Another 41 Barn fresh or so it says

51hornet

Here is another 41 Hudson. Looks like some rust areas but a nice candidate for a resto or just clean up for driver.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotor...dZViewItem

Dave53-7C

Is that a Drivemaster set up I see? Bids start at $6,500.00 and the seller doesn't know if it will run! If the engine needs a rebuild, not to mention other unknown needs, you could be upside down on this car in no time.

51hornet

Sad truth to these cars is if the car is a really nice straight driver you are only going to get 10k max for it, they do not sell. Look at ebay even mint versions do not sell.

Personally I love em and will be getting one but heck I am in a minority...

Yes drivemaster which is both cool and scary to see...does it work?

Dave53-7C

You know, people like to emulate the rich and famous. As soon as you buy one, the prices will escalate. Why are you holding back? The market needs your help.

I can't put my finger on why I don't like this car, it just has no appeal to me. Speaking of what these do on eBay, I must be in the majority.

What's so scary to you about the Drivemaster? Given the technology available at the time, I think that Hudson did one heck of a job with its quasi-automatic set ups. If I had a stepdown with it, you bet I'd restore it. I think that seeing the clutch pedal and shifter moving themselves would be cool. When these things worked, the old timers say they worked well.

51hornet

And thats the problem they are a bear to setup and get working right. If they are working great if not you need to troubleshoot a lot of different things. Not saying I wouldn't give it a go though. I have the complete factory manual on that unit so I would be good to go....

hollywood308 · Wasp Joined: Feb 10, 2007 Posts: 21

I didn't realize the fine line between barn find and old neglected restoration. I guess leaving it out in the barn and forgetting about it for 25 years creates a barn find?
being a 41, this is not drive master. this is just the vaccum clutch portion which became vacumotive. i think its a pretty cool option and seldom seen. So there is much less to adjust and maintain, though not all the flash and intrigue of the full drivemaster. kinda suprising to see it on a super six.

Dave53-7C

Ah, Vacuumotive! OK, I think I remember now. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Vacuumotive = Vacuum clutch only.
Drivemaster = Vacuum shift only.
Supermatic = Combination of the above.

How did the Electric Hand differ from the above?

I think that the challenge of finding parts and making these curious options come to life again is a fun challenge. Don't you like challenges Sean?

51hornet

Yup, I can take anything apart. Its the putting back together I need to work on....LOL

Dave53-7C

And therein lies the problem. Lesson to be learned, don't take anything apart. Laughing

hollywood308 · Wasp Joined: Feb 10, 2007 Posts: 21

Dave53-7C wrote:

Ah, Vacuumotive! OK, I think I remember now. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Vacuumotive = Vacuum clutch only.
Drivemaster = Vacuum shift only.
Supermatic = Combination of the above.

How did the Electric Hand differ from the above?

I think that the challenge of finding parts and making these curious options come to life again is a fun challenge. Don't you like challenges Sean?

drivemaster-vaccum clutch AND shift
supermatic - drivemaster with overdrive (name used 50, 51 only)
electric hand vaccum shift only (could be combined with vaccum clutch)

electric hand let the driver preselect the "next" gear on a steering column mounted switch. once the clutch was activated eith vaccum or manual the shift was made. really a slick set-up and it allowed elimation of the floor shifter.
drivemaster was basically a two speed sorta-automatic. you only had second and third with it engaged but adding o.d. made it a three speed. drivemaster cars had the ability to be driven conventionally or vacumotive as well.

Dave53-7C

Oh, looks like I'd better reread my Hudson books. Confused