1952 Hudson Hornet

51hornet · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: 1952 Hudson Hornet

Barry is now off limits here we shall speak of him no more. He is shrouded...

Dave53-7C · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: 1952 Hudson Hornet

Ah, 1952...a fine year for the fine Hudson motorcar. With or without reflective tape.

51hornet · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:43 am Post subject: Re: 1952 Hudson Hornet

Yeah that one is a weird I have seen them with and without. Looks to me like the engineers put the slot there for reflectors....

Dave53-7C · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:20 am Post subject: Re: 1952 Hudson Hornet

I think it was just a stamping to add strength and additional style. Not every indentation is intended to have something in it. If they were, businesses would spring up to sell cheap Chinese made crap to stick in them.

51hornet · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:13 am Post subject: Re: 1952 Hudson Hornet

On this one I am coming around to the thought Hudson made it for reflectors. The rough brushed effect made the tape stick better....

Dave53-7C · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:51 am Post subject: Re: 1952 Hudson Hornet

But the old geezers I ran into at a car show who were going over a guy's 52/53 were saying that these areas were supposed to be smooth. The car they were talking about had brushed areas. IMO, the indentations would have been for strength and styling moreso than an area to apply reflective tape. Besides, the tail light lenses already had reflectors built in and I doubt Hudson would have invested money to add indentations on the outside chance someone would stick something in them. I have to go now and buy some red, reflective tape...

51hornet · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:26 am Post subject: Re: 1952 Hudson Hornet

Nope they were brushed not smoothed that I can confirm from factory pics and they do not provide strength the purpose I think was for reflectors. It looks too perfect in size and position to be anything else the Hudson engineers knew what they were doing....I am thinking this was part of the safety campaign Hudson joined in 52. A little change that made night driving safer....

Dave53-7C · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:43 am Post subject: Re: 1952 Hudson Hornet

Take a piece of flat sheet metal and see how easy it flexes. Then, punch a line or indentation in that metal and you'll see how the flex is gone. I'm not saying the purpose of the indentation was purely for strength, but there is no denying it did provide some. The fact that the area was brushed was an extra cost move in production. Therefore, I think it was done as a design element since reflective tape sticks better on a flat, smooth surface. No doubt that additional reflectors can help, but if someone driving at night couldn't see the rear end of a Hudson, it would take more than a few strips of reflective tape to help them out. Gee whiz, how did so many pre 52 Hudsons ever survive without being rear ended...