Frame off restoration of a stepdown

JasonNC
JasonNC Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I thought I saw an ad not too long ago where the vendor was claiming that the stepdown he was selling was a "frame off" restoration. He might have said frame up. Either way, I was just curious if there is such a procedure (other than removing doors, rocker panels, hood, trunk, etc.) since stepdowns are monobuilt.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The only frameoff resto on a Stepdown involves a plasma torch. When selling on ebay these guys believe people will be more impressed when they say frame-off not knowing that immediately identifies them as knowing nothing about Hudson Stepdowns. The same ad that stated that also said the engine had been rebuilt and each cylinder was showing a compression of 7Ibs. So what are you going to do with those type of sellers. Laugh your head off is always good.
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    "Frame off" for 50 convertible
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    russmaas wrote:
    "Frame off" for 50 convertible



    Is there an upside to this restoration, Russ? :D
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    SamJ wrote:
    Is there an upside to this restoration, Russ? :D
    What a groaner!

    Sam, I think you've become 'punnier' since leaving the left coast.

    ....notice I didn't say 'funnier':D
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    SamJ wrote:
    Is there an upside to this restoration, Russ? :D



    Nice ....I believe there is
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Jason, If you mean 'body off' then yes, been there done that with a sedan. Not for the faint of heart. See vol. 42 number 2 WTN Nov/Dec 2000.
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    Here's a couple of shots of a Stepdown that high-end restorers (and Hudson Club Members) Chris & Kelly Purdum of Utah are doing for a customer. I don't know if you would call this and "off frame" restoration, but they are basically building a new Hudson for the guy, who apparently is a "cost is not a major concern" type. There will be more on this in an upcoming WTN. :cool:
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    Here's the other one...
  • Hudsonrules
    Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
    :p I ussualy get a laugh when I read any ad for a stepdown with a frame off restoration. At times I have asked the seller how to do a frame off on a stepdown as the body and frame are one. The response that I get is ussually an arrogant statement that "you are not buying the car" so don't ask. Some of the Hudsons for sale look pretty good in pictures, but that is the nice thing about cameras. You can strip a Hudson down and remove the sub frame but you still have a monobuilt body. I guess a person with a lot of dinero could possibly get the blue prints for a stepdown and perhaps an automotive machine and fabrigating shop along with an assortment of body and trim parts could build a New Hudson Stepdown. It is a thought.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I look at all these pictures with both envy and dread.



    I keep myself satisfied twisting wrenches, but know full well I will eventually have to tackle the "frame up" situation.



    I'm gonna need alot more room than I have now.



    Mark
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    russmaas wrote:
    "Frame off" for 50 convertible

    I would be a little nervous about taking one apart this far. When you cut the spot welded pieces apart I would think your gunna' get some movement in some of the shape. How are you going to make sure you get it back together right? Aside from mocking/ tack welding the whole thing together before the final welding. That would be tough. Don't think I would want to do a project this far. But, I would love to see how you do it....Cool project :)
  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    Posted some pics on the site below on how it started to end up



    http://groups.msn.com/HudsonEssexTerraplaneBulletinBoard/50hudsonconvert.msnw?albumlist=2
  • hdsn49
    hdsn49 Senior Contributor
    When people ask about the restoration of my 49 Brougham, I refer to it as a ground up restoration. Even though I disassembled the car to a point that 4 people could pick it up. Being a monobuilt frame I would not call it a frame off restoration.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    `Hudsonator wrote:
    I look at all these pictures with both envy and dread.



    I keep myself satisfied twisting wrenches, but know full well I will eventually have to tackle the "frame up" situation.



    I'm gonna need alot more room than I have now.



    Mark



    Easy does it buddy. Just remember, experience has to start somewhere and there's no better way to begin than with having a friend close to share his experience. When you're ready, we'll make it happen.



    Rick
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I rebuilt a 51 Pacemaker Coupe a few years ago. Removed everything that was bolted on. Rear end with spring hangers. Front end parts but did not remove the front frame. Every piece of the body that was not welded together. Had the whole thing Ready Striped which removed every speck of paint and rust and every thing else except the steel itself. Even the lead where the top and lower body were joined. They had to drill a small hole in each rear fender well and in the top to get it to sink in the dip tank. Hard to believe how clean and shiny when I got it back.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Billy K.TN. wrote:
    I rebuilt a 51 Pacemaker Coupe a few years ago. Removed everything that was bolted on. Rear end with spring hangers. Front end parts but did not remove the front frame. Every piece of the body that was not welded together. Had the whole thing Ready Striped which removed every speck of paint and rust and every thing else except the steel itself. Even the lead where the top and lower body were joined. They had to drill a small hole in each rear fender well and in the top to get it to sink in the dip tank. Hard to believe how clean and shiny when I got it back.

    Thats exactly how mines starting! There isn't a screw, bolt or nut on it, other than those holding the front frame stub on. Its gotta be blocked up on rollers just to get it on a trailer since I don't have a forklift in my garage!

    Jay
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Dave List a Texas Hudsonite owned a 53 Hornet sedan that was extra nice. The car was restored for a fellow who instructed the shop to ... do it right.. That was a 60K plus restoration. Linden Welle and others have done similar restorations... just an expensive propostion even if you do it all yourself.



    Billy... I redid my 50 PMaker convert the way you did your Pmaker. In my case the car had been dipped in OK mud for decades and many of the tin parts did not survive the cleaning tank. What was left was nice and shiny!
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