1949 HUDSON CARS DESCRIBED

Transcription

1 1949 HUDSON CARS DESCRIBED 1949 HUDSON - GENERAL: The 1949 Hudson was introduced in November Hudson decided to "stand pat" on the styling and features 1948 car, since it was well received. As such, there were only very minor annual revisions in the 1949 models - and all were found inside the cars, with the exterior sheet metal and trim being for the most part, identical. Commodore series models were now called "Commodore Customs" and looked identical to 1948 Commodores HUDSON SUPER: SERIES 491 SIX and SERIES 493 EIGHT. The Super Series standard equipment list included all the previous year's features but added a non-glare dashboard top finish and leather grained trim on the following items: valance panels under windows, kick pads on all doors, rear quarter panels of Broughams and club coupes, recessed panel shelves and top of arm rests. adjustable sun visors, arm rests at ends of all seats, latch type ventipanes, wing type rear quarter windows in sedans, side window reveal moldings, full opening rear quarter windows in club coupes, front parking lamps, twin standard tail lamps, carryall trunk with horizontal mounted spare tire, luggage compartment floor mat, and wheel covers HUDSON COMMODORE: SERIES 492 SIX and SERIES 494 EIGHT. All basic features and Super Series equipment were standard on the Commodore. The model was now called "Custom Commodore", however they looked identical to 1948 Commodores on the outside. The standard equipment list was essentially the same as the previous year, with the following changes: a rubber brown front floor mat had a ribbed, simulated carpet pattern. Non-glare finish was used on top of the instrument panel. Envelope type pockets were used on the front seat backs of convertibles and the sedans. Leather graining was on the door kick pads and rear quarter panels of Broughams and club coupes. Two large parcel compartments, with locks, were now incorporated at each side of the car's dashboard, the left-hand glove box being a new addition. Commodore Customs had bumper guards, metal hand rails on back of front seat, rear window reveal moldings, and 18-inch DeLuxe steering wheel with full circle horn ring. MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA: Super serial numbers. Super Sixes were numbered to Super Eights were numbered to Commodore serial numbers. Custom Commodore Sixes were numbered to Custom Commodore Eights were numbered to Serial numbers were on the right door post. Hudson did not provide body code numbers. In the production chart, the first three symbols comprise the series/model codes, followed by a group of numbers beginning at 101. The first two symbols were "49" in 1949, with the third symbol signifying the model: "491" = Super Six; "493" = Super Eight; "492" = Commodore Six; and "494" = Commodore Eight. The following group of numbers designated production sequence. Engine numbers were the same and were found on a boss near the top left side of the cylinder block and also between the first two manifold flanges. BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS: Black B Brigantine Blue C Platinum Gray G Glowing Gray H Holster Tan J Jersey Blue M Maroon Deep N Nomad Bronze P Piedmont Green Q Queenstown Gray R Ruby Red S Savoy Green HUDSON ENGINES: Super and Commodore Series Six: Inline L-head six-cylinder. Chrome alloy block. Displacement: 262 CID. Bore and stroke: " x 4.375". Compression ratio: 6.5:1. Horsepower: 4000 RPM. Torque: 1600 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter two-barrel WDO type Model 647S. Super and Commodore Series Eight: Inline L-head eight-cylinder. Chrome alloy block. Displacement: 254 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.00" x 4.50" inches. Compression ratio: 6.5:1. Brake horsepower: 4200 RPM. Torque: 1600 RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter two-barrel WDO type Model 648S. CHASSIS: Wheelbase: (all) ". Overall length: (all) ". Front tread: (all) 58.50". Rear tread: (all): 55.50". Tires: (all) 7.10 x 15. POWERTRAIN OPTIONS: Six-cylinder aluminum cylinder head ($11). Eight-cylinder aluminum cylinder head ($13). Vacumotive Drive ($44). Drive-Master, including Vacumotive Drive ($112). Oil bath air cleaner: Six ($6), Eight ($8). Overdrive manual transmission ($101).

2 POWERTRAIN OPTIONS: Continued Vacuum booster pump ($9). Standard rear axle gear ratio was 4.1:1 on all models. Optional 4.55:1 or 4.30:1 gear ratios were available at no extra cost. With Overdrive transmission, the 4.55:1 rear axle was standard and 4.10:1 or 4.30:1 axles were no cost options. The 4.10:1 gear ratio was used with Drive-Master. SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS: Standard on Commodore and Optional on Super - Commodore steering wheel ($20). Directional indicators ($26). Electric clock ($17). Foam rubber front seat cushions ($14). Foam rubber seat cushions ($28). Front bumper guard ($13). Front fender ornaments ($6). Hydraulic window regulators on Super Six convertibles ($63). Large hub caps ($10). Rear window reveal moldings ($4). Optional All Series - Chrome wheel trim rings ($13). Convertible Brougham top rear window glass ($21). Convertible Brougham standard equipment: antique grain Maroon leather trim and hydraulic window regulators (not in the Super Six Convertible). Brown cloth and Maroon leather or Gray cloth and Maroon leather trims were no cost convertible options. Convertible tops came in Black, Gray or Maroon. Directional indicators ($20). Foam rubber front seat back ($16). Heavy scale front and rear springs for Sixes (no cost). Heavy scale rear springs (no cost). Leather trim options for closed cars were available at prices between $83 and $145, the cost depended on body style. Leather trims came in Russet, Gray or Dark Red. Police and Taxi equipment included large clutch, heavy rear springs, 11" brakes & heavy construction seats ($11). Radio ($84). Red or cream wheel colors (no cost). Right fender door arm rest ($4). Tire options included white sidewalls, oversized 7.60 x 15 tires, and extra-ply tire construction. Convertible Broughams came standard with 7.60 x 15 tires Three-quarter leather grain trim ($25-$41 or $32-$53 per body style). Weather Control heater ($64). Weather Master heater ($50). Wheel trim rings ($13). Whitewall tires. NOTE: Specific upholstery trim and top colors were recommended with certain exterior body colors, though variations could be special ordered. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The newly styled 1949 line was offered for sale in December Hudson dealers in New York City began one of the first T.V. automobile advertising campaigns in late 1947 for the introduction of the 1949 models. PRODUCTION: The addition of the step-down body resulted in a 50% sales jump for Hudson in Model year sales hit the 117,400-unit level. This was a great shot in the arm for Hudson and proved that they were on the mark with consumers. Hudson was ranked as America's 11th largest maker this season. See attached chart for production numbers.

3 CAR IMAGES: 1949 Hudson Custom Commodore Convertible was quite popular. 656 Six-cylinder and 596 eight-cylinder models were delivered in It was Hudson's 40th Anniversary. The 1949 Hudson Custom Commodore 4-door Sedan. Like the Convertible, it was available with a 6- and 8-cylinder engine. The 1949 Hudson Custom Commodore 2-door Club Coupe. The car was identical to the 1948 model on the exterior. The club coupe and 4-door sedan sales totaled 60,150 in this year.

4 CAR IMAGES Continued The 1949 Hudson Super Convertible. The car was identical to the 1948 model on the exterior. Interior was mildly upgraded. 1,868 six-cylinder models were produced. No 8-cylinder Super convertibles were offered. The 1949 Hudson Super 4-door Sedan was very popular and contributed a great deal to the 95,830 in Super sales, less the convertible. The 1949 Hudson Super 2-door Brougham was also available with both engines. A surprising phenomenon took place this year with only 6,365 8-cylinder Supers sold. Hudson took note. Continued -

5 CAR IMAGES Continued The 1949 Hudson Super 2-door Club Coupe was very popular, and was very responsible for the 97,698 Supers sold this year.