Gas mileage??

Unknown · July 2011

When I retire in a few years my wife and I would like to travel the country pulling our tear drop. I want a classic car and decided a hudson wold be the coolest. I am not rich so I am concerned about gas mileage. Can anyone tell me about what the gas mileage would be for a 49 to 51 Hudson.

ski4life65 · July 2011

I get around 17 hwy in my 51 hornet

Park_W · July 2011

I'm getting a little over 18 on the highway in my Twin-H '51 Hornet.

RL Chilton · July 2011

I'd say Don and Park (who posted above) were getting outstanding mileage. Park has the proper gear ratio in the rear-end, which probably helps him get better mileage. BUT, if a 308 (Hornet engine), is properly tuned, even with the Hydramatic automatic tranny, and stock gears, you should get 15-16 on the hwy.

Improperly tuned, 10-11.

hudsontech · July 2011

It's sort of a rhetorical question - towing a trailer, no matter how streamlined, is going to knock your milage down. However, that said, a Hornet with a hydramatic transmission (go for a 52 or 53 Hornet with a dual (4-speed) range hydramatic should do fairly well.

When I moved to Memphis I towed a heavily loaded U-haul with a 1997 Cadillac that, under normal hiway driving, got 25-27 mpg. Towing the trailer knocked it down to around 20-22 mpg.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

Uncle Josh · July 2011

My 52 Twin H gets around 18. 3 Speed Std with a 3.78 rear end.

A tear drop shouldn't reduce it over a couple of mpg

shadetree · July 2011

In the late 50's and 60's I pulled a 16 foot shasta travel trailer, 4 adults and 4 kids in a 51 Commodore with 56 hornet crate motor [ $210 ] and added Twin H. from the Texas panhandle to the New Mexico mountains, usually about 65 mph in overdrive, sometimes a little faster. mpg without trailer 18, with trailer 11, those 50/ 60 year old kids still remember as great times. and the tongue does'nt set the rear end down the way it did my friends 58 bonneville when i loaned it to him and was using gm automatic transmission fuild in the clutch with no problems

54SuperWasp · July 2011

I think you should get a look at this site. These guys go from coast to coast in Canada every ten years. I met them last year when they came near Montreal. There are about 120 cars & trailers doing the trip. It takes about 3 years to organise ( Camping sites reservations, ferry boat, visiting museum or car clubs etc). I remember one with a 54 Merc I think and a 52 trailer that had attached the pole to the differential. It's worth a look and a good place to have informations. Next tour will be in 2017 ( 3 years in advance). The people I tlaked to said they did it twice and that if they would be healthy enough ( they will be probably 80 years old) they will do it again. Michel.
The site is: http://www.coasters2010.com/page8.php

Unknown · July 2011

Thanks everyone for your comments, expecially michel. I have spent at least 2 hrs reading the coasters2010 website. I read and then read to my wife the mystarcollectorcar article. I am saying the heck with the gas mileage and am starting to seriously look for an old car. I may not get to go as far as the new cars, but I only live once so I might as well take the plunge. Thanks again.

[Deleted User] · July 2011

Walt and Margaret Mordenti here. Like you said, you only make one trip this way, so enjoy. M turns 89 in 2 months and W turns 90 the 26th of this month, and here we are in Oklahoma City for the National, 5 days on the road, with temp in the 103 to 107 range, just make sure you have air condition and drive. We have enjoyed our Hornet and have made every National since 1989, and 12 cross country trips, San Francisco to Goshen CT. With air, we are averaging 16 to 18. Walt.

[Deleted User] · July 2011

wow, my 55 hornet with twin H only gets about 7mpg which keeps me from going far. I think I need to go down and see Jason and get it tuned. If I was getting 12 to 15 I would be ecstatic.

Gas mileage??

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