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For Sale: 1948 Hudson Commodore in Ft Worth, Texas

Vehicle Description

The Hudson Hornet is a legend, one ably helped by a certain animated movie franchise, but before the Hornet, Hudson was building high-quality luxury cars like this 1948 Hudson Commodore. Originally powered by a wheezy motor, this Commodore now sports AMC Straight 6 horsepower mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, a custom leather interior, and a classic Lead-Sled look. The Commodore was always one Hudson's most attractive cars back-in-the-day, and with a couple of choice upgrades, this '48 looks even better today.

Restored a few years back, this car still looks great in its handsome reddish-maroon paint. Subtle but sophisticated, the handsome crimson finish accentuates the long, low lines of the Commodore. Hudson's all-new 1948 models were the first to use "step down" styling, which really meant they were uni-body cars and therefore the floors didn't have to sit on top of a frame, and yes, they really are considerably lower than their competition. As a result, this cool sedan looks chopped and channeled like a custom Merc, but retains 100% original and unmodified sheetmetal. That means the doors fit well, everything seals up nicely, and it doesn't have any of those custom car hiccups that you often find. Better still, it remains instantly identifiable at a glance and anyone who knows what a Hudson is will fall in love. Anyone who doesn't know what a Hudson is will immediately want to know what it is. It's that kind of car. Nice chrome, bright stainless trim, and lots of ornamentation make this car look expensive and we can promise you'll have the only one at the next cruise-in.

Open the long doors of this 2-door sedan and you'll instantly see the transformation that took place inside. Leather seating from a late-model Lincoln was transplanted inside, and thanks to those high-end hides and expert workmanship, the cabin is all-day comfortable. Innovative construction means there's a huge amount of space inside the Commodore's interior, making it a genuine 5-passenger automobile. The supple leather materials are in very good shape, with custom door panels at the flanks, a big stock steering wheel at the helm, and a slick Art Deco dash filled with a combination of original and aftermarket gauges. It feels contemporary and easy to handle from the driver's seat, especially with options like powers seats, seatbelts, and a roomy center console. The carbon-fiber inlay on the dash adds a touch of modernity inside, as does the 13-ball topped shifter that manages the 5-speed manual below. There's a ton of space in back with lots of leg room, and even the trunk is massive enough for a full family to head out on a road trip.

This Commodore originally carried a smallish 254 cubic inch straight-8, which was a bit of an inefficient boat anchor if we're honest, so during the restoration it was upgraded with an AMC 232 cubic inch inline-6, and the difference is remarkable. The "Torque Command" inline six was considered one of AMC's best modern six-cylinder engines, running in models all the way into 1979, and it pumps out plenty of torque and never seems to run out of breath - which is probably why it was used for so long and beloved by so many. The block is all-stock, and it's nicely detailed with correct orange engine enamel, a 2-barrel carburetor with a snorkeled air cleaner, and a giant radiator up front. It fires easily and really does run hard, assisted by a 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive that was swapped in from a Chevrolet S-10, so 60-70 MPH cruising is fairly effortless. Hudson's combination of ride and handling was tough to beat and you'll note the heavy-duty subframes and floors are in very solid shape. The rolling stock sits on chrome factory wheels wrapped with period-perfect American Classic whitewall bias-ply tires at all four corners.

Ready to be driven and enjoyed as-is, or taken to the next Lead-Sled level, this Hudson is an unusual opportunity to own a special car that we don't see on the market very often. Unique classics like this never last long. Call today!

Vehicle Details

  • 1948 Hudson Commodore
  • Listing ID: CC-1469037
  • Price: $28,995
  • Location:Ft Worth, Texas
  • Year:1948
  • Make:Hudson
  • Model:Commodore
  • Exterior Color:Maroon
  • Interior Color:Saddle
  • Transmission:Manual
  • Odometer:58842
  • Stock Number:4633-DFW
  • VIN:481101892
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