1949 Hudson Commodore Custom Six Convertible Brougham Twin H-Power Restoration Project - Spent $445k

1949 Hudson Commodore Custom Six Convertible Brougham Twin H-Power Restoration Project - Spent on Restoration - $445,000
Unveiled in December 1947, the new Hudsons made a big splash with the public and proved highly influential on the industry. Interestingly, General Motors was reputed to have purchased a number of them for evaluation, with the cars used for several years as a standard for handling and performance at the Milford Proving Grounds. The new Hudsons were offered for 1948 along two distinct lines - the Special with six- and eight-cylinder power, and the top-line Commodore Six and Eight. Essentially unchanged for 1949, the Commodores were now renamed ‘Commodore Custom’. While Hudson did not enjoy the virtually unlimited capital of some of its larger competitors, Hudson still managed to widen its trim levels and launched new models, all while keeping the basic “Step-Down” Commodore in production through 1954, when the fiercely independent company ultimately merged with Nash to form American Motors.
1 of 656 built, this freshly completed, multiple award-wining Jay Doerfler restored Commodore Custom Six Convertible Brougham has an immense presence and a near perfect presentation. Powered by the highly desirable, NASCAR-bred “Twin H-Power” engine (the largest of the engines offered), equipped with leather upholstery, manual 3-speed overdrive transmission, hydraulic power top and windows, radio, chrome wires, wide whitewalls, twin spot lights, and other features, it is not just in exceptional condition, but exceptionally equipped! One of the finest new postwar American automobile designs, in open-air form.
This top-of-the-line 1949 Commodore Custom Six Convertible Brougham clearly benefits from a stunning and freshly completed show-quality restoration performed by Jay Doerfler of Auto Body Specialists in Manchester, New Hampshire. The restoration work was a professional, no-expense-spared effort, and included virtually all cosmetic and mechanical aspects of the car. Completely dismantled and stripped to bare metal, repaired, and then beautifully refinished in black, the Commodore features a matching convertible top and rich Burgundy leather upholstery - all custom-made and painstakingly hand-stitched to factory specifications. The dash is particularly striking with its painted wood grained surfaces. A high-compression 308 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine, while not offered by the factory for 1949, powers this Commodore. One look underhood reveals it its impeccably detailed, finished, and equipped with the famous “Twin H-Power” dual-carburetor intake system that Hudson racers used to great effect on early NASCAR ovals. A new wiring harness was designed and assembled, utilizing original-style cloth covering material, to proper factory appearance. Since the bulk of the restoration work was finished by Doerfler, further sorting and improvements were made by world renowned Phil Reilly & Company in Corte Madera, California. The total for the restoration bills on file exceeds $445,000 (standing several inches thick), and in this regard, it is almost certainly the most comprehensively restored example on the planet.
The quality of the Commodore’s restoration was handily confirmed immediately after completion, with the car winning three awards on its first outing at the 2015 Boston World of Wheels Autorama. While primarily a hot rod-oriented event, the Commodore nonetheless earned Best in Class, Best Restored Car overall, and the prestigious CASI Award, which effectively represents second place for the entire show in the face of stiff competition - a fantastic achievement for the car’s first showing. In addition to its special engine, the Commodore also features a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive, hydraulic power top and windows, a radio, chrome wire wheels, and period style wide whitewall tires. Extremely rare today as 1 of just 656 Commodore Custom Six Brougham Convertibles built for 1949, this virtually impeccable, show-quality example marks the epitome of postwar American motoring and now stands ready for further success in show competition with an astute new owner.
Built By:
Auto Body Specialists
425 Second St
Manchester NH 03102
Phone: [phone]
www.autobspec.com
Facebook: / absclassicmusclecarres...
Instagram: / absclassicmusclecarres...
KZbin: / @jamess113

[@AbdelOveAllhan]

A true "American Beauty". Sumptuously restored, making things perfect...that no one will ever see!

[@larryread8475]

Magnificent and it looks like you probably have 3,500 man-hours in the restoration. Most people don't realize what a Concourse de Elegance car costs. Congratulations on a job well done!

[@Slithey7433]

Beautiful job to create what will surely be a show winning trailer queen.

[@kipbrown1549]

One of the best looking cars ever produced ////// And a outstanding restoration /////////////// I give this car a A++++++++ rating //////////////////

[@ricardojano3716]

Black Beauty is the 1949 Hudson but better yet is the Ride ! I rode in many of my Uncle Bob's four door Hudson's , step don into the car and enjoy the ride One day he picked us up in a 1954 Chevy Be lAir four door that's the day i missed the Hudson from then on

[@godfreyberry1599]

Beautiful work and well worth the effort.

[@CHEEZNIP12]

Wow. Just a crazy amount of money to spend on a restore. Dont know if it’s worth it. Very beautiful

[@brianhardy6234]

Got to be one of the very finest convertibles money can buy. Just gorgeous car. 🔥🔥🔥 🏆🏆🏆 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🙏

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

I agree Brian!!!

[@davidson2004fatboy]

THIS is POSSIBLE WHEN YOU HAVE MORE MONEY than BRAINS

[@derekwilkinson7939]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[@bernielowe3709]

Red or white would have looked so much better for me. It’s absolutely beautiful though. Amazing job done ✅

[@alanblanes2876]

Black and red can't be beat...

[@theobserver1219]

great restoration!

[@pierreduplessis1507]

Super super stunning.

[@siddembowski439]

A work of art stunning

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Looking good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@markwagner4909]

Beautiful

[@palucav1]

Woooow♥️ Such a beauty

[@nojnoj3069]

Pure excellence.

[@rajrammbbs]

OEM, the way it should be.

[@joeschlotthauer840]

445K is a little beyond me...

[@joserobertolima8669]

Show!!!!!

[@lucasmendes2721]

🇧🇷

[@joeabbott7839]

It's not time it takes it becomes part of you

[@davidson2004fatboy]

WHY ???

[@ricardodigiacomo3577]

muy pobre el video le falta explicacion tecnica y conceptos.

[@kevinrussell5099]

All that money spent to make it concours quality but it will never be until it has the correct steering wheel in it (that's a '50 wheel in it), the front carpet removed (48 & 49's only had a rubber mat up front) the proper color wood grain on the dash (not even close on this one) and the correct engine (there wasn't a twin H available until later in the '51line), and painted in the right color (silver). Yes, the car is beautiful but it's a restomod, not a restoration.

[@Jamess113]

Great job pointing out everything that's not correct to a 49, but we built what the customer wanted. This was put together as if it could have been built like this from the factory. It is always baffling to me that there are people who take the time to be negative..... what's the point?

[@kevinrussell5099]

@@Jamess113 the point is only that the customer needs to know that as much money as he spent on this beautiful Hudson, he'll be dinged plenty if he should want to show it at an AACA meet for the several non original changes.

[@bernielowe3709]

Way beyond my understanding of value