Rarest HUDSON? that was built for production?

[hudsonkid]

Okay, here's a fun one...

I was thinking about it, and what is the rarest hudson built, that we either do not know of any in existence, or that if there is a few out there, there's not many.

I'm thinking that the 1952 Commodore 6 convertible is in this category, but I am not sure whether this was actually built, nor if anyone ever seen one?

Also, in the ranking has got to be a 1952 Commodore 8 Convertible, I guess with Lew's and the other one known, that gets put in pretty rare company.

So, outside of the Jet Convertible, and the X-161, they're both prototypes, what do you guys think might be the ultimate hudson rarity?

[frank spring]

You can pick just about any 1933 Hudson, with only 2600 built, not many survive. Only one 33 Major 8 Brougham is known to exist. How about a 1941 stepvan? Is there even one of those out there? I suspect this list is going to be pretty long.

[timbersmith]

How about some of the pre-war commercial vehicles? Say the taxi cabs or panel delivery vans of the mid-'30's? I know that any of the earlier trucks are rare enough as it is . . .

[Hudzilla]

The 1940-41 All Purpose Delivery. None currently known or accounted for. This was not a prototype or a one off model. This was a production model. it would really be a find if someone could come up with one. I believe they were Hudson powered but not necessarily built by Hudson. Most likely Checker made them under contract. Willys had a similar vehicle.

[nick s]

the 52 C6 is a bit of a mythical beast, apearing only in artist renderings of the sales lit and referenced in the manuals, i don't know that any visual proof of its existance has surfaced. certainly the vast numbers of body styles offered prewar compounded by 1st and 2nd series offerings leaves many opertunities for low production models especially when adding the outside coach builders who were often involved and the stature of many of the clientell and the status symbol a tailor made automobile could be. The pre-war automobile production was a different game.

Certainly any reference to any surviving '33 HUDSON should attract attention. (question to Frank Spring: are most of the survivng 33's still in eastern indiana?)

For consideration amongst the stepdowns, must be the 48 C6 convertibles. Not part of the initial (already late year) convertible announcement 7-26-48. they were added to the line card by 9-1-48. 1949 production began 10-26. I don't have my notes handy, but when I was trying to assemble a list of 48 convertibles, I found 1 true 48 C6. Of the 15 convertibles I have accounted for, many of the S6 have been upgraded to commodore trim but only one bore a 482 serial number.

[Ken U-Tx]

[QUOTE=nick s;68647]the 52 C6 is a bit of a mythical beast, apearing only in artist renderings of the sales lit and referenced in the manuals, i don't know that any visual proof of its existance has surfaced.

I have personally seen the yellow '52 Commodore Six Club Coupe of Steve Blake's in an Amarillo area yard, back around 1985 or 86. The car was complete and very restorable. Funny thing is, it had the front turn signal bezels and lens like a Hornet, but rear tailights were like a Wasp's. Had front rockets with a big "6" where the "H" of a Hornet rocket would be, and "Commodore" in red letters. I think it had the wider stainless side moulding , and Hornet style rear porkchops. I have also seen a pair of Commodore 6 front rockets at swap meets in the past, so I know they did build a few of them.

[hudsontech]

First thing is you have to figure out the definition of rare!!! With only a little over 3 millions cars built between 1909 and 1954 just about anything Hudson built prior to, at least, 1948 is going to be "rare".
Friend of my just finished restoring a 1932 Terraplane Roadster (think it's a Terraplane) - how many of those are still around.
Getting back into the teens and early 20's, how many are still around. If there are, say, ten 1918 touring cars around (doubtful there are more than 2 or 3) does this make them "rare" - simply "scarce".
I can think of a dozen years off the top of my head where there are only a half-dozen, or less, models known - so does this make them "rare".
I think, when it comes to old cars "rare" is how you order your steak at the local resturant!!!!

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
HudsonTech
Memphis, TN

[nick s]

[quote=nick s;68647]I have personally seen the yellow '52 Commodore Six Club Coupe of Steve Blake's in an Amarillo area yard, back around 1985 or 86. The car was complete and very restorable. Funny thing is, it had the front turn signal bezels and lens like a Hornet, but rear tailights were like a Wasp's. Had front rockets with a big "6" where the "H" of a Hornet rocket would be, and "Commodore" in red letters. I think it had the wider stainless side moulding , and Hornet style rear porkchops. I have also seen a pair of Commodore 6 front rockets at swap meets in the past, so I know they did build a few of them.
sorry Ken i omitted the word convertible, I have seen several 52 c6's of other body styles including at least one (or two though it may have been the same one multiple times) hollywood.

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

The question is "rarity" or "not many made". Any Hudson of the veteran years is now extremely rare. There are one or two prototypes extant, like Perry Springs '28/29 Convertible sedan. '29 Limousines are probably one of the rarer cars around today. There are a handful of '29 dual-cowl phaetons, including one in Oz, and one here in N.Z. '27 roadsters, I know of one here.
Geoff.

[Heart_Of_Texas]

Rudy Bennett asked me to post the following message:

"Ken, Hudson Kid has a Rarest Hudson find on the forom. Could you send the Picture of the 1952 Comm-6 with the following statement.
Free yes Free to the one that has a 1952 Commodore Convertible that is being Driven or being Restored. (a New-Mint right front fender emblem just as it came from the Hudson factory in 1952 and was ordered but never installed by the Owner )
Thanks to all. Rudy"

Rudy posts here as ..super651... so contact him directly about this offer.

[oldhudsons]

If one goes thru very early books, & I have an original that covers all the body styles from '09 thru '19, it shows enclosed limousines, model 6-54 roadsters, town cars, and various other exotic bodied Hudsons of which NONE are known to exist.
There are other body styles from the early '30s of which few or none are known to exist with the '31 Hudson sport roadster (boattail) being probably the most prized (a few known to exist).

[Clutch guy]

How about Buzz Stahl's 1920 Model"o"??I think it has some neat history also.I have not seen it yet,but Davis restorations,Charleston,Il. is currently working on a 33 Hudson,I'm not sure of the model,but I have heard it is the only one.:cool:

[Aaron D. IL]

Someone mentioned the '41 Panel van. I believe there is one known to exist in NY state somewhere. The thing about commercial vehicles generally is that they get used until they no longer have a service life and then get scrapped so while maybe low production, they were not necesarily babied with the anticipation of keeping them. Then factor in the WW2 scrap drives, attrition through accidents etc.
I think the most models offered any single year was '38, there probably isn't an example of every single model. Others might have been converted to the fancier models and you could only figure that out via serial numbers.
I took the entire 2007 HET roster and put it on a spread sheet and corrected all the errors it was possible to correct through the information given. Some of the rare models may exist outside of the club. who knows but one thing that did pop up interesting in the step-down era is that the club has a very low number of '48's among members (yes I checked '49 serial numbers) and that was a GOOD production year. I suspect there's more out there. The single most-owned model year among HET members is 1951 representing 10% of all known surviving cars that HET members own. (that the club knows about according to the 2007 roster.

I would love to get me claws into one example of every limo/7 passenger Hudson ever made.

[Hudson308]

How about a '48 Super 8 of any body style, but especially a convertible? I've only seen one '48 Super 8 club coupe, owned by a guy in Hugo, Oklahoma...

[oldhudsons]

Buzz' is a 1919 "touring limousine" which I helped him arrange to buy. It is "loaded" with expensive options, such as the Westinghouse air shocks (std. on only a few very expensive cars, such as Locomobile), bumpers, etc. as it was supposedly a showroom model at the zone distributorship in Milwaukee (it was for sale at a National there many years ago where a now deceased sometime HET member bought it) and when the 1920 models came out the dealer gave it to his wife & thereafter chauffer driven for many years.

[hudsondad]

If you're talking about production vehicles where they are rare because they had a low survival rate, I'm sure there's plenty of early models and styles that are unique or non-existant. I am not knowledgeable enough to comment on choices

If you're talking about ones that were somewhat less popular in a particular body style, I would agree that the 52 commodore 6 and 8 coupes and convertibles are the rarest stepdowns along with the 48 super eights in the same body styles. I would also include the stepdwon business coupes which are slightly more common. I would think that a 57 hudson hollywood would be rare in certain trim as I thought they only made a couple hundred total hollywoods in 1957.

[53jetman]

I don't beleive actual production of '48 Super Eights would be as low as some of you think, as only eight cylinder cars were available during the late 1947 production run of 1948 cars. Although my dad was a small dealer in Ohio buying through a distributor in Toledo OH, it was Feb. or March of 1948 before he received his 1st new six cylinder Hudson.

Jerry
53jetman

[russmaas]

There is a 40 or 41 panel van in central Illinois sitting in a metal shed along with a 40 coupe. The panel trucks top was chop about 8 inches in the 60's. But I think it could be restored properly with a donor sedan.

A 53 Hornet convertible production was very rare

Russ

[frank spring]

There is a 40 or 41 panel van in central Illinois sitting in a metal shed along with a 40 coupe. The panel trucks top was chop about 8 inches in the 60's. But I think it could be restored properly with a donor sedan.

A 53 Hornet convertible production was very rare

Russ

Russ, I can't quite figure out if that restoration is right down my alley or yours! Is this a panel truck or step van similar to a Divco kind of truck that I was referring to? Ed

[russmaas]

Ed:

It looked like the one that was in Reno but has been about 8 years since I have seen it. Wasn't able to get a real good look at it but it look solid and has been out of the elements for 40 years.

If interested, give me a call and I will take you down there or give you directions. The fella is alittle different (more of a mountain man type).

[SamJ]

The panel delivery at Reno (featured in the WTN) is a 1939 owned by John Forkner of Washington State. There is a 1940 panel van in Texas, unrestored. I haven't heard of any other '40's, and am not aware of the existence of a '41. :cool:

[SuperDave]

Rudy Bennett asked me to post the following message:

"Ken, Hudson Kid has a Rarest Hudson find on the forom. Could you send the Picture of the 1952 Comm-6 with the following statement.
Free yes Free to the one that has a 1952 Commodore Convertible that is being Driven or being Restored. (a New-Mint right front fender emblem just as it came from the Hudson factory in 1952 and was ordered but never installed by the Owner )
Thanks to all. Rudy"

Rudy posts here as ..super651... so contact him directly about this offer.

Looking at the tail of the ornament makes me think it would be from a 51 rather than 52. ?

[Aaron D. IL]

Last year of Super 8 production 1949 they only supposedly according to Butler made 1074 cars only available in 3 models Sedan, coupe, and Brougham... I've only seen sedans never saw a Brougham or Coupe in Super 8 trim or lack thereof since it was a way for Hudson to offer a less expensive 8. My guess is Hudson got rid of it because most people probably figured for the same money better to get an upscale 6cyl than a trimmed down 8 and only a marginal increase in HP. The 2007 Roster only lists 43 Super 8's of all years pre and post-war. This doesn't count cars listed that the model cannot be ascertained from the information HETers provided. The Roster lists around 1000 8 cyl cars in the club all years and models.
I've seen 2 sedans both of which I'm pretty sure are not in the club one of which I could've had cheap if I could've figured out a way to be able to pay for shipping it cross country... still could kick myself for not buying it anyway but oh well.
--Russ any rare commercial vehicles are worth saving for someone crazy enough to take on those projects. (raising hand)

[53jetman]

Super Dave - That's because the '52 Commodore 6 used the more narrow molding like the Wasp, rather that the wider molding used on the Commodore 8 & Hornet.

Jerry
53jetman

[bill a]

Bill Albright Here, I Have Owned Many Rare Models. Have A 48 Sper 8 Sedan In The Paint Shop Now. Have Had No 22 Italia, A 41 Woody Wasgon, One Of 3 Known To Exist, Several 46/47 Comm 8 Converts, Have Had 2 53 Hornet Converts. Still Have The 53 Walt Chapman Convert, If Production Was For One Month, That Makes Me Believe Only 30 To 40 Could Of Been Made, All The Orig Interiors I Have Seen Were Maroon And Grey Two Tone Leather For 53. Also Owned The 37 Panel Delivery, I Sold To Hemmings Motor News. Also Have A Pair Of Nos 52 Comm 6 Emblems, I Dont Know What I Will Ever Use. Also Restored A 38 Opera Coupe, Only One I Have Ever Seen. The Fun Goes On Bill A.

[bent metal]

What about the 1927 Murphy body Collapsible Sedan? It's on page 109 in the Butler book (top left). Only one of those as far as I know and it's in Southern California.

[66patrick66]

None of the Dover commercials are known to exist.

[Hudzilla]

Last year of Super 8 production 1949 they only supposedly according to Butler made 1074 cars only available in 3 models Sedan, coupe, and Brougham... I've only seen sedans never saw a Brougham or Coupe in Super 8 trim or lack thereof since it was a way for Hudson to offer a less expensive 8. My guess is Hudson got rid of it because most people probably figured for the same money better to get an upscale 6cyl than a trimmed down 8 and only a marginal increase in HP. The 2007 Roster only lists 43 Super 8's of all years pre and post-war. This doesn't count cars listed that the model cannot be ascertained from the information HETers provided. The Roster lists around 1000 8 cyl cars in the club all years and models.
I've seen 2 sedans both of which I'm pretty sure are not in the club one of which I could've had cheap if I could've figured out a way to be able to pay for shipping it cross country... still could kick myself for not buying it anyway but oh well.
--Russ any rare commercial vehicles are worth saving for someone crazy enough to take on those projects. (raising hand) Aaron, Believe it or not the Super 8 actually was available in the 1950 model as well. Model 503.

[Browniepetersen]

Since you are talking production, and since some coach builders such as Biddle and Smart (check out the article in the most recent WTN) did limited runs, I would expect that the 1937 English build Coach that was recently on ebay (the one in red, in Scotland) advertised as a "one only" car would qualify---Oh, wait a minute, one showed up here in Northern Utah last summer. I guess since the Martz cars were customs, they do not qualify in the survey? There were six Hudsons, one Buick and one Nash that have been seen in the last year. There must be more out there. By the way, there is only one running/restored at this time.

[oldhudsons]

wrong, several Dovers exist - saw one at Eldon's collection during the National this summer.

[66patrick66]

That must be the only one, because their aren't any in the roster that I remember seeing.

[hudsontech]

According to a production chart I have there were 5,338 Super 8's in 1948 and 6,365 in 1949.
Amazing the things you fine in my General Information Handbook!!! Buy a copy and you too can be a Hudson Guru!!!!!

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
HudsonTech
Memphis, TN

[Rarerodder]

Well, this thread is just what I've been waiting for!:D I first saw my 1942 Commodore Eight Club Coupe sitting at a fellas home for sale and thought to myself- War year, Hudson, eight cylinder, can't be many of those around. Turns out that after joing HET and checking the roster, only Pete W. in Washington state and myself with this particular model and body style. I've seen other eights and sixes: sedans, 2 & 4 door, pickups, and even convertibles, but not too many of each. Anybody, know of any more Eight cylinder Club Coupes made just before we switched to military hardware? I would really be interested in knowing about them...or would I:rolleyes:

[don pratt]

My father has a 1932 7 pass phaeton here in FL. He has owned it since the late seventies. It is one of three made of this model, supposedly only two are known to remain, and it is the only one in the US. It was brought back to the US from Nepal in the seventies, were it had spent all of it's life.

[ESSX28-1]

None of the Dover commercials are known to exist.
A Dover is being restored in New Zealand & I have seen a photo of one on the road in Australia.

[frank spring]

That must be the only one, because their aren't any in the roster that I remember seeing.
Also a Dover in Michigan belonging to a club member. At least two of them.... not rare at all.

[bill a]

There Was One Recentllyrestored In The Nashville Asre And Listed On Ebay Last Year, Bill A. A Dover, That Is

[Heart_Of_Texas]

I inadvertantly posted this in the 53 Convert thread,

will attempt to find and post a picture of a 39 Hudson panel that Gus Souza sold to a couple of fellas in the 1980s, formerly a Funeral Home vehicle the new owners stopped in OK City at a Big Country meet. The vehicle more recently was located in the Albany NY area. In additon to this vehicle ... a former member of the HET who was an Air Force Buddy owned two S8 Sedans, one a 48 and other 49. Topping that he stored a 51C8 Hollywood in my garage for a while. Same fella bought Loren Hansen's C6 Hollywood after Loren passed on. One of the more rare vehicles I have seen is a 52 Wasp Convertible.

BTW - Got to ride in the Hemmings 37 Panel Bill A restored, while on a visit to thier Headquarters. Super nice vehicle.

[huddy55]

There are three Dovers that I know in Australia and a couple of fakes. Here is a pic of a geniune Dover in Western Australia. Another rare car here is Les Pendlebury's (huddy42) 42 Super Six Brougham. Others include 29 Dual Cowl, 34 Terraplane Ambulance (based on Hudson Built Commercial modified in Australia when new). Many other rare HET are still located down under.

[huddy55]

If one goes thru very early books, & I have an original that covers all the body styles from '09 thru '19, it shows enclosed limousines, model 6-54 roadsters, town cars, and various other exotic bodied Hudsons of which NONE are known to exist.
There are other body styles from the early '30s of which few or none are known to exist with the '31 Hudson sport roadster (boattail) being probably the most prized (a few known to exist).

How many of these left? It's not a boat tail but a BOBTAIL. This 1919 Hudson is a fresh restoration completed 3 years ago. I found this car in a local newspaper and with owners permission, I advertised it in the (Hudson Hub) club magazine about 5 years ago. A club member re-restored the car as it was not done correctly. New gaurds were made along with other pieces. Fortunatly the wood work around the rear was in good shape.
Enjoy.

[hudsontech]

After reading the posts in this thread my conclusion is, I'd say if there's more than 5 of any Hudson model running around, it ain't rare!!!!!!!!

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
HudsonTech
Memphis, TN

[46HudsonPU]

Yep Alex, that's the way it sounds...

Guess that still makes my '39 Hudson 112 pickup (1/2 ton) pretty 'rare'. Have yet to hear about any fully restored, and have only heard about a 'couple' of these trucks, period. There is a fellow Maryland resident & CBC member who is getting 'close' with the one he has. (I am hoping to study his, when he's done - to do mine)

Picture of the CBC member's truck (Don't think he'll mind, the picture was in our chapter's newsletter long ago). Picture is 1 1/2 years old, and from what I understand, it is waiting on the engine at the moment...
http://www.classiccar.com/files/TW_Truck.jpg


That other '39 Hudson Pickup that was sold @ B-J's recently (restored by Pete B.) was a 3/4 ton, 98-Series - and I do not recall seeing another "fully restored" of that model either, although I believe I do have a picture of one (location of vehicle unknown) somewhere... There is also a modified - somewhere in the Denver area.

[bent metal]

I'm real interested in this 1919 Bobtail, is that a factory built car or was it custom built? Never even heard of such a thing.

[oldhudsons]

right, that one belongs to John Soneff. He put a Jet engine & o. d. in it + p.s., p.b., and air I believe. He drove it to the National in S. D. a few years ago.
As far as I know, the one I restored & John's are the only model 98 PUs in existance, certainly the only 2 restored ones.

Mucho years ago I found & photographed a Dover in a junk yard in SLC; Glen Johnson told me it was in no. Az. in the process of restoration, that was some years ago. It was in very nice condition. Harrah's had at least 1 of them, an exc. original he bought from a guy in Sacramento still with the gov't. i.d. on the doors (was used as a mail truck). I believe it was sold during one of the Harrah's disposal auctions as were most of his "stash" of rare Hudsons. I think the only Hudson up there in the rump of his once incredible collection is a dual-cowl phaeton.

[46HudsonPU]

right, that one belongs to John Soneff. He put a Jet engine & o. d. in it + p.s., p.b., and air I believe. He drove it to the National in S. D. a few years ago.
As far as I know, the one I restored & John's are the only model 98 PUs in existance, certainly the only 2 restored ones.

Mucho years ago I found & photographed a Dover in a junk yard in SLC; Glen Johnson told me it was in no. Az. in the process of restoration, that was some years ago. It was in very nice condition. Harrah's had at least 1 of them, an exc. original he bought from a guy in Sacramento still with the gov't. i.d. on the doors (was used as a mail truck). I believe it was sold during one of the Harrah's disposal auctions as were most of his "stash" of rare Hudsons. I think the only Hudson up there in the rump of his once incredible collection is a dual-cowl phaeton.

After doing my post, I recalled that there was/is another 39' Model 98 Pickup truck, in TX. It was for sale a few months few months ago, and was a condition 5/6... The seller wanted around $3,500 or so for it, as I recall.

The thread, with pictures -
http://www.classiccar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10894&highlight=craigslist+pickup

[PAULARGETYPE]

My 2 Cents Here It Is The 56 Hornet Hollywood Special 229 Were Built 56 Hornet ''6''hollywood 358 And In 57 4108 Cars Total Hornet Hollywood Super 266 And Hornet Hollywood Custom 483

[huddy55]

I'm real interested in this 1919 Bobtail, is that a factory built car or was it custom built? Never even heard of such a thing.

I am certain it's factory built. I have studied the Don Butler book and I see other 1919 models with the same rear end treatment but with roof design. I guess i could track down the owner and ask him.

regards

[Richard E.]

For the record, Buzz Stahl confirms that his limo is a 1920, not a 1919 as noted in this thread. In fact he says that it is a late 1920 as noted by the serial number. It is a very fine automobile.

[royer]

1953 Jet 2 door. I know of only one still surviving.

[Nevada Hudson]

1940 Hudson All-Purpose Delivery. Photo on page 79 of American Motors Family Album. Anyone ever seen one like this? Looks way cool!

[dave s]

Aaron, Believe it or not the Super 8 actually was available in the 1950 model as well. Model 503.

Here is our 1949 Super 8 coupe that we are second owners of. There was another restored Super 8 coupe with factory leather interior a block away from my garage. It was formerly owned by Paul Schuster

[oldhudsons]

OK R. E., I thought he'd determined it was a '19.
Another rare bird is ANY Railton as no two are alike; there are approx. 25 of them in the U. S., all imported by collectors as none were ever sold here.

[SamJ]

If one goes thru very early books, & I have an original that covers all the body styles from '09 thru '19, it shows enclosed limousines, model 6-54 roadsters, town cars, and various other exotic bodied Hudsons of which NONE are known to exist.
There are other body styles from the early '30s of which few or none are known to exist with the '31 Hudson sport roadster (boattail) being probably the most prized (a few known to exist).

Here's a '31 Hudson Boattail with Barney Oldfield at the wheel, taken in Toronto, Canada in 1931. This would be a nice one to find under a dusty tarp in your grandfather's shed...:cool:

[oldhudsons]

one problem with us trying to keep track of such rare & highly valuable models as the one-year-only model Hudson 8 boattail is that most of those known to exist DON'T belong to HET members, but to CCCA members, as they are one of the few Hudsons accepted as true "classic cars" by CCCA. Their members aren't necessarily maker loyal as we are but only interested in owning "classic" cars as identified & accepted by CCCA.
The only one I know of owned by an HET member is Eldon's.

[SamJ]

How about the LEAST RARE Hudsons? They made around 6,400
'46-'47 Hudson pickups...only 12,000 or so survive. :D They join the '32 Ford as having more surviving examples then were actually built. They're pretty hard to find, too...if you looked for one on eBay, you'd have to wait for...as long as it takes to click on the URL...:D

[464Saloon]

How about the 54 Special two door Brougham. Guesses from some of the experts in the CIC was maybe 300 produced an I only know of two right now. Mine and Brad's down in the Georgia area.

[nhp1127]

Hey Rob,

Now there's three.... check out what is on e-bay right now... (and a rust bucket aswell)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1954-HUDSON-HORNET-SPECIAL-TWO-DOOR_W0QQitemZ300193715028QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 300193715028

[frank spring]

Hey Rob,

Now there's three.... check out what is on e-bay right now... (and a rust bucket aswell)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1954-HUDSON-HORNET-SPECIAL-TWO-DOOR_W0QQitemZ300193715028QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 300193715028

We have one of those on the farm in Indiana also, make that 4

[66patrick66]

How about the 54 Special two door Brougham. Guesses from some of the experts in the CIC was maybe 300 produced an I only know of two right now. Mine and Brad's down in the Georgia area.

I passed on one last year that was near Hays, Kansas. The engine was out of it and a 455 Olds engine was getting installed, when the owner died. The widow wanted $1,250 for it, which was money I did not have at that moment. So, there are at least five. This car was white.

[464Saloon]

Five, bummer I thought it was a rare car.

[Aaron D. IL]

I passed on one last year that was near Hays, Kansas. The engine was out of it and a 455 Olds engine was getting installed, when the owner died. The widow wanted $1,250 for it, which was money I did not have at that moment. So, there are at least five. This car was white.

Ken Kates and I discussed this before but a very rare production car is the '54 Wasp Club Sedan (aka Brougham) He had said something about having had a factory bulletin stating they only turned out 30 of these and all of them were spring green with matching interiors. All remaining club sedan bodies were made as Hornet Specials. I've only ever seen 2 of these cars one of which i owned and wound up in Korea... The other I saw at the Nashville National and it came from Georgia. I think Ken once said he's only ever seen 5 of em.

[oldhudsons]

my buddy in so. Calif. had a most interesting '54 H S brougham as it was equipped with Borg Warner trans. & a factory green leather interior. It was in very good original condition (I stored it for him) & Gary kept if for some years then sold it as he didn't like the B-W trans. I don't know it's whereabouts now but probably still somewhere in "the wilds" of L. A.

[nick s]

Hey Rob,

Now there's three.... check out what is on e-bay right now... (and a rust bucket aswell)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1954-HUDSON-HORNET-SPECIAL-TWO-DOOR_W0QQitemZ300193715028QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 300193715028
an hour west on US 50 is another one,
if i remember correctly, it has a big caddy V8. I discovered it inquiring about a 49 super coupe across the river from me.

[51hornetA]

So far I have seen two 54 Broughams on the road up here in Canada. One was in original condition the other had been restored and was a nice Tu Tone red and white. And I think some of our members have unrestored cars. Couple of the guys I know have 30+ Hudsons and think I remember seeing more. Still add those up you have less than 20 still rare in my books.

[464Saloon]

So is anyone here going to pick this car on E-bay up. I sent him a note to see if I can get some pics of his right door panel. Looks to be together and original,even green like mine.

[Heart_Of_Texas]

Rob: I have gotten several responses from the owner and asked that the added pictures be posted. It is obvious to me that the car is not a rust bucket albeit showing signs of the normal 54 rust that comes with use and outside storage. I suspect this car is factory original leather and would make a very nice car for the person willing to take it down to the metal and bring it back. Those tasks are not for me anymore so another HETer can have the pleasure. Unique opportunity for a person who likes 54s.

[nhp1127]

May or may not be a rust bucket. I guess rust is a relative thing, especially if you don't do the work yourself. In So Cal., rust like this car is pretty severe. Rust in rocker panels and rust seaping from under the trim are worrisome. It would be interesting to see the rear perimeter frame aswell.
Rob, you should buy it and you can have twins!

[464Saloon]

May or may not be a rust bucket. I guess rust is a relative thing, especially if you don't do the work yourself. In So Cal., rust like this car is pretty severe. Rust in rocker panels and rust seaping from under the trim are worrisome. It would be interesting to see the rear perimeter frame aswell.
Rob, you should buy it and you can have twins!


No thanks, mine has cost me enough and there is much more to go. Now that I have joined the ranks of the unemployed,it is going to sit for awhile.

[tombia]

I pulled a 54 Wasp Brougham out of a barn 35 years ago in Mitchelville Md. Clutch went bad and that is where the car sat. No engine or trans. Body and interior were perfect. Beautiful car. Nobody wanted broughams then , When I moved to Iowa I gave it to Tom Sutton who parted it out. It stunk so bad after being closed up and full of mouse crap it was useless. This thread is kind of interesting as it seems I have have some unuasal Hudsons over the years. 1928 Essex boatail, 52 Wasp hollywood 54 Super Wasp Hollywood ,54 Hornet Special coupe, 54 Wasp Brougham, 33 Terraplane 8 coupe,37 Model 77 Hudson sedan. OH WELL

[464Saloon]

Rob: I have gotten several responses from the owner and asked that the added pictures be posted. It is obvious to me that the car is not a rust bucket albeit showing signs of the normal 54 rust that comes with use and outside storage. I suspect this car is factory original leather and would make a very nice car for the person willing to take it down to the metal and bring it back. Those tasks are not for me anymore so another HETer can have the pleasure. Unique opportunity for a person who likes 54s.

He has yet to respond to me and I just checked the auction and nothing else has been added.

[hudson8]

one problem with us trying to keep track of such rare & highly valuable models as the one-year-only model Hudson 8 boattail is that most of those known to exist DON'T belong to HET members, but to CCCA members, as they are one of the few Hudsons accepted as true "classic cars" by CCCA. Their members aren't necessarily maker loyal as we are but only interested in owning "classic" cars as identified & accepted by CCCA.
The only one I know of owned by an HET member is Eldon's.
Hi everyone---Eldon's 31 boat-tail was previously owned by me & was restored by Steve Sessions in N.Y. I originally purchased it from a Smith (forgotten his first name) in Altoona, Pa. & thats as far back as I can go with it's history. There was one other 31 boat-tail that I was aware of in Canada at the time besides the 2 in the Harrah collection.---Cliff Minard.

[hudson8]

one problem with us trying to keep track of such rare & highly valuable models as the one-year-only model Hudson 8 boattail is that most of those known to exist DON'T belong to HET members, but to CCCA members, as they are one of the few Hudsons accepted as true "classic cars" by CCCA. Their members aren't necessarily maker loyal as we are but only interested in owning "classic" cars as identified & accepted by CCCA.
The only one I know of owned by an HET member is Eldon's.
Hi everyone---Eldon's 31 boat-tail was previously owned by me & was restored by Steve Sessions in N.Y. I originally purchased it from a Smith (forgotten his first name) in Altoona, Pa. & thats as far back as I can go with it's history. There was one other 31 boat-tail that I was aware of in Canada at the time besides the 2 in the Harrah collection.---Cliff Minard.

[oldhudsons]

I saw one of the Harrah boattails in L. A., owned by a CCCA member, when he advertised to sell it - it was in fairly ratty condition.
There is/was a restored one in Wisc. one by a pr. of brothers who were/are doctors & again CCCA members.
I saw another in a guys barn in a section of L. A. 30 or more years ago, belonged to a guy named Billy Wolfsberger - it was all original. I bought a '29 Hudson cp. from him that was sitting out.

[tombia]

Cliff. Was not yours the one that was setting at a gas station at Bladensburg rd and New York ave in D.C. back in the middles 60's unrestored? Buzz Potter has a 31 Essex Boatail in Davidsonville Md, Tom Bowler

[hudson8]

Cliff. Was not yours the one that was setting at a gas station at Bladensburg rd and New York ave in D.C. back in the middles 60's unrestored? Buzz Potter has a 31 Essex Boatail in Davidsonville Md, Tom Bowler
Hi Tom---No it was not to the best of my knowledge. I happened upon mine through a club member (now deceased) & just happened to get lucky when I contacted him in Altoona, Pa. It was of course unrestored with about 20 coats of hand brushed paint on it which evidently helped to preserve it.---Cliff Minard.

[EssexAdv]

How about the 29 Essex Boat Tail Speedster. The body was built by Biddle & Smart. Real nice one was in Harrah's. I have only seen 2 of them.

[SamJ]

How about the 29 Essex Boat Tail Speedster. The body was built by Biddle & Smart. Real nice one was in Harrah's. I have only seen 2 of them.

You're being modest, Lew...you own a pretty rare (and beautiful) car your ownself. How many '52 Commodore 8 ragtops are out there? :cool: