1952 Hudson Hornet For Sale

RL Chilton

Thought I would post this here for those who do not receive the WTN.  This was the original listing for the car:

1952 Hudson Hornet 4D Sedan.  129,000 actual miles (was 114K in ’05).  308 c.i. Hudson Straight 6 with Dual Carburetors (Twin-H Power).  Garaged her entire life.  Engine rebuilit by Jack Clifford in ’92, along with fresh paint around the same time.  Original interior.  Transmission rebuilt in ’06.  Original options include Hydramatic Transmission, Dual Carburetors, Visor, Sunshades, Spare tire outside air checking point, Back-Up Lights, original dealer logo on the car.  Changes in originality include electronic ignition inside original distributor, 12V Negative ground with Alternator, Vintage Aire AC, all new wiring, 4 core radiator (in original shell), back-up electric fuel pump w/inline restrictor, carburetors re-built by Dayton since I have owned it (4th owner, owned since ’05). 

Outstanding example of a mostly original car.  Prime candidate for Restoration, but runs along at modern highway speeds well.  Pros include:  always garaged since new, low mileage, very clean, well maintained car.  Steering wheel has one ¼” crack on the backside of the original wheel.  All the original glass is still in the car.  All parts (except tires and battery) that came with the car from the factory are still with the car.  Good WWW tires (bias ply) and wheels.  Hubcaps that are currently on the car were a little-used option in ’52.  These were located about 5 years ago and are NOS.  Cons include:  Needs new springs, front and rear and could use the front end rebuilt.  Original Interior is getting dry, original Weatherseals are still on the car and could use attention.  Rear window leaks, but I have a new rear window seal that needs to be installed.  AC has a leak and needs a dye test.  $25,000

That's the special price for a Hudson person.  Soon it's going on Ebay for 30K. 

Hagerty Valuation:  #3 car is currently $31,300 as of July 2023.  #2 Car is $54,500.  This exampe would be a High 3 or low 2 car, IMO.  

 

More pics and info is available if you email me at:  HETRLChilton52@gmail.com (drop the "HET"  before sending).  

RL Chilton

FYI, I would entertain the idea of a 1952 Hollywood Hornet in need of restoration as a partial trade.  

StepUp

Unsolicited thoughts ---the paint and chrome looks good in the pictures. It's easy to drop $10K on a decent paint job these days and another $4K in chrome. A running Hudson absent any window dressings is worth $5-$7K alone. Try replicating a decent interior for less than $5k. And the a/c ---$4K +creature comfort! IMHO your asking price is reasonable. Just throwing this out for consideration if someone thinks they can buy a beater and fix'r her up for less $. Lastly this one is ready to go...Time is money too.

superwasp

Good luck rebuilding an engine for under 5k anymore. That's if you can find a decent machine shop.

StepUp

I agree. I reckon a half dozen engine machine shops within 100 miles have closed during the last 5 years. The owners of two of these shops both said they they couldn't find the right talent to keep them operational. Hence they ended up selling the building & equipment versus selling the business.  

superwasp

The shop that rebuilt my 308 closed because the land and building became worth more than the revenue from the business.😒

Kdancy

4,000.00 for rechromed and polished trim on a 52-53 4dr sedan is a dream nowadays.
This Hudson seems to be well priced if one can afford it. You sure can’t do a quality restoration on a step down for anywhere near 25,000.00

RL Chilton

I'd like to know where anyone can do chrome and stainless on a '52 for 4K?  Mexico?  There are over 100 pieces of chrome and 100 pieces of stainless on the '52 Convertible and we had to spend right at 20K for all of it.  That's just re-chroming and straightening/polishing, not sourcing.  

If you can really do all of that for 4K, I'm not shopping at the right place, apparently.  Of course, I am referring to triple-plating on the chrome, not some shortcut.  

RL Chilton

The sedan is still for sale, by the way.  I'm getting ready to list it on Ebay because it seems that I can't find any Hudson folks interested in her.  

superwasp

FWIW, I'd consider Bring a Trailer over ebay, but that's just me. I think BAT has a better buyers base than flea-bay.

RL Chilton

I'll look into it.  

StepUp

2nd Bring a Trailer.

Xerxes

Did it go to BaT? Did it sell?

Thanks

Glowplug

Russ told me a month ago that the car had been sold.