HET Needs New Members ~ #2

Okay, I got a good perspective on this, I am now 30. I have owned a hudson since I was 15 (same one) and did all of the work on it (with help from dad) now, twice.... Mine isn't original, but I think what I am doing, makes it better.... twin h on a 50, AMC fuel pump, new shocks (late model) etc... I will likely convert to 12V someday, and do other stuff, probably a 308 in it sooner or later... and maybe an automatic... but I think that it is all for the argument of improvement. We only got into hudsons in the mid to late 80's, mainly thru going to a junkyard that was owned by a real hudson devotee from the 50's onward. We were into olds for a long time (you know, hudson's rival NASCAR competition?) but the hudsons had a certain appeal. Looking back now, I am glad a hudson was my first car, instead of a 49-56 olds.... You don't need a torch to take a hudson appart, the quality was far superior to what GM or ford was using at the time (in terms of fasteners, bolts, etc...)



Okay, let's fast forward a few years... I got involved in the "sport compact" scene for a bit as well... I had DOdge neons, and enjoyed working on them quite a bit. I could swap an engine in an afternoon. Working on the cars were not that bad. In actuality, troubleshooting and working on the car was quite easy, once you got past the idea that the engine bay with all of the platic, and wires, and a computer, really wasn't all that complicated. As a matter of fact, it was in my opinion, much easier to work on than my hudson is, mainly because outside of general theory, you don't ned to know how to adjust a carb, set timing, or adjust valves. THe computer takes care of it all. THis is now the reason I probably struggle with my hudson, especially getting the twin carbs in adjustment, and why it took my dad all of two minutes to get it to pretty much purr.... (but I get enjoyment having to help sometimes with their modern computer controlled vehicles... so it's a two way street )



The kids in the sport compacts will never gravitate towards the classic and antique cars. The culture they belong to shape their interest. THe future of the hobby is what the older set makes it now. Not understanding "kids listneing to rap music" or the srest of that mind set is what makes the gap furhter and further apart. Kind of like the old crowd at Hershey, circa 1970's with their brass era cars and model t and a fords... where ar ethey now? Hershey is comprised of 1950's and 1960's cars, and this will come to pass in another 30 years or so.... someday hershey will be kids with their restored 1995 honda civics, and 1998 dodge neons, on the show field for AACA judging... haha, how ironic? The cars of times past get forgotten when the generation that remembers them moves on. and there is really nothing htat can change this. Who saved the model t's? where are they now?



THe cars of the 50's and 60's have a chance. You can actually drive these cars reliably at highway speeds, unlike their brass era counterparts. So the association of motoring can be related to the actual car. When you got a car that might go 30-40 MPH, it is hard to relate to, unless you were there when that was the norm.



Only time will tell what will happen to the hudsons we all know and love.



Hopefully I will be able to somehow amass a collection of several, if there is limited interest in the future though!