1955 cars--hudson & nash

chopperchuck
chopperchuck Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
i was offered a 1955 huson & a 55 nash,either are runners,but the price seems ok $500.oo a peice,the hud is pretty complete the interior is rough but there,i haven't went & seen em yet,----some 40 miles away
SO what are your thoughts on these cars, :dry: anybody got pictures of theirs?
it's not i need a another project... :whistle:

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    These will be "modern" in the sense that you have a Hudson or Nash nameplate yet still have authentic factory air, power steering, reclining seats, power windows, power brakes, and so on. That appeals to a lot of Hudsonites nowadays, 'specially the ones who are getting older!

    Biggest issue in my understanding is rust-out, especially at the front coil spring towers. If it rusts out where the top of the spring contacts the sheet metal, the spring will actually come through, pushing up on the underside of the hood, and the hood thus ends up supporting the whole front of the car! So, look very carefully in that area when you inspect them.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    Used to be a lot of anti-"Hash" sentiment, but very little any more. Fellow from Montana who writes the '55-'57 column in the WTN had 5 or 6 1957's at the National in Spokane, and I think they were well received. Nobody is ashamed of them any more.

    Would be tempting to make one good car out of 2, at that price. And if it were me, the one would end up being a Hudson, by transferring the appropriate trim, if need be. Would sure be worth a look, anyhow, and maybe a report back here, with pictures and contact info, if you decide to pass. ;)
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Even if the hudson one is a complete rust bucket the engine may be worth the $500.00 if it is a Hornet motor. And in particular if its a stick shift. Same if it has the smaller "Jet" motor in it. Not as desirable but still may be worth the trouble if you part it out.
    This is assuming they are rotten of course or have no titles,
    Roger
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The only thing sheet metal wise that would interchange is the trunk lid. Fenders and doors were pressed differently. Glass, you could use the door glass and windshield but back glass is not interchangeable. Also no chrome trim will interchange nor will grille or lights. Nash used Nash enginge and Hudson used Hudson engines, unless it's a V-8 then both used the Packard V-8. and transmission.
  • Marconi
    Marconi Senior Contributor
    Hornet 6 and Ambassador 6 were pretty good cars altho they did have rust issues. In addition to ones already discussed they rusted out around the mounting for the steering box. If you're a deacent welder it can be fixed without too much trouble, in other words not impossible. On the other hand a Wasp or Statesman, especially with a Hydro-matic trans could be the biggest slug you've ever driven, not too bad with a manual trans tho. Hornet and Ambassador V-8s I think are good to stay away from. Nothing wrong with the engine, Packard V-8, but the only trans that you could get with it was Packard's Ultramatic, Ultra-Tragic, lots of trouble and very few people know how to work on them properly. Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth. Good luck.
  • chopperchuck
    chopperchuck Expert Adviser
    Thanks for the replied guys,i know their 2 different creatures,i'm going to look at them this weekend-hopefully??i just thought it was cool for some guy call me wanting to know if i wanted them--kinda freaky :woohoo:
    i know the hudson is pretty complete with ratty interior,the motor has the head off & is in the trunk,the nash is missing tail lights & few small parts,,even if i turn them down i'll posts everywhere,but it's kinda like Xmas for little kids-i wanna see them! :woohoo:
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Here are some pictures I took of a 55 Hudson I saw at a car show. This may give you a view of what is possible. It is a beautiful automobile with a Packard engine. The Hudson valve covers give it a touch of class.

    I hope you post some pictures when you get the Nash and Hudson.

    Good hunting.
    Lee O'Dell
  • chopperchuck
    chopperchuck Expert Adviser
    Thanks Lee,i been looking at pictures online & all i can think is they look like my first car a 1959 Rambler series 01----very 'nashy'LOL :lol:
    thanks again for posting those shots. some of the 'newer' guys probably never have seen one.. :silly:
  • RonS
    RonS Senior Contributor
    edited February 2012
    In the past I have heard that the Packard Engines for 1955 had oil pressure problems that were not worked out until the 56 models and was heavy, affecting handling. In addition to the rust problems Steve and Pete stated there is the problem of a solid lifter Hudson six crammed into a Nash engine compartment with the Nash shock towers right in the way of the valve covers. This makes adjusting the valves a real challenge. Did I once hear that the engine needed to be pulled to adjust the valves? In 56 the 308 sixes went to hydraulics and a fine new 250 ci V-8 was used. The Nash 195 OHV was a better option, since the car was designed to use an inline not a side valve. This issue may come to haunt you later. Sorry guys.
  • Chris Smith
    Chris Smith Expert Adviser
    Anybody else besides me notice the reduced diameter 54/55 steering wheel on the yellow 55 ??
  • chopperchuck
    chopperchuck Expert Adviser
    Chris Smith wrote:
    Anybody else besides me notice the reduced diameter 54/55 steering wheel on the yellow 55 ??

    yea i noticed it but wasn't sure??is that a stock wheel??
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Here is a link to my Flikr photostream, it shows my 1955 from almost every angle in a more "standard" configuration. i.e. Sedan with a L6 Twin H.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/68150205@N06/sets/72157628885331613/
  • chopperchuck
    chopperchuck Expert Adviser
    andarius..Thank you,,
    you answered a few of my question with those pictures. B)
    i guess the steering wheels are smaller than the stpdowns.----chuck
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    The '54 and '55 steering wheels are the same, as far as I know.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I have never realy compred them . But was told 55 used left over 54 wheels,
    Roger
  • chopperchuck
    chopperchuck Expert Adviser
    edited February 2012
    i didn't get a chance to make it up see the car the gentle man sent me some shots,they don't look to bad from the pictures,he got a couple other cars/trucks too.







  • chopperchuck
    chopperchuck Expert Adviser
    edited February 2012
    here's the others incase anyone cares,





  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Looks like the chrome is good on the Hudson car,the 55-56-57 guys will buy that on ebay,
    Roger
  • chopperchuck
    chopperchuck Expert Adviser
    edited February 2012
    i've pretty much talked him out of scrapping em.{for now}i'm trying to find em a loving home LOL :whistle:
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    What area of the contry is the car in ?
    Roger
  • chopperchuck
    chopperchuck Expert Adviser
    Tallent R wrote:
    What area of the contry is the car in ?
    Roger


    Northern Colorado, around 75 miles north of Denver
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I'm interested in a whole bunch of parts from that Hash, my friend. If you do end up picking it up (didn't read the whole thread)....I'm sure I can get you a piece of your money back. No promises, but for $500 - if you have the space, you will get your money back in the long run...PLUS SOME!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I like the looks of a '55 Hudson. Seems to be a great project and should find a home. The Nash is not something that I would want but the prices are very reasonable. Hope they both find good loving homes.
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Jon B wrote: Biggest issue in my understanding is rust-out, especially at the front coil spring towers. If it rusts out where the top of the spring contacts the sheet metal, the spring will actually come through, pushing up on the underside of the hood, and the hood thus ends up supporting the whole front of the car! So, look very carefully in that area when you inspect them.

    Definitely!!!!! It's a thrill to be going down the road at around 55-60, hit a bump and watch the hood buckle a bit as the spring tower comes up and pushes against the hood. Had it happen on a '63 Rambler American I had - right in the middle of the South Portland/Portland Maine interstate bridge!!!!

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
  • Nevada Hudson
    Nevada Hudson Senior Contributor
    edited May 2012
    Also check for rusty floorboards. The frame is right under there,so if they are rusted out check the frame.
    Also, have NEVER had a problem with my Ultramatic. Just keep the fluid clean and change the stock transmission cooler to one in front of the radiator. Overheating and dirty fluid is bad for them.
    Also, with power steering the V8's handle ok. The six handles better because it is lighter.
    The '57 handles the best.
    The Statesman is indeed slow( '56 has a larger engine) but you can get up to 30mpg on the highway.
    Looks like another '55 Nash next to the '55 Hudson.
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