1951 Two Tone

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edited November -1 in HUDSON
Were there two tone options for the 1951 models. If so, where was the break line. I have seen cars with the top one color and the body another and have also seen cars where the lower body line was used for the two tone. Which, if any, is correct?

Comments

  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    There are twelve two-tone combos listed in the '51 parts book paint section (codes 67-69, 73-75, 78-81, 84 and 86). I believe all were broken at the bottom of the window line (there may be a better way to describe that point). There were no two-tones like the '48-49s, with the break line at the lower fender panel.
  • hornet53
    hornet53 Senior Contributor
    i've only seen the color break at the lower window line on one stepdown, all the others have been split at the drip rail.
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    This is from the 1952 brochure but it looks to be that there are differences in the two-tone break for different models/bodystyles.



    http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/main.php?g2_itemId=52099



    http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/main.php?g2_itemId=52107
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    SuperSix, I have a feeling that second scheme for '52, breaking at the belt line, never made it into production. I found a photo in my files of a known-to-be-original '51 coupe, and it does break at the belt line. But I don't ever recall seeing a '52 or later that way. They probably changed it because of the added trim back at the rear quarter window area.
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    Park W wrote:
    SuperSix, I have a feeling that second scheme for '52, breaking at the belt line, never made it into production. I found a photo in my files of a known-to-be-original '51 coupe, and it does break at the belt line. But I don't ever recall seeing a '52 or later that way. They probably changed it because of the added trim back at the rear quarter window area.



    That is quite possible. I know I've seen original '51's with the break at the beltline, as you have.
  • 7XPacemaker
    7XPacemaker Senior Contributor
    Park is right. My sedan is a '51 and I two toned it in the factory manner. I am also near certain that when the car was two toned, the door jams were not two toned.....
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    7XPacemaker wrote:
    Park is right. My sedan is a '51 and I two toned it in the factory manner. I am also near certain that when the car was two toned, the door jams were not two toned.....



    That's correct, door jambs were not originally two-toned.
  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    7XPacemaker wrote:
    Park is right. My sedan is a '51 and I two toned it in the factory manner. I am also near certain that when the car was two toned, the door jams were not two toned.....
    I don't remember where, but I did find it in print at one point when researching and considering two-tones for 50, that they changed during the production year and I think it was 51 that actually had it both ways - roof and down the posts like 7x's 51 and like the 48-49 from the mid door line down.

    Sorry I'm not sure where I read it or specifically when it changed, i guess i can say that the 48-49 style is correct for 50 and the roof/post is correct for 51 but one or the other had both available.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Nick & Park-



    Y'all know better than me, but I've heard and read that Nick's assessment is right, in that '51's were offered both ways. That said, I'll offer a theory of my own. April of '51 is when the HLWYDs came out and I've never seen an original car (HLWYD model) or a picture of one where the paint break was anywhere but at the drip rail. This is an easier paint job, especially from a production standpoint. The HLWYD model could very well be the reason for the change in the two-tone placement.



    '52's on the other hand, it is my understanding that the two-tone break line was only on the roof (driprail break). Additionally, for this reason, convertibles were not available with two-tones. I've gotten some flack from a few purists that my 'vert will not be "correct" (nor do I care) in that I'm doing the paint break at the beltline.



    Now, all that aside, I just read a Service Bulletin from '51 that said that primered cars from the factory was a $25.00 option. I'm sure there were a few sold that way (police cars come to mind) to private individuals who had them painted to their heart's desire, meaning that the "original" paint on the car could have been similar to earlier models, but was "factory-fresh".



    Ironically, my local garage, who works on old cars had two '46 Ford 2dr Sedans in the shop at the same time, with identical colors on them (Ford maroon). Looked like sister cars, and the pairing was absolutely coincidental. Hudson, on the other hand, like so many independents had more colors and options available than larger auto manufacturers. Rarely have I seen two Hudsons that looked virtually identical.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    RL Chilton wrote:
    Nick & Park-







    Ironically, my local garage, who works on old cars had two '46 Ford 2dr Sedans in the shop at the same time, with identical colors on them (Ford maroon). Looked like sister cars, and the pairing was absolutely coincidental. Hudson, on the other hand, like so many independents had more colors and options available than larger auto manufacturers. Rarely have I seen two Hudsons that looked virtually identical.



    The first Hudson in my memory, was my father's 46 Super Six Brougham. Followed a 51 Super Six Brougham. We lived in NC at the time and the Hornets were dominating the race scene. As a young boy, I was in love with cars. Any car... So I paid attention to every Hudson I saw. I swear I never saw two alike! ..And about paint.. I once owned a 49 Comm Conv. It was originally a black car when sold at the Daytona Beach Florida Hudson Dealer. The Doctor that bought it for his wife had it repainted from the original black to Cornish Cream. His wife thought black looked like "death" to her. I never saw a more detailed paint job. The firewall was even painted cornish cream. All the trim was removed as well as the weather stripping! The only black I found was under some grommets and bolts/washers. I bet that cost a bundle!

    Two toneing on the production line had to be done efficiently. No door jamb masking and masking at a chrome trim or rain gutter break makes the most sense for me. :)
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    nick s wrote:
    I don't remember where, but I did find it in print at one point when researching and considering two-tones for 50, that they changed during the production year and I think it was 51 that actually had it both ways - roof and down the posts like 7x's 51 and like the 48-49 from the mid door line down.



    Sorry I'm not sure where I read it or specifically when it changed, i guess i can say that the 48-49 style is correct for 50 and the roof/post is correct for 51 but one or the other had both available.



    As I remember, the '48-'49 style was used very early in 1950, but at about Jan or Feb. 1950 they switched to the top down to the belt line as top color, and belt line down the lower color.



    Jerry

    53jetman
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    tristansdaz wrote:
    Were there two tone options for the 1951 models. If so, where was the break line. I have seen cars with the top one color and the body another and have also seen cars where the lower body line was used for the two tone. Which, if any, is correct?
    Take it from an old Hudson dealer. 48 to 51 were 2 toned the same way, at the crease line, The new model in 1951 called Hollywood was 2 tones on the roof only. 1952's were 2 toned roof and the belt line around the bottom of the windows and 1953's were 2 toned on the roof to the drip mouldings. Walt.
  • 53jetman
    53jetman Senior Contributor
    53jetman wrote:
    As I remember, the '48-'49 style was used very early in 1950, but at about Jan or Feb. 1950 they switched to the top down to the belt line as top color, and belt line down the lower color.



    Jerry

    53jetman



    I stand corrected - I got to looking thru my car distribution Bulletins, and #DL-50-16 dated 4-5-50 advises "Effective with all cars produced on and after 4-7-50 the present method of applying the two-tone combinations willl be discontinued (meaning the '48-49 style) and replaced by a new style of two-toning as follows - The upper half of the body above the belt moulding, or above the lower part of the windows, will be painted the darker color, and below the belt molding, including the hood, fenders and rear compartment, will be painted the lighter color. The present application of two-tone combination WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE on any models. Two-tone combinations will no longer be available on convertable models".



    Jerry

    53jetman
  • 7XPacemaker
    7XPacemaker Senior Contributor
    WHEW.. Thanks Jerry. After reading Walt's note, I was concerned that I had painted my '51 sedan wrong after all of my research!
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