Just bought my first Hudson

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I just brought my first Hudson home today. I just got interested because my dad had a 54 Hornet 4 door Twin H with the hydro. I loved that car, but he sold it. The only Hudson I could find nearby and afford was my 1952 Wasp 4 door. It is complete and running, but the drivers floorboard is rusted out, and the passenger rear frame rail is in pretty bad shape (rusted through), no brakes and the clutch is stuck. I have read a lot about unsticking them, but I wondered if it was best to just pull the trans out, and gently clean it, and/or have it rebuilt. Also, The cross shift in the trans isn't working, It only has first and reverse. The cable moves fine from the column and moves the lever, but no matter what the car won't go into the 2nd/3rd rail. Suggestions?



-TS

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Welcome, Rusty!



    First thing, I'd take a good hard look at that rusted frame rail. You are going to have to deal with that sooner or later; it might be best to do it sooner, before you invest a lot of time and money into the rest of the car!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I agree with John on this. My first was a 1953 wasp. I dragged it out of a junk yard, and had it running in no time. My first trip was the 99 nats in Nashville. Loved that car. I dont have it any more, but once you drive it, and get it going you will be happy. I would call Doug Wildrick, he can help yiu with a cable. I would say pull the clutch because I doubt if it is any good. Ron fellows, or Doug can help you there. This will get you running and driving, but remember the rust issues,make sure they arent safety issues. Hope this helps you.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Where are you located at? I have an another tranny here some where if that is it. I am in north central Ohio, If you are close let me know.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I am in southern Illinois. What do you have? I don't really think the trans is in bad shape though. Judging by how the car runs, I think that it is in good condition mechanically. The car was last licensed in '92 so, I am willing to bet whoever last drove it parked it because of the rusted out floorboard and frame rail not because of a mechanical issue.



    My basic plan of action is to fix the rusted out floorboard and frame rail, then get the clutch, trans and brake problems worked out. Once it is in roadworthy condition I will start on the restoration part of the project.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I just bought a Falcon that way. I am headed to Sullivan Ill, pretty quick to get it. I have a 50 Hudson pacemaker, 55 hollywood wasp, 49 nash,60 ford 41 buick,65 ford, 59 rambler,50 dodge truck,36 oldsmobile, part os a 66 fury. Oh and a 62 falcon I am picking up in Sullivan. The most of these are projects, to bad to restore, but great hot rod stuff. (keeps me busy lol)
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    rustywasp52 wrote:
    I am in southern Illinois. What do you have? I don't really think the trans is in bad shape though. Judging by how the car runs, I think that it is in good condition mechanically. The car was last licensed in '92 so, I am willing to bet whoever last drove it parked it because of the rusted out floorboard and frame rail not because of a mechanical issue.

    My basic plan of action is to fix the rusted out floorboard and frame rail, then get the clutch, trans and brake problems worked out. Once it is in roadworthy condition I will start on the restoration part of the project.

    Ken Amman - sells beautiful reproduction front floor pans
    kamman@power-net.net

    If you go to my website on the 49 project then look under the left-side links Custom How To -> Floor Pan and you can see what I did to replace mine.

    NewFloorPan_1med.jpg

    The other thing is - you may want to take another look at the extent of rust on your car...

    Had I torn into the 49 more first, I would have made it a parts car and bought another - cleaner - car to build from.

    I tell you this - because although I bought the car site-unseen on ebay -
    I certainly didn't walk into it without knowing about rust issues and old cars (as I used to do professional body work and paint in one of my earlier lifetimes) and by the time I was 1/2 way into fixing rust issues with the 49 I regretted trying to save this car; as the rust issues caused a lot of extra time and work that could have gone elsewhere in the build and no matter what I do the 49 will always have rust problems - albeit once she's on the road it will be several years before having to deal with rust again - but it will come back.

    Anyway - sorry to get on a soapbox about the rust - but you really want to be sure of what you're getting into before pouring to much of your valuable time and money into the car.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Yeah, Dan is right. Do yourself a favor, remove the rear fenders, and get a real good look at how bad that rear frame area is. Don't let rust scare you, but really consider the cost and time, if it is terminal.
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