Hudson specs

Kdancy
Kdancy Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Recently there was a post about the differences between years for Hudson stepdowns. I can't seem to find it. I am wanting to read up on the various years to learn what was changed or offered between the different model Hudsons.

Can anyone point me in the right direction ?

Thanks!

Comments

  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    The History of Hudson by Don Butler is a very good source. Also, General Information Handbook for Hudson Built Automobiles by Alex Burr. And Walt's Garage Hudson Tech Tips by Walt Mordenti.



    A wealth of information in those books. Well worth the money.



    Have a good day. Lee
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Kdancy-

    You should get the books, as mentioned above.

    As far as a quick "car-spotter's guide":

    '48-'49: Easiest way to tell is from the front, look for horizontal grille bars that are all roughly the same length. From the rear, taillights will be mounted beside the bottom portion of the deck lid. No "speedline" trim down the sides of the car.

    '50: From the front, the horizontal bars are still present, but the longest is at the bottom and they progressively get shorter as they approach the bottom of the hood. Rears much the same as above.

    '51: First year for the "sad-mouth grille". Front parking lamps are square. Upside down 'V' in front grille.

    '52: Front parking lamps are rounded on the ends, taillights have been generally made horizontal on all models and mount right above the bumper.

    '53: Upside down 'V' has disappeared, bird style hood ornament.

    '54: Much different from previous step-downs, beginnings of fins on quarters, look for one piece windshield, completely different grille.

    Those are some of the basics, but it's much more fun to be able to identify models, as well (at least I think so). Many more subtle changes occur between the different models, and between the Junior and Senior cars.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    1950 offered the first shorter wheelbase step-downs on the 119" wb. Pacemaker models. They had less trim and apointments. In 1950 only you could buy a Pacemaker "Deluxe" 50A with a little more trim and options. Pacemakers were available form '50 - '52 and then the 119" WB was offered as the Wasp from '52-'54. All such cars had the 232 cid engine. They had the same interior dimensions as Hudson's on the 124" WB and the shorter length was forward of the cowl. Short wheelbase stepdowns also had the cowl recessed.

    Stepdown engines from '48- '54 came in 4 flavors. the 262 offered all years. The 232 from '50 - '54 and the 308 from '51-'54. The 8 cylinder 254 was available on stepdowns from '48-'52. 1954 had the most powerful versions of each of the three 6 cylinder engines.

    If you want to be strictly accurate the Hudson jet was also a "step-down" construction-wise but when talking about step-downs most people are not refering to the Jet in that category.
  • Kdancy
    Kdancy Senior Contributor
    Hudson308 wrote:
    This might possibly be the thread you were thinking about, although it was posted way back in July...



    http://classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=62&jfile=showthread.php&t=18823



    Yes, that was the post.

    Thanks for all the info guys, I'll also get the books to study and have on hand.

    :)
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    The General Information Handbook is loaded with all sorts of interesting information - from body styles to factory prices, from electrical numbers (ie starter numbers, generator numbers, etc), and lots more fill the nearly 300 pages of this book that I put together over the years.



    I will be more than happy to supply you with a copy in a 3-ring binder for $25 - shipping included. Anybody else wants one drop me a check to the address below.



    Hudsonly,



    Alex Burr

    995 Dawn Drive

    Memphis, TN 38127-5035
  • Kdancy
    Kdancy Senior Contributor
    hudsontech wrote:
    The General Information Handbook is loaded with all sorts of interesting information - from body styles to factory prices, from electrical numbers (ie starter numbers, generator numbers, etc), and lots more fill the nearly 300 pages of this book that I put together over the years.



    I will be more than happy to supply you with a copy in a 3-ring binder for $25 - shipping included. Anybody else wants one drop me a check to the address below.



    Hudsonly,



    Alex Burr

    995 Dawn Drive

    Memphis, TN 38127-5035



    Alex,

    Thats sound great! I'll put it in the mail tomorrow.

    Kdancy
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Thank you very much - I'll get busy and print up a copy. With a laser printer it doesn't take me long.





    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    Memphis, TN
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Anybody else want a copy - I'm printing today.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    995 Dawn Drive

    Memphis, TN 38127-5035
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    hudsontech wrote:
    Anybody else want a copy - I'm printing today.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    995 Dawn Drive
    Memphis, TN 38127-5035


    Yes, I want one!! Oh, wait . . . I all ready have one . . . or two . . . or, oh, never mind.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    What years does this handbook cover?
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Hi HotrodHR - covers Hudson 1909-1957, Essex 1919-1932, Essex-Terraplane 1932-1933 & Terraplane 1932-1938 and a Weight Sheets Section that is loaded with interesting and useful information.



    Each year is presented separately listing General Chassis Data which gives the Model, Serial Number, No. of Cyl., Bore x Stroke, Displacement, NACC HP and wheelbase. Then there is General Body Data giving body styles and Factory Prices; Electrical Equipment giving numbers for starter, generator, ignition coil, distributor, etc. Fuel System gives carburetor numbers and, where we have found the info, fuel pump numbers. Finally there is the Shipment numbers and notes.



    The weight section gives shipping weights, accessory and equipment weights, things like this.



    In all it's 290 pages, and while not totally complete (something seems to always show up that I feel should be in it, it is quite comprehensive.



    Been working on it since the 1970's - just can't seem to leave it alone :D



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    995 Dawn Drive

    Memphis, TN 38127-5035
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Alex print me a copy... I'll drop a check in the mail this weekend.



    Thanks,



    Craig Dimeler

    118 Sunset Ridge

    Madison, AL 35758



    relemid57@knology.net
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    RL Chilton wrote:
    Yes, I want one!! Oh, wait . . . I all ready have one . . . or two . . . or, oh, never mind.



    You could always buy 2 more for the boys!!! LOL :D

    And then there's the cat and the dog.................................:D:D



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr
  • Kdancy
    Kdancy Senior Contributor
    This brings up another subject I wish some or one of the more knowledgeable Hudsonites would take on, and that is a CD or DVD movie for tech info such as an engine build or what have you, as I'm sure some methods, tools and materials have changed since 1950.

    May be something for a chapter to make a few dollars with.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion