The Automotive Golden Era: 1951 HUDSON COMMODORE 8

YEAR: 1951
MAKE: HUDSON
MODEL: COMMODORE 8
VIN: 8A13923
MILES: 41,750
ENGINE: 255 C.I. STRAIGHT 8
TRANSMISSION: HYDRA-MATIC AUTOMATIC
HORSEPOWER: 128
TORQUE: 198
CURB WEIGHT: 3,770 LBS
EXTERIOR COLOR: TEXAS TAN
INTERIOR COLOR: TAN & BROWN
Tires: Auburn Deluxe Radial
Date: 2019
Tread: 10/32nds
This Hudson comes with:
Clean Indiana title showing miles exempt
Original vehicle invoice from 1951
Recent service records
Factory Options:
- Texas Tan Paint
- Tan & Brown interior
- 255 CI Straight 8
- Hydramatic Automatic Transmission
- Push Button Start
- Radio
_______________________
This 1951 Hudson is a true time capsule from a golden era of American motoring. Purchased new on 11/13/1950 from Brown Motors in Millersburg, PA, this Hudson remained under the care of one family until 2019! The original family paid $2,607 for the car when new, double the price of a Chevy Sedan from the same year. From 1951 until 1973, just over 40,000 miles were added to the car. In 1973, the car was in great original condition but had recently bent a valve in the engine. At this point, the family decided to park the car in their second detached garage at the end of the property. The car was put on stilts and a cover was placed over the car. Fortunately for the Hudson, there was a river behind the property that was a hotbed for snakes. The snakes found their way into the garage and managed to create a home under the car! While this may sound terrifying to some, it ended up being a blessing for the Hudson as the snakes scared off any mice, rodents, and moths for damaging the car. When the car was unearthed a few years ago and set back on the ground, snake skin was found underneath and inside the chassis rails of the Commodore (yes, a bag of snake skin was saved and will go with the car)! The car was preserved and remained in the same condition from when it was last parked decades ago. When the current owner took possession of the car in 2019, he sent the vehicle directly to well know Hudson specialist, Wildrick Restoration, in Shelbyville, IN to have the original engine completely rebuilt and the car mechanically brought up to perfect driving standard. Now, this time 41k-mile survivor with original paint and interior drives as it did back in the 1950s and starts with one quick press of a button. MOTORVAULT is proud to present this 1950s legend and is excited to find the next curator for this grand classic.
Recent Service:
02/14/2021 - Wildrick Restoration LLC - $8,332.52
- Inspection on drivetrain
- Begin full engine and transmission rebuild
Replace head unit
New Pistons (all 8, .020 over)
Bore and hone all 8 cylinders
Valve springs and keepers
Intake valve
New Exhaust
Exhaust valve guide
NOS Cam bearing set
01/03/2022 - Wildrick Restoration LLC - $18,732.06
- Full engine rebuild
_______________________
Please consider this an invitation to visit MOTORVAULT! If you have any questions or wish for more information about this vehicle or any other vehicle, please do not hesitate to contact:
Josh Stiegman - [e-mail] // 317-643-1444
Brian Henry - [e-mail] // 317-520-4663
_______________________

[@danpatterson6937]

An excellent presentation.
Much thanks.

[@haggis525]

My Dad's first car was a '39 Hudson Coupe.... sweet!

[@kingjames1586]

Groovy 👍

[@michaelbenardo5695]

So glad you kept this car mechanically stock, but it would have been nice if you kept it 6 volts and just made that system work well. It can easily be done, but most people under a certain age nowadays think that it just doesn't work well.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

For the upteenth time to you younger guys, THAT IS NOT A HANDHOLD!!! That is a lap robe cord. They weren't actually needed in post war cars, unless it didn't have a heater, but before the 40s, heaters were recirculating units, and they didn't do much to give heat to the back seat passengers, not quickly anyway, so there was often a blanket hung on those cords for the back seat passengers to use to keep their legs warm. Especially the ladies, as most women wore skirts or dresses.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

The grille kind of reminds me of mid-50s Packards.

[@michaelhorton6158]

I've heard the sunshield above the windshield called a Dagwood. An old cartoon character, with big eyebrows...

[@jolie_d5504]

"All this wood . . ." -- That's not wood, it's steel painted to look like wood. The is the first time I've ever heard of someone thinking it's really wood

[@indymotorvault]

Good catch! It’s amazing how much effort went into painting the steel to closely resemble a veneered finish. When viewed from several inches away, only then can you see evidence of being painted. 🙌
Thank you for watching!