This 1949 Hudson Commodore has been in the possession of the same owner for over 24-years. The time has come for the car to move on to fresher pastures, so it has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. Barn Finder Ikey H located this beauty for us to look at, so thank you so much for that Ikey. It is located in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and the owner has set a sales price of $8,000 for this post-war classic.
It appears that under that healthy layer of dust, the Brigantine Blue paint that graces this car’s flanks is in quite nice condition. There is enough of a shine evident to suggest that a good wash would have the car looking pretty respectable. It looks like there might be a few marks and stone-chips around the front of the Hudson, but not only does the owner not mention any issues with rust, but there aren’t any visible signs either. It also appears that the external trim and chrome, along with all of the glass, is in good condition. The Commodore has a very distinctive look and style about it, and when it first surfaced in 1948, it must have seemed light-years ahead of offerings from other manufacturers.
The current owner undertook a restoration of the interior of the Commodore, and it does present nicely. All of the factory original equipment is still present, including the factory radio in that beautiful and largely symmetrical dash. I can’t help but think that there might be an aftermarket stereo hidden somewhere because it looks like there are speakers fitted to the kick panels. The seats look really good, as do the door trims. Once again, it looks like the interior is another area of the car that would present beautifully if given a bit of a clean.
Nestling in the engine bay of the Commodore is the 262ci flathead 6-cylinder engine, which is backed by a 3-speed manual transmission. At 3,625lbs, the Commodore is not a light car, and that engine had to push this around with the 121hp. However, with 200ft/lbs of torque at its disposal, this made the Hudson a very flexible car that could accelerate smoothly from some pretty low speeds in top gear. The mechanical components in this Hudson have come in for some recent TLC, with work to the brakes, radiator, axel seals, and sundry other items consuming a healthy $4,800. While it isn’t specifically mentioned, this should result in a car that runs and drives well.
This 1949 Hudson Commodore looks like it is a car that will need little beyond a good clean before it is ready to hit the road once again. These are a distinctive and attractive car, and their styling was well ahead of their time. For someone who is on the hunt for a classic car that is essentially ready to drive and enjoy, this is a car that would seem to be perfect for the job.
I’m smitten for sure.
Bob
a great automobile from the past my grandfather had the same exact car a 1949 blue hudson with a flathead engine he bought it brand nerw right after he came home from the militery he served at pearl harbor the day of invasion i remember him tellin a lot of stories that he battled in and really made u think about what he had been through anyways an awesome car i remember last riding in the old girl in 1976 during the 4 th of july celebration in our hometown bicentenial birthday
Quite a story. But, not to criticize, please use punctuation and capital letters. It really helps when we read. Thanks to your grandfather…a survivor of Pearl Harbor is a definite winner and a blessing. Thanks for this post.
That is one beautiful dash!
That dash is beautiful, It would be nice of the owner to pull this fine looking Hudson out in the sunshine and give it a bath before the sale pictures.
I agree…and with some underside pictures, too.
The seller isn’t doing this beautiful old Hudson justice at all. What would it have taken to push it out of the garage stall and hose it off? The sunlight on that paint would go a long way in helping the sale. Sure, it looks good but that’s in dark shadows & crazy reflections from daylight. I hope the seller reads this.
It’s Craig’s List. Sellers don’t lift a finger to help get their car sold. Pull the cover halfway off and take pictures as-is where-is.
I’m with you, Will. The gut looks tantalizingly great, and the guy couldn’t be bothered washing the car. He expects to sell it?? Good luck all around.
Cheers
GPC
I’m in total agreement with the idea of pulling it out and taking a hose to it!! Let someone see what there bidding on!! It actually doesn’t look bad with 4 doors either!! I’ll bet this boat probably gets good fuel economy too!! Flat 6 with three speed column shift is the way to go with a car like this!! Everytime you get in it you feel transported to those days after the war when times were good and stuff was still inexpensive!!!
I hate you guys. Especially Ikey H.
You tease me, you taunt me and you dangle such goodness that is but a single garage bay out of my reach.
And I let you. Every day……….
Same here. And I keep coming back for more…
Not much sexier than a Step-Down Hudson, and I think the four-doors look better than the coupes. If I had a (big) garage and a full time job, I’d be all over it.
I was also hoping to see this beauty in the sunlight.
My grandfather and I saved a 54 Super Wasp out the dirt adjacent to a local swamp in our hometown. Still pretty rock solid for it’s age and location. We power washed it, got the engine running, and sold it off to be a father/son project for another family.
http://www.carsinbarns.com/new83.html
Doc Hudson would be proud!! RIP Doc….
Cheers
GPC
I really want another Hudson and this pushes almost all the buttons. ( twin H and overdrive would be the last 2)
But it is not in the cards for me right now.
I have the constant gear heads dilemma, Not enough time, space and cash.
Any of those 3 are sometimes ok, but never all three at the same time!
Damn!
I fell in love the with the Hudson Commodore after seeing the one Morgan Freeman drove in Driving Miss Daisy. Blue is also my favorite color too! If I had the $8,000 out of my ’69 Olds 98, I’d jump on this one in a heartbeat!
Check out the underside as they can rot away to nothing.
If I didn’t have a new (to me) car on the way home as we speak, I would call this guy and buy it sight unseen and have it shipped to me. I have wanted one of these for decades and this one looks perfect to me. Nice, but not too nice so I can drive it without a lot of fear.
This is a Super not a Commodore. Commodore steering wheel but still a Super none the less. Couldn’t restore one for the asking price. I know I’ve done several. :)
Maybe I am wrong but I believe those white wall tires, ( old 78 bias ply ??? ) Look like PORTA WALL fake white walls from yesteryear. I remember they were still in use in the early 1960,s. They used to wobble and bulge in certain spots around the tire and you never wanted to scrape the curbside with them because they mostly tore right off. These porta walls looked cool back in the day along with fender skirts, Curb feelers and steering wheel suicide knob with a naked woman 0r rose and way back a coon tail hanging off the radio antenna. Just reminiscing. LOL.
James Turner, I enlarged the picture to where I firmly believe that they are real white walls. I was in the tire business a long time ago. And even though I started long after port a walls were no longer the rage. I still had customers with them and customers would still buy them from JC Whitney/Warshaski. And this was in the mid to late ’70s! You can still buy real white walls from Corky. But these look REAL OLD! Just by the look of the checking on the white walls, I would not drive them over 30 mph.
I sill want the car!
I would love this car to honour my dad as he had one when I was 8yrs old in 1952 and said his Commodore was the best car he ever owned. He passed in 98 and always owned the big Fords and Chryslers.
Hi.
I wasn’t able to post a picture in the comment section. What am I doing wrong?
Love those Hudson’s. One day I will own one!
Love those Hudson’s. Especially the Commodores and Hornets. One day I will own one!
I was born in 1943. My parents and grandparents would complain about the high cost of living. I remember in the mid 1950’s gas was 22.9 cents per gallon. Mom and Dad bought a new 2 bdrm brick rambler in 1949 for $14,800.00 Quite a nice house. So, all is relevant when talking about high costs or cheap. Back to the car… I would really love to have this one!! One thing…Where is the dig-danged steering column and master cylinder??? How do you steer and stop this thing?
Thank goodness I don’t have a spare $8000. I would have this car, and have to live in it.
I have a 1952 hudson wasp with twin h carbs .Has been in my barn for 10 plus years.Ibought it in 1993 and hardly drove it.I need to sell for health reasons.