Another convertible question

mrsbojigger

Saw the thread about the header on a stepdown. This brought another question to mind. Did Hudson make the lower part of their unibody any different for the convertible than what is on the coupe and sedan to withstand the stresses? If so, where were the strengtheners located? What about the cowl?
Peace,
Chaz

rambos_ride

Man - it drives me crazy when I know I saw this information once - but can't remember the exact source to quote again but I'll try it from memory...



There were 2 additional inner braces up front xmember and then each side "frame" channels had an extra "Z-Channel" welded in from the front of the cowl to the front rear wheel well.

mrsbojigger

The "Z-Channel" you mention, was it welded to the outside where that long lower silver sheet metal trim piece would cover it?

rambos_ride

OK - I don't have my original source (or pictures anymore) - I'm pretty sure it was in the book I sold to Niels but I answered a post about car lifts and Hudson convertibles and here is an section about the converts added stuctural stuff I somewhat plagerized from ... :rolleyes:

blah...blah...

...Hudson added a special "Z-member" to the lower frame rails from the cowl back to to the rear wheel well. An additional wide member was added to the to connect the rear wheelhousing to door lock pillar and was anchored to the base frame with a heavy iron casting. The rear bulkhead was welded to the wheelhousing and floor and to an additional member extending around the beltline to the doors. There were other structural re-inforcements made and the window frame was also re-inforced.

blah... blah..

mrsbojigger wrote:

The "Z-Channel" you mention, was it welded to the outside where that long lower silver sheet metal trim piece would cover it?

Maybe I'll remember where I read this (perhaps it was in that book I sold to Niels..?)