Customs Potential new project 1941 Hudson Coupe

Wondering where a guy could find information on these? It's for sale locally for $2500.00 and I dig that it's something different than the rest.

Not much info about these 41's around, and even less about people building them.

I realize they weren't a popular car for that, but a set of skirts, slanted B pillars, a chop and a drop and I feel like it could be pretty cool.

Anyhow, it's in need of floors and a little body work.

I can do all that kind of work and the chop and stuff myself, so I can save cost there.

Any advice or information would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Some pics

 

You lost me at the "chop". Neat car otherwise.

 

There we go. A suggestion. Great!

I'm not dead set on chopping it. Just spitballing some ideas.

 

"but a set of skirts, slanted B pillars, a chop and a drop and I feel like it could be pretty cool."
Im with you right there!! That car would be cool with the right vision! Don't go too crazy with mods.
Think late 40's mild custom just like you describe here!!

 

My only concern at this point is acquiring parts. Seems like there's not a whole hell of a lot available for parts out there. I know it will need new gauges, a few small trim pieces, etc.

Having a car thats not super common would be cool. Getting parts might be a different story.

 

join the Hudson Es*** Terraplane national club and you can get all the parts you need. Just don't tell them you are chopping it, they are mostly restorers

 

In the side profile shot, I see a lot of similarities to a 40 Mercury and you know how good they look chopped. The A pillars would need to be tipped back. Have the guys on the photo shop thread do their magic with that side shot.

 

I built a '37 and found out quickly that building orphan cars takes a lot more of everything, including money. Sheet metal and patch panels require normal work but missing trim pieces or one year only parts are hard to find.
Gl*** is easy and I found most rubber parts are reproduced. Also there are large Hudson clubs in Australia that will help find parts. Good luck with your project.
On another note, when you go to a show it will be the only one there.

 

it does not look right with a chop......

 

Just for the kick, try measuring a '40 Merc window. To me this looks like a factory chopped car.

But there is other things you can do to make it look custom.
But I like the drop part, and skirts wouldn't hurt

 

See, I agree. That looks absurd. But it's also a straight drop where the front and rear are the same amount.

If I were going to chop it, I'd do something along these lines. Forgive the sloppy pshop work. Something I did just now.

 

Your photoshopped vision of the car looks great. That stance and profile would be worthy of duplication.

Best thing about the 'orphans' is you can get them for a princely sum, rather than shelling out 5, 10 or 15K just to get a more popular car body in good shape that's worth starting out with.

That's more money for you to use to get the Hudson on the road, but also realize that it won't have the same value or be as easy to sell as the more popular cars of the same year/design.

 

That sloppy photoshop is just about perfect. Look at how goofy a stock roof 40 Merc looks then look at a properly chopped one. Totally different car with the right chop.

The more I look at your Hudson, the more I dig it.

-Abone.

 

I hear that for sure. Not looking at it as much of an investment for a return per se, so there's no expectations on that front. I agree 110% that it's resale is definitely affect ted by it NOT being one of the cars on the "cars to pay for" list.

Thanks for the opinion on the stance and stuff too. Everything should be pretty standard and straight forward I think.

I just got a new 2000 Sq. Ft. shop space so this will be a fun way to "break it in".

The guy with the hudson has agreed to put it behind the barn for me until I'm ready to come grab it. No longer a "potential" project.

 

Thanks Abone!

I feel like I've got at least a decent grasp of proportion and flow when it comes to design. Excited to have a project like this as first blood in the space.

 

Here's a g***er with 6 sill in it. Try Carnut for some pictures. What model is it as there are a few wheelbases; 116, 121 and 128 inches? Is that model a body on frame or unibody (monocoque) construction?

 

Not positive on the wheelbase. Will have to measure.

41 should be body on frame IIRC.

 

I agree that the roof to body ratio is pretty great on these Hudsons. Save the time and effort and invest it in other mods.

Love those odd rods and customs!

 

From what I can find, 41' coupes were all 121 in wheelbase.

Anyone know of information that states otherwise?

 

I'm looking to spend some of that saved cash on a mill that isn't stuffed into every other car.

Thinking maybe a Studebaker V8.

 

It's only my dream coupe! I'm a huge Hudson fan and I think they look good from the factory. No chop but maybe a little drop.

 

Studes can be leakers (particularly the rear main seal), but nothing sounds better.