What Is A Hudson ?

super651

What Is A Hudson ? Who Made It ??

We drive our 51 SUPER-6 all accross these Great States of ours and when we come in Contact with the General Public we ALWAYS get the QUESTIONS, WHO MADE IT and WHAT IS IT. (the same as in the car shows we go to )

Our trips take a little longer because we spend a little time at the stops that we make explaining to them the 2-Most Asked. At the Gas Pumps it is a job just to Pull away while still being asked the Questions,and we talk as we pullaway.

I ask the younger ones point-blank,what do you see in The Hudson, they always say IT HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LINES,AND LOOK AT ALL THAT METAL AND CHROME. ( we just drive it and after 42-years of it we get useto it and over look what others see)

We are putting togather a Binder with some pictures of the Nascar Hudsons that we have and of the ones that have been on this Forom and some Drag Hudsons to keep in the car as we travel and when we have time just let them look at " WHAT IS A HUDSON " and " WHO MADE IT "

Lets keep them all informed as what they are looking at and it is not setting somewhere wherethey have to Pay to see it it is FREE and here TODAY. (and being driven) and with HUDSON-POWER.

Thanks to all who post them fine Pictures of a car that is No longer Built but, is Still History in the making by a lots of Good ol Hudson FOLK.

HUDSONLY Rudy and the Local Hud-nuts.:) ( we stopped at Talladaga Ala. NASCAR track and as we walked away to go inside to see the all the RACING stuff,we looked back and people were taking pictures of the 51 with them standing beside it and some of the Guards from the Track left there Post just to see and take pictures) Are we PROUD OF IT,YOU BET.

Unknown

What's really great is the fun you have at the gas pumps.... It doesn't matter what shape your old hudson is in, it always turns into a group gathering. Growing up, we had Oldsmobiles first, then we got into hudsons, and I can say, the oldsmobiles, never gathered a crowd like the hudsons did, and still do. Just something about them.



My favorite thing to do is to pop the hood, and show off that big six, with those big red twin H power aircleaners, and people are blown away that it had twin carbs, and that it has the original engine, etc... I don't care what it costs, twin H is worth it in a hudson, just for that.



And one last thing, did you ever know that someone had an uncle, or sister, or parent, or grandparent that had a hudson? Seems these folks remember that particular make more so than anything else.

super651

Right on Hudson Kid, Its all true andyes,THAT-BIG-SIX.

Its all worth it.

Hudsonly to all Rudy

Aaron D. IL

They have a mystique that can't be ignored no doubt about it, not even like the aura of other cars of the same era.... at any rate aside from the CARS movie perhaps we should have an ad campaign just to inform people what the heck these cars and and who made them (AMERICANS!) because let's face it, the newest of these beautiful machines is still 50 years old.

Them maybe with a campaign people would flood detroit with letters and force the companies to re-make it. (I know they probably wouldn't be the same but they could look the same inside and out. Uni-body, strong carbon fiber like modern fighter aircraft, light weight engines, good fuel economy AND interior space as well as exterior size and grace plus chrome! Good economy doesn't automatically have to = tiny car. Check out the Feb. 25 2008 International edition of Newsweek article entitled "Supersize the Automobile" by Amory Lovins

I know I'm dreaming out loud. hehe



My favorite description to people's reaction to the Hudson is in Richard Langworth's book, about the introduction of the '48 Step-down, talking about how people lined up around the block at dealer showrooms just to get a look at the long low wide modern car from Detroit.

Anyways big kudos to you Rudy for getting the word out and educating the public...which mostly drives lifeless machines and has no idea what they're missing. Big Kudos to anyone out there driving their Hudson, that's what it's about!

[Deleted User]

We have all the same situations, particularly at gas pumps etc.



The one thing everybody wants to see is the "BIG-SIX". Even if they didn't know it had a six, they want to see what's under the hood. Once revealed, they marvel at it even moreso than the rest of the car. The one's expecting a V8 are even more attracted to the six and spend more time asking questions about it. Whether they agree with it still having the flathead or not, they still ask more questions.



And always hang around to hear it fire up.



Mark

[Deleted User]

My favorite was the guy commenting on my Twin H air cleaners - "Is it a Hybrid?"

MikeWA

My old-timey 48 custom has all insignia removed, but has Cadillac "sombrero" hubcaps and a Lincoln rear bumper (for the continental kit). Had a couple old guys arguing at the gas station whether it was a Caddy or a Lincoln.

Unknown

NAW, Hustlin Hudson

hudsontech

I remember a fellow who walked over to Pat and Terry Meiers 1937 Terraplane coach and asked if it was a "Plymouth". When Pat told him it was a Terraplane, the fellow looked totally confused and said "It's a what??"

And the late Jim Fortin got hot under the collar when he heard someone at a cruise night describing his Jet to a buddy, in glowing terms of one who knows all about the marque, that it was an English Ford.

The most often heard comment, I've heard, is "Hudson?? I never heard of a Hudson before!!"

Ah, we must ed-juma-kate the great unwashed.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

HudsonTech

Memphis, TN

RL Chilton

My favorite question, ironically enough came from an older gentleman. After thoroughly looking the car over, his first comment was, "Hudson . . . who made that, Ford?"



Yep, it must happen to all of us at the gas pump, every stop we make and even at mixed make cruise-ins. I've even had people follow us out of their way to talk to us when we stopped.



At the last cruise-in we took the Hornet to, we were parked right next to a gorgeous '60 Corvette that had obviously just been totally restored. The owner sat in his lawn chair with his lips pursed for 2 1/2 hours. The only conversation he had was occasionally with me. Meanwhile, I didn't stop talking about the Hudson the entire time to the crowd gathered around our car. I never had less than a dozen people and at one point there must have been 25-30. I never even got my chance to walk around and check out the other cars. We were the only Hudson there, of course. Finally had to leave and was still talking as I was driving away.



Gotta Love It!! Can't wait to get the convertible done, now.

[Deleted User]

My daughter (6 years old) recieved student of the trimester award today, and asked my if I could pick her up in our hornet coupe. After the assembly several teachers and parents were checking out the car, I could hear one teacher talking on her cell phone " It's a hudson,Blue with whitewalls" Then my daughter says it's our car, the teacher asked how long have we had it, Did we buy it new? I'm only 42 years old, the car is a 53, I must look old:eek: We decided to have lunch at In & Out (hamburger joint) The pretty lady at the window gave us our order but, before we left she said wait here are some extra placemates, so you dont dirty that beautiful car. I thought she was flirting with me:rolleyes:But it must of be the car. I love that car.

Unknown

And Here I Thought I Could Buy It Back From You Lol Bill Albright

[Deleted User]

Bill, I'm trying to convince my wife to let me (you) restore another car. I'm thinking truck, I like the body lines on those:cool:

Ol racer

FYI

These stories remind me of when I bought a 'survivor' (not perfect but Sharp) '53 black Hornet cpe from Charlotte to celebrate our 40th Anniversary (because we owned one when married) and towed it back to our city, detailed it a bit, then took it down town to our popular cruise area "the public Dock"when the sun was just setting over Lake Erie. Suprisingly we found a prime parking spot right in front of a hot spot trendy Resturant on the waterfront. We noticed everyone looking when we got out and went inside while my wife went to the ladies room I sat down at the counter bar, but the bar tenders came around the bar along with a couple of patrons and went outside circling the car... My wife came back and I told her that everyone went outside and didnt take my order yet... When they came back in they talked to us about the car all the while we were there... When we left we felt honored and very glad we bought the car... Suprisingly when we drive our St Rod Hudson Trk down there get a few glances but nothing to equal our Hornet cpe reception...





Another Time woth mentioning is when we took it to a Castle like affluent Ski Lodge for their large "Autum Festival" & Cruise In. Just for kicks I dropped off my wife at the main front door of their circular drive and the cameras came out . After parking in the Cruise In my wife headed for the Craft Tents and I dusted the Hornet. In a short time I had couples from two adjoining States come by praising the car asking to sit in it. They told how they went to Drive In Movies sat on the large back fold down and rode in the back window ledge.. I also had two different women tell me that they took their drivers Exam in their Parents Hudson and wanted to sit in it while their Husband's took their picture. Keep in mind the black laquer paint has cracks and one affluent person said it gives it'character' and not repaint the car similar to not refurbing antique furiture losing value...



Again we were on Cloud 9....We only drive the cpe on special occassions and We love it...

464Saloon

I'm getting the same thing too. Since I was layed off and lost my company car I have been using my Hornet for my running around and breaking my new engine in. It doesn't matter where I go, I get at least one person asking or commenting on the car EVERY DAY. I have several other classic cars and none get this much attention. My Dad's two Mercedes 300 SL Gullwings get a lot when we have them out, but I am telling you the Hornet is right there with them on getting attention.

hdsn49

Another frequent question I get at car shows is "What do those cables do?" (wiper cables). Then there is always somebody that says "My dad had a Hudson. It was a 49 Hornet. Then I have to explain that the Hornet came out in '51.

Ol racer

FYI

Another question asked regularly is regarding the 3 small bottles with hoses going into the battery, which requires telling them about the period 'before' Maintenance Free batteries, they needed water added occassionally....



My faviorite is when they ask if I made the forward opening Hood on my Truck and I tell them no its Factory and show them a small Hudson Poster saying the tilt hood is a Factory Safety Feature and thats where Corvette and T bird got the Idea...........



Actually I show the Poster whenever people ask if I made my Pickup and mention Chevy & Ford copied Hudson's car/trk design building the El camino & Ranchero...............

[Deleted User]

There is no vehicle like a Hudson, none.



Which reminds me, Jay Leno's Hudsons are on speed channel this morning (Sunday March 2nd) 8:30am Central.



I'm fixing to turn it on.



Mark

super651

You SEE, Youall have said it ,and all this Response is WHY WE ALL LIKE them HUDSON BUILT cars and trucks, It can be from 1909 to the last one that came of that assembly line.

Lets Enjoy them and Drive them and be very PROUD to SHOW that yes, IT IS HUDSON POWERED.

Hudsonly Rudy and the Local Hudson Gang.

[Deleted User]

Conversation, as remembered:

Nitwit: What is it?

Me: It's a Terraplane

Nitwit: Is it some kind of a Chevrolet?

Me: No, it was made by the Hudson Motor Car Company

Nitwit: (blank expression) Oh!

[Deleted User]

My absolute favourite comments are those of 100% belief they are right in front of the obvious evidence to the contrary. A couple of years ago at our meet I had the guys with the pickups park them beside each other so we could have a row of Hudson pickups. Two old guys maybe late 70's stand in front of the trucks and say "Hudson never made a pickup" almost fell over laughing the one saying to the other said it the same way you would say the sky is blue. No room for discussion even though they stood in front of them. I live for those kinds of comments.

Unknown

At least the two guys in their late seveties were still standing, walking, talking, and going to car shows. We should all be so lucky at that age.

Unknown

I had one guy at a car show insisting that my car was chopped and lowered.

Ol racer

Reminds me of a time a few guys walked by my pickup and one was a 'know-it-all' that loudly told his buddies that my truck was home made because Hudson never made a truck.



I tried to correct him offering to show the Owners Card and he became arrogant saying people can do anything with Titles & Registrations these days and nothing would convince him it was factory built.



He was so obnoxious that a couple of his buddies circled back later to apologize for his behaviour. I now carry a laminated Hudson Pickup Factory sales flyer that I obtained from a Flea Market ....

hornet53

Jimalberta wrote:

I had one guy at a car show insisting that my car was chopped and lowered.

I had one guy call mine a "poor man's Mercury". He owns a hot rod shop so there was no point trying to argue with him. -sigh-

Unknown

More like a Mercury was a poor man's Hudson.

super651

Dave, I like that and i will use it later in week when i meet with a Merc. owner that has 2 of them Hudson-Want-To-Be.

Thanks Rudy.

Aaron D. IL

Wonder what the original retail price of both cars was. I only know that Hudson was in Buick's sales territory, step below Caddilacs. Mercs were mid-priced field too Between Frod and Lincoln..... anyone know ? '49-'51 Merc and Hudson retail prices?

Clutchguy

It goes to show you some people don't really know what they're looking at.I bought a '52 Hornet Hdtp.restoration project in W.V. and just for fun I took a spray can of paint and put '"50 Merc" on the drivers side and on the decklid.I stopped for fuel and this guy came over looking at the car and said that this wasn't a 50??,I asked what do you mean.He went on to tell me that Mercury didn't come out with an automatic trans until '52.I told him I was sure it was a '50,because the title said so and he told me that I needed to go do better research before making such a purchase!! I hurried and payed for my fuel and got out of there!!!!

hornet53

Clutch guy wrote:

It goes to show you some people don't really know what they're looking at.I bought a '52 Hornet Hdtp.restoration project in W.V. and just for fun I took a spray can of paint and put '"50 Merc" on the drivers side and on the decklid.I stopped for fuel and this guy came over looking at the car and said that this wasn't a 50??,I asked what do you mean.He went on to tell me that Mercury didn't come out with an automatic trans until '52.I told him I was sure it was a '50,because the title said so and he told me that I needed to go do better research before making such a purchase!! I hurried and payed for my fuel and got out of there!!!!

Nice one! Take that Big 3!

Unknown

Aaron D. IL wrote:

Wonder what the original retail price of both cars was. I only know that Hudson was in Buick's sales territory, step below Caddilacs. Mercs were mid-priced field too Between Frod and Lincoln..... anyone know ? '49-'51 Merc and Hudson retail prices?

Here you go Aaron:



1949 Mercury price range = $1,978.00 to $2,715.00



1949 Hudson price range = $2,069.00 to $3,138.00



Remember, a few hundred dollars back then was equal to many months mortgage payments.