$80,000.00 invested in a Hudson

wow.... I figured it would at least be a convertible...



It looks nice, but after 80K invested, it should.



no wonder the guy needs to sell, he said he needs money. I guess if he would have put, say, maybe 50K less in the car, he would have some cash to spare, but I would also think that if he had enough green to throw 80K in a hudson, his money problems are far worse than a quick 50K....



danrned nice car tho.... probably an honest 100MPH....

not 155MPH, like the other pacemaker coupe...

I agree with SRCraftsman. Look at the car. While it is not my cup of tea, it is obviously a work of art (great paint). All the hard work, blood sweat and tears dont come for free. All that stuff (materials) cost money. No matter how hard you try, you are not going to make nothing into something without laying out the bread. This is not a cheap hobby no matter how you slice it. Hell, I just spent $58 on the correct rocker paint for my 49 (and it is dead on for those looking). The good news is I got the RIGHT stuff. Now, you keep adding all that stuff up, day after day, year after year, and sure enough, you are going to arrive at a ridiculous number. My take at it is that you NEVER tell anyone what that number is. As long as it makes you happy and you can afford it , who gives a cares? I have been down this road before. The worst thing you can do is add up all the receipts. I take all mine and shove them into a drawer. I DONT want to know, but in my mind I kinda know so what's the diff? Beats spending it on something more stupid. Keeps me out of trouble.

yeah, I think the best advice is just keep the total to yourself. It is depressing, but ultimately, if you are looking for a budget might as well buy one done, or just stay out of the hobby.



I would think it is hard to guage the quality of the resto with pictures, but I imagine it is likely all but perfect.



In regards to the 200K resto Hollywood at the nationals last year, it was a 53, the car is unbelievable, it is in my mind perfect, to every detail (except the aircleaners, did anyone remember them, weren't they a bit too maroon, and not red enough?) There was another superb 53 hollywoood at the nationals, same colors, and without the 200K one there (and I bet 200K is a bit low) the other one was terrific. But when you get both cars together, or go back and forth, you can see the differences, whether you admit it or not. Nothing stood out, but you can just tell, like how much trouble they went thru to get the paint mixed, just right, for one example. Did the differences add up to the dollar difference? probably not, to most people, but the big dollar resto 53 I heard wins pretty much everything it is entered in, I think it won a concours d' elegance, among other awards. I am sure the other 53 would do just as well at any show it gets put in as well, and even though it doesn't have similar money in it, is likely a more enjoyable car. But man, every time I see that big dollar 53, it is awe inspiring.



The guy that restored it is kind of local to us here, middle PA, I think 40 or 50 miles north. He did a super resto on a 4 door convertible late 40's KF several years back, one guy, and he is probably one of the best... for a small shop.



I think the 53 wasn't received the way the owner thought it would be at the nats last year. It was what it was, and I think it just pushed the limit a bit. But, if you talked to the people that did the resto, they were terrific, they had photo albums, etc... and really did a great job documenting the entire process. The owner was very proud of the car as well, he was a nice guy. It is nice to see someone take the initiative to put that kind of money into a lesser recognized vehicle, knowing full well, that they are never going to see any kind of remotely close return, if they decide to sell. The car elevated itself to a work of art, at some point.



Ultimately, it is all about what you want in life. I would prefer to have a real nice number 3-2 that can be driven and enjoyed. I would love to own a car that nice, but in reality, I would have been more satisfied with the other 53 hollywood, which, was definitely no slouch at all. (really, it is ashamed neither of them were coupes...)



The owner of the 200K 53 wanted an ultimate show winner, and that's what he got, but it is all a trade off. THat baby has to live it's life in a climate controlled garage, and the interior of a car trailer. Such a sad life for a hudson.



Also, please do not read this as any kind of negativity to either person's car. THey are both superb examples of restorations on the same vehicles, and I respect each owner for their talent, and investment they put into each respective vehicle. Both cars are nicer than any that I am ever going to own.