An award-winning 1949 Hudson

The Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes booth at the 2018 SEMA show featured a 1949 Hudson Commodore Custom Coupe built by Dave Eckert’s Eckert’s Rod and Custom Inc. shop in Mollala, Oregon.

Every panel on the Hudson “Step-Down” body was reworked except the roof line and only the roof and the glass remain in its factory configuration. The car’s hood was “pancaked” and reshaped and the front grill redesigned. 

The back of the Hudson was completely redesigned - it now has a tailgate and a removable trunk lid. Eckert and his team reviewed original color specs a selected a nostalgic maroon and cream color scheme, which was completed with Sherwin-Williams’ new Ultra 9k™ Waterborne Basecoat System.

The custom chassis uses C6 Chevrolet Corvette running gear and suspension with Baer 6-piston brakes fitted all around, and under the hood rests a 2008 Chevrolet LS3 engine fitted with a Magnuson supercharger which is accessorized with hand-built sheet metal components to resemble the factory look that included the valve covers and air cleaner.

The wheels are by Schott Wheels custom designed with the hub caps designed and machined by Speed Metal Fab to resemble the original Hudson design. The custom interior features custom gauges and a cut down 1952 Hudson steering wheel.

Eckert’s 1949 Hudson won the Sam Barris Memorial Award at the 2019 Sacramento Autorama for the all-metal vehicle with the best metal work, alignment of body panels, and paint.

Photos by the author