Stepdown Advice

cpr3333
cpr3333 Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Sorry ahead of time for the long post…



My father recently moved and didn’t have the space to keep his first car so he gave it to me. It’s a 1950 Pacemaker Deluxe Brougham that he drove regularly in New Jersey, Nebraska and Ohio until it was retired in 1970. It last ran in 1973 and has been sitting in various barns and garages ever since. It seems to be all there but virtually everything will have to be touched to bring it back to life. He also gave me a 1950 Pacemaker Brougham for parts that was driven in Minnesota until an unfortunate meeting with a tree in the early 80’s destroyed most of the front end and did who knows what to the body/frame (the driver’s side door has about a 6 inch gap at the top rear). It sat outside in Minnesota and Ohio for the next fifteen years before it ended up in a barn.



Now, to the question. I am a decent shadetree mechanic and I can take things apart and put them back together as well as anybody else, but bodywork and welding are a bit beyond my expertise. Can anyone recommend someone who knows how to deal with the structural aspects of a stepdown Hudson, preferably in Florida or at least the southeast? The fact that both of the cars spent so much time in the rust belt has me more than a bit worried about what I may find as I’m taking them apart.



Thanks,



Chris

Melbourne, FL

Comments

  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    cpr3333 wrote:
    Sorry ahead of time for the long post…

    My father recently moved and didn’t have the space to keep his first car so he gave it to me. It’s a 1950 Pacemaker Deluxe Brougham that he drove regularly in New Jersey, Nebraska and Ohio until it was retired in 1970. It last ran in 1973 and has been sitting in various barns and garages ever since. It seems to be all there but virtually everything will have to be touched to bring it back to life. He also gave me a 1950 Pacemaker Brougham for parts that was driven in Minnesota until an unfortunate meeting with a tree in the early 80’s destroyed most of the front end and did who knows what to the body/frame (the driver’s side door has about a 6 inch gap at the top rear). It sat outside in Minnesota and Ohio for the next fifteen years before it ended up in a barn.

    Now, to the question. I am a decent shadetree mechanic and I can take things apart and put them back together as well as anybody else, but bodywork and welding are a bit beyond my expertise. Can anyone recommend someone who knows how to deal with the structural aspects of a stepdown Hudson, preferably in Florida or at least the southeast? The fact that both of the cars spent so much time in the rust belt has me more than a bit worried about what I may find as I’m taking them apart.

    Thanks,

    Chris
    Melbourne, FL


    Chris,

    I can't recommend anyone in the Florida vacinity - but I can tell you a bit about what to look for.

    These cars are monobilt, Hudson's terminology for todays unibody construction. Meaning they don't have a full frame, only the front sub-frame and then the body tub.

    The body tub has structural elements similar to a "frame" and the worst areas for rust are the outer perimieter rails in the rear, the side rails below the doors and the front body-to-sub frame connectors.

    Any of these areas are repairable - but you'd want to take stock of the whole condition of the body tub, frame rails before starting or shipping off to someone else.

    Take a look at my website, http://www.49c8.com under the Restoration section and Custom How To - > Trunk Pan and this should give you a good idea what to look for.

    Then take some time with a pick and hammer or screwdriver and forcefully probe any areas that even remotely look rusted.

    If I'd taken more time on my 49 I would not have gone forward with it and looked for a donor car.

    Hope this helps

    Dan
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Cris,

    By now you have my email address and we have chatted by phone. Welcome to the Florida Hudson community.

    Lots to do during the "winter" here as well as scattered meets during the other seasons. Trimble Park, just a little south of Mt.Dora is our next Orange Blossom meet. Sept 19th. A quiet very shady family picnic area on the lake. Lots of Hudsons and Hudson friends. Hope to see you there .
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Chris,

    I spent a good portion of my 44 years in aerospace visiting KSC. Almost moved to Melborne on more than one occasion. There are a lot of great folks in the state and when you attend a meet give my reguards to Joe Stenett. The folks down there will help you through the process--enjoy your new life as a Hudson-Nut....
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