What became of the Alexander brothers' customized '54?

Jon B
Jon B Administrator
edited March 2013 in HUDSON
There's an article in the new Old Cars Weekly written by a fellow who stopped and photographed a mystery Hudson in Roswell, Georgia, 10-15 years ago, which was then part of an estate sale. He thought the car was either customized, or a factory prototype.

In fact, it is the Hollywood that was customized by the Alexander brothers back when it was new, and driven over to the Hudson factory to see if management could be interested in adapting the design to the 1955 model year. The fellow who wrote the article apparently doesn't know the story behind the car.

The car was ultimately sold. Does anyone know what ultimately became of it?

image
(photo taken from the H.A.M.B. website)

Comments

  • bull_islander
    bull_islander Expert Adviser
    West Peterson (AACA mag editor) knew who had it a couple of years back. He was providing contact information as the owner was looking to sell. It may be on this forum history somewhere. Do not know if the person ever sold it.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    I have thought West Peterson's dad, Don, still has the car in Roswell. Not so?
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    The article says that the writer (of the article) saw an ad in the Atlanta paper in the late 90s for a "1972 Karmann Ghia, '64 Studebaker, '54 Hudson". (The Stude turns out to have been a supercharged R2 Gran Turismo, which gives you some idea of the car knowledge of the estate administrator!) The cars were located in Roswell. The owner had died. The Hudson had been last licensed in 1985. Interestingly, it had hydraulic windows, obviously an owner add-on at some point.

    That's all I know.
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    Try posting on the AACA forum or H.A.M.B. Possibly someone there would know.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    I just spoke with Don Peterson in Roswell, and the car is resting safely in his basement garage, as it has been since he bought it in about 1980. The previous owner was also in Roswell, and had the car for about twenty years.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    edited March 2013
    Thanks, Park, that answers the question. However, the writer of the article in OCW (this week) must be having major memory problems, because he's recalling seeing it for sale in Roswell, about 1999! Anyway, thanks for your information!

    By the way, is your understanding of this car that it was customized by the Alexander brothers after a Hudson stockholder (Paul duCharme) was dismayed by Hudson's '54 styling and commissioned them to construct a better design? He then took the car to Hudson, hoping to convince them to use it as the 1955 Hudson?
  • Kdancy
    Kdancy Senior Contributor
    this is very interesting, Does anyone have more pictures of this car?
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Jon, I've never discussed the history of this car with Don, and in fact I've never seen it. Blew the opportunity when we were living in adjacent town of Alpharetta.
  • Ric West IN
    Ric West IN Senior Contributor
    If you Google search or Yahoo, will find more info and pictures of this car.

    Have fun,

    "Ric"
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Here is a link to more photos (taken over the years) at a custom car website: http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_photos/customcars_i_like/hudson_custom_cars/1954-hudson-hard-top/
  • lostmind
    lostmind Expert Adviser
    I didn't see anything that was an improvement over Hudson design.
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    I didn't see anything that was an improvement over Hudson design.
    No, I don't see any improvement either. The high cowl/beltline, streamline was in-style in 1948 but out-of-style by 1955. Hudson needed a completely new look.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    I never thought it was any kind of "improvement", either. Point was all ready made, it was a very "dated" design by '55.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    strange this subject came up now, but there is an article about this car in the current issue of OLD CARS weekly..It has been stored in a carport and looks very sad.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    It was stored in a carport 'til Mr. Peterson bought it. In his basement garage since.
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