My Hudson Chritmas Tale!

54SuperWasp
54SuperWasp Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Just wanting to share this with you. Will try to make it short. Got the Hudson disease when I was 9 when my dad bought a 1951 Hudson Hornet Convertible in 62. Got that car on mind all my life. Last spring I found a 54 Super Wasp and bought it. And found a 53 Super Wasp quite restorable too that I keep for the interior pattern and motor ( 308 in it) and trans ( Hydramatic). Knowing that there is about a dozen stepdowns in my province ( Québec-Canada)I consider myself quite lucky. So, I wanted to realize that cherish dream of mine. Send the 54 to a body shop and they where honest enough to tell me that it would cost far more than I thought to do the body and paint the way I wanted. The car is not rough but needs a lot of attention and a lot of hours of sanding etc etc. So I put an add to sell the 2 cars for $5000 plus a lot of spare parts and books etc. Got 2 calls, from friends, and they were not very tender with me cause I was throwing away a dream. Something that I talked to them so much from year to year. One week before Christmas, I received the January copy of "Le magazine de l'Auto Ancienne" the monthly magazine from the biggest Antique Car Club from Québec (2000+ members)and on page 6, there was an article titled: My Dream Car. And that article makes two-third of a page. And there is a picture of...My son, my car and me. Reading the article ( submitted by a director of the club)my eyes went wet. And I finaly realized that, no, I would not sell the cars. I went with the copy to a friend of mine who is building a huge garage, well equiped, and reserved 2 spaces. I met a bodyman ( 40 years of experience) who is working alone in his shop and he is willing to teach me what to do, parts by parts. It will be long, but I decided I would do it. So, thanks to these friends, and a special thanks to the guy who wrote my story. Sometimes, you need a kick somewhere to get the things right. I am not good to post pics right now but I will put all the progress made month by month. The garage should be ready in 3 weeks so, I will pick the car in Montreal ( 200km from here) and get it in. Will begin the work in spring. With that, I wish you all a Happy New year! Michel. P.S.The 54 is a California car ( the first pic is from the frame area where I just passed a 0000 Bulldog on it. Quite nice. No floor to repair.

Comments

  • VicTor Z
    VicTor Z Senior Contributor
    :cheer: This H E T club is great, glad for you!:lol:
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Love to hear stories like yours. It will be worth it. The time spent will be rewarding and this forum along with the club should help you along the way. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Given your circumstances and the condition of the car (undercarriage looks as clean as any I've seen), it would be a good candidate for a "cosmetic restoration"- Don't take it apart, except where necessary to repair, and do basically a paint job, spiff up the interior, and do mechanical repairs as needed. It will make a great driver that way, and nowhere near the expense (and time) needed for an actual restoration.

    Unfortunately, we're getting to the age where we have to start considering how long its gonna take to get the job done, with an eye toward getting it done while we've still got enough time left to enjoy the finished product. Nothing sadder than to see someone getting toward the end of a project, then dies before its done. Much better to do a "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" and get that sucker on the road.

    For the most part, Hudson folks are not "snooty" like some other marques- everyone is rooting for you just to get your car to where you can enjoy it on the road, and most could give a whit whether a car is "properly" restored (many, like me, don't want to get a car so nice I'd be reluctant to drive it).
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Great story - and involve that young gentleman sitting beside you in one of you pictures. After all, he might wind up owning it someday!!!! :woohoo:


    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
  • 54SuperWasp
    54SuperWasp Expert Adviser
    Thank you all for your nice comments. Yes, I will do the best I can within the possibilities. I want it to be a good driver cause my final goal is to make a road trip down USA and visit you guys sometimes. But don't fill the fridge with beer too early cause I might be a little late. And the young man sitting beside me is the one who pushed me to buy the car right away. He knew so much what it meant for me. I plan to go in Albany NY next june fot the meet with other folks from Quebec hope to meet some of you there. Thanks again, Michel.
  • Marconi
    Marconi Senior Contributor
    Hey, great story, NICE car. I'd go along with do what it needs, looks like a straight solid car. Best of luck to you!
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Trust that advice from others that say "don't take it apart".. I am in my 70's and have lost count of how many cars I have brought home in a basket.(Mostly Model "A" Fords.).These were restoration plans that went awry when the owner-restorer decided to do a ground up restoration..only to later loose interest or loose the financial ability to finish it. Who knows what the future holds for us? A total restoration takes years..If you have been on the forum for a while, you no doubt have read about some long term restoration projects being offered for sale for various reasons that did not exist when the restoration was started. Do what ever is needed to make the car reliable driveable and safe. Then drive it! You will either decide it's not the car for you or as most of us do...Drive it and Improve it along the way, but never making it undriveable for a long time. The tear down and complete rebuild is only accomplished by a very select few. JMHO
    Fix'em and drive'em
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