Complete it or scrap it - need words of wisdom

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Long story short, as a retirement project I bought a 54 Hornet Sedan, first one owned, knowing it needed a complete restoration. Come to find out this car has extensive rust problems which was cleverly disguised by the use of a lot of bondo. My body repair guy tells me it is fixable for about $3,000. That is assuming I can find rocker panels and rear quarter panels in decent shape.

That is not the only thing it needs. Candidly I am into this car for about $14,000 (purchase price, engine rebuilt, new radiator and fuel tank, etc. etc. ) I am estimating it will cost $8,000 to complete including paint, interior and the above mentioned rust repair. I have already put a lot of energy into this car detailing the undercarriage, etc.



So do I proceed or cut my losses? What is the salvage value of a 54 Sedan for things like window glass, stainless trim, selling the engine, and so on and so on? It soesn't seem like there is a demand for used 54 parts. That is what I conclude by scanning the "Parts Wanted" ads in the White Triangle.



I am probably not the only one who has been burned by a dishonest seller, and my own ignorance, but I would not wish this one anyone except for the dishonest seller.



Give me your thoughts on this.



Thanks,

Doug

Comments

  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    It's not so much that there's low demand for '54 parts you just have to find the guys that need parts because a lot of exterior parts anyway are '54 only. I'm not quite clear on your post though. Have you already had the frame repaired????? or you're at the point that it needs to be done and You're contemplating whether or not to go any furthure ????
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    If you want a better return on your investment, I suggest completing the restoration. Alternatively, you could "donate" the car to Aaron. He'll make sure it gets back on the road. LOL
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Aaron D. IL wrote:
    It's not so much that there's low demand for '54 parts you just have to find the guys that need parts because a lot of exterior parts anyway are '54 only. I'm not quite clear on your post though. Have you already had the frame repaired????? or you're at the point that it needs to be done and You're contemplating whether or not to go any furthure ????
    Aaron, where the cross member attaches to the frame there had been some repairs. I was concerned about the structural integrity as the repairs really looked schlocky. When my body guy went into this area it opened up a can of worms and then further exploration exposed the bad rocker panels and quarter panels. At this point the original repairs have been put on hold. My objective is to do this right or not do it at all.



    Thanks for your response,

    Doug
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    One thing you might consider, is buying a "shell" of the same car from one of the dry western states. A shell with no body rust issues. You might even find one with a decent rear quarter, thus sparing you the replacement of that, as well.



    Then, simply (well, not exactly SIMPLY!) transfer to good stuff from your rusty '54 to the "good" '54. You'll be paying less for a mere 'shell" than a supposedly #3 car, plus it would already have a lot of things removed, meaning you can tear into it, prime and paint it.



    Anyway, that's one alternative you can toss into the pot, for consideration
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    I agree if you're going to do it do it right. I have personally seen some pretty rusty Hudson's driving around on the road and have never actually seen one of such cars collapse onto the rear end. They are uni-body cars afterall. Still You'd want to be save rather than sorry and have sparking sheetmetal trailing you down the highway.

    My own bias is to save all Hudson's because that's how much passion I have for these cars and I don't think a lot about the money. If I get stuck with a car which I cannot get back out what money I put into it I'm OK with that. I've seen some ones that no one in their right mind should've restored that got restored anyways that were probably more far gone than yours (I'm guessing) Anything can be fixed if you want it enough.

    So I guess the real question for you is..... would there be no love lost if you just got rid of it, parted it, or got a new (different) one????? That would pretty much tell you what to do right there.

    Alternatively you can find a solid framed car and transfer all your work from your current car into that one. OR take down the pinch welds in the rear frame of such a parts car and graft it into your car.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    you have all the hard items done, find a rust free body as JON B. suggested. If you wasnt to come to so calif and pick one out, i have 4 of them, all 4 doors, will take 500. bucks you help us move a bunch of hudsons in the front to get them out. i cant do many more BILL ALBRIGHT
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    There you go a great offer you might want to look into.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Bill's offer sounds like a winner to me. I can guarantee if he says no rust it has no rust. If I were in your position, I would do as Jon suggested. I had this same problem with a Model A Ford a few years ago. In my case, I had a great deal of sentimental value in the car. it was my first car purchased in 1956. I could have bought a nice Tudor body for a fraction of the work involved in replacing all the wood and a bunch of sheet metal. I opted to fix the old body. I can say that this IS the original car. I am the only one that knows that..I shoulda bought a solid body and saved myself a lot of headaches. But since you have no sentment involved in it.. Take Bill up on his offer and buld a solid car. You will be happy in the end. And as others have said.. forget the $$$. This Hudson restoration is for fun. I swear it is.. That's my story and I'm stick'n to it.
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    I have fixed a few Hudson's that others may not have considered and never regretted it...I shopped around for a Person to do the repairs on the side....If you have already finished all the mechanicals it wou;ld be wiser to forge ahead with one of the above optrions. Actually, $21K in it when finished and done perfectly may be worth it.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    How about some pics of the problems we're talking about?
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    I think I would fix what you got. Kind of sucks to take apart another car to save one. It's just one more car gone. But as Ol' racer said, I too have tried to rebuild cars that others have given up on. ...Certain amount of satisfaction in saving one like that.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Doug, have we ever met? Are you new to Hudson? I grew up in Oregon around the Portland area
    Have you met Jim Harmon----Call me will ya
    (210)584-5856
    There are several people around there that will help you I'm sure
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Doug-



    Much of what has already been said here is sound advice. Forget the money, save the Hudson. I'd hate to see another one parted out, and face it, if it takes as much effort to part it out and find buyers, etc. as it does to finish the car, by all means, why not finish it?



    Bill's offer is probably your best bet, unless there is some sentimental value to the body you have. As Ol Racer said, 21K in a finished car is still less than what you could probably sell it for.



    Most everyone here on the board that is re-building a Hudson will tell you that they have more in their car than what it is "worth". With 95% of us, it's a labor of love and not an investment. That's why we have the "hobby", of restoration.



    Keep your eye on the prize and on the big picture. In other words, don't sweat the small stuff. Every restoration is an adventure (and a fun one at that) and anyone who tells you that it didn't take twice as long and cost twice as much is either lying or trying to sell you something.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Doug

    Let me draw you attention to the same year car and what another HET owner did to save his Hudson.

    http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/8035/index.html

    hudbck.jpg

    Randy Owen... was heartbroken several years ago... a minor fender bender turned into a MAJOR restoration project. The webpage shows the highlites of what was a really interesting and very unique method of fixing a 1954 Hornet Hollywood. The donor car was the same year and make but it was a 4 door. So... take inspiration from the photos... and if you need some direct conversation... call Randy. He is a really great person and will have lots of thoughts about how to FIX a 54 Hudson.

    Cheers... BTW my buddy Jim Guinn sold that donor car to Randy and delivered it from Texas to Alabama too.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This repair turned out to be a beautifull Hollywood. Have to look it over good to ever realize it was so bad. Again it was a ebay car just needing slight repair to the left rear quarter.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Doug, I would like to be of help if you would respond to my posts
    Rick
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    Doug, It might be helpful if you could post photos' of the work that is already done and the area's that you are concerned with. This way some of the more experienced Guru's of the Club could give you some sound advice. Either way , don't lose hope, remember you are putting another pc of history back on the road..... Maybe it seems like alot of time and money but in the end it's Sculpture.......
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Here is a link to the rest of the pics of Randy Owens rear clip transplant (click on the "Hudson" Shield on the left and then the pic of the '54):



    http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/8035/index.html
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