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When America resumed civilian vehicle production after World War II, the first all-new postwar design was Hudson's new 'step-down' cars which entered production in late 1947 for the 1948 model year. Hudson had discontinued all commercial, utility, and station wagon lines after WWII - except for the pickup trucks, and they produced just one prototype pickup truck prior to the idea being shelved. A step-down design for the postwar step-down design was never even considered by Hudson. It was, however, an idea of Don Butler, a recently discharged U.S. Army Air Force veteran. He had been hired in 1946 by Hudson's styling supervisor, Arthur Kibiger. He had honed his talents while serving in the Army, perfecting his technique as an illustrator for instruction manuals and training materials.
Although Butler worked for Hudson, he continuously sketched his own designs, now using Hudson as the basis. He even sketched several body styles he felt should be built as step-down models, including a station wagon, pickup truck, and town car. Hudson, however, was not interested, as they had spent a then-astronomical $16 million on the step-down design program and tooling. Thus, Butler's drawings remained unknown until the publication of his book, 'The History of Hudson,' in 1982.
The introduction of Butler's illustrations inspired Bill Eggert of Denver to build this 'one of none' Station Wagon. He used a rust-free 1948 Hudson Commodore Eight four-door sedan located in Missouri as the donor car. For the rear passenger/cargo compartment, Eggert used a 1954 Hudson donor car, its roof forming the bulk of the wagon's rear roof section. A curved liftgate window was formed from Lexan. The woodwork proved difficult, being hand-crafted and carefully finished for correct fitment. The wood was Ash framing with veneered Mahogany insert panels. The Mahogany veneer was bonded to metal panels to fabricate the compound curves at the rear of the quarter panels.
The competed Commodore Station Wagon made its public debut at the 2007 National Meet of the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club held at Auburn, Indiana.
In 2012, this car joined the Eldon Hostetler collection. In 2015, it received further attention at LaVine Restorations in Nappanee, Indiana.
This Model 484 is powered by a 254.5 cubic-inch L-head inline eight-cylinder engine offering 128 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Its wheelbase measures 124 inches.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2019
Although Butler worked for Hudson, he continuously sketched his own designs, now using Hudson as the basis. He even sketched several body styles he felt should be built as step-down models, including a station wagon, pickup truck, and town car. Hudson, however, was not interested, as they had spent a then-astronomical $16 million on the step-down design program and tooling. Thus, Butler's drawings remained unknown until the publication of his book, 'The History of Hudson,' in 1982.
The introduction of Butler's illustrations inspired Bill Eggert of Denver to build this 'one of none' Station Wagon. He used a rust-free 1948 Hudson Commodore Eight four-door sedan located in Missouri as the donor car. For the rear passenger/cargo compartment, Eggert used a 1954 Hudson donor car, its roof forming the bulk of the wagon's rear roof section. A curved liftgate window was formed from Lexan. The woodwork proved difficult, being hand-crafted and carefully finished for correct fitment. The wood was Ash framing with veneered Mahogany insert panels. The Mahogany veneer was bonded to metal panels to fabricate the compound curves at the rear of the quarter panels.
The competed Commodore Station Wagon made its public debut at the 2007 National Meet of the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club held at Auburn, Indiana.
In 2012, this car joined the Eldon Hostetler collection. In 2015, it received further attention at LaVine Restorations in Nappanee, Indiana.
This Model 484 is powered by a 254.5 cubic-inch L-head inline eight-cylinder engine offering 128 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Its wheelbase measures 124 inches.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2019
This Hudson Commodore Eight Custom Station Wagon was a car that was never built. In the post-War era, Hudson discontinued all commercial, utility, and station wagon lines, except for pickup trucks. In 1948, they introduced a new and radical 'step-down' design. One prototype pickup was built before the idea was abandoned. The product line-up included Super Six, Commodore six and Commodore Eight Coupes, convertibles, and sedans. There were a total of 117,200 cars built in 1948, and the new tooling cost an astronomical $16,000,000 and left no money to build a woodie wagon. Don Butler, Hudson's famed designer, decided to design a woodie wagon anyway, but management deemed it too costly to build.
Don Butler had recently been discharged as a veteran from the Army Air Force. In 1946 he was hired by Hudson's styling supervisor, Arthur Kibinger. While in the Army, he sharpened his skills and techniques as an illustrator for instruction manuals and training materials. During his off-duty hours, he drew cars. After joining Hudson, he helped work on the final drawings for the step-down models. He continued sketching his own designs, now using Hudson as the basis. He sketched several body styles that management was unaware of at the time. His step-down designs included a station wagon, a pickup, and a town car, the latter appearing both with and without a wood applique. Unfortunately, there was no official interest in his ideas, so his ideas remained hidden until the publication of his 1982 Crestline book The History of Hudson.
Butler's illustrations in the book fostered much interest among Hudson enthusiasts, including Bill Eggert of Denver. Inspired by the drawings, Eggert began work on a period-inspired Hudson Woody Wagon. He began with a rust-free 1948 Hudson Commodore Eight four-door sedan from Missouri. For the rear 'cabin', he used a 1954 Hudson donor car, its roof forming the greater part of the wagon's rear roof. The curved lift-gate window was formed from Lexan. The wood was difficult to forge; every stick had to be hand-crafted and finished to fit. The woodworking alone took over a year to create all the pieces using ash framing with mahogany veneer.
After the work was completed, the car made its debut at the 2007 National Meet of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club at Auburn, Indiana. It was the only woodie in attendance and certainly the star of the show. Since that time, the unique creation has been shown just once before coming to auction in 2012.
The L-head inline eight-cylinder engine displaces 254.5 cubic inches and offers 128 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the St. Johns sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 to $200,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $195,500 inclusive of the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012
Don Butler had recently been discharged as a veteran from the Army Air Force. In 1946 he was hired by Hudson's styling supervisor, Arthur Kibinger. While in the Army, he sharpened his skills and techniques as an illustrator for instruction manuals and training materials. During his off-duty hours, he drew cars. After joining Hudson, he helped work on the final drawings for the step-down models. He continued sketching his own designs, now using Hudson as the basis. He sketched several body styles that management was unaware of at the time. His step-down designs included a station wagon, a pickup, and a town car, the latter appearing both with and without a wood applique. Unfortunately, there was no official interest in his ideas, so his ideas remained hidden until the publication of his 1982 Crestline book The History of Hudson.
Butler's illustrations in the book fostered much interest among Hudson enthusiasts, including Bill Eggert of Denver. Inspired by the drawings, Eggert began work on a period-inspired Hudson Woody Wagon. He began with a rust-free 1948 Hudson Commodore Eight four-door sedan from Missouri. For the rear 'cabin', he used a 1954 Hudson donor car, its roof forming the greater part of the wagon's rear roof. The curved lift-gate window was formed from Lexan. The wood was difficult to forge; every stick had to be hand-crafted and finished to fit. The woodworking alone took over a year to create all the pieces using ash framing with mahogany veneer.
After the work was completed, the car made its debut at the 2007 National Meet of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club at Auburn, Indiana. It was the only woodie in attendance and certainly the star of the show. Since that time, the unique creation has been shown just once before coming to auction in 2012.
The L-head inline eight-cylinder engine displaces 254.5 cubic inches and offers 128 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the St. Johns sale presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $150,000 to $200,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $195,500 inclusive of the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012
2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Hostetlers Hudson Auto Museum Auction
Sale Price :
USD $60,500
2012 RM Auctions - St. Johns, Michigan
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $150,000-USD $200,000
Sale Price :
USD $159,500
1948 Hudson Commodore Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Hudson Commodore
(Data based on Model Year 1948 sales)
1948 HUDSON COMMODORE CONVERTIBLE BROUGHAM Chassis#: 48111 Sold for USD$35,840 2020 Bonhams : Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Six Sedan Chassis#: 482-70000 Sold for USD$33,000 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Hostetlers Hudson Auto Museum Auction | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Eight Custom Station Wagon Chassis#: 48480899 Sold for USD$60,500 2018 Worldwide Auctioneers : Hostetlers Hudson Auto Museum Auction | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Sold for USD$18,150 2017 Branson Collector Car Auction | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Eight Sedan Chassis#: 484113039 Sold for USD$57,750 2014 RM Auctions - Hershey | |
1948 Hudson Commodore 8 Sedan Sold for USD$50,050 2013 Auctions America - Auburn Spring | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Eight Custom Station Wagon Chassis#: 48480899 Sold for USD$159,500 2012 RM Auctions - St. Johns, Michigan | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Sedan Sold for USD$14,000 2011 Leake Auction - Dallas, Texas | |
1948 Hudson Commadore Chassis#: 48190943 Sold for USD$45,500 2011 Silver Auction - Carson City | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Six Chassis#: 48226123 Sold for USD$8,500 2010 MidAmerica Auctions - MN State Fairgrounds - Grandstands | |
1948 HUDSON COMMODORE 8 CONVERTIBLE Sold for USD$85,800 2010 Barrett-Jackson ORANGE COUNTY 2010 | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Limousine by Derham Chassis#: 48490870 Sold for USD$66,000 2008 RM Auctions - The Astor Collection | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Eight Convertible Chassis#: 48499601 Sold for USD$181,500 2008 RM Auctions - The Wayne Davis Collection | |
1948 Hudson Commodore Sold for USD$19,950 2005 Worldwide Auctions - Raleigh Classic 2005 | |
1948 HUDSON COMMODORE 8 CONVERTIBLE Sold for USD$88,000 2004 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2004 | |
1948 HUDSON COMMODORE FOUR DOOR Sold for USD$2,400 2001 Kruse Auction - Auburn, IN |
Hudson Commodores That Failed To Sell At Auction
1948 Hudson Commodore's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1948 Hudson Commodore Convertible Brougham | 48111 | 2019 Bonhams : Collectors Motorcars and Automobilia Auction | $40,000 | $45,000 | |
1948 Hudson Commodore 8 | 2012 Silver Auction Reno, Nevada Aug 12 |
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1948 Hudson Commodore
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