I am taking the plunge!

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I am taking the plunge! :cool:



I am thrilled to say, I am buying a Hudson. Russell Chilton introduced me to Chester who was selling a 1952 Hudson Hornet in TX. After talking to Russell and Chester and receiving a lot of great pictures from Russell on behalf of Chester we decided to buy the car. This morning I gave Chester a call and he agreed to sell it to me.



The plan is to fly down to TX and drive the car home to MN. Russell has graciously agreed to help me tune up the Hudson and get it ready for the 1200 mile drive up Interstate 35. It is not pretty on the inside but she is rust free and mechanically sound.



I will be chronicling my adventures as a new Hudson owner on a blog.



Here is the blog:

http://52hornet.blogspot.com/



Here are two sets of pictures of my new lady:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mjsandbe/52HudsonHornet?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyctMHRx4z1Zw&feat=directlink

http://s904.photobucket.com/albums/ac242/52Hornet/?albumview=slideshow&track=share_email_album_view_click
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Comments

  • essexcoupe3131
    essexcoupe3131 Senior Contributor
    Well done, and enough there to do to keep those

    fingers tinkering

    Mike
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Welcome to the madhouse!



    If you're driving it, see if you can get someone to lend you (unless you've already joined H-E-T) the national Roster. Should you have any mechanical difficulties along the way (which of course won't happen, LOL!) you can look through the roster under the state in which you're currently driving, and find our "Tourist Emergency Help" volunteers by the asterisk next to their names.
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    Very decent car to start with Congratulations!

    What's the story on the red one?

    I wonder if Russell has a drivers door glass you could put in?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Congratulations! Looks like a great starting off point. I love this color combination as well. The people here on this site are all interested in updates and pictures! Which it looks like you are prepared to do both, in spades, so keep it up.



    This is also as you may already know the place to ask questions that you might not have an answer to.



    Good luck and again keep us posted when you update the blog and pictures are always welcome.



    Hope the Buick goes to a good home and it looks like the price $7500 is a fair price as well.



    Todd
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Great purchase you made, couldn't have done better. I'm very familiar with this car and you'll be very happy to be the new owner.



    Congrats!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Jon B wrote:
    Welcome to the madhouse!



    If you're driving it, see if you can get someone to lend you (unless you've already joined H-E-T) the national Roster. Should you have any mechanical difficulties along the way (which of course won't happen, LOL!) you can look through the roster under the state in which you're currently driving, and find our "Tourist Emergency Help" volunteers by the asterisk next to their names.



    Thank you for the suggestion. I am a HET member and have the roster. It is two books, right? I have never had to use it before.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    rambos_ride wrote:
    Very decent car to start with Congratulations!



    What's the story on the red one?



    I wonder if Russell has a drivers door glass you could put in?



    The red one is also a 1952 Hudson Hornet Sedan and it is for sale. It has had less work done to it but has all good glass, complete original interior, and a rebuilt transmission. In my opinion it is a very reasonable price, but I don't have any more money or room.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    hudsonsoul wrote:
    Congratulations! Looks like a great starting off point. I love this color combination as well. The people here on this site are all interested in updates and pictures! Which it looks like you are prepared to do both, in spades, so keep it up.



    This is also as you may already know the place to ask questions that you might not have an answer to.



    Good luck and again keep us posted when you update the blog and pictures are always welcome.



    Hope the Buick goes to a good home and it looks like the price $7500 is a fair price as well.



    Todd



    Thank you. I really like my little Buick but I just don't have the space or money to have two classics right now. We are trying to break even on it, but this is not the best time of year to sell or the best economy for it.
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    mjsandbe wrote:
    Thank you for the suggestion. I am a HET member and have the roster. It is two books, right? I have never had to use it before.



    Nice looking car.



    HET roster, current one, is b&w covers - 2008-2010 on the front cover. That's the one you need. Take a road atlas, cell phone and, if you haven't joined yet, by all means get a AAA membership - it's worth every nickle. I have AAA Plus (highly recommended) - which gives 100 mile towing. Coming back from the 2008 National in Massachusetts I used AAA twice - once for a dead battery in PA and the other when the Caddy overheated on I-40 about 75 miles from Memphis. With AAA Plus I got "ramp trucked" to my driveway, no cost.



    Oh yeah, I had to use it again today. A belt broke, in my driveway. So AAA to the rescue, the cars fixed and I'll be on the road tomorrow headed down to Russells for a visit.



    But as has been said - Hudsons never break down!!!! :D



    Safe journey.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    mjsandbe wrote:
    The red one is also a 1952 Hudson Hornet Sedan and it is for sale. It has had less work done to it but has all good glass, complete original interior, and a rebuilt transmission. In my opinion it is a very reasonable price, but I don't have any more money or room.



    What is the price of the red one?



    Lee
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Figured I'd better chime in here. I'm really pleased this whole thing worked out and Michael is fixin' to be a new Hudson owner. In a couple of weeks, he gets to start his first cross-country Hudson adventure and I plan to help him to a great start. This grey Hornet is one really fine Hudson that the current owner, who is the second owner, has owned for a long time. The car has been garaged it's whole life and is an absolute, rust-free example. The interior looks bad, as the original interior was removed but all trim pieces, door panels, door handles, window cranks, all of it is included. Michael will even have an original Hudson radio that has been converted to work on the 12V system. Plug and play. Vintage air AC and heat will keep him comfortable on the trip. Take a good look at the stainless on the outside of this car: that's some of rpmonroe's (here on the forum) work. Stainless is virtually flawless. Some interior work, some good TLC, and maybe some chrome plating and this will be one outstanding Hudson.





    As far as the red car goes, it is another solid foundation car with a brand new re-built Dual Range Hydramatic, 12V system, AC/Heat, original interior in good shape, Sunvisor, sunshades, single carb, radial tires, back-up elec. fuel pump, working radio. I believe the owner wants 8k for it. The paint is shot, body is good, everything is there. Time for some aesthetics. If interested, please e-mail me and I can put you in touch with the owner.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    rambos_ride wrote:
    Very decent car to start with Congratulations!



    What's the story on the red one?



    I wonder if Russell has a drivers door glass you could put in?



    Surprisingly, no, not right now. Actually there's two pieces of glass broken, and that's what happens when your door strikes don't get properly adjusted and you start slamming Hudson doors!! Stepdown owners take note.



    Fortunately, that flat glass isn't too hard to come by. There's even an outfit that will etch the "Duo-Lite" back into new glass, if you want it.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    always good to have another hudson in minnesota. congrats to you.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I loved my 52. They are a great road car. Try to keep your speed down below the speed limit---well, never mind. I was stopped once or twice and the officer got so tied up looking at the Hudson they never gave me a ticket. sounds like a great adventure. Keep good notes and let us know how it went.....
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Michael:

    I also have a '52 with a blue interior. If you are planning on restoring the interior to orginal, SMS out of Oregon has the exact match to the striped uphosltry. I did not see if they had the correct shade of blue vinyl.

    Be careful, if you see a '51 with blue interior they are not exactly the same. You will see your dash is sort of a brownish blue green leather grain (it is a hard color to explain) and the trim around the windows is close to a taupe leather grain. These are the correct colors. The metal trim where the door handles go is a faux blue leather. I think Hudson was trying to match the three colors in the uphosltry; blue, tan, and off white. Your Headliner was probably also a light off white. Look under the side ribs for a piece not exposed to the light.

    Pat
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Russell,



    Sent you a PM.



    Lee
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Lee-



    Sent you an e-mail, just now.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Russell.



    Sent reply to your e-mail.



    Lee
  • onerare39
    onerare39 Expert Adviser, Member
    Great looking Hudson, congratulations and welcome to the club. If you need help on I-35 in the Kansas City area call me, I’m in a town near Olathe, Kansas. I’ll do what I can to help.



    John Forkner

    913-592-2288 - H

    913 515-0054 - C
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Very nice. Love the BU lights. :D
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The plane tickets have been purchased. Two weeks from today I should be a proud new Hudson owner.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Michael



    Congratulations. That is a good looking Hudson you bought. Have a good flight and enjoy the drive home.



    Lee
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I am now only a couple of days away, and I am getting pretty excited.



    Here are all of the pictures I have of my new car: http://picasaweb.google.com/mjsandbe/1952HudsonHornet?authkey=Gv1sRgCLnvhZf5sIa8aA&feat=directlink
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Michael,



    I just spent a week visiting Russell, his lovely wife Vickie and their two kids, Miles and Hudson. I got a chance to see the car you're buying - Russell and I went over to Chester's to wash the red/black Hornet and for Russell to take pictures of it for someone else.



    You've got a great car there. I even got a ride in it - I think. Oh, Lord, I'm getting forgetful as I grow older :(. I know Russell drove one, or was it both, of them around a few blocks in the neighborhood. Be that as it may I think you will find it "as advertized" and ready to go.



    I was just thinking (bad idea for folks like me) - travel tip. If I were going to drive a strange car right off the bat I would take U S 281 north out of Bulverde all the way north to Wichita Falls, then pick up I-44 to Oklahoma City and then I-35 to Minnesota. A tad slower than going I-35 to the Dallas area - but would give you time to get used to the car. I found traffic in the Austin area to be horrible - around San Antonio it's only a bit better. Not sure how bad Dallas/Fort Worth area is - but going the old 281 route will give you about 315 miles to get used to the car rather than having to find out in the middle of 70+ MPH traffic.



    Y'all have a great visit (I did) and a safe trip home. Happy Hudsoning.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    Memphis, TN



    PS The bed in the guest room in very comfy - and Vicky is a great cook!!! :D
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Hello and welcome to the world of Hudson. It is a great place to be. The best move you can make is to join the HET Club. Lots of good people and resources for parts and information.

    good luck and take care.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    hornettwinh wrote:
    Hello and welcome to the world of Hudson. It is a great place to be. The best move you can make is to join the HET Club. Lots of good people and resources for parts and information.

    good luck and take care.



    I am happy to say that I joined the HET club a few months ago and have already enjoyed a couple of WTN.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Michael, Just so you know, the last post was from our National President Mike Cherry. Look forward to meeting you at the National in Washington...
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Browniepetersen wrote:
    Michael, Just so you know, the last post was from our National President Mike Cherry. Look forward to meeting you at the National in Washington...



    I didn't know Mike was on here! How 'bout that?:)
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I am crippled with excitement, totally unable to focus on work, and the day is just crawling by. 4AM Friday can not come soon enough. That is when we will be leaving to catch the transport to the airport.



    I would like to give a public THANK YOU to Russell Chilton :D for making this possible. If it were not for Russel, I would not be getting the 52 Hornet, it is as simple as that.



    Russell, I am sure Jon and I would love some real Texas BBQ, hopefully you can suggest a place. Any other "must do" things in Texas as we head north?
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Michael, Russell took me to a new car museum in San Marcos, the Tower of the Americas and the Alamo. I know your time is short, but if you have just a tad extra time, get Russell to take you to visit the Alamo. It is a very moving place, at least it was to me.



    Safe trip.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    Memphis, TN
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