Our Cars

Our Hudson car history

Our garage with some of our Hudson's, left to right are 1952 Hornet taxi, 1951 Hornet convertible, 1952 Hornet convertible, 1954 Hornet convertible, 1949 Super 8 coupe, 1946 model 58 pickup.

We have been members of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club and Western Reserve Chapter, since 1981, where we have met some of the greatest people in the world. Membership has been a great asset for rebuilding our cars. We are now members of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Historical Society, to try to help preserve the interest in Hudson built cars.

In July of 1996, with the help of Dan Jandron of Classic Car Source, we created a Club homepage. A few months later, we started an online chat for the club. It is now the most active automotive chat page on the Web. The purpose of this page, is not to take away from those fine pages, by Classic Car Source, but to supplement them and add interest to HET on the www.

All pictures are thumbnails. Click on, for large size!

link to Cover White Triangle News with our 1951 Cv.

Nick's 1948 Commodore Eight convertible project

Our son Nick purchased a solid low mileage 1948 Hudson convertible on ebay. It was delivered from Virginia to my garage in March, 2006. Before Nick got to see it, Ken, Jim Barnes and myself had front clip removed and engine partly taken apart. Drive train and all sheetmetal has been removed, dents straightened and replacement door repaired and ready. Car was put aside while we enjoyed our other cars until after Fall Hershey.

Fall, 2006 and we are starting back on car. Rust is surface only and we have NOS hood and deck lid for it.

January 1 and we are this far. All sheet metal is in final primer waiting for paint.

Interior has been taken to wood grain shop and seats are at upholsterer.

Engine is low mileage and looks good inside. We hope to be able to get by with a good cleaning and new gaskets.

Chrome has all been replated or is in shop now and we have new wiring harness from Rhode Island Wiring. We are shooting to have car ready for Nick to take to Auburn.

Thanks to unseasonably warm weather, on January 11, 2007 we were able to start color painting. Ken sprayed the cowl, firewall, door jams, header and rear body section glowing gray acrylic lacquer. If the warm weather keeps up, we may move along faster than expected.

Completed car won AACA First Junior Award at Cumberland May 17, 2008

More pictures on MSN site HudsonEssexTer...cv.msnw-Page=1

Our first Hudson, 1941 Commodore 8 sedan was found in a local field and purchased in 1980, for 750.00. With the help of our newfound friends, the members of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club, we did an amateur restoration. Over the next 3 years, we rebuilt brake system , rewired, repainted entire car, had all chrome plated, polished stainless, replaced tires and rebuilt engine, installed overdrive transmission, replaced interior. Now we were really hooked! This car was used in three movies "Incident in Baltimore-Cobbs Law" starring Walter Mathou , the ABC Special "The Jackson Family, The American Dream" and "Hoffa", starring Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson. (Needing garage space and time for restoring 49 coupe in 1993, we sold car to Ray Rotolla)

1954 Hudson Hornet Hollywood Hardtop is what our son, Nick, wanted when he was 12 years old. We found and purchased this car from Don Wall, of Fort Wayne, IN, a few months before his 13th birthday in 1987. It was a father/son project for his high school days. Most of the work was done by Nick, with the exception of the final painting and plating. Dad helped with the welding and body work and moral support. First trip out of garage for car was on Nick's 16th birthday. He has since graduated from Duquesne University and Case Western Reserve University, with a major in mechanical engineering. Nick in now working as mechanical engineer for Filedex in Lewistown, PA. Car has 82,000 original miles and has been completely restored, with factory power steering, power brakes, wire wheels, Twin H Power, rebuilt 308 Hornet engine and dual range hydromantic transmission. This car was used in the movie, "Hoffa" starring Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson.

This was Nick and his new wife's wedding car, in 1998. They got married, on way to Central Regional, in Auburn, IN. They are now living in Canonsburg with a step-daughter, Jordon, son, Nicholas Paul (Cole) and one daughter, Shelby Doll. mailto:Daybounce@aol.com

51 Hudson Hornet Convertible- Wheel Vintique wire wheels, dual spot lights, leather interior, visor. modified with all Hudson parts including 1956 Hornet Twin H Power engine, 1952 dual range hydra-matic transmission, 1954 Spicer 307 rear end unit, 1954 power steering unit, 1954 Hudson continental kit. I purchased the intake manifold on this engine from racing pioneer, Walt Chapman. After Walt died, I received a phone call from "Smokey Yunick". Mr. Yunick tried to buy manifold back from me, but I didn't want to remove it from such a nice running engine. Smokey said he was rebuilding nostalgic reproduction of a racing engine he used in the 50's. He told me he modified that manifold and personally used in stock car races in the 1950's and was trying to duplicate that racing engine. I later had opportunity to meet Smokey at HET National in Nashville, but he refused to tell me what he did to manifold. Now that Smokey is also deceased, I will never know what he did to manifold.

Non Hudson modifications include, Clifford headers, AC ignition, GM alternator, 12 volt Hydro-electric top, am/fm cassette hidden inside tissue dispenser, electric wiper conversion, quartz halogen headlights, Coker tire wide whitewall radial tires, removable lake pipes, seat belts, tachometer, Mallory oil and amp gauges, LED third brake light, Dupont base coat-clear coat paint, stay fast top.

All of this has been done, since we purchased a mild custom car in 1990, that had all chrome, stainless and rear bumper removed with all holes and seams filled, and a tired, leaking 262 engine, poor wiring and chrome. We have driven this car to HET Nationals in St. Louis, Waterbury, Princeton and Dearborn, and to Rapid City, in July, 1998, for 4275 miles round trip, Orlando in 2000, with no problems.

This car was awarded as being one of the top 40 cars out of thousands of entrants at St. Ignace Michigan car show and was on cover of White Triangle News after Orlando National. May, 2003 car was awarded Don Childs Best of Show Award at AMC meet in Springfield, Ohio. Link to Detroit News St Ignace story This car was used in the movies "Hoffa" starring Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito and the HBO Movie Special, "Citizen Coen".

After 16 fun summers of owning and driving this car, we sold it in September, 2005. Car was delivered to Corky Coker at fall Carlisle. Corky bought the car for Senator Howard Baker. It is a real honor to have Senator Baker as new owner of this fun car. We wish him the best!

Click all pictures for larger size

Before restoration started

Power steering

HPC coated Clifford headers

Making 1954 Hudson continental kit work on 1951

John King's stretch version-12 passenger limo

Diamond in rough 36,000 original mile car find

A one year project-frame to finish

Final product Our grandson, Garrett

in his favorite seat.

1949 Hudson Super 8 Coupe-Mitzi and I are the second owners of this 36,000 mile car that was in storage since 1956 in a leaky barn. After purchase, engine was removed, valves changed and re-gasket, with the help of member/friend, Bob Black. Frame, floorboards were steamed and painted with rust inhibiting primer and paint. Entire brake system was replaced, fuel tank was removed and rebuilt by tank re- nu, fuel lines were replaced. All chrome was re-plated by Paul's Plating of Mars, PA. Stainless was buffed by me.

Body was stripped to bare metal, rocker panels replaced, repainted by my brother-in-law, Mike Babeji, with DuPont base coat - clear coat, interior was reupholstered by John Carney Auto Trim, of Pittsburgh, PA, in fabric to match original, wood-graining on dash and door panels was done by Mitzi, with artist oil and clear lacquer for dark and GM di-loc for oak.

A 1951 Hudson overdrive unit was added, along with N.O.S. visor, clock, radio and roof antennae. Basically, a new car, that cruises at Interstate highway speed/

Restoration was completed in 1998 and was never at an AACA judged shpw. In 2006, we did some touch up painting, I cleaned car up and took to AACA Eastern National meet in Virginia Beach, VA and received Junior award. In July, 2006 it received Senior award at AACA National meet in Ashville, NC.

To see what it would look like as convertible, here is my good friend, Don Mowry's, 49 convertible, that is on 1998 NAPA and the 1998 Cool Breeze convertible calendars. It is painted with the same, Dupont 1995 Lincoln, emerald green. This car is in a museum in New York State.

1952 Hudson Hornet taxi, 4 door sedan that we transferred into taxi for HET Western Reserve Christmas party in 1997. In picture, on left, I am driver, Santa is , none other than, Paul Schuster and Mrs. Clause is Audrey Proie. Taxi driver, Garrett, talking with passenger, Grammy. Wedding picture, taking bride and groom, Dave I& Jill Cowan, from church on 8/8/98. Picture on right, Rock & Roll Hall of Faimer, Porky Chadwick on his 50th anniversary of being a DJ, taken to Oldies dance sponsored by Sultan's Car Club.

This is a solid Southern sedan that has 1955 Hornet Twin H Power engine, hydromantic transmission, non original scheme repaint, non original maroon velour replacement interior. Couldn't think of a better way to have fun with a sedan with a non original paint job.?

Taxi conversion was made without any permanent changes to car body or interior. Top light is magnetic and working, Taxi meter mounted in glove box is Rockwell and set at .65 cents per mile, , checkered design and lettering are stick on vinyl.

Needing room to get all of our Hudson's inside, on May 15, 2005 we sold the taxi at Doc's Meet. Good luck with it Jim and Barbara Rader of New Paris, Ohio, we hope you have as much fun with it as we did.

1952 Hornet Cv

History of car, I have found, so far. ( I purchased this car after seeing it in White Triangle News. ) Found in 60's by Bob Smith, the owner of an upholstery shop in Clovis, New Mexico, in Bedford's Auto Salvage Yard, in Partater, New Mexico. Bob Smith later traded the car with HET member, Spencer Blake, of Texas, for a Oldsmobile 98 convertible, that Mr. Blake bought for $35.00. Around 1972, Mr. Blake, who had done nothing with car, sold it Bob Kopp, of Columbus, Ohio. Before having time to restore car, Mr. Kopp died. After several years of persuasion, Mrs. Marguerite Kopp sold the car to HET member, Dick Cremeans of Anmanda, Ohio in 1993. He stored the car, until April, 1998, when he sold it to us. Less than a month after I picked up car, Mr. Cremeans died on May 10, 1998. My good friend, Bob Black, who helped me load car and bring home, died in June, 1998.

God willing, the latest owner, will be able to start and finish restoration of very solid New Mexico car, with 47,000 miles on odometer. Since buying it, I have had several requests to sell car again, but no dice. I want to do this one myself. There are only ten 1952 Hornet convertibles in HET roster, and I plan on making this one of the nicest, in my own amateur way.

Since last running in 1964, according to plates, still on car, nothing has been done with car, other that traveling 2500 miles across country and changing owners five times. (If anyone can add to this, please let me know)

Restoration progress report:

After cleaning out car, I figured why it was scrapped. There was a fire in back seat area, that burnt up wiring and seat upholstery. At that time, usable convertibles were selling for under $500.00. There was virtually no value to a 12 year old convertible, needing that much work.

9/13/98-Pulled engine & tranny, pressure washed frame and pulled into garage. NOW FUN BEGINS.

10/20/98-trim and bumpers are removed, paint is stripped and front fenders, hood, trunk and rear quarters are removed .

we are back to basics!

11/1/98 panels are straightened and primed and painted on underside. Almost ready for primer on finish side.

Inside of door

11/18/98 Restoration at standstill, due to PA big game hunting season, and Holiday. Should start back at it 12/28/98. All body work is done 12/30/98, waiting for outside temperature to get around 40, so I can heat garage enough to prime.

all body panels in acid etch primer (lima bean green)

All body panels, except hood and cowl vent are done in acid etch primer 2/3/99. Next project will be raise car on jack stands and clean, prime and paint, do entire undercarriage with new brake system, fuel tank and lines, new gas shocks and front coil springs. We are taking vacation break, until 2/15/99. Hope to start underside, when we return.

Underside has gas tank, brake and fuel lines removed, been wire brushed, primed with rust inhibiting primer and coated with black enamel. Rear end has been removed and a replacement Spicer unit is ready to install, awaiting new mounting rubber from K-Gap. Front springs have been removed and I am starting to rebuild front brake system. 3/28/99.

Brake system on all wheels rebuilt, rear end installed with new gas shocks and mounting rubber. Gas tank installation is next, then down from jack stands to install front coil springs and shocks. 4/29/99. Probably won't start anything else until after Eastern Regional on May 8-10. Ken Schulte, who is going to do painting, says we should have car painted by end of summer. Although we are not ready for paint, 3 gallons of Boston Ivory is sitting on shelf.

Due to work in late summer, 1999 on 54 cv and my Mom's health problems, paint work on 52 was on back burner until February, 2000. In spare time, brake system is now completely rebuilt with new lines, hoses and cylinders. Most of plating has been done and dash and trim panels have been grained, waiting installation. All inner fender and under dash and behind grill black metal is painted and wrapped waiting installation.

3/25/2000 All body panels except top of hood and cowl are painted, doors and one fender have been rubbed out.

4/29/2000 All body panels painted, now to undercoat and start installing rear quarters, trunk and rocker panels.

Click on pictures for larger view

Master at work.. Ken Schulte putting finish touch on his work.

9/22/00 Painting is all done, we are starting to put it back together

engine is in with power steering and 7X manifold

newly grained dash installed. As soon as we finish new wiring harness, we will be able to start engine and finish putting it together.

July 23, 2001 Ken Schulte and I put side trim on and door handles. Next is rear bumper, then tie front together.

Seats and interior were taken June 5, 2001 to Dave Brady, HET member who owns Dave's Interior. In about 2 months, I should be able to take car to him for interior and top installation.

As will happen, 2 months ended up being almost 5 months. 10/30/01 we are loaded up and leaving for Dave's Interior. Happy day! I hope to pick it up in a month and have exhaust built by local exhaust shop. Car already has legal PA plates and insurance.

June 5, 2002 car is tilt bedded home from Dave's Interiors

Now it is time to show the car world what can be done by amateurs.

June 12,2002 Car taken on maiden voyage to Ypsilanti, MI Orphan Car Show. (Picture is on page 70 of Dec,2002 Cars & Parts Magazine with caption "Absolutely captivating '52 Hudson..." Quite an honor!)

June 19, 2002 taken to Central Regional Meet in Auburn, IN.

July, 2002 taken to area show with over 500 cars and won first in class.

Oct, 2002 taken to Fall Hershey AACA and won First Place Junior Award.

Oct, 2003 taken to Fall Hershey AACA and won coveted Senior award!

July 2004 car won first place award at AACA Grand National in Buffalo, New York.

click here for link to more pictures of project on HET photo album

The 3 parts cars that provided needed parts:

donor car , purchased from Ed Moore in October, 1998

Another one I didn't bring home in Spring of 1999, due to blown transmission in my Chevy pick up. I just brought top assembly. This car broke in 2 when we tried to lift it on trailer.

I later purchased a 49 C6cv parts car in NE, PA. It provided a few of the aluminum parts for top frame.

. Latest find

While at 1999 Spring Carlisle swap meet, while I was talking with a vendor about Hudson parts, a man asked me if I knew anyone interested in buying a Hudson. Guess what? We purchased a one owner 1954 Hornet convertible from New Jersey. . Current plans are for black paint, white top and a continental kit. (This puts 4 of the 222 1954 convertibles and 44 known surviving cars made in Pittsburgh, P A area.) This car was owned by long time HET member, Richard Owen, who died in 1992. Car has sat in his garage. (Shame on you Garden State members, for letting it sit so long) I purchased from his widow, Martha Owen. We are the second owner of this fine Hudson.

Brought it home on May 13, 1999. I drove it out of trailer, around block and parked in shed. 7X manifold without mufflers is LOUD. Car will be driven locally, as I look for parts.

click on pic for large size

after 2 hour "restoration"

when car was owned by Dick Owen it was featured in 1980 Eastern Airlines flight magazine article

"The Last American Convertibles"

It's June 11 and I haven't done anything but round up parts. I haven't even driven it much. With the help of club members, I found NOS hood, tail light lens, hood bird, front fender extensions and one of the grill bars. I also purchased new reproduction front floor pans from Ken Amman. (They are perfect match for original on 48-54 models.) This is going to be a beautiful car and I am not planning on using anything but NOS parts for completion. Any help is appreciated. Now, I just need some time!

October 28, 1999 progress report:

We repaired inner and outer frames, replaced all of floor boards with new fronts from Ken Amann and fabricated the rear ones including the reinforcing ribs, , rear quarter panel repair (around both wheel openings were rebuilt), replaced rocker panels and front fender extensions, welded in the 3/8" holes that were erroneously drilled under the side moldings, repaired rust holes in hood and each door (we cut out bad old metal and replaced with patch of 18 gauge steel welded in), cut around trunk lip and jacked it out 1 1/2 inches where it had been hit in, and then welded seam back together. . Now it only needs some LIGHT plastic filler work and it is ready to paint. All bad metal was cut out and replaced with 18 or 16 gauge steel, sealed with seam sealer and painted with POR paint. I can guarantee Hudson never built one this strong.

Nov, 1999 car is parked in my hut until I finish 52 project.

March, 2002--waiting on Dave Brady to finish interior on 52 cv that we took in October, so we can do final touches, then 54 project resumes.

June 11, 2002 52 is DONE, when I get urge, 54 will start again, but not until we have a restful summer.

JULY 6, 2002 So much for restful summer. LOL Ken and I can't stand not having project going on, so 54 is back into Dave's garage. We will work on car at least 2 days a week.

AUG 1, 2002 Engine, transmission, all trim and seats are removed.

SEPT 1, 2002 All body work is done and car is in final primer

OCT 1, 2002 Car is completely painted with 14 coats of black acrylic lacquer and rubbed out

OCT 8, 2002 Dash is painted Toro red.

OCT 15, 2002 NOS Door locks and latches, gas tank guard and door, stainless above rear bumper installed.

OCT 22, 2002 Started fitting framework for continental kit.

November, 2002 engine re-gasketed, painted and installed along with overdrive transmission.

December, 20022 all sheet metal for continental kit painted and installed and bumper taken to plating shop starting to install stainless trim

January, 2003 Bumper and all of continental has been installed. Working on replacing all top rubber.

Car is ready for busy 2004 with AACA shows and HET National Meet in Pittsburgh, PA. It is completely restored with rebuilt engine, new white stay fast top, continental kit and visor.

	Original Hudson visor installed with custom bracket that was a joint effort, designed by Ken Schulte. my son, Nick, cut the stainless plate, Ken bent it to shape and I powder coated it gloss black. Road tested at 65 mph and it didn't flutter at all. (Yes, 1954 Hudson options folder did list an exterior visor as available.) This picture is from mock showroon at HET National meet in Pittsburgh, PA

click for full size

First AACA show at Dublin, Ohio, won 2nd place Junior award. We did a few more things and were hoping for 1st Junior at Fall Hershey, but received second again. I am planning on having seats recovered with leather and will try again in 2005. We received AACA 1st Junior at Jeffersonville, Indiana in September, 2005. Fall 2005 Hershey AACA senior award.

Link to more pictures on MSN site

Watch this spot for progress on latest project, a 1946 Hudson pickup. I started stripping paint last week of September, 2004. We call this our Hudmobile pickup, as it is a Hudson with 330 Oldsmobile engine and GM 350 transmission.

Link to more pictures

Back to David & Mitzi's Hudson home page