48 Hudson Rod Old School Style

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Now here is a really nice 48 Hudson. Ad says the work was done in the 50's I love the engine work which was updated recently. Pretty nice ride and lots of history to boot.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-HUDSON-1948-HUDSON-COUPE-ORIGINAL-KUSTOM-NOT-A-BARRIS-MERCURY_W0QQitemZ4634549359QQcategoryZ6472QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Comments

  • 7XPacemaker
    7XPacemaker Senior Contributor
    Let's just say that it is "definately different".
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    That naugahyde is period perfect. I remember kitchen chairs with that type of pattern on them. My mom has a serving tray with a very similar pattern on it that was a wedding present in 1954. It was also popular in the late 50's as a pattern for drapes, etc. The door panel upholstery is probably loose due to age. The original type naugahydes stretched and shrank (?) with age, temperature and other factors. We don't quite have that problem today with current vinyls.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Funny how the terms mentioned in the ad, "Original" and "Survivor" can nowadays apply to a custom- seems a contradiction in terms.... LOL
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    2944200670053744372dRFZcS_th.jpghere it is in 1999 most likely where hudson 308(jerry) saw it
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    2944200670053744372dRFZcS_ph.jpglets try that again
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    If the car was sectioned, does that mean that not only the outer sheet metal had a section around the beltline removed, but also the inner framework? Thanks guys.
  • bob ward
    bob ward Senior Contributor
    I've always thought that taking 4" out of the side of a stepdown would improve its proportions and looking at these photos it certainly does.



    In the past I've given a fair bit of thought on how to section a stepdown but never gone past the thinking stage. There is an absolute sh*t load of work involved in doing it properly.



    Like or dislike the car, you certainly have to admire the effort that has gone into it.
  • Walt-LA
    Walt-LA Senior Contributor
    Wasn't the '50's term channeled ? As in "chopped and channeled?" Nice proportions. Walt
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I prefer the grill that used to be in it.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Not a bad car. I think the sectioning only works for me if its chopped. For me, the car now looks too tall in the top. I think the windows are good height w/o a section. But agree that there has been alot of work done and it looks pretty good for sitting so long. Personally, I'm not into the continental kits, but to each his own. The grill looks homemade, not my taste, but like we used to say "if it don't run.....chrome it!"

    Jay
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    Gotta diagree on the "improved looks"...to me the greenhouse looks too tall, could be chopped considerably to get that "Hudson look..."
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    For those that wonder, "channeling" was putting the body down over the frame. This only works with full frame cars and generally creates shortened headroom. Hudson sort of channelled the car from the factory with the stepdown design. A lot of the "rat rod" type cars are channelled, putting the lower edge of the body few scant inches away from the pavement.



    As far as sectioning goes, it's A LOT of really heavy work. All panels must be modified to shorten the height of the body itself including interior panels, rear body panels and the hardest of all, cowl section. More power to those that can sucessfully pull it off! Chopping the top is the easier modification by far.
  • Walt-LA
    Walt-LA Senior Contributor
    QUOTE "For those that wonder, "channeling" was putting the body down over the frame. This only works with full frame cars and generally creates shortened headroom. Hudson sort of channelled the car from the factory with the stepdown design. A lot of the "rat rod" type cars are channelled, putting the lower edge of the body few scant inches away from the pavement. "



    Ah Soooo... Walt
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    SamJ wrote:
    Gotta diagree on the "improved looks"...to me the greenhouse looks too tall, could be chopped considerably to get that "Hudson look..."



    Just looked at it again. Profile looks very similar to one of those early 50's Kaiser built models (like the Dragon model). Not too keen on those and I agree too much greenhouse. Takes away the low Hudson look so I don't see the point...
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    What a wonderfully preserved piece of Hot Rod history. Hudson or not the car is really a work of art... think about it... this car was made when there were no MIG or TIG welders... the best custom shops had dirt floors and to get a car that has the finish of this car you had to be good... no read DARN GOOD. While the changes may have taken the Hudson look outta the Hudson it is period exact. If you look at the Hot Rod mag and other "half size" small books of the era you will see sectioned cars were all the rage. This Hudson went under the hacksaw with an artist at the controls. Really amazing to see the car is in this good condition all these years later... wonder how this stacks up against Ed Mullers car?

    Thanks for pointing this car out... I am happy to say I added all the pictures to my Hot Rod Hudson collection.

    BTW here is a coupe with the chop versus the sectioning....

    custhudson.jpg

    Or this one in a San Diego Ca museum

    auto_mus.GIF

    Another Hudson well done... at this URL
    http://www.rickdore.com/detail.cfm?portfolio=52

    Cheers from the HOT
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Is Ed Muller's car the sectioned Hudson that was built near San Diego and was featured in Hot Rod twice in the 50's? Where is it now? Can it be seen? How to get in touch with owner?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I had a guy yesterday argue with me about my Wasp. He kept wanting to know how much I had chopped the top. I told him three times that it was stock and I know he left not believing me. Tickled me to no end.

    Bob
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    It's interesting how sectioning the body on the car pictured reduces the effect of Hudson's low greehouse. An earlier post said it looked like a Kaiser vehicle. To me it now looks like a late '40's Olds. Ugly. If I was hot rodding a stepdown, (and I never will be), I'd definitely go the route of the car in Cates' posting...chop the top to accentuate the look. It is funny, Bob, that younger guys at shows keep thinking that a factory Hudson is a custom job. Just like they keep insisting that Hudson never built trucks. I friend of mine go tired of arguing this point, so now he just says "You're right. Didn't I do a great job of converting this '47 sedan?" LOL
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    51hornetA wrote:
    Now here is a really nice 48 Hudson. Ad says the work was done in the 50's I love the engine work which was updated recently. Pretty nice ride and lots of history to boot.



    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-HUDSON-1948-HUDSON-COUPE-ORIGINAL-KUSTOM-NOT-A-BARRIS-MERCURY_W0QQitemZ4634549359QQcategoryZ6472QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



    Here is a link on a Kaiser Frazer and see how the dimensions look similar.... The roofline looks like it was drawn for a Roger Rabbit movie. Sorry, don't like 'em! Niels



    http://www.kfclub.com/National/KFOCIAuburnNational/1953%20Kaiser%20Manhattan.html
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Niels, To me it appears that the two tone paint job is causing an optical illusion, that makes the greenhouse SEEM too tall. I think that if the car were done in a solid Red, or White, or Dark Blue, the proportions would look better. Either way, I wouldn't mind having it. I would love to section and chop my 54 coupe but I have neither the financial resources to have it done, nor the skill to do it myself.

    Bob
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    how tall is a stepdown windshield? lets say you chop the top 4 inches, how much windshield does that leave. so you chop the top would the sides now not look as channeled and take away that effect
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I think I remember this car from the 1950's and it wasn't acually sectioned, but had 4" trimmed off the bottom of the body panels and front fenders. The doors were cut and sectioned. This way saved a lot of body finish work and would have been easy to do as only inner panels were sectioned. I don't remember the car being this color, but I am sure more than one was done.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion