Step-Down model question

Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Can someone tell me what the difference is between the Commodore and the Super Series in the step-downs? Just trying to figure this out.



Thanks,



-David

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    My understanding is, that it is really just a trim difference. Commodore has a bit more exterior trim, large taillights, fancier interior, slightly spiffier dashboard and a fancier steering wheel than the Super Six. Probably nicer upholstery, etc. (Step-Down guys will undoubtedly step in here to elaborate.) The engines, I believe, were the same. You could get a Commodore Six or a Super Six with same basic engine, and a Commodore Eight or Super Eight.
  • hudsonguy
    hudsonguy Senior Contributor
    Jon's right in that it's basically trim differences. Commodores had interior quarter lights, and courtesy lights in the door jambs too. They had window cranks for the front quarter windows, rather than friction locks. The Commodore rear seat has the fold down armrest/card table! I'm not sure if the fancier (oval shaped horn button) is a reliable indicator, because I think I determined somewhere that it was an option on the Super Six. Maybe it was standard on the Commodore, I'm not sure.



    Of course, by now many Super Sixes have been 'Commodorized'. Like my '49 for example. It has the dash trim, steering wheel, front fender spears, etc. These were actually all added to the car when it was only a year or two old, so it's been a fairly common thing all along, I believe. Doing this to a Super Six was probably viewed as a slightly 'cheaper' alternative to a full fledged Commodore.
  • hdsn49
    hdsn49 Senior Contributor
    On the 48-49 Hudsons the following were the only items standard on the Commodores that could be added to the Supers as an option. 18" steering wheel, Full hubcaps, Front fender spears, Stainless trim around rear window, Extra front bumper guards. I believe that most of these options were dealer installed.
  • Thank you for the response. Does any one know of a site that lists all the Hudson models and features?
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    You didn't mention what year. Here is a website with Hudson sales brochures from 1950-54 (in the full-sized Hudson lineup, that is). http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tocmp.com/brochures/Hudson/1953/images/53-06_JPG.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tocmp.com/brochures/Hudson/1953/pages/53-06_JPG.htm&h=600&w=755&sz=92&tbnid=YBslWQLvzXWJ2M:&tbnh=111&tbnw=140&hl=en&star%20



    You might also want to peruse Ken Cates' invaluable website regarding restoration of Step-Down Hudsons, at http://members.aol.com/stepdown53/STEPDOWNPG.html .
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