The listing for these vehicles here on craigslist in Leavenworth, Kansas only highlights the 1948 Hudson in the upper left of this collage. However, the advertisement also mentions “many other cars and trucks for sale” and includes some very interesting pictures. The Hudson is listed for $6,500 but unfortunately, it’s the only car with a price.
The first of the famous “step-down” Hudsons, so named because their perimeter frame allowed the body to appear lower than other contemporary cars and you stepped “down” into the interior, the 1948 Commodore was a big deal when introduced. 1948 Commodores came with either a 262 cubic inch inline six with 121 horsepower or a 254 cubic inch inline eight with 128 hp. It’s interesting that the six was larger than the eight! This car looks pretty good and has obviously been stored for a while undercover. The way the dust is wiped off the right front fender leads me to believe someone tried to start the car recently.
This car is a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 and still has it’s original wheel covers. While there’s some rust it certainly looks like it could be dealt with. I hope this hasn’t been stored outside for long.
Continuing the Fairlane theme, this is a 1957 that looks like it just got painted. There are several other late 50’s Fords including a Ranchero included in the pictures.
The prettiest of all to me though is this 1957 Skyliner. This was the first year for Ford’s retractable hardtop and this one looks like a peach to me!
As best as I can tell, this is a 1955 DeSoto Firedome sedan. Although the Firedome was the entry model for 1955 DeSotos, it still featured V8 power and most came with automatic transmissions.
This 1938 Ford coupe has been modified and has headlights from something else. It looks in pretty good shape if a classic hot rod is your thing. Check out the listing and let us know what your favorite vehicle is in our comment section below!
Wow
Nice collection. Love the “college”. :-)
Whoops! Thanks!
I like the Hudson, the ’57 Fairlane, the ’55 DeSoto and, of course, the ’38 Ford. Now, hose them off, clean them up, take LOTS of pics and offer them for fair prices. Then we can talk price on each. If I were selling them, that’s what I would do. But, that’s just me. Manual labor is mandatory.
I agree with Patrick about the Hudson. And with what to do for some preparation. If some of these were just washed & vacuumed it would add 100’s if not 1,000’s to the asking price.
Everybody likes to see the dust, but nobody likes to buy it.
The Hudson is all right. I’m kind of partial to the ’38 Ford, even if it’s been hot-rodded. I lost one (stolen) some years ago and I still haven’t gotten over it. I like the ’58 Ford and the DeSoto Firedome too. And the Husdon is OK although I was never a big fan of those big barges. I do have to say that they owned the race tracks for a spell. The local racing circuit had to put up with a ’52 Pacemaker that ran a ’54 Hornet engine. The Chevies, the Pontiacs, and the Fords just bounced off it and promptly bounced off the track. Nothing like a little weight behind it….
geomechs, I own several stepdowns and believe me they are quite nimble. Especially around curves. Nor quite the barge you would want everyone to believe. With a stock 308 Hornet engine I have no problem on a freeway. If that one in the auction is any good all around, someone is going to get a really nice car. BTW because of the unibody construction the weight of a stepdown Hudson is relatively light compared to a contemporary Dodge or Buick. If I was looking at the 50’s Fords I would be very careful to check for rustouts and indications of bondo. McNamara was a cheapskate when he was at Ford and in 57 they didn’t undercoat. Ford actually produced more cars than Chevy that year so where are they? Answer, rusted out and crushed. Buyer beware.Especially around the notorious headlight surrounds. The retractable Ford is a nice car but the relays are a bit troublesome I think there were about 12 to operate the top. A lot of parts were unique to that car as well.
Wow! Prices would b nice!
Ever since I saw Driving Miss Daisy I have lusted after the Hudson Commodore. Would love to have one!
The headlights on the ’38 Ford Standard are an aftermarket sealed beam conversion. I’ve seen them on ’37s as well. I don’t care for the looks of them. The ’39 usually used the ’40 headlight rings etc, as 1940 was the first year that sealed beams replaced the bulb and reflector style.
Now we’ve come full circle with the modern headlamps that don’t limit the front fender design to just round or rectangle lights.
What’s extra interesting to me is that in the photo of a street car show featuring the Skyliner, across the street is a yellow Daf! In Kansas! I believe — not certain — the model is a Daffodil. Seems highly improbable.
I like the Desoto. It appears to be the most original, untouched car of the group. Looks like it just needs a good wax job and a stainless piece for the right rear door, maybe a headliner.
The Hudson would be my choice
The odd man out and the underdog; fixed up right this car could go from country club to the two lane cruise and lastly draw an awe or two at burger joints.
They handled far better than the other firms big boys, and proved it by long distance Mexico runs, salt beaches and salt flats runners.
Luxo interior, brakes, and new electronics and new 6+ liter Chevy.
Black paint with maybe minor body highlighted thin stripes .
New wheels and performance rubber.
Then drive it to the max.