Distinguished American classic in superb period condition
Subject to a full 18-year restoration
Highly impressive period interior with marbled dash
4.4L six-cylinder engine with manual transmission
Restored in Sweden, now based in France with EU registration
The Appeal
Introduced in 1950, the Hudson Motor Car Company intended the Pacemaker to be the most cost-effective of its product range. Perhaps inevitably, considering the striving for quality in their Detroit complex, it also became a beautiful, highly evolved ‘step-down’ coupe that debuted their future race-winning powerplant, completely over-engineered and completely underpriced.
The Brougham Coupe - perhaps the most desirable - boasted a highly elaborate, stylish trim that seemed intent on making the cavernous interior feel like an ocean liner. Cue tons of chromework, art-deco dials and even a marbled dashboard. Yes, really.
This particular example was purchased by an enthusiast who embarked upon a mega-restoration stemming over 18 years, which has been fully catalogued in an enormous binder. It’s done only 8,139 miles post-restoration, making for an incredibly rare car in incredibly rare order. IMG_20230419_182153.jpg5.43 MB
The History and Paperwork
Built in October 1950 at the Detroit Motor Car Works
Purchased by the restorer in 1995/1996
Underwent a full restoration over the next 18 years - fully catalogued
Upgraded from the original 232ci engine to a slightly larger, but still period-accurate 262ci
First registered in Sweden in 2016 with 3 previous owners listed
Exported to France in 2023
The car indicates 8,139 miles - the odometer was set to zero during the restoration
The car is complete with a huge binder of paperwork
This includes everything from wiring diagrams to photocopied manual pages
Naturally, as the restorer was Swedish, all of the handwritten notes are also Swedish
Step-down design makes the car exceptionally roomy
Highly impressive marbled dashboard with chrome instruments throughout
This Pacemaker’s interior is a bold array of design and customer comforts, creating an elaborate profile of marbled textures, chromework and outsized instruments - all confronted by a plush bench seat with plenty of legroom, aided by the column-mounted shift gear. A glance at the car’s pre-restoration condition only makes this elaborate cabin all the more impressive to look at.
Following a highly comprehensive restoration, the interior is utterly resplendent. The marbled dashboard is polished and beautifully presented, adorned with elaborate chrome trims and beautifully designed instruments - note the divided speedometer, the symmetry with the right-hand clock, the horizontal combined dial in the centre… It’s a great ambassador for Hudson’s occasionally excessive focus on design.
All of the instruments are clean and easy to read, with an odd bit of wear to the instruments and trims. The Hudson-lettered radio is nicely presented and working well, and the vendor is reporting no faults with any other components of the dashboard display.
The striped fabric seats are clean, free of rips and tears and beautifully presented, with each bolster looking full and comfortable. The textured trims and leather accents present beautifully, which follows through to the attractive door cards.
The carpets and headlining are superb, seemingly cut to suit the elaborate trim level and still perfectly colour-matched with the car’s internal spec. The impressively large boot is clean and well-kept, with no corrosion we can spot, no faults to the lining and a spare wheel, complete with a jack.
Highly impressive bodywork with sweeping rear and attractive front ‘face’
Elaborate chrome grille with Hudson branding
Beautifully appointed paintwork in cream and turquoise, with colour-matched alloys
Polished like a prized penny, this Hudson Pacemaker looks as sound as it no doubt did leaving the Hudson assembly line. You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s led a completely unchallenging life. The restoration has brought it into rare order, with every piece of elaborate chrome trim intact and brightly presented.
Painted in cream and turquoise, the car’s bodywork and sweeping lines are picked out beautifully. We can’t spot any chips or cracks - as you’d expect considering the car’s exceptional restoration - and the bodywork appears straight, tightly knit and free of faults.
The chromework is brightly polished and beautifully kept, with the Hudson branding on display. It’s a nicely accessorised exterior, too, with period kerb-markers and sun-visor all on display.
All of the windows are clean and chip-free, including the ‘bubble’ rear screen, as are the light lenses - including the triangular brake lights to the rear. We note a period ‘saucy sticker’ is still in situ on the corner of the windscreen.
The car is sitting on its triangle-emblemed wheels, which present well and are colour-matched with the bodywork. Each cossetted cap has been shod in whitewall tyres, which look to be in good shape.
Underneath, the car is in exceptional condition, with only minor signs of wear from its scant post-restoration mileage.
3-speed manual transmission, with column-mounted gear
Subject to a complete rebuild, restoration and rewiring throughout
Hudson engines have always had a unique look about them, and are much-beloved fixtures in American history. This example has been upgraded with a slightly more powerful - though still period accurate - 262ci 4.4L 6-cylinder engine. This engine would later be adapted to great success in the likes of the famous Fabulous Hudson Hornet.
Fully rebuilt and restored, this surprisingly sprightly engine is ready and waiting to return to the road. We can’t spot any corrosion or leaks, and the vendor reports that the car also boasts an additional fuel pump to aid a quick, easy start.
The car as a result is reportedly coming to life with no issue, with the gears shifting smoothly and Hudson’s famous ride quality still on offer for the lucky new owner. With everything restored, rebuilt, rewired and rehosed, we can see no reason to doubt the car is in excellent mechanical order.
Impressively appointed, beautifully restored and in a desirable colour scheme, this is a superb example of an increasingly rare Hudson Pacemaker, in a much-clamoured-for executive trim. It’s clear this car has been a labour of love, and now you’re being presented with an opportunity to reap the rewards.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased. Car & Classic may refer a shipping company that also deals with import/export paperwork. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.
