My first project,53' Hudson Hornet

Unknown

Hi all, I'm new here and at this restoration stuff.I've always loved old cars and have wanted one of my own,well God blessed me and I now have a 53 Hudson Hornet ,it is in original condition,body is in good condition,some rust,the interrior is bad,no rear seat,front seat needs redone,floor needs repair.guess you get the picture! it does run and driverable once i repair the brakes,just alittle slushy.I need a good rust stopper/restorer and any input I can get.Don't have a shop so most work will be done on decent days and by hand.Can't afford to have someone do the work.I am excited about this project(wife just smiles and shakes head).any feedback would greatly be appreciated.also any info on how to get a title.Thank you all.will be talking again soon. Don P.S. will post pic's once i get this figured out

Jon B

Not to be a wet rag, but before you spend a dime on this car you should do a careful assessment of the rear perimeter frame (in the area around the rear wheelwell and behind). You mentioned 'some rust'. If the frame is badly rusted back there, it can be quite costly to restore (especially if you have to hire someone to do it). So, you had better find out the good or bad news before getting too deeply into this project. These things certainly are fixable, of course, but can be a major investment you should budget for.



On the other hand, if the rust back there is minor or nonexistant, pat yourself on the back and tear into your restoration!

rambos_ride

Welcome!

Ditto JonB's comment on the perimeter frame rust check.

There are good rust inhibitive products out there these days - but the key is "rust inhibitive" that will not stop nor kill rust only inhibit its spread.

I prefer the Eastwood Rust Inhibitor products as they can be thinned with good grade lacquer thinner and have UV protectant and can be left as a topcoat.

None of these RI products are cheap and will not replace cutting and welding patches where needed.

There are tons of pictures of typical stepdown rust repairs on my website and the body parts that are primered are done with the Eastwood RI primer.

[Deleted User]

Good luck with the new project Don. As Jon and Dan have already stated, the perimeter frame is the big one on these step-downs. My Pacemaker Coupe had rot all the way around the perimeter frame and fortunately I found a donor shell/frame unibody. Beyond that, there's tons of good info (and some friendly b.s.! lol) around here, so don't be afraid to ask questions and get those pics posted! :-) Where do you hail from?

Jay

essexcoupe3131

Hi Jay, the bs starts in the desert , to help the mouth from getting too dry LOL

good to see you speading the word and welcome aboard the forum Fireball



Mike

Unknown

Hi all,thank you for the replies and info.The frame seems to be fine,just the interrior and some other body work(nothing major)that I can tell so far.I am looking for an original 1953 Chilton's Motor Age Flat Rate and Service Manual.I have a 1954 and a 1951,the guy I got the car from gave me them with car.Also looking for a good rust inhibitor/stopper,someone at a Hot Rod Shop said they use Ospho(?)not sure my spelling is correct.Finally heard back from the local Hudson Group(president was on vacation,the nerve-lol) Do I have to get the Chrome/bumpers redone by a shop?Ok I'm gonna try and post a slide show of car.The engine does run-not real pretty yet but it runs great,have to prime carb though must be fuel pump or something.I have canister air filters but need to repaint and decal.If I can find decal's.



http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t159/fireball2157/?action=view&current=1177196998.pbw

[Deleted User]

You have lots of sources for the decals. K-Gap sells them so does Bill Albright. Looks like a great project.

Unknown

BILL ALBRIGHT HERE, HAVE CARB KITS, NEW STAINLESS HEAT SHIELDS FOR UNDER CARBS AND NEW PEEL OFF DECALS FOR AIR CLEANERS AS WELL AS MANY OTHER PARTS, EMAIL ME AT hetalbrighthudsons@msn.com drop the het, good luck with the project

Unknown

Looks like you've got some work ahead of you. But, it's a Hornet with Twin-H, auto, radio, back-up lights, gas door guard, gas filter, washer, two tone paint, etc. Someone really liked that car.

hornet53

looks like our cars could have been twins way back. 53 sedan, Boston Ivory with Texas Tan roof and green interior, plus all the options mentioned above.

Unknown

Hi, wow it sure looks like they could be.Of course right now yours is in finished condition.Any advise,frame does'nt seem to be rusted,have to get under and check it out a little better but it seems good so far.Thanks Don

Unknown

Hi, thank you for the info.The rear of the car is fine,infact the trunk area does'nt have any rust,if just very minor surface.I do have a problem in the rear door,down on the bottom of the inside door frame is rusted out(about 6-8 inches)this should be an easy fix? am I correct?.Thank you again. Don