a hudson in Belgium

nico · Jet Joined: Jan 12, 2007 Posts: 2

Hello all!
I am a brand new member so i like to introduce myself a bit.
My name is Nico and i live in Belgium, (yeah thats europe!)
I own a hudson hornet now for a couple of months.
It is a hard top model and it is from building year 53
I bought it here in Belgium from someone who needs to sell it quick, so i could buy it for a low price (2500 euro)
The car needs a complete restauration, body off!!
The hornet is complete, i think only the taillights are missing.
I allready start with the project, only front and rear axle are still under it.
When that is finished, the car is ready for sandblasting.
For me the hudson is very importend because i never have seen one here in Belgium.
i also own a pontiac catalina '66 in mind condition.
The pictures that i add are from the first days i bought the car.
I plan to build a mild custom of it.
Is there anyone that can tell me where i can find a manual from the car, that would be a great help for me!
Greetz Nico

Maxbound · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: a hudson in Belgium

Welcome to the group! I have an e-mail from a guy in the states who reproduces them and sells them on E-bay. I'll post it tonight for you when I get home.

51hornet · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: a hudson in Belgium

Hey nico,

welcome to the group. Thats a nice looking Hornet. Its a Hollywood Hardtop. Thats a pretty rare car so restoring it is good. The dealer on ebay that reproduces the manuals is called Faxon Books. You will need the 1952 manual plus the 53-54 supplement manual. Here is their email: manuals @ faxonautolit.com send them an email with your needs.

Make sure when you do your restoration that you check the unibody frame rails carefully as they were prone to rust.

Looks like a great project. Keep us informed and ask any questions you want and use the links section of this site as I have put together a lot of links to companies that have parts that will help you with your restoration.

Maxbound · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: a hudson in Belgium

Well I guess you already got the address.... good luck and enjoy your ride!

51hornet · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: a hudson in Belgium

Hey Max,

how is your Hudson coming along?

Maxbound · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:43 am Post subject: Re: a hudson in Belgium

slow and painful..... not much time on my hands to do anything with her....frustrating.

nico · Jet Joined: Jan 12, 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the tip about faxon, i did an order for a manual and 4 days later it whas at my home!!
Today the hornet body is complete naked, and roof and doors are bare metal.
Soon it get sandblasted and complete sprayed in epoxy primer!
I'm still not sure if i'm gonna chop the roof or leave it like it is.
Headlights will be frenched, thats for sure.
I own the hornet now for almost a year and i'm still love each minute working on it!
greetzzz nico

51hornet · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:09 am Post subject: Re: a hudson in Belgium

Hey Nico,

thanks for sharing the pics. Please keep posting about your progress. Its great to see a Hollywood getting restored. So keep posting those pics.

kerpele · Commodore Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 37 Location: finland

hello nico. im curious to see your projekt go on.
mild gustom is what i like.
not orginal, but not too much changet.

tristansdaz · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:56 am Post subject: Re: a hudson in Belgium

Hey Nico, great project. As said before, Hollywood Hardtops are pretty rare. I wouldn't chop the top but it's your car so have fun. The rear glass is the biggest issue. It would be difficult to tilt the glass forward like most normal chop jobs. You can cut the roof straight across and drop the glass down in a channel below the sill so the lines will still be good. The biggest problem there is having to put a section of new metal in the roof panel to make up the 'stretch'. Good luck!