53 Kustom

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
This is a Kustom with the front end of a 1953 Hudson, a 1954 hood and a 1946 Huson grill. The Hudson was narrowed 8" out of the center. The front wheel openings were moved forward and a 1950's plymouth stationwagon was added behind the front doors. The work was done by Customs and Classics of SLC. The kustom found a new owner and it is doubtful if further work will be completed in the mear future.

Comments

  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    A HUDSON Nomad!! Long lost model! Looks like she was built for the purpose of moving!
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Looks like another entry in the "What were they thinking?" category, IMHO. . .
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    My earlier post was a joke, obviously, as this isn't to my taste either.



    A subject for debate on the never-ending Hudson query, "What caused Hudson's demise?"



    One might consider the lack of a station wagon model in Hudson's line-up as, perhaps, "part" of Hudson's trouble. You've got to keep in mind that station wagons in the fifties were hot commodities, as all the top manufacturers had their own models, and did quite well with them.



    Just imagine if Hudson had made a 2DR wagon, they might even be as scarce these days as a stock Henry J, which, most of those found their way into the Hot Rod world.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    RL Chilton wrote:
    My earlier post was a joke, obviously, as this isn't to my taste either.



    A subject for debate on the never-ending Hudson query, "What caused Hudson's demise?"



    One might consider the lack of a station wagon model in Hudson's line-up as, perhaps, "part" of Hudson's trouble. You've got to keep in mind that station wagons in the fifties were hot commodities, as all the top manufacturers had their own models, and did quite well with them.



    Just imagine if Hudson had made a 2DR wagon, they might even be as scarce these days as a stock Henry J, which, most of those found their way into the Hot Rod world.



    For many years I have wondered what a two door wagon would look like using the 54 Hollywood as a base and grafting on the "back porch" of a rambler cross country. A Hudson Nomad...
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Work with me a minute on this one. You run a high-end restoration/custom shop. A customer comes in one day with an idea of his dream car. Pen in hand you start drawing. A while later you have something that the customer wants. He has brought the idea to your shop because you are the best in the business--your not cheep-but you are really good. Quality is where you are at. (by the way, the folks that built this are good members of the HET Club.) Are you going to talk the gentleman out of living his dream or are you going to do all you can to make his dream come true? Just a thought?



    Let me give you an example sticking with the restoration theme: The Stepdown Stationwagon, The Stepdown "ElCamino style pick up, The "streached" pick ups or for that matter you could add in the Jet Convertible--yes I know there was one built; but, it was a major rebuild of a car that was pretty much gone. Some Hudsons should be restored, some rebuilt and some should be parted out and crushed. With this car, no complete car was used for the parts that went into it.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Glen: The pictures are dated '07 is this the last time this car was worked on? Has any progress been made on completion? What is the present owner's plan? Just curious...

    Thanks
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I kinda like it. There are lots of Hudson parts that are just as orphaned as the cars themselves. A project like this makes good use of those parts.



    I'd thought the 46-47 grilles to be about the butt-ugliest things ever mated to the front of a car. However, it looks rather good on this wagon, I'm asking myself how he made me like it in a '54 front end?



    Its a nice job done. Gasser?



    Mark
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Hudson308 wrote:
    Uhh.... gee whiz, guys... I actually kinda like it. :o



    I'd continue the style line through the rear fender for continuity, though... ala '46 Ford.



    Bet the finished product would be pretty neat - lot of imagination and talent to do stuff like that !!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    No work was done on the Kustom after the photos were taken. The car was sold and I doubt that anything will be done with it unless there is a new buyer. I'm glad someone likes the 1946 grille treatment, as this was my suggestion. If anyone is interested, you can check out other cars that Custom & Classics have done at www.customsandclassics.com. They do really first class work.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Seems curious that someone would buy it without planning to do something with it. "Inquiring minds want to know!"
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    This is for Mike who has an inquiring mind. There is more to the story. The present owner took the Kustom as a pay off for money he was owed. When he arrived in SLC to pick up the Kustom, he was surprised it was not finished. I think he had expected a complete running car! It is my guess he was very disappointed! Now you know the rest of the story.
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    I checked out their shop, looks like fantastic work!



    I hope someone takes this project on. I'd like to see it completed. The front end reminds me of something? Maybe a '50's Willy's?



    I think Russell's got his eye on this one to start that moving company he's always wanted.:D
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I like it. It would look good in my driveway! Looks kind of like a Crosley on steroids.



    Terry
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    On the web site link it says it's for sale.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    If you go to their web site you can contact Chris or Kelly and get some contact information. Based on the work that has been done, I would expect that to find a byer they would have to take a loss. I do know that Customs and Classics is one of the best shops in the country and their work is the best. They often bring one of their cars to the Nationals. Their web site is www.customsandclassics.com I have been watching (and providing some answers to questions) the build of the 52 sedan. It is going to be a very nice restoration when it is done. I fell in love with it right after it came out of the sand blaster.....
  • ski4life65
    ski4life65 Expert Adviser
    This car is for sale on Denver Craigslist



    http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1577336007.html&ct=ga&cd=38D7XUfQzfs&usg=AFQjCNFhetsi9owm830TN-6hCrii2Sd51Q
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    13,699 is most likely a fair price for a car that somewhere had earned a name that I have no idea what it means. I have had a hard time selling unfinished cars, but good luck I think it would make a eye catching project... Resale Red and it would be out the door in ten minutes?
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Picking up on the theme of wagons, and with the advantage of perfect 20/20 vision hindsight, I reckon the Jet would have been a hit if it had been built as a wagon, considering how the Rambler wagons sold for many year. Would have been far easier to adapt the roofline than the Step-down shape.
  • lsfirth
    lsfirth Expert Adviser
    Interesting comments......positive and negative.....and I think I agree with them all. It would be interesting to see this project finished. I think I would've tried to come up with a longer back end. But if whoever finishes it keeps it really low to the ground I can't help but think it would look really good. I think some of the style of the hudson front end will be lost on most of the typical "car show" crowd but I certainly appreciate the intricate detail that only Hudson could bring :)



    Hopefully whoever buys it will keep the Hudson Nation apprised of the progress!!
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I saw the car a couple of times during the build and the workmanship is first class, some of the best that I have ever seen. Would be a cool addition to any shop. Other than the grill, it is hard to identify any "Hudson" in the car....
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