One of only 595 built. Older restoration still in great condition. Everything works except the clock. Power windows and top, overdrive, and radio. Solid with no rust issues, recent brake service. Runs and drives great!
Benefitting from a frame-on restoration several years ago, this handsome ragtop is bigger than it might appear in photos, offering full-sized comfort that’s truly spacious inside, especially with the unique “step-down” floors. The Matador Maroon paint has a period-correct shine that still looks quite good several years after being refinished, although it’s no longer a show car. There’s no evidence that this was ever a rusty car and the doors, hood, and trunk lid all fit well. That wide strip of stainless trim along the rockers and which also incorporates the rear fender skirts, enhances the already long, low profile and the sweeping body lines would preview styling that would arrive in the 1950s. The chrome appears to be a combination of original pieces and restored items, with all of them having a consistent look so nothing look out of place. There are built-in fog lamps up front, a wonderful light-up Hudson insignia on the hood, and handsome bumper guards that make it look substantial. You’ll also note a driver’s side spotlight that’s fully operational and beautiful taillights that echo the shape of the Hudson chevron logo, a nice touch. There’s simply no angle from which this car doesn’t look great.
The burgundy leather interior was surely restored at the same time as the bodywork and offers comfortable seating for up to six adults. We believe the door panels are original, while the seating surfaces are replacements, but the overall look is appealing with no major demerits aside from the usual signs of age and use. The steering wheel remains in excellent condition with no cracks or splits and the unique horn button and ring once again echo the Hudson chevron theme. The Hudson AM radio in the center of the dash is fully operational, as are the power windows, which use hydraulic power from a central pump. The three-speed manual transmission features a Borg-Warner overdrive, so this car will cruise effortlessly at modern highway speeds and the power convertible top folds itself into a neat stack under a matching black boot. The sizeable trunk has been protected with a spray-on undercoating that has probably been there since it was new, and carries a correct rubber mat and full-sized spare tire with jack assembly.
Its specifications are modest at 254 cubic inches and 128 horsepower, but the torquey straight-8 moves the big convertible with effortless ease and it’s buttery smooth at any speed. Nicely finished and detailed, it offers correct details like tower hose clamps, a factory downdraft carburetor, and a recent cloth wiring harness. It’s not detailed for show anymore, but it’s quite clean and orderly under the hood and all the original equipment is operational. A turn of the key and it starts quickly and easily complements of an electric fuel pump down on the chassis, and it settles into an even idle almost immediately, so someone invested considerable time in getting it tuned properly. There’s a nice 8-cylinder burble from the single tailpipe, and while it’s probably a little more aggressive than stock, we kind of like it and it fits Hudson’s sporty image.
The three-speed manual transmission shifts easily and clutch action is light, so the car is quite easy to handle around town. A glance underneath reveals a mostly original chassis that shows off the unique unibody construction, with beefy front and rear subframes attached to the central tub, which is reinforced by square tubing. There is the usual grease and grime and some surface scale on a few of the heavy metal parts, but nothing to be afraid of—structurally this car is excellent. The brakes have been recently serviced and we just installed a new master cylinder, so it feels smooth and confident on the street. It tracks straight, rides smoothly, and simply goes about its business as you’d expect from a top-of-the-line convertible. It’s sitting on older 7.10-15 Goodyear wide whitewall bias-ply tires, but a set of modern wide whitewall radials would make this one heck of a cruiser!
This Hudson includes a large binder full of information, restoration receipts, brochures, and other useful information, all of which suggests that it has always been a beloved car. Also included with the sale is an color-matched accessory windshield visor, which was a popular accessory among Hudson owners.
You don’t see many of these and this Commodore Custom Eight offers a fantastic combination of usability and glamour. It’s sorted, handsome, and striking, and although few people have seen such a car in person, they all know what a Hudson is, and that’s a rather impressive feat all by itself. A fantastic (and relatively affordable) alternative to a 1949 Cadillac or Buick Roadmaster convertible, this Hudson has a lot to offer. Call today!
For more photos and details, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
