51 Hudson pacemaker..desireable??

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hey All..My names Todd..I have a chance to get a 51 Pacemaker 4DR sedan from a neighbor..it needs total restoration,or I may just part it out..I was just wondering if this car is worth the effort??

Any input would be great.. Todd 218-208-2080 N central MN

Comments

  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Hi Todd,

    As you may have read on other posts, I just picked up a 1950 Commodore 6 sedan. It was a free car. I tried to give it away to several folks and they told me that it was not worth the work. When I got it home it was in reasonable good shape. Pretty much rust free and with good solid interior and the best is that it runs. A new tuneup, brakes and perhaps a paint job over the winter and it will be a "new" car on the road. It is not the most exciting stepdown that is available but it is a good deal for me.



    When you say your car needs a full restoration you have to take some things into consideration. The first and formost is how much are you willing to spend on this restoration. Once you examine this as a realistic view, then what can you buy for equal money. Sedans seldom get restored because of the cost and the money could buy that coupe or brougham.



    In the end, once you consider this, you have to make the decision yourself. Those of us on the Forum have made the same decision many times but the simple fact is that although all should be restored--it is not always cost effective to bring each one back.....
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I guess my real question is, are the cars parts at all in demand?? I part vintage cars, but Hudsons are pretty new to me
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    Is it desireable? Heck yeah. Question is, Is it desireable to you? If it has a solid frame I'd say it's definately worth it to someone. Parts are hard to say, they'd be in demand among Hudson folks maybe but they're ususally not willing to pay a great deal for them as is say those in the market for Caddy or Packard parts. Pacemakers were Hudson's base model and short wheelbase car many parts will interchange with other Hudsons of the same year but not all and some would fit the other models but would actually be a downgrade.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Aaron D. IL wrote:
    Is it desireable? Heck yeah. Question is, Is it desireable to you? If it has a solid frame I'd say it's definately worth it to someone. Parts are hard to say, they'd be in demand among Hudson folks maybe but they're ususally not willing to pay a great deal for them as is say those in the market for Caddy or Packard parts. Pacemakers were Hudson's base model and short wheelbase car many parts will interchange with other Hudsons of the same year but not all and some would fit the other models but would actually be a downgrade.

    Ditto to this and to Brownie's post above. As so few Hudsons exist, all Hudsons are worth saving, but not always cost effective, particularly sedans when re-sale is considered. An emotional attachment would certainly negate any cost considerations. Parts are nearly as precious as entire cars, as the demand is there, but as Aaron mentioned, not if someone thinks they are worth their weight in gold, which is too often the case.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    As is in all makes , prestige plays a large roll in their desireability . Sure , all makes had top and low end models and top end is allways the best . That does not mean the low end models are trash to be removed from the face of the earth , If it is fixable even as a dailly driver by all means salvage it , a pacemaker makes a fine road machine and will accept commodore trim parts to dress it up a bit if desired , I've got a 51 pacemaker with a few commodore trim pieces on it and am really happy with it . BUD
  • rockin tom
    rockin tom Senior Contributor
    I think, that every hudson is worth to save from wrecking or parting out. These cars are very rare, especially here in germany. I just got done my complete engine overhaul on my 1952 Pacemaker 4 door sedan. I can't do it by myself, so a car repair shop did it for me. The costs came up to 6.500 Euros. So in Summary with the buying price an the other repairs i spent about 15.000 Euros. Some people said, it's not worth because it is no hornet and no coupe or something... But it was really worth for me!



    I dreamed of a stepdown-hudson and now i have a really pretty little one! I've got a 48 Commodore 8, too, really desolate condition, but it's worth to keep and being proud of it. And some day, we will bring it back on the street, too.



    For me there was no question, which hudson stepdown i would choose, because there was only this one to get, my 48 Commodore. 2 years later i got lucky and found another better one, the 52 pacemaker, which i drive now. Both are many more worth for me as the money i spent for it...
  • rockin tom
    rockin tom Senior Contributor
    That frame is almost gone on my 48 and the main frame from the rear axle to the back too... :eek: ...o man, i don't like to think about it... real many work to do on it... but it is still a stepdown, my dreamcar... :D
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    rockin tom wrote:
    That frame is almost gone on my 48 and the main frame from the rear axle to the back too... :eek: ...o man, i don't like to think about it... real many work to do on it... but it is still a stepdown, my dreamcar... :D



    Nice to hear from you. Your determination is an inspiration.



    Thank you for sharing your story. Please keep us informed on your project. Lee
  • mikeyb
    mikeyb Senior Contributor
    Maybe I´m just crazy, but IMHO the Hudson stepdown sedans look better than the coupes. It´s that long sleek line right back to the trunk that fascinates me. Plus, if everybody is just restoring coupes my ´49 Super Six Sedan will be very rare in the future... and be much more valuable then! :D



    Cheers



    Mike
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Mike, I agree with you. My first choice was a 1952 Hudson sedan. I loved it--even after I sold it. I am on my second sedan (notice the photo's posted today on another thread) and already I like is better in some ways than I did my 52. If you want that nice 50's look--a sedan is the only way to go.....









    mikeyb wrote:
    Maybe I´m just crazy, but IMHO the Hudson stepdown sedans look better than the coupes. It´s that long sleek line right back to the trunk that fascinates me. Plus, if everybody is just restoring coupes my ´49 Super Six Sedan will be very rare in the future... and be much more valuable then! :D



    Cheers



    Mike
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    mikeyb wrote:
    Maybe I´m just crazy, but IMHO the Hudson stepdown sedans look better than the coupes. It´s that long sleek line right back to the trunk that fascinates me.



    Mikey, you're not crazy. The sedans ARE better looking than the coupes! At least that's what my wife tells me.:rolleyes:



    Kevin C.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    mikeyb wrote:
    Maybe I´m just crazy, but IMHO the Hudson stepdown sedans look better than the coupes. It´s that long sleek line right back to the trunk that fascinates me. Plus, if everybody is just restoring coupes my ´49 Super Six Sedan will be very rare in the future... and be much more valuable then! :D



    Cheers



    Mike



    Same here for the sedans, just love'm and more comfortable too(not enough legroom in the back seat of a coupe IMO).



    Run it around in primer for years and don't worry about every little detail, have fun with it. Like someone said earlier, just find some trim from about any other stepdown and put it on for sparkle. Originality is great but enjoyment and creativity go a long way too.
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