1950 Hudson Custom Commodore Six Convertible
Ex-Steve McQueen
1950 Hudson Custom Commodore Six Convertible
Chassis no. 50278280
308ci Flathead Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin H-Power Induction System
Approximately 170bhp at 4,200rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Iconic Hudson previously owned by 'King of Cool' Steve McQueen
*Largely original example with charming patina
*Upgraded with larger Twin H-Power engine by McQueen
*Historic Americana
*Cool and historic car to take on cool driving events such as the Copperstate 1000
THE HUDSON COMMODORE
Hudson was among the first of the Detroit automakers to introduce new models after World War II, and they were without question the most dramatically different of all the new designs.
Hudson's innovation for 1948 was the "step-down" chassis with the foot wells recessed between the body stiffening members, an early expression of the "unit body" concept, which merged the body and frame in a single, welded unit. The rear frame members passed outside the rear wheels: the Hudson's rear wheel skirts were functional, not pointless embellishment. The first "step-down" Hudson's were only five feet high. They were the fastest, best handling cars around, combining Hudson's competent six- and eight-cylinder engines with the low center of gravity and relatively lightweight of the "step-down" design.
The Detroit-based company celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1949 with a line of cars that continued the popular "step-down" design introduced the year before. Even as other American automakers caught up with their first fully redesigned post-WWII cars, the 1949 Hudson enjoyed a 36-percent gain in sales from 1948.
The underdog Hudson entered racing in 1951. Success was easily found in NASCAR with the bigger, straight eight Hornet. The Hudson's superiority on oval tracks was no fluke, either. In the 1952 Mexican Road Race Marshall Teague brought his Hudson Wasp home sixth overall. On some of the twisting, broken surfaced sections through the Mexican mountains he blew off all the entries from sports car powers Porsche, Lancia and Jaguar.
Nevertheless, unable to introduce new models as fast as its larger rivals, and lacking a V8 engine, Hudson was forced to merge with Nash in 1954, forming American Motors.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Offered here is a very cool car, with even cooler provenance! One of approximately 700 Hudson Custom Commodore Six Convertibles manufactured in 1950, the example we have the pleasure to offer here, was owned for decades by legendary movie star, racing driver, motorcycle and car-guy Steve McQueen, or simply put, the "King of Cool."
Hudson's were a favorite of McQueen; he actually had four of them over the years, and is believed to have enjoyed this example as his daily driver from time to time. Available as four-door Sedan, two-door Coupe and two-door Convertible configurations, McQueen's example offered here is of the latter, top of the line open-top variant. The car retains a photocopy of the DMV registration document in McQueen's name, and has been kept largely original since his ownership. Originally fitted with a 262ci single-carbureted six, the McQueen Hudson offered here was upgraded, presumably while in McQueen's ownership, with the larger, 308ci high-compression six, and equipped with the desirable Twin H-Power dual carburation system.
The Hudson remained in Mr. McQueen's ownership until he passed away in 1980, and was then sold to a friend of the legendary Hollywood figure. The Hudson was then placed in dry, long-term storage in a San Bernardino, California warehouse. The current owner acquired the car in 2015 and has kept it carefully stored with minimal usage since.
Today this cool Hudson Custom Commodore Convertible remains in largely original condition, and displays a wonderful patina throughout. A repaint was performed sometime back, where the cars lower body section was finished in a dark shade of Gold/Brown. Offered from a well-known, passionate collector of exceptional automobiles, this historic Hudson would be a great car for driving events, cruise nights or local concours. Having been owned for decades by Steve McQueen, the King of Cool himself, this Hudson is great, usable Americana.
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Ex-Steve McQueen
1950 Hudson Custom Commodore Six Convertible
Chassis no. 50278280
308ci Flathead Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Twin H-Power Induction System
Approximately 170bhp at 4,200rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Iconic Hudson previously owned by 'King of Cool' Steve McQueen
*Largely original example with charming patina
*Upgraded with larger Twin H-Power engine by McQueen
*Historic Americana
*Cool and historic car to take on cool driving events such as the Copperstate 1000
THE HUDSON COMMODORE
Hudson was among the first of the Detroit automakers to introduce new models after World War II, and they were without question the most dramatically different of all the new designs.
Hudson's innovation for 1948 was the "step-down" chassis with the foot wells recessed between the body stiffening members, an early expression of the "unit body" concept, which merged the body and frame in a single, welded unit. The rear frame members passed outside the rear wheels: the Hudson's rear wheel skirts were functional, not pointless embellishment. The first "step-down" Hudson's were only five feet high. They were the fastest, best handling cars around, combining Hudson's competent six- and eight-cylinder engines with the low center of gravity and relatively lightweight of the "step-down" design.
The Detroit-based company celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1949 with a line of cars that continued the popular "step-down" design introduced the year before. Even as other American automakers caught up with their first fully redesigned post-WWII cars, the 1949 Hudson enjoyed a 36-percent gain in sales from 1948.
The underdog Hudson entered racing in 1951. Success was easily found in NASCAR with the bigger, straight eight Hornet. The Hudson's superiority on oval tracks was no fluke, either. In the 1952 Mexican Road Race Marshall Teague brought his Hudson Wasp home sixth overall. On some of the twisting, broken surfaced sections through the Mexican mountains he blew off all the entries from sports car powers Porsche, Lancia and Jaguar.
Nevertheless, unable to introduce new models as fast as its larger rivals, and lacking a V8 engine, Hudson was forced to merge with Nash in 1954, forming American Motors.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Offered here is a very cool car, with even cooler provenance! One of approximately 700 Hudson Custom Commodore Six Convertibles manufactured in 1950, the example we have the pleasure to offer here, was owned for decades by legendary movie star, racing driver, motorcycle and car-guy Steve McQueen, or simply put, the "King of Cool."
Hudson's were a favorite of McQueen; he actually had four of them over the years, and is believed to have enjoyed this example as his daily driver from time to time. Available as four-door Sedan, two-door Coupe and two-door Convertible configurations, McQueen's example offered here is of the latter, top of the line open-top variant. The car retains a photocopy of the DMV registration document in McQueen's name, and has been kept largely original since his ownership. Originally fitted with a 262ci single-carbureted six, the McQueen Hudson offered here was upgraded, presumably while in McQueen's ownership, with the larger, 308ci high-compression six, and equipped with the desirable Twin H-Power dual carburation system.
The Hudson remained in Mr. McQueen's ownership until he passed away in 1980, and was then sold to a friend of the legendary Hollywood figure. The Hudson was then placed in dry, long-term storage in a San Bernardino, California warehouse. The current owner acquired the car in 2015 and has kept it carefully stored with minimal usage since.
Today this cool Hudson Custom Commodore Convertible remains in largely original condition, and displays a wonderful patina throughout. A repaint was performed sometime back, where the cars lower body section was finished in a dark shade of Gold/Brown. Offered from a well-known, passionate collector of exceptional automobiles, this historic Hudson would be a great car for driving events, cruise nights or local concours. Having been owned for decades by Steve McQueen, the King of Cool himself, this Hudson is great, usable Americana.
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