i'm a new guy looking for information...
hey everyone, i'm kevin deez. i just wanted to say hello
as i've been lurking here for a few weeks. in truth i'm at
a point where i'm considering restoring a classic vehicle
to use a daily driver as i'm becoming more and more
dispondent of modern vehicles. i'm 27 and work as a
mechanic and commercial bus builder, also i'm a student
of mechanical engineering at a local community college.
in my search for a mode that would fit my list of needs
and wants i happened across the Hudson line of
unit-built autos. i'm drawn to the U-B's famed low center
of gravity and wide stance. however the inline 6 is the
type of engine i found long ago to produce a great
amount of torque while being a smooth runner.
well i could go on but i'm sure everyone gets the picture.
i look forward to future threads and eventually picking up
a 48-49 coupe to build as a resto-mod.
`evenin ~Deez.....
as i've been lurking here for a few weeks. in truth i'm at
a point where i'm considering restoring a classic vehicle
to use a daily driver as i'm becoming more and more
dispondent of modern vehicles. i'm 27 and work as a
mechanic and commercial bus builder, also i'm a student
of mechanical engineering at a local community college.
in my search for a mode that would fit my list of needs
and wants i happened across the Hudson line of
unit-built autos. i'm drawn to the U-B's famed low center
of gravity and wide stance. however the inline 6 is the
type of engine i found long ago to produce a great
amount of torque while being a smooth runner.
well i could go on but i'm sure everyone gets the picture.
i look forward to future threads and eventually picking up
a 48-49 coupe to build as a resto-mod.
`evenin ~Deez.....
0
Comments
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Welcome to the Forum!
I've been working on my 49 for over 2 years (w/8 month hiatus) and as I tore the car down I was constantly surprised at the quality of the car given the state of unit body construction then.
The cool thing is even the 4 doors weigh only 3800+-
For a car this size and made with the gauge steel thats amazing!
BTW todays cars average 4100+-
Take a look around the site you might like some of the stuff I'm doing!0 -
Welcome aboard Kevin! Nice choice on the Coupe. You might want to join the HET Club if you haven't already, there are usually a few cars for sale in their magazine or folks around here know someone selling. We just joined our local (Grand Canyon Chapter) yesterday and its a lot of fun.
Jay0 -
Hey Kevin! If you are thinking of using a vintage car as your only and every-day car and have to drive fairly much, I must reluctantly discourage you. I used a Hudson for an every day car back in the 70s but then you could get stuff like 6-volt headlights at most stores. Even then it wasn't optimum. I broke the rear end in my Hornet (heavy right foot) and had to get a spare from a club member. Changing the rear axle on an apartment parking lot so I would have a car to go to work in was not the way to go. Cars today are radically different even from what cars were in the 70s and that is reflected in what is commonly available at auto parts stores. In addition, if you look at the recommended maintenance schedule for a Hudson or any other contemporary car you would be shocked at the amount of ongoing maintenance that is required, such as brake adjustments and points cleaning/adjustment etc. I agree that modern cars suck but in their own way they are amazing machines. Having said that, the parts situation is very good as long as you are willing to wait a couple of days or so to get what you need. If you are not faint of heart go for it and see how it works. A Hudson is a GREAT hobby car in that it can cruise easily at modern highway speeds, handles well, and you can take 7 of closest friends with you. The Hudson club is also the greatest car club there is and you can get help from everybody. Keep us posted on what you do!0
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Kevin, if you don't want to deal with the parts issue on an original drivetrain, some of us use (or plan to use) more modern drivetrains in our daily drivers. There is nothing wrong with driving a flathead or modern engine everyday. Ed is right that you may have some issues with parts availability with the flathead, but I wouldn't let that stop you from building a daily driver. I, for one, don't plan to spend my time and cash on a car that doesn't get driven everyday (my Coupe is really not rare)....but thats just me. Nothing wrong with hobby cars, but you talked about wanting a daily driver. My point is, the Hudson should make a great daily driver, no matter how you equip it. Just be sure to equip it to fit your wants and needs. Keep us updated on your search.0
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Kevin,
What part of Upstate are you from? I grew up just south of Buffalo (Way Up...)
I'm planning on building a daily driver also, but don't have the same climate concerns as you. I found a '46 pickup that already has a 350 chevy, 700R trans, and a newer rearend. Also it has been converted to 12V. I figure this might be a decent way to go since the previous owner already did the hard work. Also, I have a backup vehicle, so I shouldn't be stuck without a ride if things don't work out.
I think the key to something like this is being prepared for the worst. Carry tools, spare parts, have AAA towing, cell phone, and keep up on the regular maintenance. No matter what car you find, go through it very thoroughly before you have to depend on it. This means chassis lube, replacing old hoses & wiring, valve adjustment, etc. Set aside time and money for that.
All that being said, I drive a VW Jetta. It has been extremely reliable with almost no maintenance. I kind of hate giving that up, but I'm tired of driving boring cars. For the most part, new cars have not been interesting to me for the last 20 years.
Good luck and keep us posted,
Matt0 -
thanks everyone for the support and concerns thus far. it is possible
that i didnt mention that i'd be updating as many systems as possible
through out the course of my restoration; including rear axle (ford 8.8
or 9 inch), transmission (700r4), modernising the engine as much as i
can (i'm a DIYer w/EFI & DIS systems), suspension and brakes (disk-
drum setup, new springs/dampers), modernising the interior (40/60
bench*power drivers*, PS PL PW AC) and finally creating a toned down
but stylish exterior appearence. i do have access to my friends shop who
does restorations. i think i have alot of aspects figured out, but the ones
i dont i'm researching now or i'll ask about in a new thread.
in conclusion i fully expect to take between 2-3 years to get the info
together, amass the needed parts and finally assemble everything. for
now i'll drive my taurus whos been good to me thus far....
comments, scorn and constructive critisism encouraged!
peace.....KevinDeez
PS - i live in Utica NY, i once lived in Buffalo....0 -
Kevin: if you're in Utica you're not that far from Larry Cramer (AKA "Uncle Josh"), who holds a nice Hudson meet in his town of Northville each 4th of July weekend. (It's a mixed-make car meet but Hudsons are disproportionately represented!) If you could attend, it would be a chance for you to kick tires and talk Hudson with the local Hudsonites.0
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Kevin, it is I. email me at HETcramerlp@frontiernet.net. And drop the HET. It's just there to foil the spammers.0
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hey everyone, i'm kevin deez. i just wanted to say hello
as i've been lurking here for a few weeks. in truth i'm at
a point where i'm considering restoring a classic vehicle
to use a daily driver as i'm becoming more and more
dispondent of modern vehicles.
I noticed that you said "classic vehicle." If you are excited about Hudsons, then don't let me dissuade you. If you are considering all old cars, please consider my thoughts.
If this is your first restoration, I would suggest you start with something where parts are readily available. For example, you can buy an entire '57 Chebby convertible made from all repro parts. VW's, some Ferds, and many Chebbies have a ready supply of reproduction body panels available, as well as new or rebuilt engines and transmissions. These parts are also relatively affordable. You stand a much better chance of finishing the project if you can get the parts you need, and afford them.
For everyone who is screaming at the computer, please re-read my first paragraph.:eek:
Have a nice day
Steve0 -
I noticed that you said "classic vehicle." If you are excited about Hudsons, then don't let me dissuade you. If you are considering all old cars, please consider my thoughts.
If this is your first restoration, I would suggest you start with something where parts are readily available. For example, you can buy an entire '57 Chebby convertible made from all repro parts. VW's, some Ferds, and many Chebbies have a ready supply of reproduction body panels available, as well as new or rebuilt engines and transmissions. These parts are also relatively affordable. You stand a much better chance of finishing the project if you can get the parts you need, and afford them.
For everyone who is screaming at the computer, please re-read my first paragraph.:eek:
Have a nice day
Steve
Steve makes some great points about restoring a Hudson vs. Parts availability.
I don't want to put words in Kevin's mouth but I'd guess since he's going for a mechanical engineering degree and that he's going to resto-mod his eventual Hudson that this won't discourage him at all.
I do wish at a minimum we could get
1) more rust-repair patch panels, and pre-fabbed frame rail patches
2) stainless kit(s) of repop ss-trim
These 2 areas alone would greatly change the $$ it takes to restore one of these cars IMHO
BTW - now that Bob's glass in Portland is providing rear window glass for 48-49 stepdowns - has anyone used one yet?0 -
rambos_ride wrote:BTW - now that Bob's glass in Portland is providing rear window glass for 48-49 stepdowns - has anyone used one yet?
Is the rear glass the same on the '50 Pace? Its the small window. I'm curious in case I break mine trying to get it out to transfer to the donor.0 -
jay all 48-49, all 50 pacemaker and 50 comm and super coupes use the same rear window glass0
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Just a quick thought on a daily driver. The Hudson Maintenance manual suggests an oil change and Grease job every one thousand miles (Twenty three not real easy to get to grease fittings) Your local Quick Lube won't want to do it often for $21.95
Fred0 -
Modern lubricants are better though from when Hudson was recommending the points every 1000 miles I'd bet you could get 3000 miles out of modern lubricants before you change out oil and grease. I'd never take even my daily driver to a quick lube place, most to the techs have no idea what they're doing cause they're teenagers working for McMinimum wage. They'd miss probably half of the 30 or so grease points on a Hudson0
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nick s wrote:jay all 48-49, all 50 pacemaker and 50 comm and super coupes use the same rear window glass
Thanks Nick, just hoping I don't break the one I have!0 -
jsrail wrote:Thanks Nick, just hoping I don't break the one I have!
Yeah...try getting all the glass for a 4 door!
The new rear glass you can get tinted green or clear...I'm going with green tint all around..so although I hate the added 300.00 and change it gives me piece of mind...0 -
rambos_ride wrote:Yeah...try getting all the glass for a 4 door!
The new rear glass you can get tinted green or clear...I'm going with green tint all around..so although I hate the added 300.00 and change it gives me piece of mind...
If I break the glass, I'd also go with the tinted, but for now I'll just have it filmed if the piece stays intact.0 -
I like the look of cars with the darker film tinted windows...I just can't stand driving them at night!
I think the green tint all around will look good - better than the holes that are there now
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rambos_ride wrote:I like the look of cars with the darker film tinted windows...I just can't stand driving them at night!
I think the green tint all around will look good - better than the holes that are there now
I know what you mean Dan, I had 5% limo tint on the rear and rear side windows of my '85 Jimmy 4x4. Man, you couldn't see sh*t out of them at night! Ran 35% on the front doors. All within legal limits.0 -
jsrail wrote:If I break the glass, I'd also go with the tinted, but for now I'll just have it filmed if the piece stays intact.
Jay,
Just take a razor blade and cut off the inside 'half' of the old window gasket, and the glass will come right out. You'll want to replace it with new K-Gap gasketing anyway. I'd worry more about putting it back in. I tried unsuccessfully to do it by myself, and eventually had to call a local glass guy. The two of us had it in in less than 30 minutes. Good Luck.0 -
hudsonguy wrote:Jay,
Just take a razor blade and cut off the inside 'half' of the old window gasket, and the glass will come right out. You'll want to replace it with new K-Gap gasketing anyway. I'd worry more about putting it back in. I tried unsuccessfully to do it by myself, and eventually had to call a local glass guy. The two of us had it in in less than 30 minutes. Good Luck.
Thanks hudsonguy! I'll try it. Need to start getting my K-Gap list together soon anyway.
Jay0 -
wow. thanx everyone for your input, but am i detecting a thread hijack?0
This discussion has been closed.
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