Newbie to List Seeks Guidance

Unknown

Greetings. I just joined the list. I am not an experienced collector

of historic cars, but I might become one almost without trying. We

live in an old house in Pasadena, CA. My wife has for many years

wanted "an old car" to go with the house. She doesn't care what it

is, as long as it's pre-1930s. She wants a drive-around, not a show

car. Right now she's in the middle of chemo-therapy for breast

cancer. She needs something to cheer her up, and I'm thinking about

getting a car for her.



I'm here because of a 1929 Hudson for sale at a small used car

dealer in LA. I drive past his lot every morning. He's had

the car on his lot for over a year. It was originally marked at

$19,290. Suddenly it's down to $$9290 (same sign, but he converted

a "1" to a "$" sign to make the price more realistic, I guess).



I have no idea whether that's a price at which i should become

interested or not. From photos I've seen on the internet, I think it

is a Super 6. It's a four-dour sedan with a black luggage box on the

back. It appears to be in decent shape overall...no visible rust,

though the tires have deteriorated from smog. It still has the

original 1929 California license plate. Overall, it looks like a

really cool car to own, if it's in running condition or can be made

to run at a decent cost.



Assuming that it's in good running shape (I'd have it checked out by

a mechanic I know who works on old cars), what's a reasonable price

for such a car?



More importantly, can y'all give me some pointers to where I can

learn more about what one should look for in an old car generally,

and/or an old Hudson specifically. Are there good books that would

help me to learn what's needed in terms of maintenance, overhaul,

upkeep? Any pointers to resources (mechanics, sources of supply, etc.)

Any way for me to learn where parts are availble?



Lots of questions, I know, but I've found groups like this to be very

welcoming and helpful to newcomers who care about things that the

List is passionate about.



If it would be helpful to identify the specific model, I can post a

picture to the web.



Thanks in advance.



Lew Phelps

Pasadena, CA