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Stepdown Restoration
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Stepdown Photo Galley |
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Hudson
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Hudson's Stepdown was a major gamble in a market used to conservative automotive designs. An automobile with the floorboards below the frame based on unit construction was unique in 1948. Hudson's "STEPDOWN" was the first US automobile to base it's whole product line on unibody construction. Unibody allowed Hudson to build an automobile that literally hugged the ground. Adding newly offered 15-inch tires further improved the road handling. The Stepdown was a success and the $16,000,000 spent to retool the entire Hudson manufacturing process served the company for seven years. the Stepdown design ushered in a new update for the now well - known SUPER-SIX engine. A replacement for Hudson's 6 cylinder engines which had originated as the ESSEX engines in 1924. The SUPER-SIX was of L- Head design and at the time of introduction was the largest displacement ( 262 cu in) and highest horsepower 124) of any American built six. The New STEPDOWN Hudson offered, Vacumotive drive( automatic clutch), Drivemaster ( automatic shifting) , Overdrive transmissions, hypoid type rear axles, Center point steering, double safe brakes ( mechanical backup to hydraulic brakes), independent coil front suspension, stabilizing bars front and rear. A heavier, more powerful automobile with safety and comfort features previously unavailable, 1948 was the birth year of the STEPDOWN a innovative design that became the final production design for HUDSON. Hudson improved upon the design of the STEPDOWN by adding higher quality materials for interior finish, larger engines, and stronger rear ends were high visibility improvements. Yet maintaining the same basic body style. As HUDSON entered the 50's, stock car racing was gaining national recognition. HUDSON HORNETS began to dominate the circular ovals. Coupling the torque of the HORNET 308 engine with the low to the ground design of the STEPDOWN assured professional drivers like Tim Flock and Marshall Teague pole positions and wins in many races. Today when you visit NASCAR museums, you will see mention of HUDSON, even after nearly half a century. Each of the different years ushered in an improvement to the STEPDOWN DESIGN. __________________________________________________________
· Hudsons are still the core business for many folks. Once a dealership now a museum keeping the Hudson story alive for new generations. Miller Motors. Thanks Ken KEEP YOUR TIPS COMING !
KLASSIC CONCEPTS CONSULTING designed the Stepdown page during March 1998. The website is focused on the repair and restoration of the STEPDOWN style of HUDSONS ONLY. The site expects to act as a repository for TIPS and technical data, which will allow all STEPDOWN owners to benefit. ·
The
Stepdown page expects to act as a repository for TIPS and technical data,
which will originate from its users and a full spectrum of STEPDOWN OWNERS
and interested people. Submit your TIPS , suggestions or information of
interest to the Webmaster via email to Sanjuana@aol.com. Klassic
Concepts reserves the right to determine suitability and formate of all
information posted to this site. All contributors will be credited with any
information posted to the site. ·
The information contained on this site
is for recreational use ·
Use information found at this site at your own risk . All materials posted on this
website are the property of Klassic Concepts
Consulting and are protected by US and
International copyright. |
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1949 Hudsons
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The Haulin' Hudson cartoon concept and the expression YOURE'AHEAD WHEN YOU HAUL IN A HUDSON are © Gunner Linfors Limited use authorized to KLASSIC CONCEPTS
CONSULTING Last update 03 February 2010 |
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