1954 Coupe Questions

Unknown

Hudson Hornet Club Coupe



Hudson Super Wasp Club Coupe



Hudson Coupe



Hudson Hornet Special Coupe



Hudson Hornet Special Coupe



Other than the last picture of the Special Coupe with the longer roof line, what are the differences in these coupes?

What is differant in a club coupe as opposed to a coupe?

and how much differant is a Wasp from a Hornet?

And what can I expect if I was to look for a 54 coupe to restore? Thanks in advance for putting up with the first round of many questions on my way to Hudson ownership!-Dan

Unknown

last one, red and black, is a brougham, it is NOT a coupe.



there is only the name on these that are different. there really is no difference, by 54 for a club coupe, and a coupe. Back in the beginning, there were business coupes, which had a (correct me if I am wrong) no back seat, and a flat panel where it was, mainly for the business traveler to carry luggage or their wares.



As wasp, or super wasp will have a shorter wheelbase than a hornet, or hornet special, I think it is 119 versus 123 (correct my inches if i got it wrong...)



I think also, hornet specials had a lower scale interior, than the regular hornets. It might have been leftover from the super wasps, and wasps...



As far as 54 coupe ownership, and what to expect....



1) Trim.... all 2 door trim 48-54 is almost impossible to find. Door, rear fender, better have is nice....



2) Most stuff on the car is 54 only.... some of the stuff is more difficult to find, than other....



3) Rust in the rear quarters, usually translates into rust in the side perimeter. 54 rear fendes do not come off (or easily...) so be really thorough on your checking of any projects...



4) Same perimeter frame issues, as earlier stepdowns..... check it out well...



5) Throwing in the 54 only factor and a short wheelbase car, trim for a wasp or super wasp will be even more difficult to find.



Good luck on your endeavor, hope what I offered here is of some help!!!!



Best!

Hudsonkid

harry54

hudsonkid wrote:

last one, red and black, is a brougham, it is NOT a coupe.



there is only the name on these that are different. there really is no difference, by 54 for a club coupe, and a coupe. Back in the beginning, there were business coupes, which had a (correct me if I am wrong) no back seat, and a flat panel where it was, mainly for the business traveler to carry luggage or their wares.



As wasp, or super wasp will have a shorter wheelbase than a hornet, or hornet special, I think it is 119 versus 123 (correct my inches if i got it wrong...)



I think also, hornet specials had a lower scale interior, than the regular hornets. It might have been leftover from the super wasps, and wasps...



As far as 54 coupe ownership, and what to expect....



1) Trim.... all 2 door trim 48-54 is almost impossible to find. Door, rear fender, better have is nice....



2) Most stuff on the car is 54 only.... some of the stuff is more difficult to find, than other....



3) Rust in the rear quarters, usually translates into rust in the side perimeter. 54 rear fendes do not come off (or easily...) so be really thorough on your checking of any projects...



4) Same perimeter frame issues, as earlier stepdowns..... check it out well...



5) Throwing in the 54 only factor and a short wheelbase car, trim for a wasp or super wasp will be even more difficult to find.



Good luck on your endeavor, hope what I offered here is of some help!!!!



Best!

Hudsonkid

Good luck trying to find one that is not rusted. 54 Club coupe's are a rare find. I've been looking for one for 5 yrs....

Unknown

Thanks for the info., I don't imagine finding one for a restoration project that is not rusted. But I have found two already, and you couldn't make one complete car from both of them ,but I am keeping them in mind for parts for when I do find another!

[Deleted User]

The Coupe and Club Coupe are the same, The Wasp coupe is a short wheelbase car. But if I am not mistaken, The Body itself is the same dimensions Hornet/Wasp and the Wheelbase difference is in the front subframe, and sheetmetal forward of the firewall.
The Hornet Special, used the Wasp interior, which was a little less padded and eliminated the courtesy lights above the rear doors on a sedan. Most, but not all Specials had the friction type vent windows instead of the crank type found in the Hornet. The exterior trim used the Wasp Stainless on the doors and rear fenders, and most used a different treatment for the stainless between the trunk lid and the rear bumper. The Front fender spear on the special was the only new piece needed to complete the conversion to a Hornet Special.
As stated, the last picture is a Broughm/ 2dr Sedan, or as officially called by Hudson in 1954, A Club Sedan. Still most folks call it a Broughm. It was a 2dr but used the sedan roofline, short trunk lid etc. and otherwise could be optioned out just as the Wasps /Hornets.
1954 was a transition year for Hudson, What with the merger and all, and I truly believe that the management at Hudson knew that there would be no more Hudson designed cars after the 54 run. Therefore there was a great lot of mixing and matching trim parts and options from one model to another, in an attempt to use up the stockpiles of parts they already had.
Just my opinion.
Bob

Hudson Grandpa

I think I got lucky. I know it doesn't look like much now, but it will. You should have seen it when I got it. Nothing worked. Now I got all the lights, brakes, tires, tank, and it runs nice. Lot more to go though. Plain vanilla 308, with Borg Warner Trans. Upholstery not bad, but needs work. Have had it now 10 months. Only bad rust is front floor pan. Everything underneath is good. It will eventually wind up looking like the first pic. Lipstick red with white top. But thats way down the line.....



Having fun in Texas.

Unknown

Hudson Grandpa- Your car looks Great! and most complete! That's what I am Huntin' for! Thanks for posting the picture.-Dan

[Deleted User]

Dan



send me an email ...

Unknown

Heart_Of_Texas wrote:

Dan



send me an email ...

Ken- Is your email address attached to this site good???

[Deleted User]

Dan



Yes

Ken

464Saloon

Here is my 54 Special 2 door Brougham. Grandpa did you pick that one up from Bill A in CA. Looks a lot like that car.