Ebay prices.....

I've noticed over the years there are less useful parts on offer for HET cars, and the ones that are available are significantly more expensive than they used to be. About the only item seemingly in unlimited supply are tie-rod ends.

terraplane8, try finding a tie-rod end for a 20's Essex!! I'm in the market for NOS, NORS etc tie-rod ends for 28 Essex.

@PAUL Those parts deserve to be on a car that's on the road. Not some art object to hang on a wall and stare at.

Hi All, if you are a member of the New Zealand NZHRA
you get good shipping discounts from the states and if I am correct they only charge $125-00
a cubic meter including all the paper work and customs clearances (duty would be extra)
And also ship weekly
Maybe could check out through the NZHRA Hot rod site
Mike

Trouble with the hobby was when it quit being a hobby and became a business. Up into the 1970's, for example, it was fun playing around with old cars. Then people with money got into and it all went down the tubes. Example: Prior to the 1970's if you had an owners manual, in decent condition, for sale you knew it was worth around $20 (back in the good old days). Somebody would come along and offer $10 - and you'd haggle over the price and get $15 for it. Seller was happy - buyer was happy - and the manual went for about what it was worth. After the 1970's you might have an owners manual that was, allowing for inflation, probably $25 or $30. Somebody would ask you about it and you'd toss out $40. The buyer would break his arm getting the money out. So what you going to do next piece you have for sale??
True story here - Years ago there used to be a junkyard up around Rockland, ME, Monroe's. I'd heard he had some Hudson's there so Uncle Mike Elwell and I went up to look - and found a bunch of fairly good parts at reasonable prices. Down in the back, in a large puddle of water I found a Model A Ford, back end gone, but had two welled front fenders in decent shape. I bought them for a total of $40 (this was around 1975). I had 'em about a week or so and come home from Boston where I was stationed at the time (Coast Guard) and there's a fellow sitting on my front porch wanting to buy the fenders for a Model A he was restoring. So he looked them over and said how much. I thought about for a moment and tossed $400 at him figuring we'd haggle and I'd get $150 or so. He whips out a check book, writes me a check for $200 and says he'll be back the weekend with the other $200 in cash giving his check time to clear. Ok with me.
But that's where it all started.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

""@hudsontech - I know it was way before my time, but when were you able to buy any classic car for several hundred dollars? ""
Back in '65 I paid $16.00 for my 28 Essex RS Coupe & drove it the 60 miles home!! Long time ago!!!

In 1972 I bought a 49 Commodore 8 convertible in Orlando and drove it 40 miles home! albeit slowly! for the Princely fee of $650.00. The seller wanted $700.00. My father thought I was crazy to spend that much on a Hudson. I later bought a 50 Commodore 8 sedan from the same seller for parts. It was missing the right front fender. $50.00.... AH the good old days!

I would like to let you guys know you realy made my day reading this I feel like I am 18 again thanks.

(could probably sell the factory sun visor for $500 at today's prices, LOL)

and I'll bet it could cost more depending on the quality & type of hides you choose. Also the '50 C conv. has neat cross-stitching on the side/door panels.
Hudson used good cow hides, fairly soft & supple. I had a couple of '55 Stude. Speedsters which came with leather uph. but it was stiff & would crack; I found out they used cheaper horse hide which I understand it thicker.