Savin' Up for a '52 Hornet

Unknown

I've recently decided to get serious about becoming a Hudsonista. I love the stepdowns almost as much as Gen II ('51-'55) Kaisers... okay, maybe a photo finish. Anyway, I've chosen as my goal car a two-tone 1952 Hudson Hornet four-door sedan with Twin-H Power. Reasons being the following combination:

1) I like the frontal treatment on the '52's the best. The '48-50 Hudsons have a straight grille on what is otherwise a round car. Round should go with round; to me it just looks better. The triangle is far less prominent on the '53's grille and to me looks emptier, and I don't care for the '54's look at all (with all due apologies). I also prefer a hood ornament over a hood scoop on this particular car; the hood ornament has a nice sweptback look to it.

2) Side treatment: With all due apologies (again) to Doc Hudson and other '51 owners, the Hornet sweepspear is where it belongs on this car--on the side crease instead of below it. From the pictures I've seen, in Collectible Automobile and other books, the '51 also doesn't seem to have the brightwork on the C-pillar like the '52's do. I like tinsel and lots of it. Again, with the usual due apologies, the '54's side treatment just isn't my cup of tea. Looks to me IMHO that Barit, Spring & Co. were really running out of ideas by then.

3) I figure that a four-door sedan is historically the least popular body style (from the general collectibility standpoint, certainly not from the production standpoint) and therefore the most affordable. I actually prefer the looks of the stepdown four-doors since they make this car look even longer and lower than the coupes.

4) Hornet? Duh. Top of the line. Twin-H? Duh. Why get a Hornet without it? Self-explanatory on both. And a two-tone is just plain... well, not as plain.

5) I would want a good, solid older restoration, all original or "correct stock;" a very good #2 car inside and out needing no major work and easily passing the 20/20 rule with flying colors. I certainly wouldn't pass up a #1 example if the price was right, of course; but I would expect a trailer queen to be out of my price range, and besides, this is a car I would want to enjoy--the right way--by driving it regularly and not having to worry about getting a tiny scratch on a perfect car.

All this having been said, what could I expect to have to shell out for such a car? I guess what I'm really asking is would this be outside the $15K-$20K range that I could probably afford within the next five years? I know it is difficult to judge where car prices are going to go in the future, but I'm just trying to get a better idea so I can set some goals and plan for fulfilling them.

Thanks, guys. --Tom Markielewski, "Martin200"

bull_islander

"heard a duesy on the radio the other day-- a couple of morning radio DJs (a group of people with virtually no intelligence to begin with) were discussing the "Cars" movie and made the asinine comment: "Wasn't the Hudson Hornet only made for one year and then vanished?" AAAAAAUGH!!!! "

" I like the frontal treatment on the '52's the best. The '48-50 Hornets have a straight grille on what is otherwise a round car. Round should go with round; to me it just looks better. The triangle is far less prominent on the '53's grille and to me looks emptier, and I don't care for the '54's look at all (with all due apologies). I also prefer a hood ornament over a hood scoop on this particular car; the hood ornament has a nice sweptback look to it."

I'm not picking on you Tom, but I'm guessing you were talking about the stepdown models in general with the latter statement. Because I'm sure you know that Hornets were not made before 1951...

MikeWA

I think you should be able to find what you're after in the 15 to 20 K price range without too much trouble. First order of business is to join HET Club and start getting the magazine- IMHO, you'll find the best deals there, as there are some older members who must get out of the hobby but want to have their baby go to a good home, and price them accordingly.

Unknown

bull islander wrote:

" I like the frontal treatment on the '52's the best. The '48-50 Hornets have a straight grille on what is otherwise a round car. Round should go with round; to me it just looks better. The triangle is far less prominent on the '53's grille and to me looks emptier, and I don't care for the '54's look at all (with all due apologies). I also prefer a hood ornament over a hood scoop on this particular car; the hood ornament has a nice sweptback look to it."



I'm not picking on you Tom, but I'm guessing you were talking about the stepdown models in general with the latter statement. Because I'm sure you know that Hornets were not made before 1951...

Thank you, Bull Islander, for pointing out that Freudian slip. I got it corrected. Yes, you're right; I know better than that. As for the "swept-back look" of the hood ornament, I was also thinking of the pre-Hornet stepdowns. But the '52's hood ornament looks cool anyway.

37 CTS

The 1952 had a interior that was trimmed with a stainless moulding along the headliner above the doors that other models don not have. Also the interior cloth is very nice and durable

more so than some other years. Without a starter button

and having lower locations for lights and wiper switches the the insturment cluster looks cleaner sytle wise.

29 Vic, previous 52 HHsd owner

RL Chilton

Tom-



Hooray for '52 Hornets!! I agree with you whole-heartedly-guess that's why

I've got a couple of them. Beltline trim, hood ornament, triangle grille bars, curved and rounded front running lights, lower profile taillights (although the '51's look good, too) are all positive refinements made from previous starts.



15-20K is a very good and reasonable price to pay for a high #3 or even a low #2 sedan. I highly recommend joining the HET, if you haven't already and looking into joining your local chapter. Finding the right car for you just will not get any easier than being a club member. Members know where the cars for sale are located and most club members prefer to sell to other club members. Oftentimes, "for sale" cars will only first be disclosed to fellow members.



The WTN (White Triangle News), our club's publication always lists many (at least 10 or 12) cars for sale in the Classified Section.



By joining the club, the friends you'll make and the help, if needed, is absolutely invaluable and will likely last a lifetime.



Good luck in your search . . . there really is nothing in the world like the entire Hudson experience. I currently can't give you any prospects, but if you need questions answered or pictures or whatever, give me a shout. If I can't help, I can probably point you in the right direction.



WELCOME ABOARD!!



Russell

HETrusslynnacres@gmail.com (drop the HET)

Unknown

I took your advice, made the plunge and sent in my membership application and check, so I will be an Official Hudsonista!! Feels good to join the gang. I look forward to getting the WTN and getting info for a local meet so I can meet some of you.



Best wishes,



-Tom Markielewski "Martin200"