Question from a Hudson-noob

Unknown

I've always been nuts over orphan makes in general, but really have begun to appreciate both Hudsons and to a lesser extent, Nash / Rambler products too. Hudson for the serious engineering and Nash for the practical designs. I have been trying to decide what years would be best as a fairly frequent driver. I really like the looks of the Commodore Coupe, especially the 48 and 49. Are the Commodore coupes rare? fairly available? They are absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. being a Hudson, I assume that the drivetrain is bulletproof, and the rest of the car is in typical Hudson fashion, almost indestructible, as long as it is properly maintained.

Opinions? problems to watch for? Forget it, buy a Nash 600?



My dad always said that if the engineers at Hudson calculated that it would be necessary for part A to be bolted to part B safely it would take 4- 5/16" bolts, they would spec and build it with 6- 3/8" bolts. By what I've seen at some of the bigger shows around here when a Hudson shows up it's true!

Jon B

Yes, coupes are rarer but not impossible to find.



Biggest thing to watch for: rust in the perimeter frame from the rear wheel well, back ('48-54).

[Deleted User]

Are you planning on doing resto work to the car you find or looking for a completed car to drive. I have seen some nice examples of coupes that need work but would be a driver for 10K. You just need to keep your eyes open and be patient and you should find a nice car.

Aaron D. IL

Also joing the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club would go a long way to getting you information, parts contacts, and good cars that come up for sale. The magazine is top notch too.

Uncle Josh

Consider a nice sedan. A lot more of them and more affordable.

Unknown

Thanks for the replies, A sedan would definitely be easier and more "frugal" but I went that route with my Zephyr, there are less than 30 in the register worldwide like mine, it's a gorgeous car, but I wish that I'd held out for a Zephyr coupe, (talk about rare!) There has to be a lot more Commodore coupes than there are pre-war Zephyrs! Anyway, I'd hope for a driver that I could rehab on a piecemeal basis, not as a concours type restoration, but as a good looking functional driver. A project would not be out of the question, but not one needing structural repairs, no body-off candidates. Hopefully a complete car. I was originally thinking that a "grinnin hamster" Rambler wagon would be different, and sort of practical, the last one I had (about 15 yrs ago) was decent, but a bit small and not much for longer trips. The full size cars are far more to my liking. (age and arthritis are catching up) I suppose that an exceptionally nice sedan could follow me home, but I'll be patient..... for a while. I'll go ahead and join the H-E-T club too.

MikeWA

As far as the choice between a stepdown Hudson and a Nash 600, you need only drive each of them, and the choice is obvious. You can negotiate a turn in the Hudson without even squeeling the tires, at a speed that would put the Nash in the weeds. Don't know if its a consideration, but the rear seat room is pretty sparse in the coupe, compared to the sedan. Good luck in your search.

Aaron D. IL

If you don't absolutely have to have a step-down Hornet Coupe ('51-'54) I don't see why with patients you couldn't find a nice '48-'49 coupe. I suspect there's a lot more '48s out there somewhere because after going through the roster there is a proportionate shortage of '48's in the HET club. They're not quite as in demand either. Of course you may even come across a Hornet if you're patient Here's the other models besides Hornet you can look for in coupe form:

'48-'49

Super 6

Super 8 (incredibly rare)

Commodore 6

Commodore 8

--- then 1950

Pacemaker (shorter WB)

Super 6

Commodore 6

Commodore 8



1951

Pacemaker

Super 6 (last year)

Commodore 6

Commodore 8

(Hornet)



1952

Pacemaker (last year)

Wasp (short WB)

Super Wasp

Commodore 6 (last year)

Commodore 8 (last year)

(Hornet)



1953

Wasp (short WB)

Super Wasp

Hornet



1954

Wasp (short WB)

Super Wasp

Hornet special

Hornet