1942 Hudson Commodore Station Wagon

This Hudson Commodore Eight Station Wagon is the product of a total 10-year restoration. Mr. Eldon Hostetler first saw the Hudson Station Wagon at Al Safferin's shop in Arizona during 1989. It was determined that a 1942 Hudson Sedan could be used as the basis of the project. Using a 1942 Hudson Commodore Eight sedan - one that had been in storage for decades - was purchased in May of 1989. The Woody Wagon was acquired from Mr. Safferin soon after. As few items on the wagon could be saved, an entirely new car had to be built. Only the two rear fenders, door handles, and hinges from the original Station Wagon were salvaged. Mr. Hostetler commissioned the Appenzeller Brothers, Pat and Jan, of Milford, Indiana, to perform the restoration, and Steve Jedrysek of The Wooden Noga in La Porte, Indiana, was selected to remanufacture the Ash wooden body framing, using the original wooden components as patterns.

It took five years to recreate all the wooden pieces. Pat Appenzeller shaped and further perfected them. After many years, the car made its concours debut at Meadow Brook in May 1999. It was shown years later at the 2012 Eyes on Design.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2019