How did you become interested in old cars? Some auto enthusiasts may have quite the story to answer that question. For me, I suppose it simply began as the allure of the unknown, a curiousity of a time gone past,... next thing you know... you're "car crazy," as the saying goes. When it was time to own one, I wanted something not so common and brought home my first restoration project, a 1954 Hudson JetLiner. We also own a 1953 Hudson Super Jet. The photo below is a Jetliner my grandmother owned. The photo was taken in 1962.
Classic car ownership and restoration has inspired me to get into the auto restoration business. I've started out by taking upholstery classes, but have had to postpone further classes for a couple years. Until then, I'll put my efforts into keeping the Hudson name out there via the internet.
Tuck 'n Roll - what better way to cruise? Here's a pic of the front seat I finished for my Jet.
Music
Ronnie Dawson, Wanda Jackson, Barbara Pitman, Stray Cats, Cal Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Bill Haley & the Comets, Joe G & The Zippity Doo Wop Band, Hot Rod Hucksters, The Fat Cat Trio, The Buick 55s, The Flying Saucers, Crazy Caran, Rockabilly Basement
Movies
Pay attention to the background in movies, you might see a Hudson Jet!
Mulholland Falls (1996)
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Pleasantville (1998)
Starkweather(2004)
Hollywoodland (2006)
Television
Stacey David's Gearz is a no frills show that shares some great step-by-step technical tips. I also enjoy watching Pushing Daisies and you can often see some nice professional cars (ie. classic limos, flower cars, and hearses).
Books
The Hudson Jet has been mentioned in several books and magazines. Here are a couple covers:
Heroes
Builders such as Barris, Gene Winfield, Big Daddy Roth, Bill Hines... Painters such as Larry Watson, Von Dutch... All the lesser known builders and painters who made the kustom kulture scene what it was and is, including all the backyard builders and painters, who did some amazing things in their garage with a smaller budget and less resources.
The Jet above is the inspiration for my second Jet!
How does the Jet model compare to the other Hudsons? During development days, rumor had it that Hudson was putting step-down principles into a lighter car. Following a $12 million development program, the economy-priced Hudson Jet debuted in 1953. When produced, the Jet's basic suspension and chassis features were similar to the bigger Hudsons. Suspension is by coil springs at the rear. Tubular shocks are used all around. However, the Jet lacked the low step-down look that the big Hudsons had made famous. It also turned out too high compared to the heights of rival cars such as the Nash Rambler and Willys. The extra performance of 104 to 114 horsepower produced by a 202-cid six-cylinder engine, sturdiness, and other quality features didn't aid in boosting sales. Jets featured one-piece glass windows in front and back as opposed to a split window in the larger Hudsons of that time.
Prices started at a factory base of $1858 for the standard Jet, when built without extras. This came in a 4-Door Sedan model only, labeled Series 10. The Super Jet, Series 20, cost $1954. The 2-door Club Sedan version of the Super Jet cost $1933. The lowest-priced Hudson of 1954 was the Jet Family Club Sedan, first making its apprearance April 12th with a factory price of $1621, $71 above the competing Nash Rambler. Assessories such as extra window trim, wheel skirts, whitewall tires, and wheel trim rings were also available as well as a 2-tone paint scheme.
Unfortunately, there was not yet a large enough demand for compact cars and sales were not as hoped. Lack of sales were blamed on the side styling as well as high price. The problem with price was somewhat ironic since the compact Jet was an entrant into the low-price field. However, Monobuilt body-and frame construction and heavier gauge steel lead to extra manufacturing cost.
For those who are unfamiliar with the terms "Monobuilt" and "step-down," let me introduce you to these features... The Monobuilt design, introduced in 1948, consisted of a chassis and frame that were combined in a unified passenger compartment. This produced a strong, lightweight design with a beneficial lower center of gravity that did not affect road clearance. For the first time, drivers had to step down to get into their cars, thus the name sake of this innovation.
Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson Motor Car Co. combined on May 1, 1954 to form American Motors Corporation. This merger was viewed as a Nash takeover of Hudson. It was a short time before Hudson production was moved from Detroit to Kenosha, Wisconsin and Nash-Healey production ceased.
For those who want to know who's behind this site...
I'm Sarah and this is one of my favorite vintage poses of my husband and I, taken at the Rosie's Diner in Rockford, Michigan.
Yeah, thats one of my favorites from that night. I notice she smiles and poses very well when someone is taking her pic, very photogenic! Now you need to talk Madison into not making faces! :)~ My other favs from that night were the one of Cadence (holding that green .. Too bad you couldn't make it to the party!! oh yeah, I got some video too! :Lo
Comments
Jun 24 2009 8:53 PM
see more dog and puppy pictures
Jun 21 2009 7:00 AM
If we would have seen the Hudson, ya know we would have been over ta say hey...
Jun 10 2009 2:49 AM
Check out my page
http://www.doulike.us/photos/4221482.html?b=4&w=46
Let me know if you like me YES or NO
http://www.doulike.us/photos/4221482.html?b=4&w=46
Jun 9 2009 3:30 PM
May 7 2009 7:28 PM
May 2 2009 6:59 AM
Apr 29 2009 3:03 AM
Apr 19 2009 6:34 PM
Mar 22 2009 6:34 AM
Mar 20 2009 7:53 AM
Mar 18 2009 11:25 PM
see more dog and puppy pictures
Mar 3 2009 4:18 AM
Mar 1 2009 9:22 PM
Feb 25 2009 6:44 AM
Feb 24 2009 8:18 AM
Feb 16 2009 1:27 PM
Feb 16 2009 12:33 PM
Feb 14 2009 8:48 AM
Feb 13 2009 9:55 PM
Jan 1 2009 9:47 PM
On a good note I may have found a chassis to put the Jet on, the bad part is trying to find one within a decent drive of me.
Jan 1 2009 5:28 PM
I really enjoyed reading your blog. I hope we can do the same this year! Happy New Year!
Dec 13 2008 5:59 AM
Nov 27 2008 6:05 AM
Nov 26 2008 5:30 PM
Awesome MySpace Comments & Myspace Layouts
Nov 21 2008 3:51 AM