Hello all! I asked Ryan about this build since it's an oddball that's traditionally inspired but not completely traditional. He said give'er a go but it may or may not fit to guidelines, so I'll put it out there and see where it goes. My biggest reason for posting the build is that I'm NEW. Like waaaay new at this and I think I've got this far by asking from as many sources as I can. So lemme begin! I initially started by reading a ton of build threads here, buying the Streetrod 101 DVD and using some Model A blueprints I hustled online to build a Model A frame. I added a 4" drop to the back as well as extended it a few inches. I thought Model A bodies are plentiful, there's a good chance I'll find one that fits the budget and my skill level. I'm pretty decent with sheetmetalwork but the mechanical side I'm a noob and ask a lot of silly questions. The frame came together pretty well a piece at a time.
I started to acrue parts when I could afford them and I managed to pick up a used Model A front axle/spindles and the wishbones. After scraping about 10 pounds of grum the axle was visible and appeared to be in good shape. I ruined the spring perches getting them off because they were solidly rusted in place. Once I got them off I took the wishbones, split them and gave them some pretty hot rod holes.
Not long after I managed to pick up a 90's era Mustang 302 for 20 bucks! Not siezed, easy to get parts for, and if it didn't work out I could scrap it for what I paid!
The search was on for a body. I was cruising Craigslist in the Phoenix area and I'd search by year- 1926 through 32. I'd thought if I scored a T body it'd work, I just wanted to get started on a Hot Rod. Eventually I came across a Hudson Essex. I was hoping for a sedan style body but the 4 suicide doors got me really jazzed. The price was right and 1000 bones later and it was parked in my little shop.
The first thing I addressed were the doors. They weren't swinging properly and wouldn't quite close. After some investigation I found that the car had landed on something at one time or another and had bent the body on the driver's side, causing the post on that side to be off kilter and a buckle where the driver door was supposed to go. I cut the buckled bent section out (noob question- is this a rocker panel?), hammed the floor piece back into place and straght, and put some thin angle iron in it's place. Then tacked it back in place. I was thinking of channeling it eventually so I wanted the option, if not I'll weld it all up when I get back to it.
I also took one of the doors off and fixed the inner panel. Turns out the door skins on this thing are aluminum as well as the inner panels, and they were put on with solid copper rivets! I about flipped when I drilled one out and the shavings looked like a new penny. I've asked around but no one has seen door panels made like that in that time frame, I'm more curious than anything really. (Any input on that would be awesome!) At any rate the inner panel bent back in place beautifully.
View attachment 2983570 Please tell me you fish plated or used a plug inside the tubes here. If these are just***** welded, you may have some isssues. I like the build, and your approach, the aluminum door skins are intriguing, wonder if this was stock or you got a hold of some old resto from a madman aluminum worker.
I hate it when a guy gets on here for the first time and feels he needs to apologize for being here. Welcome to the HAMB, your build is coming right along, good to see young guys on here!!
So fast forward a bit. I had the rear suspension tacked up and ready to weld. The 4 bars, shock mounts and panhard were also ready to weld into place...... However. Due to the size difference in the body length and the height, I decided to make a change to the frame to give it a meaner profile. It was a long messy process. I cut the old fishplates off, made some new drop pieces and welded them back in place. I repositioned the K rails also but still need to figure out the degree of the front rake degree so I can place my 4 bar brackets back in place. I'll be making new fishplates soon.
This is a smaller thing I've done for down the road. This is a Harley Davidson speedo I've had for years on a shelf. I'd read somewhere that the cable fittings were the same for the T5 trans, I don't know about the gear ratio so if any of you have input I'd appreciate it if I need an adapter or something. So I decided it needed a facelift to fit the style of the car. I'd taken some gears from a rotating pool light that burned out and had them in a drawer for awhile nd finally found a use for them. motif of the car. Now the front gear acts as a trip meter reset.
Welcome to the early Hudson world. I once heard Hudson used to display either a Hudson or an Essex in the dealers showroom, by placing one upside down. The customers were invited to try opening the doors, which were that well made, that they still functioned perfectly. Not sure how true it is, but it have to be twenties something models.
Nice to see something a bit different. Hudsons are cool. I sure hope you intend to fishplate those frame joins for safety's sake mate. Someone else made this comment too. Here in NZ that's legal/certification requirement for good reasons. Love the speedo, lots of work there, will watch this build with interest.
I was actually given one of these Essex that came from the Nevada desert. About the only thing that was missing was all 4 doors. I turned it down and now it is yard art on hwy 95 just south of Winnemucca
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