Vehicle Description
The Hudson Motor Car Company is one of a scant few independent car
manufacturers that managed to survive both the economic disaster of
the Great Depression and the production moratorium of World War II.
Since its inception in 1909, Hudson's range of thoughtfully
engineered, high-quality mid-priced cars earned the company a
fiercely loyal client base that sustained them through difficult
times. As Ford, GM, and Chrysler grew, consolidating their holds on
the market, independent manufacturers like Hudson, Studebaker, and
Nash felt the squeeze and had to do everything they could to stand
out in a crowded market. Just as virtually every other manufacturer
had done, Hudson rushed back to the market in 1946 with a hastily
facelifted version of their prewar offering. By the 1948 model
year, Hudson revealed a revolutionary new post-war design, well
ahead of Ford and GM. Based on an entirely new platform, the fresh
new Hudson Super Six/Commodore featured advanced unibody
construction, gorgeous styling, and specially tuned suspension to
optimize handling. Frank Spring's clean and aerodynamic slab-sided
design was light years ahead of a contemporary Ford, Chevrolet or
Studebaker. The Hudson was unlike anything else on the road; sleek
and unadorned, with graceful lines and a low, wide stance. Hudson
achieved a comparatively low ride height through the trademarked
"Monobuilt" construction, which incorporated a perimeter frame into
the body shell. The design allowed designers to lower the floors,
which earned the car the "step-down" nickname. Light and robust,
the Hudson Commodore offered superior comfort compared to nearly
every vehicle in its class. Hudson's line of proven L-head inline
six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines carried over with revisions
for the new Commodore. Powerful and virtually bulletproof, these
were the engines of choice in the early days of Grand National
Stock Car racing in the south. The low center of gravity and low
weight gave the cars exceptional performance and handling, and few
sedans could touch them on the track or the road. Step-Down Hudsons
were well ahead of their time, and they have earned a proud
standing as a post-war design icon. This 1949 Commodore Six sedan
is one of the finest restored Step-Down Hudsons we have ever
encountered. According to the previous owner, this car belonged to
a long-time Hudson Club member out of Tennessee who enjoyed the car
since the 1970s. Thanks to years of maintenance and care, the
Commodore was in remarkably solid and original condition when it
found its next and most recent owner. Shortly after acquiring it,
the new owner commissioned Penn-Dutch Restorations to perform an
exhaustive, no-expense-spared restoration, finished to a standard
seldom seen on four-door Hudsons of this era. Finished in classic
black over a gray broadcloth and leather interior, this outstanding
Hudson displays high levels of fit and finish quality. Body
alignment is excellent, with superb straight panels and gorgeous
paintwork. All body fittings and trim are exceptional, with
concours-quality plating on the bumpers, grilles, and moldings. The
Commodore Six was a step up from the Super Six in terms of luxury
and equipment. This car is finished true to factory standards of
the period, with gray broadcloth panels and leather-upholstered
seats, which was an available factory option on the upscale
Commodore. For a mid-priced car, the Commodore is quite luxurious,
offering generous seats, built-in rear footrests, and extensive
woodgrain trim on the dash and door caps. Rear passengers also
enjoy a fold-down armrest and opening rear quarter-lights. This car
includes a factory original radio, heater, and even a chrome tissue
dispenser under the dash. The column shift 3-speed manual gearbox
allows for three-wide seating in the front, with generous legroom
for all passengers. Thanks to the rigid structure and well-tuned
suspension, the Commodore is a delight to drive, with exceptional
comfort and refinement for its class. The high-quality detailing
continues under the hood, with the original 262 cubic inch
inline-six presenting in fine order with excellent paint, correct
fittings and hardware, and period-correct decals and labels. As
part of the restoration, the numbers-matching engine received a
full teardown and rebuild to factory specs. The undercarriage is
well-detailed and shows some signs of light use on the road while
remaining very clean and orderly. The goal of the restoration was
to have a car that performs as well as it looks, so no detail was
overlooked in the process. Following the restoration, this Hudson
rightfully earned both AACA Junior and Senior awards and has
received warm receptions at Hudson club events. This Commodore
would no doubt be a welcome addition to any concours event, as we
rarely see sedans so exquisitely restored. The sale of this Hudson
Commodore represents a rare opportunity to acquire an icon of
post-war American design, needing virtually nothing to enjoy for
road or show.
