member
    Nearest city is STL MO
  • Kdancy
    Kdancy Senior Contributor
    edited June 2018
    Well said Brownie!
  • Val
    Val Member
      Ok Ron Falk has a blue and white 54 Hornet Hollywood. No Motor and asking 5k. The other car was a basket case and my longtime friend bought it for a hot rod project. Anyway this one has some dents in the roof line and maybe some on the body. I have no idea of the undercarriage. I spoke with Ron and he said it is up against a wall and would have to be pulled away from it I wanted to look it over. Is 5 K with no motor average on these cars? 

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