Noob body Question

[Deleted User]

Hello All,



I am new to Hudsons, and I am looking to purchase a '51 coupe to restore that has good bolt on sheet metal but a rusted unibody and a '49 coupe hat has a good unibody, but the fenders, doors trunk lid, hood, etc are missing. What components are interchangeable between the two (if any?) I would be looking to preserve the '51. Thanks in advance for your inputs.



Dave W.

Jon B

I don't own a StepDown but you'll get a definitive answer to this question within a few hours. Meanwhile, I think I can say that everything should interchange with the possible exception of the front fenders, since the grilles are different on '49's and '51's. Another possible problem would be the dashboard, which is different. I'm not sure if you can transfer the '51 dash to the '49 body.



Of course, once you are done you will have what is essentially a '49 shell (with a serial number indicating it's a '49) with '51 stuff bolted on -- sort of a 'mongrel'. But if that doesn't bother you, then by all means proceed with your plans.



One big thing: you didn't mention which MODEL of '51 you were transplanting into the '49. If it's a Pacemaker, be advised it will have a 119" wheelbase whereas the '49's wheelbase will be 124". And, that may present certain problems as well. If it's a Hornet, Commodore or Super, it will have the same 124" wheelbase as the 1949.



Make dead sure the perimeter frame on the '49 is good, so you don't do this transplant for naught!

nick s

assuming you are looking at equal wheelbase cars.

Dave, the shells and unibodies are nearly identical between the 51 and 49 with one major exception - the rear window of the 51 is considerably larger than the 49. but all your body panels should transfer and you could easily create the mongrel jon described. one other difference, if the 51 is an automatic, the 49 is not set up to accomodate, so some efforts would need to be made here.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the quick info guys. I didn't know about the rear window issue. Oh well, I guess I'll keep lookin' for a clean '51.



Dave W.

Unknown

why not bolt all of the good '51 parts onto the '49 and who cares if the back window is wrong?



just tell everyone that it's a "rare factory prototype"



of course,i have met some guys who are pretty handy at bodywork that could cut the back window out of the '51 and graft it into the '49 and the transformation would be complete.

Unknown

Dave,



Where are you located? I have a 51 Pacemaker 2 door Coupe (not the Brougham big back model) with an excellent body and frame. The Pacemaker is 6" shorter than a Hornet Coupe, very aggressive stance. The only rust hole is 1" in the A pillar (odd place). I have all the parts. It needs a total restoration, interior, headliner, paint, chrome straightened, stainless polished, etc. It came with a 232 3 speed but I have rebuilt a 308 (standard bore) and I have a twin H manifold. I have too many toys and I just am not getting to the Hudson. I MIGHT consider selling just to make my life a little simpler. Dunno, just thinking aloud. Emailk if you're interested.



Geoff.

[Deleted User]

yorgatron wrote:

why not bolt all of the good '51 parts onto the '49 and who cares if the back window is wrong?



just tell everyone that it's a "rare factory prototype"



of course,i have met some guys who are pretty handy at bodywork that could cut the back window out of the '51 and graft it into the '49 and the transformation would be complete.

I thought about the rear window transplant. It wouldn't be too diificullt as opposed to the labor to repair the rusty unibody. I've got my eye on a couple right now, I'll see how it goes.





Dave W.



PS heres a link to my latest finished project:



http://57and58plymouth.homestead.com/VV_User_122.html









Dave W.

[Deleted User]

Canadian Hud wrote:

Dave,



Where are you located? I have a 51 Pacemaker 2 door Coupe (not the Brougham big back model) with an excellent body and frame. The Pacemaker is 6" shorter than a Hornet Coupe, very aggressive stance. The only rust hole is 1" in the A pillar (odd place). I have all the parts. It needs a total restoration, interior, headliner, paint, chrome straightened, stainless polished, etc. It came with a 232 3 speed but I have rebuilt a 308 (standard bore) and I have a twin H manifold. I have too many toys and I just am not getting to the Hudson. I MIGHT consider selling just to make my life a little simpler. Dunno, just thinking aloud. Emailk if you're interested.



Geoff.

Geoff, I'm in northern Illinois close to Chicago. E-mail me some pics of the car you are speaking of if you could please.



Thanks,



Dave W.

Unknown

DaveFury wrote:

heres a link to my latest finished project:



http://57and58plymouth.homestead.com/VV_User_122.html

nice Fury,i've been trying to talk my pal Floyd into installing a 2x4 setup on his Fury,even though it isn't correct for 1956.

[Deleted User]

yorgatron wrote:

nice Fury,i've been trying to talk my pal Floyd into installing a 2x4 setup on his Fury,even though it isn't correct for 1956.

Thanks.



Dave W.

[Deleted User]

DaveFury wrote:

I thought about the rear window transplant. It wouldn't be too diificullt as opposed to the labor to repair the rusty unibody. I've got my eye on a couple right now, I'll see how it goes.


Dave W.

PS heres a link to my latest finished project:

http://57and58plymouth.homestead.com/VV_User_122.html




Dave W.

Dave, my '50 Pace Coupe had the unibody rot problem, but I was fortunate enough to find an exact matched '50 Donor Coupe in a wrecking yard around here. Good luck with the project! And a nice '58 Plymouth to boot! Do you hang around the FL forums? I've got a '56 Dodge CRL I'm trying to get running for a daily driver.

Jay

[Deleted User]

jsrail wrote:

Dave, my '50 Pace Coupe had the unibody rot problem, but I was fortunate enough to find an exact matched '50 Donor Coupe in a wrecking yard around here. Good luck with the project! And a nice '58 Plymouth to boot! Do you hang around the FL forums? I've got a '56 Dodge CRL I'm trying to get running for a daily driver.



Jay

Jay,

Yes I do. (Forward Look name "My58PlymouthFury"). Anyway, that is kinda what I am trying to line up before I commit. Transplanting the rear window flange from the '51 to the older donor body would not be a big deal, however finding a cleaner car initially would be even better.





Dave W.