What is there not to like about a Business Coupe? They usually offer great looks, two doors, a spacious trunk, and the rare and cool exclusivity that separates them from the standard model line. This 1940 Hudson is a wonderfully styled classic that offers great looks and potential. Described as complete and original, this Hudson is offered for $3,000. Take a look at it here on craigslist out of Saugerties, New York. Thanks to reader Fred H. for the stylish two door submission!
The style and good looks extend into the cabin, where the dash and steering wheel share a similar design and style. Miraculously, it appears that the factory upholstery has survived relatively well these past 78 years. The interior hardware is in nice shape and could certainly be polished up. There is a visible rot area in the driver floor area, but it would seem the remainder of the floor is solid for the most part.
Again, the upholstery looks rather nice considering the age of this Hudson. The quarter glass windows have been removed and are sitting on the seat, and the headliner is still hanging in there even around where those windows use to be mounted.
The overall shape and style of this Hudson is awesome! Certainly a show stopper fully restored, this Business coupe could be a great project in a couple of ways. A restoration would be grand, but the cost may be prohibitive versus the overall value of the car. Personally I would rather see the car on the road versus parked in a field, so maybe a hot rod angle could be applied to this Hudson? The factory drive-train is in place, and does turn over, but hasn’t been run in a while due to a points issue.
The body isn’t perfect, but it isn’t terrible either. There is some rot in the lower portion of the front fenders, and in the rocker area, but that looks to be the worst of it. Appearing mostly straight, there is dent in the lower portion of driver front fender. Also both the front and rear bumpers have been bumped. Where some may see a money pit, I only see possibilities for this stylish and great looking business coupe. What would you do to get this Business Coupe back on the road?
Wow I am looking at the rear and getting a Willy’s impression 👍
This is a nice car to snap up and build at a real price….I hope no flippers get this to add five grand and resale!
If I had room in the inn this would be mine to build .
A business coupe and no look into the trunk? Sigh! Not to mention no engine pictures.
I like this one but I have to wonder about parts availability and price.
If I did buy something like this then I would make it safe and reliable first and then try to do a rolling restoration while enjoying it.
I wonder what a decent running and driving one is worth. It might be better to start with something closer to being done.
Gary,
In my experience it’s almost always better to start with something already done – at least financially. But I’m a sucker for the challenge of taking something like this and making it shine again.
Price seems reasonable for today’s market. By that I mean that it is not completely ridiculous, as so many are. Still high if someone is concerned about profit potential.
– John
Good point Gary. I had a 46 Hudson Commodore 8 a few years back. Freaking loved it. BUT….finding parts….the H-E-T Club (Hudson-Essex-Terraplane) is an excellent resource but it can take weeks, months, and even longer to find apart you are looking for.
My guess is that this’ll have a SB Chevy dropped in it, modern trans, etc. etc.
Sold my ’40 Hudson Supersix, 4 door a couple of years ago. Was a survivor, complete and drove it two or three times a week. Sold it for $7,500.
Could get every part I looked for. Did take some lookinig at times. Prices were much better than for similar Ford or Chevys.
Negative points for a ’40 Hudson are that there are some one year only parts, such as the overdrive trans. Costs as much to restore one of these as another car and they don’t sell for high numbers.
Positive points are that it is the best looking year in my opinion. Hudson had some of the best metal people working there and the drive train is robust. Wet clutch is a joy to drive with. Well balanced so you can even parallel park these without popeye arms.
These rust in the trunk. Seals leak and fill up the trunk. From the pictures it looks like there is quite a bit of rust. Never seen that fabric on a ’40. Then again have never seen a ’40’s Hudson Business Coupe in person.
Brings back memories my first car in 1963 was a 1940 Hudson terraplane
The Terraplane went away in ’38.
Rod, Must have been an earlier model Terraplane since Hudson stopped making them is 1938.
Not in Australia
A lot of cars where baged different especially English they would go to Australia and new Zealand with different maker names
Rod–I didn’t know that. How long was it called a Hudson Terraplane in OZ? That name, HT, was used only on the ’38 here in the US. Also, did they just badge the big Hudson as an HT, or did they produce the smaller Terraplane body for a few years more?
Long time ago but the badge said tp and it was a large 4 door sedan they did badge car different in those days in Australia
If would be best to restore it to original with it being pretty much complete but it would also be a little different than all the Willy’s in the gasser world.
Would make a great looking gasser, nose up a bit, BBC under the hood, and those rear fenders are just begging to be radiused and have some big old slicks stuffed under them. Nice overall design, really like the dash and steering wheel too.
It would make a sweet street rod, that’s for sure! Being quite tall I’m not a fan of lowering the body but this car just screams for it looks wise. It’s sharp, hope it finds a good home.
A good home would NOT be a home where someone bastardizes it.
It’s no different than bringing home a neglected pet. If it gets cared for, appreciated and not left forgotten out in the back 40 then it’s in a better place than where it came from.
For me stock is what I want to own. Have seen a ‘47, that had the same basic body style as a ‘40, that has been lowered and sectioned. It is a fantastic looking car.
With a large number of these 40’s Hudson’s around I don’t see anything wrong with a person making it the way they want it. Bastardize away. There are lots left rusting into the ground to restore if desired.
Hot rod for sure. If someone wants to see an original they can go to a museum.
I would make it a somewhat street rod only with a 308 Hudson hornet six cylinder engine maybe with a small supercharger blowing into the dual carbs maybe 5 lbs of boost.
Motor ran great and trans shifted smooth. Car was fired up last tear and driven around the parking lot.. then the points went and hasn’t been started since.
Trunk does have rot and will need to be completely replaced… so will the gas tank.
3000 is the asking price or best offer
For whoever gets this, finding good quality points is a challenge. The HET (Hudson Essex Terraplane) gang is a great source.
Along with the points in the distributor there are also points in the voltage regulator. Those left me stranded once.
For the trunk, Vintage Coach in Fontana would be a good place to start. Jason helped me with a few things for mine.
Workshop manuals are on the HET website. The folks put a lot of effort into helping fellow Hudson owners keep their cars on the road.
I REALLY like the photographer’s shadows in photos … so swank