Carrera Panamericana anyone?: ’53 Hudson Jet
We like nice, original cars with a family history. This is one of those cars. Is it a hugely popular collectible car? No, but they do have a following. We would have other plans for it. The Hudson Jet series was actually quite successful back in the day. They sold well and had a good reputation albeit it looks a little frumpy. They were known to be comfortable, fuel-efficient (for the time) and nicely engineered. This one was in the family of the original owner until last year. The Jet has 38,xxx miles on it and the seller believes it is accurate. It is also an original paint car and we always find sort of remarkable. We would leave it just the way it is.There are a few things that don’t work and a couple of rust holes in the lower rear fenders but other than that, you can drive it as is. We think the tribute race in Mexico called the Carrera Panamericana would welcome this one with open arms. You are going to be able to buy this one relatively inexpensively so there will be room for modifications necessary to do battle in Mexico. You won’t win anything but we hear the food is pretty good. Seriously, you could be all in less the transport to Mexico for under $8 grand I think…Click here for the listing.
I feel obligated to burst the Carrera Panamericana bubble as a previous owner of multiple Hudson Jets. The entire drivetrain and suspension of the Jet models, and their high center of gravity, is woefully inadequate for any such attempt. There are no full size Hudson control arms or HD suspension items here and while the 202″ six cylinder is zippy for “town” it won’t begin to be competitive in “country” (Mexico). Its an adequate hobby car to be sure if you want something really oddball that needs your time and attention to be cruise night material.
Who knew any of our readers actually owned one of these! Thanks, Wayne. We really liked the condition of this little Hudson and always attempt to try and do something fun and as you said “oddball”. If it got us safely from taco stand to taco stand, it would be a badge of honor. But you are correct. It is better suited for cruise nights.