Stepdown Front Bumper Identification

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I bought this NOS front bumper thinking it would fit my '49 Commodore 8, but the holes for mounting the guards have different spacing. Anybody have any idea what it fits? There wasn't enough left of the original brown paper wrapping to have any parts numbers on it and it has no other marks... I have measured from center to center on the mounting holes and have shown them on the photo. Thanks, Aaron

Comments

  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Could be a 54. The stepdown frontbumpers came in three or four configurations. The only difference being the hole spacings. Bill Albright has a better memory than I do and will probably be able to tell from your measurements. As best as I can remember, the 48-49 , 50, 51-53, then 54? Re drilling the supports is not an option for the 49, your center bumper guards won't fit.
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Looking at the 1951-1954 parts lists it looks like it could be 1951-1953. I don't have measurements.

    The two inner holes would be for the license plate surround; the two outer would be for the bumper guards.

    1954 is different, I think, in that it doesn't have the indentation earlier models had for the front license plate.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    HudsonTech

    Memphis, TN

    www.freewebs.com/hudsontech
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    What makes indentifcation difficult is that all stepdown front bumpers were stamped from the same mold and that there is no parts number on the bumper. The center measurement you listed as 20 1/2 inches is correct for all Hudsons that use a horsecollar. I indentify front bumpers measuring the distance from the outer square hole to the next hole. The 1954 is easy to identfy because it has four square holes. The reason is that the 1954 has four oblong bumper bolts and two guards. The 1948-49 has a spacing from the outer square hole to the next hole of 14 inches. The 1950 has a measurement of 15 1/2 inches from the outer square hole to the next of 15 1/2 inches. 1951-1953 has a measurement from the outer hole to the next hole of 16 inches. I think that the reason later model Hudsons had three holes in the bumper brackets is so you could put a 1950 bumper on a 1953 Hudson.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    I'll bet you could get mounting brackets to fit the bumper, and they either would fit, or could be modified to fit, your frame. Would be worth checking out, anyhow, since now you're stuck with the bumper.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    If he changed the mounting brackets, the bumper would fit, the bumper guards would fit and even the guard that runs under the bumper would fit, but the bar that runs from the top of one guard to the other guard would not be in the correct position. Also, the four guards would not be in the correct position as far as distance from one guard to the next.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Hudson guys are the best. Thanks everyone for the help. This afternoon I found a small red grease pencil mark inside under the lower lip that says ..51.. so along with all your collective smarts, I'm going with 51 as the correct year. I cleaned off all the fossilized glue and with the exception of some shelf wear and a scratch or two, it looks pretty nice. I'm not going to modify it to work on the '49 though, I think it's too nice to mess with. So I'll just keep my eyes peeled for a nice correct '49 bumper. I've only had my car for 34 years, so there's no sense in rushing into anything thats not right for the old girl......

    Thanks again to everyone who took the time to reply,

    Aaron
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Mike (WA) wrote:
    I'll bet you could get mounting brackets to fit the bumper, and they either would fit, or could be modified to fit, your frame. Would be worth checking out, anyhow, since now you're stuck with the bumper.

    Mike you're quite right. As a matter of fact a lot of brackets had multiple holes drilled into them for just this purpose.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    glens46golden wrote:
    If he changed the mounting brackets, the bumper would fit, the bumper guards would fit and even the guard that runs under the bumper would fit, but the bar that runs from the top of one guard to the other guard would not be in the correct position. Also, the four guards would not be in the correct position as far as distance from one guard to the next.



    Glenn is correct. My 49 had a 54 front bumper installed when I got it. and the center grille guards did not fit although the supports were redrilled. The center guards were skewed inward at the top and looked "Knock Kneed". Also the bottom bar under the bumper was too narrow so it wouldn't meet the center guards. The only way to use that bumper Aaron has, is to use the 51-53 horse collar . In short, the 48-49 Center grille guards will NOT work with a newer bumper regardless of the supports used. .:)
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