Hudson Commodore: The Perfect Postwar Turnpike Cruiser

Donald cruises Ocean Drive in a 1948 Hudson Commodore, a car as comfortable as it is innovative.
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[@audieconrad8995]

Donald pays a fine hommage to a fine car. Thank you.

[@bryantsemenza38]

Hudson’s are just remarkable vehicles. Your drive and Jay Leno’s Hudson drives are just excellent. It is a shame we lost the Hudson brand.

[@koz8850]

Amazing car. And as usual a very informative and entertaining video from Mr. Osborne. Thank you again sir for time well spent.

[@josephrobichaud5198]

I loved those old boats. It was like taking your couch on road trip. Just a few miles from where I live there was a Hudson dealer. His back lot was filled with old Hudsons, and he thought this would be his retirement plan when he sold them. Unfortunately they had been sitting there so long they just fell apart when trying to haul them away.

[@anthonym.reynolds4055]

Now, this is an Automobile!

[@asteverino8569]

You truly appreciate this car and verbalize that well.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

It is a nice-looking car for sure, thank you for taking us along for the ride. I also love the Pizza Pan-sized steering wheel. 💋

[@JohnCline]

Transparent plastic seat covers, that brings back some memories from my childhood!

[@reelreeler8778]

Same here! Seemed as if if folks felt obliged to keep the seat material showroom new for the next owner....lol

[@richcoleman469]

That's my year and what a spectacular car, but I couldn't stand plastic covered seats

[@terrym5023]

You just ticked off a whole bunch of Grandmas 🙄😂

[@dkendr6793]

I was born in 1948. I never saw Hudsons growing up. I first became aware of them while driving by an old Huson dealership on the way to Cape Cod back in the 70's. There were two Hudson front ends, welded back-to-back, rusting away in a field. The Hudson logo was still on the old dealership building. Sadly, they're gone now. I saw this car in the Land Yachts exhibit. I was blown away by it. Imagine that body with modern mechanicals. I'd be tempted.

[@alanblanes2876]

It would be marvelous to see an example given the full restomod treatment.

[@allareasindex7984]

Love to have seen under the hood and the suspension.

[@tombrown1898]

A friend of mine had quite a number of wonderful cars of the 1940s and 1950s, a number of which he let me drive. By far, the most amazing of the group was his 1951 Hudson Hornet. The ride, handling, quietness and performance were the equal of a contemporary 1980 American sedan. Long time ago, but I've never forgotten it. Donald got it exactly right.

[@roccofortura2468]

Another great car and great narration, thank you.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thank you for watching!

[@bigsarge2085]

Fantastic!

[@pierceaero3005]

There is an entire branch of our family that collects Hudsons. I always felt like I understood why just looking at them. 😊

[@E.T.GARAGE]

Another great Hudson, Thanks For Sharing. 👍

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thanks for watching!

[@discerningmind]

Mr. Osborne, thank you so much here. Unfamiliar with Hudson, it seems to be beautifully built as well as durable. While I love engines, powertrains, as well as things chassis-body, I have to say that car interiors are what truly excite me. After all, that's where I spend most of my time. My first view of the interior here were your spotless hands on that beautiful beige steering wheel. Your hands seemed to be having a wonderful time and I deeply wanted my hands to enjoy that wheel too. I loved the things that you had to say about the interior, and your fine description of the seat build and fabric, relayed the feel right to my mind. I want to add that, to me, this Hudson dashboard smacks of Rolls-Royce. Thank you, wishing you a wonderful springtime, and may God bless.

[@donhathaway3234]

You’ve managed to change my mind about these cars. Being born in 1953, by the time I got interested in cars these cars were really only found as rusty old heaps mostly in junkyards up here in New England. You can tell by watching you drive and the exterior shots what a smooth and comfortable cruiser they were.

[@OllamhDrab]

Nice. I love those old Hudsons. (I'd be less interested in one of the big ones but if I got hold of a Hornet coupe....) :)

[@opera93]

Thanks, Audrain Team…Oddly interesting, that I may prefer , “Owning/*working on/*learning ” the 48 Commodore over: the 2024 E CORVETTE (* a Master piece of Engineering , on brief observations)……..!

[@realbogus]

Twin H-Power!!! That's where it's at!! Hi Donald!!!

[@davidjernigan8161]

The big issue with a column shift manual is all the linkages and pivot points make quick gear changes near impossible

[@audieconrad8995]

I'm not so sure that would be the point in a car such as this.

[@frankangelo7336]

I don’t know why exactly, but I had a couple of vehicles with a 3 on the tree and I loved shifting them.

[@michaelkelly6154]

These videos are expertly edited. I wonder if Donald is involved in the editing because they truly showcase his effortless passion in describing all of the nuances of these cars.

[@jonathancunningham8739]

Love the Hudson very nice car and holds up even today thanks for showing us this work of art.

[@JeffK.]

Sir, you look very dapper driving that classy old car. I imagine you had to peruse your wardrobe a bit to find colors that would match the interior. Great narration and thoughts about this car. Thanks very much.

[@hamiam2243]

Great show it felt like I was in the car with you!💯🎥

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

That's great to hear! Check out some of our other videos

[@middleclassretiree]

Beautiful automobiles is what comes to mind with Hudson, they didn’t have fancy gadgets and electronics but they had a abundance of quality and craftsmanship coupled with a beautiful design heck if miss daisy was driven in one 😂😂, seriously though they were great cars to bad we don’t have a diverse manufacturing base and haven’t for decades

[@daveallen8824]

Got to love all that beautiful chrome on the dash area. And it was GOOD chrome in this era. I had a 50 Chevy and the chrome on the dash looked pitted - a little elbow grease and it came out absolutely gleaming like new - it was NOT chrome over plastic, but actual plating.

[@roncarguy6361]

When I was born in 1949, I came home from the hospital in a '48 Commodore ( my grandparents). It was Harness Tan. Later I owned a '53 Hornet.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@T-41]

Thanks for the fine program. The independent auto companies offered very good vehicles, but had trouble competing when the sellers market ended .

[@lorenhewitt8279]

Such a beautiful car! It was ahead of its time and so well made.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thanks for watching our video!

[@styldsteel1]

PERFECTO!!!!! Because of the way you verbalize, and your smooth ability to explain things, I learned a thing or two about my own 49 4 door flathead straight 8. The interior you were in is my interior. Dead ringer. I believe the Hudson Motor Company used Mohair. Which is I think goat. I would describe it as feeling like money. My 49 has most the options as your example. Except for the spots and figs. I was a bit surprised that with the optional sun visor, your example didn't have the glass prism mounted in the dash. It is a bit challenging seeing traffic lights with the visor. Loved the rear blinds. Mine is equipped with this option. Very nice! The "wood Grain" dash is painted! I was so tickled you mentioned a Studebaker. Ok..not so popular, but I don't care. Mine is a '57 Champion. Flathead 6. Tone on tone. Copper tone mist half way down the doors, and black on top with a matching interior. Love my "Cyclopse" barrel speedo with odometer. Donald you are just wonderful. Thank you! God bless.

[@kmoecub]

In the 60's my father used to go to junkyards to pull engines from these and put them into his flat-track car. Torque was the name of the game back then.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

That's awesome thank you for sharing!

[@robertginns156]

Seat covers - apparently came simply 'cause automotive fabrics of "the day" did not hold up.A new car meant a trip to Rayco for full covers as soon as possible after delivery!

[@choward5430]

Thank you, Donald. Excellent!

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@wesalexander2693]

Great review, Donald, thank you! Amazing how advanced the Hudson Commodore was for its time, especially when compared with the major manufacturers. The car certainly appears lower, yet looking at Donald behind the wheel, also has a lot of head room. It's a shame that so many of the independent manufacturers couldn't afford to sustain their position in the marketplace, they had a lot to offer.

[@jefferysmith3930]

Beautiful dash on that Hudson. Up until the late 60’s a new car was really a new experience with new and useful innovations. Not so much today. I currently drive a ‘97 Honda Odyssey and a ‘92 Prelude. Both cars have full power equipment, cold a/c, a decent sound system, automatic transmission, air bag(s), easy to use controls. In short, these 30 ish year old cars do everything I need a car to do….and in comfort while achieving low to mid 20 MPG in town driving. What have we really gained in the past 30 years as far as how a car functions in day to day life? Stronger structures and more airbags- yes, but with poorer visibility and annoying electronics and super efficient engines the pit efficiency over longevity. No, I don’t really want to have a crash in either one of my old relics so I remain vigilant while driving.

[@tranquilitybase7860]

I love this car.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

We do too! Thanks for watching

[@melvinburwell8202]

This car is seldom seen. Usually see Hornets. Much better looking in my opinion. Rare. Gorgeous interior. Plastic covers. Hmm. Thanks Mr.O. Again.❤❤😎

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@davidhayter8516]

I love this man’s articulate evaluations of vehicles. He and Jay Leno are just so good at what they do. Tyler Hoovie and Doug DeMore are different in their styles but are also informative. For entertainment you can’t go past Vice Grip Garage. All different takes on the one subject. Great fun.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thank you so much! We really enjoy all of those channels as well

[@dcoop05]

Thank you for sharing the Hudson.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Our pleasure!

[@toddburgess6792]

That steering wheel!! Not a crack or blemish, but a whole lot of wheel. Is it a straight 8? Flattie or in-head valve? That car is a museum artifact, and you treat is so nice.

[@JosephDeLuna-yj8vg]

Such An Impressive!

[@billcoulter9879]

Great car , you seem to be floating from the centerline to the curbside

[@tetchuma]

Hudson won all of their races with inline sixes. Hudson didn’t have a V8 until 1955, AFTER they had merged with Nash, to form AMC.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

The Hudson is the only car from the 40s that I would want. Any other make, it would have to be a 60's car

[@mcsg_pelecan]

Hudson with a body by Fisher??? Throw in mechanicals by Packard. That would have been something!

[@johnscanlan9335]

How would this great automobile compare to other better-known vehicles from the late 1940s? Would this Hudson Commodore stand on the same level as a top-of-the-line Buick or Oldsmobile?

[@herrunsinn774]

04:45 From the gauge, it looks like the car is running a bit hot there, Donald. 🥵

[@JamesAllmond]

it still is...

[@eduardorogeliorodriguez7012]

El auto es maravilloso pero la ropa del amigo que presenta el auto me gusta mas

[@johndavey72]

Let's hope we all live to make a comment Donald .

[@loetzcollector466]

The other evening I was watching a 1927 japanese film as I am want to do. And the spoiled japanese young lady in the film lamented several times how she wished she could own a hudson.

[@decencywarrior9598]

🗽🌞 🇺🇸

[@josephconsoli4128]

Beautiful car. It's sad that the great independents like Hudson, Packard, and Nash were basically shoved to the side in the '50's by the big three. They just didn't have the resources to stay competitive.

[@loumontcalm3500]

Without overdrive it's no turnpike cruiser. Dipper oil system 8 goes back to the early 30's. Three on the tree was old news by '48.

[@audieconrad8995]

Anything positive you might add?

[@loumontcalm3500]

@@audieconrad8995 yes- the all new body was the latest word, but would date quickly. The six was a better choice than the ancient 8.

[@audieconrad8995]

@@loumontcalm3500 ah...thx.

[@Jack_Russell_Brown]

I'm fairly confident that this 48 Hudson Commodore would get up to 100 mph if one approached it in a civilized manner. If my 49 Packard Standard Touring Sedan (smallest 4 door sedan Packard made that year) with a 288 CID inline 8 and Ultramatic transmission can do it, so can this yacht. Just don't force the old girl, let her think it's her idea!

[@BoricuaBiker2012]

I'm guessing no power steering because that is a huge steering wheel.

[@TheSkapaw66]

Plastic on the seats. I thought only my aunt did that in her living room.

[@Bbbuddy]

I really dislike the use of plastic over old car upholstery.

[@tim_gifford]

Get drive! I understand why a previous owner may have done it but the plastic seat covers are just gaudy and uncomfortable looking. It’s almost an insult to Donald’s fine apparel to have him driving a car with plastic seat covers

[@TinLeadHammer]

A shot from the inside and a shot from the front - poor presentation that does not show off the car.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Did you not see the B-Roll shots of the car and interior?

[@pisstinpete4700]

You said wonderful 97 times

[@Zagato67]

Darn it! I was trying for 100…. Next time! Thanks for watching!