1948 Hudson Sedan

"Commodore"

Specifications

Engine: L-head inline-8

Displacement: 254.5 cu. in./ 4.17 L

Horsepower: 128 hp

Transmission: 3-speed manual

A Little History

The Commodore was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, between 1941 and 1952. There were three different generations of the car, and the car currently on display was part of the third. Despite the fact that the Commodore’s production spanned nine years, there was actually a four year gap between 1942 and 1946, as Hudson turned its focus on the war effort. 1948, the first year of the third generation of the Commodore, marked the first newly-designed body by Hudson since pre-World War II.

The Design:
The third generation of Commodores marked the first year Hudson released their trademarked “monobuilt” or “step-down” construction. The car has a strong semi-unit body with a perimeter frame that runs around it entirely. This requires passengers to actually step down into their vehicles. The design was beneficial for Hudson on multiple levels; it provided passengers with extra protection because they were completely surrounded by the frame, and it allowed for weight savings, and therefore overall money savings, as it required less metal in production. The addition of the “step-down” body resulted in a 50% sales jump for Hudson in 1948.

The car currently on display is almost entirely original, having undergone only one repaint in its original Quartermaster Grey color, and no restorations. It’s equipped with almost every available factory option, including overdrive, a windshield visor with a traffic light prism, chrome side window visors, a tissue dispenser, a rear window wiper, window blinds, reversing lamps, and fender skirts and chrome hubcaps.

Did you know?
Third generation Hudsons were designed in part by Betty Thatcher, the first female designer to ever be employed by a car manufacturer.
This Commodore has been shown in over 20 car shows throughout its life, and taken First Place in every one.