Factory spotlight(s) ?

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Did Hudson supply spotlights as an option right from the factory in '53 ?



My '53 convert. has one for both driver and passenger, but I'm not sure if it came that way, or someone might have installed them later.



What's the opinion of the masses out there on spotlights ? Use 'em or not ? To me, they look sort of ok on the outside, but those handles are pretty ugly IMO on the inside.



Maybe it would have helped if the installer had cut them down a bit so they didn't protrude so far into the interior. If I'm not carefull, I can rap my knuckles on the one in my coupe just turning the steering wheel. I often discover I've accidently flipped the switch while driving around, and the light is on. Good thing I fold it down so I don't look dorky driving around with the spotlight on. :-)



But then again, how can you look dorky driving a Hudson? One of the coolest rides on the planet in my opinion.



Ryan (silverone)

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    As far as I know, spotlights were available as dealer installed items. That's not to say that others didn't purchase and install them.



    My opinions of most hang-on Hudson options is that they clutter an otherwise clean design. Although some spot lights can look good and are helpful while looking for an address in a dark area, the interior end is usually clunky and ugly. It got worse on cars that had a rod that was used to connect dual spots.



    At the end of the day, Ryan, the decision is yours. However, I guestion whether making openings in the window frame of a convertible may weaken it.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Dave53-7C wrote:
    As far as I know, spotlights were available as dealer installed items. That's not to say that others didn't purchase and install them.



    My opinions of most hang-on Hudson options is that they clutter an otherwise clean design. Although some spot lights can look good and are helpful while looking for an address in a dark area, the interior end is usually clunky and ugly. It got worse on cars that had a rod that was used to connect dual spots.



    At the end of the day, Ryan, the decision is yours. However, I guestion whether making openings in the window frame of a convertible may weaken it.



    Good point Dave, although whomever made the holes in my window frames seems to have gotten away with it. They don't seem to be bent in any way.



    As for actually using them ...... well this is another story entirely. I can virtually guarantee I'll never be driving around in my Hudson shining the spotlight on house numbers looking for an address !! ( that'd probably get me reported to the police these days !! ) And ...... I'm not into pit-lamping deer while hunting with my buddies so that's out, and even if I were a hunter, I'd probably take my pickup or the wife's jeep, rather than my Hudson.



    So that leaves the spotlights as "ornaments", and pretty controversial ones at that. I remember when I bought my coupe, the first picture I saw of it I thought, aahhh -- he's got a big ugly spotlight sticking out the driver side ---- I wonder if I can make that disappear somehow if I buy it ? Turns out, I did buy the car, but have just learned to live with the spotlight to this point, and have kind of gotten used to it over time.



    Fortunately, I've got a little time before I make the final descision on this, hence, my question here.



    I guess I'll just wait and see what was "meant to be" !



    silverone
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Ryan,



    Seriously, convertibles that didn't already suffer from cowl shake (feels like you're driving a bowl of Jello) can develope the problem if you mess with the original structure. Hence, the concern about the holes. Even with unibody cars, special consideration must be given to avoid body torsion while driving. A good recent example of a unibody car with really bad cowl shake was the late 80's Toyota Supra Targa. When you removed the top and drove the car, driving over RR tracks or bumpy roads caused the body to twist so much, you felt like would were literally in a moving bowl of Jello.



    I didn't think you'd be cruising and using the spots, just trying to make a point that they do offer some functionality. No fun having something if it doesn't work and is of no use.



    I guess it's your decision as to what degree, if any, you want to restore the car to its factory original state. If you can't decide whether you want to remove the spots permanently, Unity Mfg. did offer chrome plated plates to cover the holes. More often than not, these were (and may still be) used by police departments when they remove equipment prior to selling vehicles to the public.



    Dave
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    With the top down you will probably find that the smooth uncluttered look is more pleasing in a convertible.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    51hornetA wrote:
    With the top down you will probably find that the smooth uncluttered look is more pleasing in a convertible.



    I tend to agree with you '51. I'll probably leave them off the finished product.



    On another note, you poted a picture awhile ago of a Hudson ad for a side mirror that was popular at that time. This is the mirror that I'd like to use on my convert. and was wondering if you'd post it again so I can see if I can find a pair NOS somewhere. ( I have one of these in poor condition that could be restored, but want a pair of as close to perfect replacements as possible, if they're findable ). Its the one with the little wings on the sides of the base, and the swivel head, and the funnel shaped mirror base.



    Thanks,



    Ryan (silverone)
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Is this the one?



    sidemirror.jpg
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    51hornetA wrote:
    Is this the one?



    sidemirror.jpg



    Yup, that's the one !



    Thanks !



    Ryan
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    To answer your original question.. I doubt seriously that the factory installed spot lights. i think they were all installed at dealer level. JMHO
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    SuperDave wrote:
    To answer your original question.. I doubt seriously that the factory installed spot lights. i think they were all installed at dealer level. JMHO



    This was my impression, as well. As far as the convertible goes, my opinion is: Lose them, save them for the sedans.
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    The factory supplied spot lights to dealers for installation. They were manufactgured by Unity of Chicago. Installation was handled only by dealers. The factory did not intstall spotlights.



    Jerry

    53jetman
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    53jetman wrote:
    The factory supplied spot lights to dealers for installation. They were manufactgured by Unity of Chicago. Installation was handled only by dealers. The factory did not intstall spotlights.



    Jerry

    53jetman



    That pretty much clinches it !!



    No spots for this car !! I didn't really like them all that much anyway. :-)



    Thanks everyone for helping me make up my mind on that subject ! I've been mulling that over for years. Time to move on.



    silverone.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    As many know, spot lights like visors, were part of that era. Some look better on certain models and cars than others. Personally, I like the spot lights on most of the cars. I remember even into the early to late sixties, my Dad would have spotlights installed on all our new station wagons. We would use them to see animals at night along our dark road.
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