Re: [HSS] More on possible 29 Hudson purchase

Unknown

lewphelps@earthlink.net wrote:

>

> Greetings. I've finally gotten to the used car dealer and gotten a

> look at the car up close and inside. I posted some additional photos

> toward the bottom of the page at

> http://homepage.mac.com/lewphelps/PhotoAlbum.html

>

> Here's what I learned from inspecting the car and talking to the car

> lot owner.

>

> 1. He says he is the "past owner" of the car, and that he had it for

> about 10 years but didn't drive it much. The odometer says 63,000

> miles. He drove it about 20 miles from Santa Monica to his car lot,

> about 18 months ago, and it worked fine then. But he can't get it

> started now.

>

> 2. The battery was dead so he tried to start it with a 12V battery.

> Not smart. Like I said in a prior post, this dealership has no

> experience with old cars. Would this burn anything out, like the

> coil, by doubling the voltage? Would it burn out the starter motor?

> Are either fused? If damaged by the overvoltage, how hard are those

> items to replace?

***This shouldn't have done any damage, but you will have to check

basics like spark, and fuel. Likely that the tube in the heat

exchanger is rusted through, which makes it impossible to start. Check

for suction at the carburettor when the motor is turning.

>

> 3. He says the only known mechanical problem is a leak in the water

> pump (except for whatever is causing the non-start condition).

****Likely needs re-packing, but the shaft could be worn if the wrong

packing has been used. Could also be rusted, and just need polishing.

>

> 4. The roof is new material, a dark grey plastic, with a leather

> grain. Not authentic, but it keeps the water out. No signs of leakage

> inside the car, where the roof liner is old, probably original (tan,

> "mouse fur"). A few small holes in the liner, possibly moths?

> Cosmetic issue only.

>

> 5. The upholstery appears old, and in decent shape. Maybe original.

>

> 6. All the interior appears intact and original, except there is a

> modern leather "cuff" around the base of the shift lever. Is this a

> replacement for the bell-shaped thingy that's been discussed recently

> on the list?

>

> 7. The exterior paint is mostly in decent shape, but chipped in a few

> places (shiny metal under) and blistered along the bottom of the

> driver door (rust under, presumably). There's a big rusted area along

> the hood hinge line(right side) and there is rust along the turned

> bottom edge of the hood on both sides. That looks like a real water

> trap. Both running boards are bare metal, slightly rusted, but

> structurally sound.

>

> 8. the wheels don't seem damaged. There has been mention of cracks. I

> didn't see anything ominous. The spokes are all weathered, need

> sanding and varnish, and the rims are superficially rusted.

****The split rims are what crack, check at the ends where they butt

together, both on the inner and outer sides.

>

> 9. The radiator cap is missing, and there is a small rectangular hole

> at the bottom of the radiator, where something (the badge?) was

> mounted.

**** As mentioned before, no problem, I have new re-cast radiator caps.

Can also get the bottom crank-hole cover for you.

>

> 10. The engine compartment looks clean. No big oil stains, no

> indication of anything wrong. Wiring is mostly old and original, but

> there are a couple of modern crimp-connector patches.

>

> 11. No signs of rust on either bumper, the headlights, or other

> chromed items.

>

> General impressions: the car needs quite a bit of cosmetic work, but

> if you are to believe the lot owner not anything serious

> mechanically.

>

> I was really knocked over by the Art Deco instrument panel and

> interior fittings. A nice surprise. Are these standard items?

****Yes, the '29's had (arguably) the most attractive dashboard of any

Hudson.

>

> I've told the dealer he has to come down a ways further to sell it;

> I'm thinking of bargaining with a goal of about $5K purchase price.

> Does anyone think that's nuts, given what I've been able to

> communicate about the car?

****No, you are going to have to put a lot into this vehicle to bring it

up to a reasonable standard.

>

> Lastly, please excuse the uncertainty of a newcomer, but am I dealing

> here with a steel-body SuperSix made in the Hudson plant, or a

> Standard Sedan? I infer from what I've read that the Standard was a

> lower-cost model, nearly identical to the Essex car and not quite as

> big or fancy as the SuperSix. Do I have this straight?

****They are all Super Sixes. The Hudson-built bodies are superior in

construction to the Custom bodied models, whihc are mostly on the longer

139" wheelbase. The only difference between the Hudson-built Standard

Sedan, and the Town sedan is the length of the body at the rear. The

Briggs Town Sedan are a completely different construction, being all

wood frame.

>

> I appreciate all the helpful feedback I've gotten so far, and look

> forward to reading more.

>

> Lew Phelps

> Pasadena, CA

> '29 wannabee owner

>

Best of luck in your endeavour Lew. I'm sure at 63,000 miles there

will be many years of good motoring left in this vehicle. Hudsons here

in New Zealand have done hundreds of thousands of miles without major

problems. Go for it,

Geoff.