Hornet is comin' home!

[Deleted User]

Hello from a newbie! I've been lurking here for months and like what I've seen and read. I've already dealt with wonderful folks like Bill Albright and think this is one of the most helpful, friendliest sites I've ever visited.
I'm finally going to have a Hornet in my garage. It's a gorgeous black '53 Hornet Club Coupe that will be "comin' home" next week. I bought it out of Missouri and it's been worked on here in NJ since January. My family owned and drove 6 different Hudson models from '41 thru '55, but this is the first I can claim as my own since then. And I joined HET.

It has a few non-original touches added by the previous owner that I find I like.... Center Line wheels with narrow whitewalls and black powder-coated bumperettes. These make the coupe look really contemporary.... like it just rolled out of the factory as a 2008 model! The Hornet's design has held up very well.

I have a question... with many more to come, for sure. Can anyone explain where the pockets in the doors came from? I had never seen these on a Hudson before. They were there before the previous owner took possession and I wonder if they were a custom touch.
Thanks for your help.
Bill

[Deleted User]

These were added on (and nicely done). I'm glad you ended up with this car. I was seriously considering buying it but could not find anyone to look at it for me prior to purchase. I did not want to gamble. I love the paint on it. Don't like the bumperettes painted or the rims and I prefer the original look but nice car. Congrats!

[Deleted User]

Bill,



Howz 'bout some more pics of he car?

Unknown

With the bottom of the doors open to the interior, it would be interesting to see what happens during rains or when washing the car.

[Deleted User]

That doesn't appear to be all the way to the outer door skin, rather just a couple of inches deep or so. Looks like any other pocket like on a modern car to me. I like that.

Unknown

Interesting ... electric windows too? I too would like to see more pictures of the cars exterior and interior... good luck with your NEW hudson....

Ol racer

Very Nice Interior... Like the Pockets too..... Made good use of the space... Enjoy.....

[Deleted User]

Thanks to all for your kind comments. I hadn't thought about rain or car washing as an issue with those door pockets. That's something I'll have to check out when I get the car back home. It should be interesting to see what happens when I turn the hose on it! My brother Bob (owner of a gorgeous '49 coupe) thinks these pockets were done to preclude rust inside the doors. I wonder who did them and why. the bottom line is I don't plan to expose this baby to many future downpours.

Anyway, here are a few additional pix of my new baby. I think it is drop dead gorgeous, but confess to being a bit biased. When I watched it roll off the delivery truck and saw it in the flesh for the first time, my heart absolutely did flips!!! I LOVE it!

There's more chrome to be installed, especially across the rear, which will happen next week. The restoration was sorta done in reverse, with the exterior and interior looking really good to start with, but the undercarriage and underhood almost untouched and rusty. I'm told the previous (late) owner was a professional upholsterer who installed a beautiful, non-original, but 50's period-correct quality interior... headliner, carpets, and trunk. I could NOT be more pleased with his workmanship! I want to honor his work as I show the car, but am still trying to identify him, as I purchased the Hornet thru a 3rd party.

Again, thank you so much for your helpful and welcoming comments. This is a GREAT group.
Bill

bent metal

Nice car, the black bumperettes look good too! I think you'll be fine with the door pockets. If they leak, take the door panel off and drop a piece of plastic down behind the pockets. But, I don't think you'll have to do anything.

K-Gap has new rubber pedal covers too. Looks like that's the last thing you'll need to make the interrior look perfect.

Unknown

Bill,



Although you may already be aware of it, the original upholstered door panel had a moisture barrier between it and the steel door.* The design allowed any condensation, or water making it's way past the window weather strip, to drain throught the door and out drain holes in the bottom, all without reaching the interior.* Without seeing the car, there is no way for anyone to predict how, if at all, this was addressed on your car.* It was just a thought that came to mind when I saw the pic of your door panel.* Better to check into these things to make sure all is well as opposed to down the road, after damage and problems have occured.



Enjoy your beautiful "New" Hudson.



Dave