Looking at a 49 Commodore 8 Coupe

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I'm going to look at a Commodore 8 2dr Coupe. From the photos provided the body looks fairly solid. It will definitely be a project car for me - my first real project as my 51 poncho was in pretty good shape when I got it.



I'm very good mechanically but not much experience with body work. What areas of the car should I pay greater attention to ? I'm not looking at a full restoration or show quality work, and would even consider a complete driveline swap if the original is too far gone, but don't want to get something that I'll need to spend big bucks for body work.



Thanks much !!!

Comments

  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    I would like to suggest that it will be worth more if kept original.

    If you decide you don't, won't, or can't keep it that way it would be nice if you offered the engine, etc. to the Hudson 8 group in yahoo.com
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Look at the main frame in the rear, where it "kicks up" to clear the rear end. Also the rear perimeter frame, that goes outside the rear wheel and at the base of the sheet metal all around the rear of the car. This is the worst area for rust, and repairing it is costly.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    There are several resources on the web to assist you in determining the integrity of the unibody frame and the need for repair of your candidate Hudson.

    Check the following links for a means of focusing your general condition inspection:

    http://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/PDFFiles/Restoring the frame on a Stepdown Hudson.pdf

    http://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/PDFFiles/CHECK THE PERIMETER FRAME.pdf


    While the above links do not provide help with mechanical questions, there are many who post on this BBS who will gladly bring answers to your questions. OLDHUDSONS who previously posted, operates the Hudson 8 group where you will find novices and legends of knowledge sharing Hudson 8 information.

    Most of the body panels on this model Hudson can be unbolted and removed. While replacement panels are not as easy to find as a GM car they are in fact available and repairable.

    After your inspection, bring your questions here and pose them... the people who frequent this Hudson BBS are always ready to lend a hand in getting another Hudson owner on the track to success.

    You will find a link to my website on the bottom of this post. While I have some link problems ... it is a resource for your use.


    Best of Luck
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    The work to bring back a stepdown Hudson is posted in almost every Forum article that we read. It is not rocket science by any means and in most cases there are more than willing tin benders out there to help you with the metal fabrication. If your car is not a total rust bucket then it is get the cutters and go to work. A welding class at a local tec school might be just the thing to get you the confidence to press on.



    However, most Hudson collectors go for the six cyl cars. There are a lot more of them and the attraction of the six was very well explained in the movie CARS. But, please--please keep the 8 cyl car original. There are not many 8's out there and they draw a big crowd every time one shows up to a car show. An eairler post suggested you make the 8 available to we collectors of the 8's if you decide not to use it. I will go one step further by suggesting that you consider the engine and tranny the most important part of your purchase. Oh, by the way, we collectors of flat head 8's would love to have a new member of our group. And, by all means send us some photo's and let us share in your new adventure.....
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    very well said Brownie!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Thanks everyone for the information - we'll see how things go and hopefully I'll be buggying you all with a whole wack of newbie questions in the future !!!



    Steve
  • kamzack
    kamzack Senior Contributor
    oldhudsons wrote:
    I would like to suggest that it will be worth more if kept original.

    If you decide you don't, won't, or can't keep it that way it would be nice if you offered the engine, etc. to the Hudson 8 group in yahoo.com



    Would like to have the link to the "8" group you've referred to.

    Kim
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    To join up for the Hudson 8 group you go to: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hudson8/



    Our fearless leader is Pete and you can get him at

    Hudson8@yahoogroups.com



    Come join with us and we will see you at the meeting at the National in Spokane
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    If (and when) I ever get my current project done, an 8 is in my future. I still can't believe that '50C8Cpe got away . . .:eek:
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I just wanted to point out a couple of differences between the 8 and the 6 cylinder engines..

    I'm not knocking the 8 cylinder 254, but it may not be for a first time Hudson'er.



    The 8 is a pre-world-war-II engine design. The "8" uses Babbitt main bearings that are poured in place during the build or rebuild. It's much more expensive to get these engines rebuilt. And difficult to find local reliable rebuilders who know how to do babbitt bearings. I've gotten quotes of $7000 for an 8 cylinder engine rebuild. Where it's $3000 to $4000 for the 6 cylinder 262, which was also available that year.



    The 8 also uses a splasher oiling system versus the 6, which uses a modern high pressure oil pump. Thus, the 6 can be driven at much highers speeds for longer durations. If you keep the 8 cylinder engine, an over-drive transmission is a requirement to drive long distances at freeway speeds.



    As you can tell from the previous posts, there are many in the Hudson community who are fond of the 8 cylinder engines. I hope I'm not offending anyone.



    I would also like to encourage you to not swap out the Hudson motor, they are quite reliable when rebuilt.



    my $0.02,

    Bryan
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I for one was not offended.. In my simple way of thinking you did an excellent job of explaining why the 8's are more collectable and have the potential to be more valuable when sold. I do agree that when I drive my 8 I do not stay at the high end of the speed limit postings. I like to drive my 36 somewhere around the double nickels so everyone can enjoy it rather than see it only from the back. I have a good friend in a chapter that I belong to that has driven his 8 in the "Great American Race" that was from the East to the West coast. He finished right behind a Hudson 6. That is good enough for me. I do think that you mentioned that properly built, serviced and driven the 8's will give you superior performance for in excess of 100.000 miles. And as a closing statement I support that everyone needs one of each? Then a Hot Rod just to look in place with some of the locals at the burger stand.........
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