Waking Up a Legend: Will this Fabulous Hudson Hornet ride again? | Will It Run?

This barn find 1951 Hudson Hornet has been left neglected for years, but that's no way to leave this iconic piece of NASCAR (and Disney/PIXAR's Cars!) history. Davin Reckow does his best to get this Doc Hudson lookalike's flathead straight-six running again, and hopefully hit the road.
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[@MayankLongiany]

I was watching Cars (2006) about 15 minutes ago, and the moment I turned my Wi-Fi on, I received this video's notification. Can you imagine?!

[@oladiedoo50]

Nice!

[@MuniTechnology]

Great movie on many levels.

[@scottgabbard662]

Google (KZbin) is always watching and listening. 😂

[@stephencooper5040]

Yes I can imagine, Google collects analytics from everything.

[@vayabroder729]

The super car of its time. That car sitting there for all those years is a crime. Perfect candidate for a full resto.

[@milodemoray]

I think Doc was just a little 'cranky' for having been abandoned. Good job persuading Doc to start up.

[@there_is_nothing_here]

Dude and it's a two-door? 😮 I love the way those cars look

[@ellesmerewildwood4858]

There are many people here in Oz who own classic US cars, there's nothing in the world like classic American automobile styling. This Hudson is in such good condition even a DIYer like me could restore her. As an aside, watching her going through that hole in the ground in slo-mo I couldn't help but notice how the suspension took most of the drop, the body barely moved at all.

[@YeOldeGeezer]

Must of cost a fortune to get them over to the aussie mainland

[@josephreisinger33]

Is a shame I don't have the $$$$$$ to find one and fix it up. Such a great famous car. Thank you gentlemen 4 a wonderful visit back in time.

[@shaunhardie6077]

That engine sounds so smooth and no smoke, what a result, 😎👌👍.

[@richardphelan8414]

These cars were so far ahead of it's time that flat head six was 308 cubes of low end torque the twin H came with two carbs it had a dual brakes system and a wet clutch My best friend had a 52 drop top when we were kids in High school the first Car I was in that did over 100 miles a hour what a great car that was .

[@hlaamanen]

I like your style, good old mechanic, no ego, honest, call your own mistakes and fix them! And best of all; don't give up so easily and keep trying and make it happen. Really enjoyed this video, watched lots of your engine rebuilds. Keep up entertaining us gear loving guys! Thanks!

[@marinablueGS]

Good old Doc. Still moving after all these years.

[@M626IN3RAZ-gj2bl]

After 72 years fam

[@paulbaker847]

Love that six! Hudsons ruled the roost in the stock car racing world back in the day.

[@RobL88XP29]

Great car! If only cars today could be as easily worked on and kept going. 72 years old and still amazing, can’t wait for my chance to care for one!

[@cbouw329]

Thank you for starting my grandpa’s car! It is one of my favorites ever sense he got it.

[@ronniepapepape1629]

Cool old Hudson. My grandfather had two of them and so did my dad until 1957 when he bought a 57 chevy station wagon.

[@godagamagedamiera6082]

thats childhood nostalgia

[@agcacustoms2852]

Those cars dominated NASCAR in the early 50s and were basically hot rods from factory. Amazing styling that unfortunately isn’t seen as much, such a shame these aren’t more popular but thanks to the Cars movie from 2006 a new generation including myself have fallen in love with these old 50s cars.

[@gabrielv.4358]

I wish Real DOC could be revived too. That Straight Six is Awesome!! Great video!

[@gabrielv.4358]

Wow, it is REALLY quiet! Impressive!

[@kyleforeman4543]

Nothing better that a Ole Hudson purring,an putting a smile on ur face, nice camera work again.

[@lilorbielilorbie2496]

My Late boss Jack Clifford loved these things. R.I.P. Jack you were a heck of a guy to work for. 6=8.

[@kayoss662]

The opening clip with the plug wires dancing was pretty comically cool!

[@gwhizz44]

I love the old Hudson's. They won a lot of races back in their day. You dont see them often on the road anymore. Nice find.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I've wanted a flathead Hudson Hornet since the first time I heard about them. The flathead engine is fascinating. And that low stance is great looking. The Twin H-Power would be awesome. But any Hudson would be great

[@jasonstanford]

Good call on the new plugs. Every time I have tried wire brushing spark plugs they never work. I don't know why, but that's just been my experience

[@mikemullay5622]

That starter is working overtime!

[@moparedtn]

*DAVIN!* What a wonderful old car, those Hudsons. Me, the first 25 minutes at the monitor: "You're flooding it!" Davin, at the 25 minute mark: "I think we're flooding it". Yeah, old car guys think alike - eventually. 🙂 - Ed on the Ridge

[@randallorr3730]

The Hornet was my all time favorite Hudson. I want one of those so bad. The Hornets that where run in NASCAR had the twin H engine in it. 2 carburetors. They run good but they where very thirsty. I would take either set up single or twin H. It is so cool to see that run.

[@user-ym8pd9kj4k]

Love your video. One big hint that would help all of these car rescues-STARTING FLUID! Most of these videos pour a tiny amount of gas down the carb or use brake or carb cleaner. That is not enough! Prepare everything as you do and hold the choke and throttle wide open, give it a BIG healthy shot of the starting fluid down the throat of the carb, not spritz a little spray over the top. If the engine is going to fire, it will on starting fluid before anything else. I cringe when I watch these videos og them grinding on the starters and running their batteries down. I'm watching this video as I'm posting this. When he used the starting fluid it actually started. Fresh plugs always help too.

[@dannyfowler7055]

I felt so 1950’s again when I said “Points” before you did LOL. Too many days in the garage with Dad, great memories!

[@retiredafce3373]

What an awesome car! A great project for a full restoration!

[@joshdobson2737]

Almost a crime the car had set for so long! Hopefully a good spit shine and some miles are next?!?

[@Opalenda-Comodoro]

Amazing job! The engine looks pretty good and car design is really beautiful. Hope someone can restore it. 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

[@ToLateToSave]

My dad absolutely loved the Hudson Hornet. He owned a few of them. Took me to the Peach Bowl Speedway near Atlanta dozens of times and he was ecstatic when a Hornet was in the races there.

[@gabrielv.4358]

Awesome

[@johna1160]

Car backfires as Davin is holding fuel bottle over carb. Next shot, cameraman has backed off 25 feet. Hilarious.

[@carlbernard4197]

Yes that could have went sideways real quick. 😳

[@robertharker]

A great video for someone evaluating a rusted hulk sitting in a barn answering the question "Can the engine run?" This is Hagery's best "lets get it running" videos. David walks through his pre-starting checklist. The clear video of what he is doing are useful. Simple step-by-step howto footage. Things like checking the fule and cleaning the cap, points and battery leads. David's troubleshooting strategy gives insight about how you troubleshoot a problem. Cool 3D printed 12V adapter for the Craftsman battery at 32:11.

[@lovetocrank]

Glad it’s running but also loved the sound of the starter when it was cranking over!

[@MrCunningham4]

Man, as hard as it fought you, it runs and drives beautifully!

[@billyhaddock5540]

Congrats Hagerty, on finally getting the Hudson Hornet running and driving. cool old Hudson..

[@Lydia.LaMar0]

Your my hero for rescuing this classic.

[@stevemadak6255]

I was thinking maybe there was some fuel stabilizer in there making it that color. But it seems it was just bad. Great video guys.

[@alexeijolkin7851]

Great looking vintage high quality car! Hotrod chopped roof already from the factory, COOL! Whish I had one of these!

[@Sam-yu6ss]

What an handsome car! Very meta too, you treated the doc fixed him right up. Makes you the grand-doc or doc-doc! 😅

[@brianellinger6622]

scariest thing that i ever heard in my life.... when(jokingly) i asked to spar/fight.... the calmness in her voice when she said "ok" was surreal....

[@JamesAllmond]

one of my all time favorite cars! For its day, faster than it should have been and handled way better than it had any right to!

[@Horacio-Lorenzo]

Hello David, very good job starting up that beautiful Hudson Hornet, really beautiful car. I think the starter motor was giving you some problem since in these older models the pinion is mechanically released when the engine compresses and in those starting up for many years without Starting it requires the engine to spin faster, but you did it and it came back to life. I hope it is restored and cared for as it deserves. I send you a big hug and blessings for you and your family from Buenos Aires Argentina

[@HitokiriRaiden]

I love these old hudsons and any of the 40's and 50's cars and trucks they are all dead simple. My grandfather bought a used hudson in the 70s for 75 bucks and he used it as a panel truck basically. said it was the best hunting vehicle ever because said it would go anywhere with some old knobby tires and chains, I grew up driving it up and down the hill getting firewood with it, never seen it not start no matter how long it sit a little fuel and top off the oil and it was always ready to go lol.

[@james25764]

A definite saver. I would kill to see it after complete restoration.

[@jimlangerie]

Thanks for bringing back Doc. We need old timers like him.

[@rogerthornburg8794]

This is my favorite car channel on KZbin...Davin is soo passionate about cars no matter what the condition or year...thank you

[@gittnjiggy2]

We used ton push start those flathead 6s every morning, then they would start the rest of the day. If i remember correctly the head gaskets didnt seal after sitting and cooling all night, but after 1 start in the mornings the heat retained in the block/head sealed the gasket enough to start throughout the day. Next day do it all over again, I lived on a hill so i coast started it and never changed the gasket, but I was only 16 and just learning about cars and engines and so much to still learn. 54 years later I still don't know it all lol

[@patbullard9276]

Congratulations on the win! Looking forward to more of these videos. Thanks.

[@martentrudeau6948]

It is a fabulous Hudson Hornet Hudson. Good to see it running, it deserves to be on the road again, it still a good car.

[@bfarm44]

The dancing plug wires got me cackling🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davidroland6431]

what a nice looking car. and great suspension.I read about the durability and build quality of Hudson & Nash cars. Great job.

[@ImmortalInflames]

I love seeing you bring the ol' girls back to life!!

[@vettekid3326]

Hudsons were good cars but they were priced up in the Cadillac range and the lack of their own V8 really hurt sales after the post war sale boom ended. That and the step down styling was imposable to update that looked so new in '48 after everyone else was into at least their second styling cycle by 1952.

[@michaelabrams1244]

5 liter straight six... crazy. How torquey was that?!

[@hardlyworgen71]

The 80s Ford F-Series offered an inline-300 that could out-torque the optional 302.

[@MrHondatrxex]

Likely the same as the 4.9liter 300 inline 6 that ford had

[@bkbiceps]

some gmc trucks had a 305 v6

[@wackowacko8931]

@@bkbiceps The largest GMC V-6 of that series was a 478, FYI. Look at Wikipedia's page about the GMC V-6 engine for details

[@nerd1000ify]

Probably not all that much torque by moderns standards. Low compression ratio.

[@curtgomes]

I am old enough to remember these cars very well. I was just a small boy when my dad and I were sitting at a bus stop on the corner of town. As the cars passed by I would ask my dad what kind of car it was. Along came a Hudson just like the one here. I asked my dad and said, "It's a Hudson". I said, "It's a HUD eh dad". He got a good laugh out of that. That was approximately 65 years ago and I remember it well. Those 'Huds' were so distinctive.

[@jimamizzi1]

Someone’s been in there not to long ago, newish looking clips, clamps,fan belt, and the oil from the air filter looked very clean

[@SpatialDragon]

I am so glad you cleaned the plugs instead of just tossing in new ones. It seems to be a lost art, one that anyone can do. If the electrode is burnt, or the ceramic is cracked replace, but if it is just carboned up you can keep using them. Just clean, gap and go. Okay, you did use new plugs, maybe those were bad. At least you tried. Thing is, you could keep the old ones and now that it is running, it would probably run on the old ones.

[@thisoldbelair]

Seriously nothing better than bringing old iron back to life. I’ve done it a few times and it never gets old. Can’t wait to see more with this beautiful old Hudson. 🇺🇸

[@scottimusgarrett15]

The dancing sparkenator wires cracked me up😂 Nice work, Davin! This car is quite a nice old survivor! Thanks for the episode, everyone! ✌️❤️🙂🇨🇦

[@jimchik]

Love that steering wheel… almost as much as the dancing plug cables. 😁

[@maisiefreeman8597]

Such an elegant car, before America went totally mad with the chrome. Good to see this one poked back to life.

[@miniz33]

I love these rescues, but it bothers me when people hoard old cars they will never get to just to have one, when It could be in loving hands and being enjoyed instead

[@gastupntruckin]

For the most part, I appreciate and enjoy Hagerty content. The Barn Find articles are usually interesting and informative and I enjoy them a lot, thanks Tom, for all your hard work. However, I have a critique for Daven. When I click on a thumbnail for a video, I expect the content to be organized, thought-out, and the players to be equipped for their needs. When Daven shows up without enough tools, without a supply of necessary parts, with a dead battery with which he is trying to start a car that has not run in years, I experience frustration at his amateurish approach. When it looks like he doesn’t know what he’s doing, I wonder why I’m watching his video. Making a video is a big deal, I can imagine. However, you can’t make an intelligent video, that I want to spend my time watching, if you’re not ready. Get ready! Collect information on the subject at hand, such as the Hudson Hornet, what a fabulous car!! Show and tell your audience what you’re doing, such as checking the oil, checking the engine coolant, cleaning around the spark plugs before removing them! Check the wiring going to the solenoid and to the battery, etc., etc. Get ready first, please. Don’t show up to make a video that you want me to watch, with a dead battery!! Thanks for listening to my rant. I do enjoy most of your content. Jeff M.

[@muhammadfadil2515]

Beautiful Hudson Hornet 😍😍😍

[@rjs2005]

I love those Hudsons, it's such a joy to see one brought back to life- thanks Davin!

[@user-if9hu1up1x]

That's from Cars the movie this incredible

[@darnoldie]

Regarding the old oil bath type air cleaners...uh...never mind.

[@jamessizemore7103]

Bold move to just take off rolling without checking the brakes😂

[@grimmerjxcts2206]

I didn't understand anything going on but i love Hudson Hornet great video

[@Rudy32225]

Great job. Notice how she remained level with the suspension taking all the action through the puddle dip. Might have been as smooth as a Citroen DS. My uncle who was in marine equipment sales had a Hornet yellow convertible with a radio telephone. That Chrysler sitting next to it has great lines too. Thanks for the memories.

[@billspooks]

My Dad owned a Hudson Hornet when he met and married my mother in 1954. I remember seeing it. The Hudson Hornet was a "sporty car" for its day.

[@wackowacko8931]

Make certain that the gas cap is vented. A non-vented cap (almost all replacement caps are, because of emissions) will cause fuel starvation in a system designed to use a vented cap.

[@tumblelake63]

Keep them running and on the road! I enjoy seeing an old car return to life. Is there any hope for the other two cars? TLC

[@user-wk7hs5en3o]

Снимаю пред Вами шляпу!) вы сохраняете историю🤝

[@jonmccarty3116]

Gorgeous car!

[@ericcorse]

How about that 57 DeSoto? I have always liked Hudson's wish I had gotten one in the 70's.

[@MrHondatrxex]

Could the red tinted fuel be alot of Sta-bil in the tank?

[@daveco1270]

Thats what I was thinking too. Some kind of fuel stabilizer or Marvel Mystery Oil was put in the tank at some point.

[@JimKnight-lr4if]

Nice work fellas! Kudos to seldom-seen Ben @ 30:30 in his matching blue BD jacket. Thanks for the inspiration to Keep 'em Rolling!

[@danielulz1640]

Literally LOL at the dancing plug wires!😂

[@jameswolfe7485]

Ten years since running means it was ethanol fuel. The ethanol evaporates, lowering the octane. A fellow I watch uses 2-stroke fuel for the first start, thinking that the oil adds lubricity to the top of the cylinders. Amazingly, it doesn't cause clouds of smoke when it does light up!

[@angelolewis419]

Great product placement opening the tool box 👌🏽

[@johnchambers12]

I still love and use daily my old school Craftsman tools.

[@angelolewis419]

I'm in need of some solid car tools, might have to check them out

[@Scypher0th]

fuel prob has red fuel stabilizer added to it

[@Hagerty]

That was our thought as well.

[@SantiSpeed1]

Loving this new deal of getting them running. Helps to keep me aware of things to look for with the classics at work

[@TraceNoOne]

He’s pretty clean

[@jodaddysdodgegarage3533]

I love it when you get these old cars running.

[@hoedemakerbart]

What a beauty. These classics have soul. Modern cars and electric are nothing but transport vehicles. I was born in 87 , i have restored a few classics myself. I feel i am the last generation that works on these old cars, even from my generation most don't know what a carburetor, points, flathead are .. its sad. I see the old guys who had workshops here slowly disappear. The knowledge is dying out. I hope they keep the classics allowed on the road in the future, not banned to the museum.

[@carlbernard4197]

We have a solution right in our own country that has proven itself to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions without all of this electronic technology. Is called Extrude Hone. Look it up.😊

[@garlandhenry6792]

I wish yal could take it back to Hagerty’s shop and do a complete restoration series. That car would be so cool to drive !!!!!!

[@djordjecolic5818]

That car deserves to be saved, one very good potential!!!!

[@jasonhoose5215]

One of my dream cars for sure.

[@deweygill1973]

My Dad had a 1951 that was a year old when he bought it. It had the higher compression aluminum head that warped easily. I think he had it milled twice. Neat car. He finally traded it in for a new ‘56 Olds 98, he was sick of the hassle.

[@marlborom2c829]

Love this video. These Hudson legends need more respect!

[@palscanley]

truly amazing feat to get this old iconic car rolling!

[@mlivshiz]

What a beautiful car. You should clean it up and make it a true runner. Gorgeous thing.

[@roadmaster92]

Great work on the cool ole Hudson Bet it rides smooth.

[@user-ux9ix5vv8z]

Brilliant l love to see and hear these old cars live on, wonder what it'll take to make it fit for the track? Ever done that before on this channel Davin?

[@Charger389]

Good that you got it running again. Now it needs someone to save it, restore it and put it back on the road..

[@mikebennett146]

If an engine turns over by hand (and isn't internally damaged), the difference between it starting & running well vs not at all can usually be traced back to two 'superficial' but crucial things, Like a permanent rule-of-thumb (Aside from the battery power): 1) Spark delivery- all the way from ignition to plugs, and 2) Fuel. Best to always start with putting in new plugs, cleaning all distributor points, and inspecting/changing/cleaning wires/coil wire. Even the slightest dirt residue or microscopic rust on any electrical contacts can completely hinder an engine from starting/running

[@TheDoosh79]

I can't watch a car revival now without adding my own "oofta may, sparkerlators, lighting whirler, fuel making happener"