Finally Snagged a Hornet

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hello Fellow Husonites,

I am soooooo excited!!! I finally got my Hornet!!!! It's a 1952. Wanted a '53 but just couldnt pass this one up. It had been in storage in Western Kansas since 1960. Only 57,000 miles showing on the odometer and rust free. Chrome is very good and most importantly the undercarraige and floors are rust free. Attached are some pics for all to see. Motor turns freely and interior is very presentable. Finally have a good starting point for the restoration. I am going to use my '53 Super Wasp to resurrect the Hornet. I'll have the car in about 2 weeks. Jim Guinn is getting it at it resting place in Colorado and bringing it here to Massachusetts. I will be looking to have the carbs rebuilt. Any suggestions?

Comments

  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    Congratulations on your aquisition... Looks like a very good car to restore.. Once it arrives I would look it over, make a list, and prioritize the work... The end result is worth all the efforts...Good Luck
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Great catch there, I want a 49 but I'll also take any good stepdown I come across. I did my own carbs and after a few false starts and near misses got them right. I think they are still running a little rich and my mileage leaves a lot to be desired but I sure am having fun driving the ol 55 around. I had a funny experience on Sunday, where I got to fly RC airplanes I have to drive a winding road and normally I'm being pushed down the road by the rice burners. This week I decided to push a little myself and the little rice burner in front of me couldn't get away from me and I had to slow down for him, and that was in a Hash, not even a stepdown. New shocks and good springs have made a world of difference.



    Harry
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    congrats on your aquisition 53 .... My philosophy of restoration is: Preserve it, Protect it, make it Pretty. In that order. So once you've documented and photographed and got any history on her the way she sits now, then make sure she'll never rust again on your watch, fix everything up, then do the Cosmetic work. That's how I approach a project.

    Another method a guy in our chapter calls a "Frame-down" restoration. He takes pieces off the car and every piece he takes off he restores then and there and puts it away someplace safe until he's ready to re-assemble the car.

    Or if you can get her to fire up, you could just driver it as it is for a while.

    For carbs, there's a few guys that can help you if you're not going to attempt a re-build yourself but I always called Dave Kostansek.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Congrats! That looks like a really great find. Speaking of which, how did you find it? It looks familiar. I remember see pics of this car (with missing radiator and fan) recently.



    As far as carb rebuilding suggestions, you know how that goes. You'll get ten different opinions from ten people. The carbs on your car are relatively simple and fresh, new kits are easy to come by. Although I've heard of people charging $800.00 to rebuild the pair, I'd be surprised if you paid over $300.00 at a reputable carb shop. I've used different places across the country and the results have been fine.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Nice car...



    Once again Jim Guinn is making the connection for the Hudson folks. He is a great guy and without his support many of the HETers here could not afford to make the leap to Hudson ownership. With gas going to the heights it has attained and higher ... we need to assure folks like Jim stay in business.



    Good luck with your Hudson
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