Is this a Durham Limo ?

harry54
harry54 Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nash-Hudson-1951-Hudson-Hornet-4-Door-Turn-Key-Classic_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ120501019214QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101



http://www.classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=62&jfile=showthread.php&p=82660

Comments

  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I am wondering where this post is going? The post not only tells us it is one of the two Durham's that were built, it also tells us that it belongs to Ed (Hudson Club member) and that he intends to keep it. What am I missing here?
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    Sorry ... pls recheck... i had misinputted....
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Yes, that is better. I do not know the answer to your question but I thought that I was told by one of our members that the two that were built are still in good running condition. Ed has the one, but I am not sure who has the other. Good question and a very nice looking car....
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    It certianly looks like it had the same Durham Limo treatment with the roof... I can't understand why anyone would try to copy it??? .. That's why i'm guessing that this might have been a 51 Commodore Durham...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    At least one of the three Durham's was updated at the Hudson factory with 1951 dash and grille.
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    So I guess it's possible that this is the car....
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    I find it hard to believe anyone would hot-rod such a rare version of a Hudson.

    Most likely they re-created the durham style top - why not?

    Filling in the quarter windows is easy and Vinyl tops are much more forgiving than trying to completely straighten and then painting a roof.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    I saw that Ebay listing and my first though was it would've looked more classy without the flames. My second was that I hoped it wasn't a Durham as that would be destroying a historic artifact. But I really doubt it. I'm guessing they just put that vynil top on.
  • hdsn49
    hdsn49 Senior Contributor
    Jack Miller has one of the Durham Limos at the Ypsilanti Car Museum. It is a 1953 used by the last president of Hudson
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Glen, Well you're almost right. The 51 was updated to look like a 53. All told there were three Derhams built. One was for Roy Chapin's wife. One was for one of the Webbers(Part of the Chapin-Webber clan ,a cousin I think) and a third car. Not sure who got that one. I believe they're all still around. The Henry Ford museum used to have the 51 updated to a 53. All modified by Derham of Rosemont, Pa.
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    It's a very close match if you look at the Top Alone... And the fact that the car is black.... My guess is this is the original and customized... I wonder if the owner has the partician glass and treatment... It says that the car has been in a heated garage for the last 7 yrs...
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    There were 3 Derham limousines built on/for Hudson officials. The one Ed recently acquired is the '48 built for Roy Chapin's mother (as I recall) & that had belonged to long time HET Harold Jornt for many years then passed thru a series of owners after his demise.

    There is a '51 Hornet that belongs to a long time Hudson family in Wisc. & I believe they still have it (talked to a Wisc. HETer at Pontiac). The one in this auction is a Super (note the small rear taillights). I used to know what Hudson officer had it ordered for himself.

    Then lastly the '53 Hornet, now residing in Jack's place in Ypsilanti, which was built for Barit, last Pres. of Hudson.

    That one up for auction probably just has a padded top - in the '50s known as "Carson tops" for custom co. (I believe in L. A.) who specialized in them.

    Harold/Ed's unusual features were the chauffer's seat was fixed & only comfortable for a short person to drive. Being a true limo. has a divider window (rode around with Harold in it on numerous occasions when he had it). As I recall the front seat uph. in leather whereas back seat a nice brocade.

    I'm sure Ed can educate all of us on this when he comes in as he seems to have his cars quite well researched, if not before purchase, afterwards, (I sold him the '32 Hudson brougham which he also had at Pontiac).
  • frank spring
    frank spring Expert Adviser
    What was the Packard line? Ask the man who owns one? I hope to put together an article for the WTN in the new future talking about the differences in the three Derham Limos. A couple of quick comments, the first one was built for Inez Chapin, has a roll up divider window. The second was built for the Presidents wife. Her initials are in the step plates, not Bariits. The divider window is a sliding window but it has power windows in the rear. Both cars have leather in the front and cloth in the back. The third car has no divider window at all, and from your HET roster you will see it is still in Wisc. It was built for Chapins neighbor.



    Now a couple of clues, Derham had its own drip rail that they used to fasten down the top. It was welded to the Hudson drip rail about two inches down the front windshield piller. Derham had a signature top seames. The two going from front to rear, and one running accross the top from side to side about 2 feet in front of the rear oval window. So if this were a Derham, the top has been replaced. The seam was not only on Hudson built cars but on their other Limos. The rear seat has been so highly customized that it is difficult to tell what it was. It is definately not done in the Derham style, but it has obviously been all redone anyway. With a few more close ups of the right things I could tell for sure. I quess I might ask the owner a few questions so we would know beyond a shadow of a doubt. I have an original letter from Derham given to me by Ed Moore, that was sent to dealers trying to sell them the conversion. So it is possible that other dealers could have them made for their customers. I will see what I can find out, so we can all know. Ed
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    This car was "Made" by a Buffalo Ny club member (upholstery shop owner) since passed away. I saw the car at a few local shows. I believe the guy's last name was Nueland. NOT related to Floyd of the same last name. Again it is/was a perfectly good Hudson but NOT a Derham. I believe the same guy who did this also had a stepdown Convert. that was once owned by Steve Mcqueen.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Day late and a dollar short but here is the scope: I sent an email to the seller and this is his response: "My father inlaw rebuilt the car from the ground up and replicated the Durham limo and was professionally done as he was a master at his work and everything is in awesome condition and is fun to drive and also to be a passenger. Any questions call me on my cell EST at 585.734.9450. Thank you."



    There you have it. A very nice tribute and a very nice car. However, not a Durham.
  • frank spring
    frank spring Expert Adviser
    Browniepetersen wrote:
    Day late and a dollar short but here is the scope: I sent an email to the seller and this is his response: "My father inlaw rebuilt the car from the ground up and replicated the Durham limo and was professionally done as he was a master at his work and everything is in awesome condition and is fun to drive and also to be a passenger. Any questions call me on my cell EST at 585.734.9450. Thank you."



    There you have it. A very nice tribute and a very nice car. However, not a Durham.





    There, the mystery is solved. Still only three. I enjoyed seeing the car though, and the conversation was fun.
  • ArkieJazz
    ArkieJazz Member
    First of all, it is well documented that only 3 Derham stepdowns were built and all 3 of those are well accounted for. This car on ebay is obviously some hotrodder's night mare. There is zero possibility that this sled ever came remotely close to the Derham plant. Case closed.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The seller is honest in his description and in answering the questions. He states that the top is done in Durham style. I think the overall look of the car is good. Too much red in the interior for me though...
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion