IIUDSONOTES By George Schmidt Still More Ways Than One COMPLETE AUTHENTICITY in conservative, since a change to any case, the light all-over colors old-car restoration adds much to some of the brighter 1949 hues do seem to accentuate Hudson's the genuine historical (and usually was made well in advance (serial stepdown body styling, while mini- financial) value of a car, but this #482-41192 to #482-68732, mizing the effect of chrome trim. does not mean that the vehicle depending on color). On 1951-54 Hudson step- should preferably be made into an Both the early and the late col- downs, all two-color combinations exact duplicate of others of its ors were mostly available in pairs, featured one tone (or contrasting year, make and model. The cars one lighter and one darker (with color) on the roof panel only, and were very rarely duplicates even separate code letters or numbers), the other color on the rest of the when brand-new, and moreover to provide effective two-tone combi- body. This early-1950's fashion, the range of optional choices which nations, tholigh all of them could too, was well suited to the step- Hudson offered in most years was also be had as single tones if pre- down bodies, and was also avail- especially wide for a carmaker of ferred. All of these were nitrocellu- able on most Brand X's at the time. its size, allowing plenty of scope for lose lacquers (except for the wheel It possibly helped to give an illu- individuality. enamels, which were in colors to sion of slightly reduced car height. Paint colors are a good example contrast with body paint for 1948- Hudson for 1950, however, of this. When repainting your 50, and for 1951 used a non- offered more than one style of two- Hudson-built vehicle, even if not opalescent version of the body tone paint—the contrasting side retaining the original color, it is color). The Ditzler paint suppliers sweep panels on early production highly advisable to select and noted that Hudson generally until April 7, 1950; and thereafter match one of the authentic colors requested a larger variety of colors the contrasting color on the roof (or combinations) offered by the than did most other carmakers. panel exclusively. This information factory in that model year. This will (supplied by the HET Club Library) usually allow more than sufficient ALL OF HUDSON'S 1948-49 came as a distinct relief to your choice, while avoiding any paint combinations featured the columnist, who much prefers the anachronisms. lighter tone on the lower side sweep earlier style of two-toning, and Paint hues on the 1948 panels, and the darker one on the now can have his '50 C8 repainted Hudsons, the first stepdowns, rest of the car. These were literally in that way without fear of inau- tended to be somewhat darker two tones (not two different colors), thenticity. It offers freedom of than their 1949 equivalents (which and they probably still offer the choice to other 1950 Hudson own- mostly used the same code letters handsomest method of breaking up ers as well. Two trim colors which stamped on the door hinge). The any possible overgrown- do not vary on these cars, howev- original darker colors were hand- Volkswagen or inverted-bathtub er, are the "Velchrome" (silver alu- some, and would doubtless appear effect on these models. Several minum) for rocker panels and to be again in fashion at present. light colors were also offered in skirts, and the low-luster black for At the same time, they seemed to 1949 as single tones only, and radiator grille panels. subdue the very convex new body apparently one of these was select- Hudson also offered attractive shape somewhat (as did the two- ed for the deliberately insulting pic- two-tone paint combinations dur- tone combinations). However, the ture of a Hudson shown in a ing 1940-47, and no doubt earlier. factory possibly thought them too Volkswagen ad a few years ago. In A 1947 illustration shows the 26 White Mangle News March/April 2000 Year's most beautiful cars , powered to ouipeOrm them all Period ads often show two- tone paint schemes to good advantage. (pace Dave Solon), I am grateful to the friend, Craig Nichols, who has spent much time and effort online in finding oversize pistons; also wristpin bushings, NEW HUDSON HORNET FOUR-DOOR SEDAN IN HUDSON-AIRE HARDTOP STYLING babbitted connecting rods, valve guides, and sundry See Hudson-Aire Hardtop Styling — other pieces for my 1950 try championship performance in the fabulous Hudson 8. It would have been a far slower process via snail mail or the other HUDSON HORNET usual channels. When this and its new, lower-priced was written (February), the running mate, the spectacular only major item still to be O N E glance tells you Hudson has the glamor . a short drive proves found was a set of piston it has no equal for performance! rings, .040 inch oversize, Inspired new Hudson-Aire hardtop HUDSON WASP and duly pin-milled for Styling—the newest look in motor Hudson. cars, available for the first time at standard sedan and coupe prices— There's also more than teams up with Hudson's famous one way to locate needed high-compression power to give you Hudson tech information. a new driving thrill! As a help when searching Take the wheel of the fabulous Hudson Hornet . sample the for a given item in past surging might of Miracle H-Power. Hudsonotes columns, we Or, try the new Hudson Wasp with HUDSON WASP TWO-DOOR BROUGHAM IN HUDSON-AIRE HARDTOP STYLING hope that everyone found its power-charged H-127 engine! Four great Hudson series for '5'2, including the brilliant new the second ten-year index See your nearby Hudson dealer today! Commodore Eight and Six—the thrifty new Pacemaker, priced from near the lowest. Every Hudson has the extra (1988-98) which was pub- room, comfort, and safety of "step-down" design. HYDRA - MATIC DRIVE lished in the July/August available for all '52 Hudsons Standard trim and other specifications and accessories 1999 issue of WTN, page subject to change without notice. at extra cost. 32, but unfortunately was Hudson -Aire Hardtop Styling at standard sedan and coupe prices omitted from the Table of darker tone on the car's fenders there are certainly more ways than Contents listing on page 1. You and sides (up to the beltline), and one of finding Hudson parts when may wish to add a pencilled note the lighter one on the roof panel, needed: by mail or 'phone, at to that listing for future use. trunk lid, and hood. meets, via WTN and other ads...and also on the Internet. I'VE FOUND MORE than one ESPECIALLY DURING the past Even though I personally remain source of ideas for writing year or so, I've been reminded that an unregenerate cybernetophobe Hudsonotes. Among them are March/April 2000 White Triangle News 27 suggestions from readers, maga- zines and books, the work on my own cars, and also attending old- car meets. At one event about two years ago, I spotted a gorgeous red '51 Hudson Commodore coupe. The car looked great inside and out, except that I noted that it had modern narrow-whitewall tires. At that point it seems I was recognized. "Wide-whitewall tires would have cost twice as much as these," the owner grumbled. "Go on—write me up in your column!" Add-on white rubber rings or "porta-walls" were a fairly inexpen- sive dress-up item for many years, and if properly fitted were not eas- ily seen as add-ons except upon close inspection. In recent years, a member of the HET Club who however, these have become much reportedly has written for several harder to find, and the very few prestigious auto publications, also Incidentally, that I've seen appeared to be offers the following comments: almost as costly as the tires them- "I too am a strong advocate of selves. we are not the theory that our earlier Hudson cars were designed to function well A PROFOUND disagreement surprised to on a 6-volt system. I keep my cars remains on the subject of mutilat- all original but I am a fanatic about read of a ing Hudson and other 6-volt collec- checking voltage along all circuits, tor cars by installing a non-origi- from the battery to each compo- nal 12-volt electrical system. nent.... The voltage drop...will Hudson that Speaking from personal experi- sometimes blow your mind and ence, I can say that over the years make you wonder why the unit "rides like a I've encountered fewer problems even functioned at all! Cleaning, with 6-volt systems on Hudson tightening, and replacing some old $60,000 auto- and Nash than with the 12-volt wires will, as a rule, bring the volt- systems on sundry Brand Xs; and age up to acceptable levels. Dust mobile of the cars were driven year-round off that voltmeter and go to work!" under all conditions (except Good advice—and we'd suggest today. California freeways, of course). In checking switch contacts as well, any case, 6-volt systems are not including those in the starter sole- likely to suffer on extended or noid. He continues: the armature touch the field poles. high-speed trips, since there is "I've had a small ammeter Or else [check for] bad contact of plenty of generator RPM available tester for many years, and by just the brushes, land the] commutator for all electrical needs.