49 commadore value

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Thanks to those who helped me out with the wiring diagrams. My father is starting to loose interest in this project do to the amount of work needed. I on the other hand am enjoying every bit of it. If I was to buy him out of the car can anyone help me out with a ball park idea of what it is worth. The car is a 49 hudson commador with the flat six, three on the tree with automatic option after certain speed. the car is complete, only rot in the front floor boards and one small spot in the driver fender. interior is original california sun baked to brital finish. head liner is out and some panels are pealing. the motor seams sound but as I am in process of working out the wiring still untested. I got the brakes working with new hoses and a little time.

Just wondering if I would be getting myself into something that would only be worth something to me after I put the time in or is it worth investing in.

Thanks

Comments

  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    With the wiring, from the description you've offered up on the car. if you're trying to restore or keep the 6v - I'd just get a complete new wiring harness - lot's of people here on the forum have done that.

    2drs are worth a little more than the 4 doors, if it needs a complete refurbish, glass, seals, interior, paint, tires, etc. or restoration honestly you'll be lucky to break even with a 4 door, maybe you can make a little on a 2dr.

    But really you have to ask yourself straight up - what your goals are, most of us don't make money on these kind of cars, especially if you have to farm work out!

    We build them, restore them because of the love of the cars and the work - if that's the goal how can you lose? :D
  • Richie
    Richie Senior Contributor
    rambos_ride wrote:
    With the wiring, from the description you've offered up on the car. if you're trying to restore or keep the 6v - I'd just get a complete new wiring harness - lot's of people here on the forum have done that.



    2drs are worth a little more than the 4 doors, if it needs a complete refurbish, glass, seals, interior, paint, tires, etc. or restoration honestly you'll be lucky to break even with a 4 door, maybe you can make a little on a 2dr.



    But really you have to ask yourself straight up - what your goals are, most of us don't make money on these kind of cars, especially if you have to farm work out!



    We build them, restore them because of the love of the cars and the work - if that's the goal how can you lose? :D



    Rambos_ride hit the nail on the head.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I think he's looking for a value on the car so he can buy out his father's interest. Quite frankly, why not just give him half of what you have into the car and call it a day.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    Restoration candidate sedan? Not Running now? Needs a bit of work? Offer $2500 and see if he cries and whines. haha I wouldn't go higher than $3500 ever for such a car...... Then as Rambo said do it because you love it. Money is the wrong reason to be in this hobby.
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    Brandon,

    Check out the pictures of my 49 Hudson Commodore on my website link.

    I paid 1600 in 2004.

    After I tore into it (and what I know now) I guess I overpaid by at least 500-750.00 since the 49 needs EVERYTHING glass, seals, wiring, interior, drivetrain etc...so - restoration or rod - it wouldn't matter.

    Right now I've probably got 4-5k invested in the 49 plus nearly 2000 hours of my time and it's still 2 years away...don't get too scared it's a full on custom job now!

    Last year I bought a 50 Super 6 for parts for 3500.00 - I probably overpaid by about 1000.00 on this one but once I got it home, and running it's in better shape than the 49 and would have been a much better starting point, as all the glass is good and the body is not rusted out.

    There, I've been pretty honest about what I've paid for 2 Hudsons and there relative condition vs. cost - hopefully that can give you a better idea of what you might think yours is worth.

    In the end - if you enjoy working on cars and exploring a true mechanical masterpiece buy and Keep the Hudson, you won't be dissappointed!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You can go to www.NADA.com and get a ballpark price. Click under collector cars.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Have you checked out the frame yet? These cars are most vulnerable in the main frame rails where they kick up in front of the rear axle (and on back), and also in the perimeter frame around the outside of the rear wheels and around to the back. That turned out to be a big problem with Dan/ Rambo's car- expensive to fix if you have to farm it out. Personal opinion, a 4 door with a bad frame is a parts car; Convertible with bad frame has to be restored, period, whether by you or sell it to someone else. 2 door versions, somewhere in between.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    You can enjoy the old car hobby and know that there is nothing wrong with NOT losing money on a car. Infact, it is even nice to sell a car and make enough to buy a couple cases of beer.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Right you are. Think of it like fishing, you spend money and have fun, but there's little, if any, payback. You participate in a hobby because you enjoy it and all the fine people in it. :D
  • Hudsonrules
    Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
    :DI have a '49 Commodore Sedan that I have had since 1970. Itreplaced another '49 Commodore that I had had for several years and my wife sold it on me one day. We are still married.Back to my '49 Commodore,I used this Hudson up to 1994, rain, snow wind . sun up to 1994 when a rod made a sudden exit. Hauled it home and kept saying one of these days I will get to it. It has been sitting since. In the mean time I decided to buy another '49 Hudson Super 6 of ebay that was up in Western Washington, The ad stated that it had new or rebuilt parts, looked fair, but I thought that it would be a driver while I got the Commodore back on the road. When the Super 6 arrived here in Nevada, just about everything that was new or rebuilt had to be rebuilt as the car had sat for many years, something the previous owner forgot to tell me. I paid $2500. for the Super 6 plus shipping. I have had to do a lot to it and have way over $6000. in the car and there is still alot to do. Just for a driver. In the meantime the

    commodore sits waiting for that"one of thses days" There are many ways to spend money some good some not so good, but if you are putting it into a car that you enjoy rebuilding and eventually driving it, it is well worth the expense. Take care, Arnie
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