Classics Whereabout or updates?

Ol racer

Attached are two neat pictures of Hudson Hot Rods. One from Rudy Bennett out of a Hot Rod Mag circa late '50's early '60's, and one I seen in a Classic Truck Magazine of a Hudson Pickup currently 'In Process' in Germany.



If anyone has Info on the Stepdown or Progress report on the Pickup please let us know.

Thanks

MikeWA

There are discussions on the sectioned coupe in the top photo in the archives- search this board on the word "sectioned", and look at the two posts near the bottom- "'48 Hudson Rod Old Skool" and "Sectioned Hudson from the '50's". As you can see, I started the second of these posts, because I had always remembered the coupe in your first photo, when I saw it in Hot Rod "back in the day". Those threads say it is now owned by Ed Muller of San Bernardino, CA- I've been told by others that he is pretty private, and won't show it- but not sure about that. Some indication that it was not truly "sectioned", but panels were trimmed off at the bottom and body lowered that way. Guess its more channeled than sectioned.



There is a red and white sectioned car in those threads as well, and I ended up buying it (no, didn't pay 25 grand!). More discussion and a pic in a thread near the top in the search, "Billetproof Northwest". It was built by a guy who just wanted to see if he could do it (according to his son), in his shop at home with an acetelyne torch and lead. He wasn't a "car guy", and never showed it. It ended up being stored in his garage for about 30 years after a fender-bender in the 60's, then bought and damage repaired by a neighbor who knew of it after the builder died, then sold to a couple of car guys in Sonoma, CA, and I bought it from them. Its a good runner, and in presentable, but "original" condition. Guess I'll keep it that way, although I agree with one of the posters that losing the connie kit and painting it a dark color would look sharper. Gets a lot of attention at the car shows- no Hudson emblems on the outside, but has Caddy hubcaps and Lincoln rear bumper, so lots of speculation on just what it is.



Don't know of any other sectioned stepdowns- does anybody?

Jon B

Interestingly, a friend e-mailed me the following, last night. He'd seen the article in a 1951 "Hop Up" magazine he bought at a Studebaker flea market. The car was evidently done over in the Barris shop. I wonder if the car still exists...

Ol racer

Here is the rest of the Article on the Hudson cpe that 'wouldnt Step Down'. It is amazing to learn the Car still exists today. Thanks Mike WA for bring us up to date. I am going to check those Threads....



The George Barris 4dr Hudson Custom was very nice too. I believe Barris customized a few Hudsons during the 50's....Amazing that some Customs have survived over the yrs.....

RL Chilton

That coupe is an interesting custom, but the "channeling" makes it look more like a Kaiser, where the windows are too tall. I'd like to see this one someday, since it's still around.

Ol racer

I was thinking the same thing that the car is now out of proportion and needs the Top 'chopped ' whereas Hudson Stepdowns usually look like they are already chopped......

RL Chilton

Ol racer wrote:

I was thinking the same thing that the car is now out of proportion and needs the Top 'chopped ' whereas Hudson Stepdowns usually look like they are already chopped......

EXACTLY! And usually, (not always and maybe not with a Hudson), but when you channel (or section) AND chop the top, there just ain't any more room inside the cabin. For a little guy like me, no problem, but the average bear isn't the same size that he used to be. I sold our '32 F*** that had a 4-1/2" chop on it and even with the seats on the floor, the 6'-4" gent who bought it, can't even really drive her. The few chopped Hudsons I've seen pics of look really cool, but the stepdowns are already like looking out of a tunnel when you're behind the wheel. I'd really like to see over the steering wheel of a chopped example some day.

[Deleted User]

Mike - This is from a thread on another forum. Another sectioned Hudson, although this one is chopped too...and an original.



"Does anyone know if this customized 1954 Hudson Hornet Hollywood ever appeared in period magazines? It was sent to a custom shop in Detroit directly from the dealer in October 1953. The car's owner was Paul duCharme, who was supposedly a large Hudson stockholder who was dismayed at the 1954 offerings. He had this car customized, then showed it to Hudson executives, where these photos were taken.

It has been chopped 2.5 inches and was section in the middle by 4 inches. It retained its Hudson Twin H Power six-cylinder engine.



"

[Deleted User]

It would seem to me, that if the above car was built at a custom shop in Detroit, it was probably done at Alexander Bros.