Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 48
1949 Hudson Commodore Custom Six Convertible Brougham Chassis no. 49178515 Engine no. 56249761
Sold for US$20,160 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 48
Elegant Mid-Century Design
1949 Hudson Commodore Custom Six Convertible Brougham
1949 Hudson Commodore Custom Six Convertible Brougham
1949 Hudson Commodore Custom Six Convertible Brougham
Chassis no. 49178515
Engine no. 56249761
Chassis no. 49178515
Engine no. 56249761
262ci L-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Carter Carburetor
121bhp at 4,000rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
* Nicely presented example with older cosmetic refresh
* Elegant Maroon over Dark Maroon trim
* Historic Americana
* Cool and historic car to take on cool driving events such as the Copperstate 1000
THE HUDSON COMMODORE
Hudson was among the first of the Detroit automakers to introduce new models after World War II, and they were without question the most dramatically different of all the new designs.
Hudson's innovation for 1948 was the "step-down" chassis with the foot wells recessed between the body stiffening members, an early expression of the "unit body" concept, which merged the body and frame in a single, welded unit. The rear frame members passed outside the rear wheels: the Hudson's rear wheel skirts were functional, not pointless embellishment. The first "step-down" Hudson's were only five feet high. They were the fastest, best handling cars around, combining Hudson's competent six- and eight-cylinder engines with the low center of gravity and relatively lightweight of the "step-down" design.
The Detroit-based company celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1949 with a line of cars that continued the popular "step-down" design introduced the year before. Even as other American automakers caught up with their first fully redesigned post-WWII cars, the 1949 Hudson enjoyed a 36-percent gain in sales from 1948.
The underdog Hudson entered racing in 1951. Success was easily found in NASCAR with the bigger, straight eight Hornet. The Hudson's superiority on oval tracks was no fluke, either. In the 195 2 Mexican Road Race Marshall Teague brought his Hudson Wasp home sixth overall. On some of the twisting, broken surfaced sections through the Mexican mountains he blew off all the entries from sports car powers Porsche, Lancia and Jaguar.
Nevertheless, unable to introduce new models as fast as its larger rivals, and lacking a V8 engine, Hudson was forced to merge with Nash in 1954, forming American Motors.
THE CAR OFFERED
Offered here is one of 656 Commodore Custom Six Convertibles produced in 1949. Finished in Maroon over Dark Maroon leather, it was the subject of a sympathetic cosmetic refresh at some point in past that included an exterior repaint and interior retrim. Complete with a radio and heater, it has lovely period touches including front and rear bumper overriders, rear curb feelers, and four-wheel mudflaps.
When operated by a Bonhams specialist, it was found to have fired up and driven nicely – albeit at lower speeds. Not actively used in recent years, it would like benefit from a service before active use.
Popular with everyone from hot rodders and bankers to Steve McQueen (who owned a 1950 Commodore Convertible), the classic look of a Hudson is unmistakable and offers fabulous amounts of fun for reasonable amounts of money.
Additional information
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