Original price: $2,428.00
On loan from: Thomas Johnson, Hastings, NE
Previous owner: Charlie Harris
Number made: 29,455
Engine, etc.: 1976 Chrysler V-8, 318 h. p.; 119 in. wheelbase. (Original engine: 6 cyl., inline L-head; 232 cu. in., 112 h.p.; 3,655 lbs.)
The owner purchased this car in St. Louis, Missouri in August, 2022. The ground up modified restoration was done by the owner’s father, Robert Johnson.
The Hudson Motor Car Company began in 1909 and produced cars until 1957. It was created by Howard Coffin, George W. Dunham, and Roy E. Chapin. Based in Detroit, Michigan, its most successful year was 1929 when it sold over 300,000 cars. Its cars were often among the industry’s sales leaders through 1950. Hudson was plagued by a problem common to all independent car makers after the war: not enough money to make adequate changes to keep buyers interested. The result was fewer sales and even less money for new products.
However, entering the 1950s Hudson was in excellent shape, selling over 120,000 Step-Downs for the first model year. The new low-priced Pacemaker with a 232 Super Six was a hit with over 39,000 orders. Though it had only 112 hp, its performance was equal to the top-line Nash Ambassador and well ahead of most similarly priced rivals.
Pacemakers were produced in 1939 and for the 1950 – 1952 model years. It was the least expensive Hudson model. The line included fastback four-door sedans, long-deck club coupe, and a convertible. Another model in 1950 was a three-passenger coupe costing $1,807.00. Other Pacemakers cost under $2,000.00 except the convertible ($2,428.00).
Another transmission choice was added in 1950 – a “Supermatic” which was a semiautomatic with overdrive that automatically engaged at 22 mph when a dashboard button was engaged. This option cost $199. A fully automatic transmission wasn’t offered until 1951.
Sources:
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=4809&year=1950&model=26825&view=details
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/hudson-cars.htm#pt4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Pacemaker
https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com/lost_marques_hudson.htm (Company history)
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Hudson/1950_Hudson/1950_Hudson_Brochure/dirindex.html (Original 1950 Hudson dealer brochure, all models)
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Hudson/1950_Hudson/1950_Hudson_Sales_Booklet/dirindex.html (Original 1950 Hudson sales booklet)
