1940 Hudson Commodore

Description

From the "so unusual it's cool" file comes this impeccably dressed 1940 Hudson Commodore coupe. Hudsons were a little conservative in their styling but that in no way diminishes the luxury and performance that was built into every one. This remarkable creation takes it to an entirely new level, however, with fuel-injected Chevy V8 power, a spectacular interior, and all the creature comforts you'd expect from a high-end custom.

Only a few hundred Hudson coupes were built in 1940, making this one quite a rare find indeed. Featuring updated styling with integrated headlights and a pair of rectangular grille openings, it was a thoroughly modern machine that looked fantastic from any angle. This one shows a lot of evidence of serious cash being spent on its rebuild, and that classic shape has been artfully preserved and exceptionally well detailed. The sheetmetal was smoothed and prepped at an expert level, then several coats of glimmering silver paint went over it. Airbrushed graphics give it a sleek custom look, but things like the raked-back windshield and split rear window are completely stock. The wide center grilles, faired-in headlights, and recessed 1939 Ford taillights are all traditional design elements, although the Hudson gives everything a totally different look from the usual Fords and Plymouths. The rear license plate was recessed into the deck lid and the bumpers were re-chromed to give it an old-fashioned look.

A handsome and subtle two-tone interior greets you when you swing the wide doors open. Perhaps in tribute to the original look, it has a somewhat vintage feel and remains in excellent condition throughout. Custom carpets, a pair of buckets from a late-model, and a wide rear seat tie it all together quite nicely, and the door panels are simple but effective. Things like a custom A/C system mounted under the dash, a tilt column with leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a cool center console all suggest a no-compromises build. Even the original dash was retained and configured with modern gauges to monitor the big engine up front. Open the curvaceous deck lid and there's a fully upholstered trunk that shows off more creative stitching and offers plenty of storage for a long trip along the coast.

The builder gets a nice tip-of-the-hat from us for using multi-port fuel injection, in this case a 305 cubic inch Chevy V8. The V8 engine is a tight fit in the pointed engine bay, and thanks to a handful of aftermarket upgrades, it runs with more gusto than any Hudson 6-cylinder ever did, including the Hornet. Factory EFI means it's reliable and easy to service and that big intake manifold looks great under the Hudson's hood. The accessories are driven by a serpentine belt and the A/C system runs R134a refrigerant to make maintenance easy. An automatic transmission powers a 10-bolt rear, which hangs on leaf springs, and with rack-and-pinion steering it feels quite modern on the road. Twin chrome tailpipes give this Hudson a very distinctive voice, and Torque Thrust wheels are the prefect vintage look, especially when wrapped in staggered 15-inch blackwall radials.

Beautifully built, this Hudson is easy to drive and draws a crowd just because it isn't the same old thing. If your interests run towards the orphan brands, you'll enjoy this Hudson a whole bunch. Call today!