1953 Hudson Hornet
Hey Guys,
Our grandfather just passed away and he's left us a mint 1953 Hornet. The car is located in Daytona FL, which I understand is where it gained notoriety in the old beach races aka 500. I have no idea what the car is worth, it runs fine and the chrome will blind you. The engine doesn't have a speck of dirt on it. No telling what he spent restoring the thing. We'll probably just end up selling it as we don't have a place to store it. Any ideas on what one of these would go for nowadays? I've searched the internet and can't seem to find many for sale to compare. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Trey
Our grandfather just passed away and he's left us a mint 1953 Hornet. The car is located in Daytona FL, which I understand is where it gained notoriety in the old beach races aka 500. I have no idea what the car is worth, it runs fine and the chrome will blind you. The engine doesn't have a speck of dirt on it. No telling what he spent restoring the thing. We'll probably just end up selling it as we don't have a place to store it. Any ideas on what one of these would go for nowadays? I've searched the internet and can't seem to find many for sale to compare. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Trey
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Comments
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Is It A Coupe, Sedan, Or Conv????? The Old Car Value Guide Gives Prices From Condition One To Cond 5 Give The Model And I Can Give You There Quotes. Good Luck, Bill Albright0
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bill a wrote:Is It A Coupe, Sedan, Or Conv????? The Old Car Value Guide Gives Prices From Condition One To Cond 5 Give The Model And I Can Give You There Quotes. Good Luck, Bill Albright
Like Bill said is it a coupe (2 door), sedan (4 door) or convert? Digital photos would help if avail. Also the serial number is on the front passenger door jamb. I'm sure we can get you in the ballpark of value. Someone here may surely want to give it a good home.
P.S. Our condolences0 -
It's a 4 door sedan, two tone blue-white. Interior is blue as well. I don't have any pictures yet, but hope to soon. It's got the visor and I'm assuming he installed the A/C but I could be wrong. It appears to be in perfect shape inside and out. Really was shocked to see it, especially the engine, you could eat off of it, no joke. The carbs are bright red and have twin-something (can't recall) on them . His garage was heated/cooled and like I said before, it sparkles. Never seen so much chrome on a vehicle. I'll post pics sometime soon. Unfortunately, I was there over the weekend and didn't even think of taking any, pre-occupied w/ family. Now I'm back in GA.0
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trey wrote:It's a 4 door sedan, two tone blue-white. Interior is blue as well. I don't have any pictures yet, but hope to soon. It's got the visor and I'm assuming he installed the A/C but I could be wrong. It appears to be in perfect shape inside and out. Really was shocked to see it, especially the engine, you could eat off of it, no joke. The carbs are bright red and have twin-something (can't recall) on them . His garage was heated/cooled and like I said before, it sparkles. Never seen so much chrome on a vehicle. I'll post pics sometime soon. Unfortunately, I was there over the weekend and didn't even think of taking any, pre-occupied w/ family. Now I'm back in GA.
Trey,
Our prayers are with you for your loss.
I live near Daytona and would love to see the car. My dad has had hudsons his whole life and I own one as well. I know of several sites that give values kelly bluebook being one.That guide combined with our Hudson Know how and the help/advice of the forum should allow you to get a estimated value.
Please let me know if you'll be in town soon, It sounds like a beautiful car. Possibly we could meet to take a look at it.
Thank you
John Perkins
941 586 79100 -
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trey wrote:Hey Guys,
Our grandfather just passed away and he's left us a mint 1953 Hornet. The car is located in Daytona FL, which I understand is where it gained notoriety in the old beach races aka 500. I have no idea what the car is worth, it runs fine and the chrome will blind you. The engine doesn't have a speck of dirt on it. No telling what he spent restoring the thing. We'll probably just end up selling it as we don't have a place to store it. Any ideas on what one of these would go for nowadays? I've searched the internet and can't seem to find many for sale to compare. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Trey
Hello Trey,
Sorry for the loss of your grandfather.
The pictures of the car probably don't do it justice - from what I can see it really looks in very nice condition - I bet he loved that car...
I know your asking advice on what the car might be worth - but I thought I might share something that I wish now I could change...I'll make it short...
My Grandparents have both passed away in the last 11 years. Both were more like parents to me - since my father passed away when I was 6 and my brother and myself were very close to both of them.
I learned my love of cars and hot-rods from my grandpa. He was always tinkering with his cars and suping them up. I spent many hours with him working on his cars in his shop on the farm.
Here's a picture of my Grandpa next to the 1964 2dr Impala SS they ordered new from the factory and was always part of the family up until he died.
When my grandfather passed away in 1995 I was going back to college and at the time I couldn't offer to pay my grandmother more than 1500.00 for the car and Lemay's Muesuem in Tacoma offered her 8500.00 and so it was sold to them.
At the time all I wanted is what was best for my grandma and I thought she probably needed the money. (After she passed we found 15k in cash stashed in the house...so probably not...)
This may sound selfish, but after 11 years have gone by I often wish that
1) Grandpa had left me the car OR
2) That I should have asked for the car and really pushed the issue
But not in the vain of being selfish wanting an the car as another "object" but to keep the car in the family and continue the legacy for my family, nephews or maybe someday my own...
Anyway - Really give a thought to trying to keep the car. I was stricken by grief from the loss and wanted to step back to help - and now I wish I hadn't and miss the car and what it represented; Your grandpa left you a beautiful legacy and years from now you might regret selling it.
I'll get off my soapbox and I mean no direspect for your wishes or your grandpa's
We wish you the best of luck no matter what you and your family will utlimatley decide.0 -
rambos_ride has a good point. My grandfather passed away in 1998 and he had restored a 1930 Ford Model A Phaeton. He always took good care of the car and spent plenty of time getting that car ready to go. Something speical, he would take it out and drive around with us. It has many good memories...it won first place back in 96 at the local car show. Now I'm working on the car getting it ready to go places again...I've done some rewiring...but now there's something up in the distributor. But anyway, I'd really think about keeping the car.
Jesse0 -
trey wrote:Hey Guys,
Our grandfather just passed away and he's left us a mint 1953 Hornet. The car is located in Daytona FL, which I understand is where it gained notoriety in the old beach races aka 500. I have no idea what the car is worth, it runs fine and the chrome will blind you. The engine doesn't have a speck of dirt on it. No telling what he spent restoring the thing. We'll probably just end up selling it as we don't have a place to store it. Any ideas on what one of these would go for nowadays? I've searched the internet and can't seem to find many for sale to compare. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Trey
First my condolences on your loss. the Hornet looks like a beautiful car. My two cents worth. Not knowing your lifestyle or situation you might consider keeping the car as others have suggested.
Are you interested in cars or are cars just a means of transportation to you?
If you have an interest in cars you may want to drive the Hornet and find out what a great automobile the were/are. Should you do that and decide to keep it we have a GREAT club that is family oriented with lots of good people that are willing to help out.
There are local chapters in all areas of the states that hold get togethers etc. Should you opt to do this it could open up a whole new 'world' for you of "family" and friends. Do you know if your grandfather was a Hudson Club member? Did he ever talk about it?
I know that the Hudson people I have met over the past 21 years have enriched my life.
Please do not make any hasty decisions that you may regret later. Regardless, whatever you do I wish you and your family the best.
Regards
Jim Spencer0 -
J Spencer wrote:First my condolences on your loss. the Hornet looks like a beautiful car. My two cents worth. Not knowing your lifestyle or situation you might consider keeping the car as others have suggested.
Are you interested in cars or are cars just a means of transportation to you?
If you have an interest in cars you may want to drive the Hornet and find out what a great automobile the were/are. Should you do that and decide to keep it we have a GREAT club that is family oriented with lots of good people that are willing to help out.
There are local chapters in all areas of the states that hold get togethers etc. Should you opt to do this it could open up a whole new 'world' for you of "family" and friends. Do you know if your grandfather was a Hudson Club member? Did he ever talk about it?
I know that the Hudson people I have met over the past 21 years have enriched my life.
Please do not make any hasty decisions that you may regret later. Regardless, whatever you do I wish you and your family the best.
Regards
Jim Spencer
This is a beautiful car. I hate to call any car a #1 car unless it is truly a trailer queen consistent show winner. Definately a strong # 2 from the pics. IMHO, I'd say car is worth $16,000 to $22,000 in real money. The price guides (especially with Coupes) are not the most accurate but do give ballparks.0 -
Thanks for the input guys and for giving me another perspective. The reason the car is being sold is to enable us to take care of our grandmother that was recently widowed. We all love the car, but no-one really has a place to store it and unfortunately, we've had to come to a decision to pass to car on to someone who would take care of it and appreciate it's condition. As you can see by the pics, he took care of it. Please let me know if you anyone is interested in looking at it. And thanks again for the responses so far.
Trey0 -
Hey Folks,
I am Trey's father-in-law and have read all the post so far regarding the 1953 Hudson Hornet which we plan to sell. It now belongs to the estate of my late father-in-law and his daughter (my wife) and I feel that we need to sell this car because of the need for the funds to support her mother who is quite ill as well. The sale of this car will go a long way towards helping with her expenses. In the next few days we will have the attorney perfect the title for us to be able to conclude the transaction. We are unsure of the value of the car but it appears to be a well restored vehicle. We actually found the folder detailing the actual cost of the restoration which was $48,000. We fully understand that this is far beyond the value of the car but such is the case none the less. We have had a few Hudson knowledgable folks look at the car and they feel it's value is "less than $30,000". How much less is a mystery. So for anyone interested, we will make every effort to show the car which is garaged in Daytona Beach. Both Trey and I will also make every effort to respond to inquiries. Thanks for all your interest.
Jim Coleman, M.D.0 -
I am sure that your decision is the the right one for your situation, and wish you well in carrying it out. I went through a similar situation a couple of years ago, and learned a little bit about the collector car market.
Seeking advice from Hudson "Ghuru's" like you are is a wise way to set a baseline on the value of the car. I did pretty much the same thing.
My mistake was, I tried to market the car to the same group of people that were giving me good advice. By doing this I limited my exposure to a small select group of buyers, all looking for a bargin. (Not this group!)
There are many people (buyers) out there that are just now becoming attracted to classic cars as investments. All anyone has to do is watch a Barrett - Jackson Auction to see how many people are willing to spend big money. There are a lot of collectors that are speculating that Hudsons will bring the money they deserve in the near future.
From what I can see in your pictures, the sale your car may be one of the next high dollar Hudsons. I think to find the true value of your car, you will need to market not only to the Hudsonites, but to the whole collector car community as well.
I wish you well.
Terry0 -
52 kahuna wrote:I am sure that your decision is the the right one for your situation, and wish you well in carrying it out. I went through a similar situation a couple of years ago, and learned a little bit about the collector car market.
Seeking advice from Hudson "Ghuru's" like you are is a wise way to set a baseline on the value of the car. I did pretty much the same thing.
My mistake was, I tried to market the car to the same group of people that were giving me good advice. By doing this I limited my exposure to a small select group of buyers, all looking for a bargin. (Not this group!)
There are many people (buyers) out there that are just now becoming attracted to classic cars as investments. All anyone has to do is watch a Barrett - Jackson Auction to see how many people are willing to spend big money. There are a lot of collectors that are speculating that Hudsons will bring the money they deserve in the near future.
From what I can see in your pictures, the sale your car may be one of the next high dollar Hudsons. I think to find the true value of your car, you will need to market not only to the Hudsonites, but to the whole collector car community as well.
I wish you well.
Terry
I agree. If you can wait, I would run it though a Barrett- Jackson auction but only if the car truly is as nice as it looks. Alot of the Barrett's sales price depends when it crosses the auction block (TV coverage). I would ensure and insist you get a good slot. You can also put it on e-bay but you would want to make sure you have lots of pic's that show the details of the car like undercarriage / frame, engine, receipts, etc.0 -
Trey,
Just so you can get a gauge on the car , I have some info. About 8 or 9 months ago a beautiful 52 sedan with 30,000 miles went off on ebay at 26,000. The car was all original and looked as close to showroom as you can imagine a 54 year old car to be. It was Spring green . From the looks of your photo's I would say that your car is nicer. However, That is just from looking at pics and listening to the amount of money it sounds like went into your Grandfathers resto.
I'm sorry for your loss. Best wishes.0 -
harry54 wrote:Trey,
Just so you can get a gauge on the car , I have some info. About 8 or 9 months ago a beautiful 52 sedan with 30,000 miles went off on ebay at 26,000. The car was all original and looked as close to showroom as you can imagine a 54 year old car to be. It was Spring green . From the looks of your photo's I would say that your car is nicer. However, That is just from looking at pics and listening to the amount of money it sounds like went into your Grandfathers resto.
I'm sorry for your loss. Best wishes.
Thanks Harry! We're going to go ahead and start taking offers and see where it leads. We've got detailed documentation on what he spent restoring, but we know that doesn't equal sales price. It's a beauty. I've listed another forum that specifically states it's up for sale. Thanks for responding.
Trey0
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