53 Hudson Kustom

[Kanada Kustoms]

Next project up is this 53 Hudson.  I cut the wedge section a long time ago.  Did the fender alteration recently.  Just took pictures of it now. 

I really like the trim down the side of the car, but think the belt like kinda fights it because it has a different angle and curve.  So I decided to wedge section it in an attempt to improve it. 

 

What's been done:

-It's been wedge sectioned from 0 @ the cowl to 1 1/2 inches at the rear

-I started to remove the traditional headlight area and round it out with plastic sheet and some filing (Panel lines will be cut in to indicate hidden headlights)

-The grill bar has been removed and will be replaced with the 54 Pontiac grill bar from the Foose 48 Cadillac

 

What's to come:

-Finish the other fender to match the driver's side

-Slope the front of the hood slightly to match the new fender top profile

-Fit up the 54 Pontiac grill bar

-Extend the side trim forward, following the wheel well then terminating it at the stock grill surround ends

-Fill the fuel door and come up with some kind of taillights (Most likely modified stock units)

-Lower it to the ground

 

The body cut in half thorough the cowl and above the trim line:

A shot to show the wedge I removed from the body:

The two body halves together.  The top piece is slightly warped as the gaps actually fit up quite tight and will be held in place once glued.  I think it looks much better:

A front shot of the old and new fender treatments.  This may not be to everyone's liking, but I wanted to do something that would set this Hudson apart and decided on this.  You can see I started marking out where I'm going to cut the hood to slope it.  Definitely going to keep the stock grill surround as it's distinctively Hudson:

A 3/4 shot of the new front fender treatment.  I've seen a few cars with this done.  It really streamlines the front end.  You can see I'll need to drop the nose of the hood some to work with the new fender top profile:

Here's the grill I'll be using.  It's the 54 Pontiac unit from the Foose 48 Cadillac.  I'll need to build it up from behind with plastic sheet and shape it so it sits in line with the surrounding grill trim:

I'm using these wheels and tires.  The tires are Modelhaus 170 tires.  I got the wheels off eBay and don't know what kit they're from.  I think they look cool though and will give this Hudson a space-age look:

And lastly a profile shot of how the body will look.  As mentioned before, the top section is a bit warped.  Once held together with glue, the gaps are very tight.  The wheels and tires look cool.  I'm not gonna chop it as I think the roof is in good proportion with the rest of the body.  I'm gonna remove the bumper guards and still have to extend the trim forward.  I reshaped the wheel wells, I was trying to match the fender shape, but the curve at the front of the wheel well is a little too sharp.  I'll be adding some plastic back to it and reshaping it closer to stock:  I hope to get it to sit near this low, with just a bit of space under the rockers.  Gotta fill that fuel door too:

Thanks for looking!

Edited October 14 by Kanada Kustoms

[customline]

This is pretty cool, Jon. I think I'll stick around. 🤓

[Kanada Kustoms]

Not much progress, but a little.

I measured and tried to cut the same angle and location as the other side was cut at. This would be so I could use the joint lines to compare from one side to the other during final shaping to get them to match. It worked ok, I didn't get it exact but was still able to use the joint lines to compare and shape.

You can see a couple of big chunks of plastic glued in place on the passenger's side awaiting shaping. I always add more than I need. Lots to remove!

And some pictures of it shaped and some comparison shots showing side to side symmetry (or as close as I could get...).  I actually made a template of the curve of the fender top of the one completed, and carried it right down the front of the car.  I used it on the other side to get the curve of the fenders to match:

And lastly, I had to add some plastic back to the wheel well opening. I originally cut it to try and match the silhouette of the fender but it didn't look right so it is back to stock.

As always... Thanks for looking!

Edited October 16 by Kanada Kustoms

[NOBLNG]

I love this kind of stuff!😎 Your work is very methodical and well thought out. It is amazing how subtle changes like the belt line section that most people (me included) might not notice on the finished model unless it is pointed out, can improve the aesthetics of a vehicle. Thank you Jon for documenting not just what you did, but and how and why you’re doing it.👍😎

[Kanada Kustoms]

6 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

I love this kind of stuff!😎 Your work is very methodical and well thought out. It is amazing how subtle changes like the belt line section that most people (me included) might not notice on the finished model unless it is pointed out, can improve the aesthetics of a vehicle. Thank you Jon for documenting not just what you did, but and how and why you’re doing it.👍😎

It's my pleasure Greg... I just enjoy showing my work.  I like to have a reason for what I'm doing when Kustomizing, otherwise it's just change for the sake of change!  I also like showing how I do stuff, because the magazines and online forums that show how to do stuff are what got me started.  I think everyone learns from each other so showing how I did stuff is my way of contributing to that system/process that was so valuable to me developing the skills I have now. 

Again, thanks for the good words bud... It really keeps me building!

[Chuckyg1]

This is interesting. I'll be following. 

[FoMoCo66]

That wedge section is perfect for this car and very tasteful, looks like somethings been done, but if I didn't know it I couldn't point it out.

[Zippi]

The ole 53 Hundson is shaping up just fine Jon.  

[Kanada Kustoms]

Thanks for the good words guys, always appreciated!

Made a little more progress. 

I started cutting the hood for the process of sloping it:

I just eyeballed where the fenders started to slop and tried to mimic it on the hood. I cut the hood into two segments to make the slope gradual:

And the front cuts.  They slope down in the front.  I just went with the shape of the hood:

And the hood with the pieces cut free and fitted up:

And the pieces that were cut free, they need lots of filler pieces and shaping:

Just an aside, I had to add .020 filler pieces to the top of the body as the fenders weren't lining up. They'll be shaped later in preparation of mating it to the main body. 

In the back you can see the two hood pieces that were cut free with .030 sheet attached and awaiting shaping:

As I shaped the hood pieces, it was quite apparent that they needed thicker filler pieces to fit up again.

Here, the .030 sheet has been shaped. I sanded down the filler piece on the middle piece too much and will have to add more filler pieces later.  The rear piece has .020 sheet added to the ends to get it back to where it was stock:

And here is the middle piece with the .020 sheet on the ends shaped. Not the clearest photo, I had trouble getting the camera to focus on what I wanted to show, but hopefully you get the point:

And here I have filed the filler pieces on the ends of the middle piece to a wedge so when I glue it up, it will be on a new lower slope than stock.  The back side had to be filed on an angle too to mate up with the main hood at its new angle:

Here the middle piece has been attached. I had to add a .010 filler where it attached to the main hood. Then a .040 filler where the front piece attaches. It still needs shaping of course.  The front piece was fiddly and I had to work it with a file very slowly from side to side to get it to fit just right:

The hood all glued back together with filler pieces shaped. The shaping of the front piece was subtle and it's slope is slight but it now matches the fender tops:

A side shot of the hood with its new silhouette. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of it in stock form, but I assure you it is now a much more relaxed slope to the front:

The hood on the car. It matches up with the fender tops nicely:

Different lighting. It's not a perfect match but it's very close to the fender tops in shape. Some file work and the slope will be seamless with the fender:

There's a bit of a discrepancy between the two hood pieces that were cut free and the lower hood. I'll file what I can to get it to match up, the rest will need filler pieces, most likely along the sides.  To follow are a few photos of the new lower hood fit up to the body:

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

Edited October 16 by Kanada Kustoms

[FoMoCo66]

WOW! That is a super cool modification, everything your doing just makes the car flow amazing!

[BERT100]

What a treat (and Halloweens not even here yet) to watch your progress.  i have understood all you have said about how you are doing this, well almost-sorta- I think.😁. Enjoyng  the build. 

[damodelguy phx az]

on your pic down view of front end, you look like you might be heavier on left and splash pan extends out further. bring it up cause ive been there to many times and it stink when it noticed after color goes on like a few of my projects. great job, and vision.

[espo]

Like how your nose job matches the angle of the front fenders. 

[Kanada Kustoms]

Glad you guys like what I'm doing to this Hudson... Thanks for the good words!

[Kanada Kustoms]

Small, maybe big update.  Got the two body halves joined together and some additional work.

Got the hood rough shaped and some putty put on.  I don't usually like to use putty if I don't have to, but these were odd shaped spots and it was the easiest.  I use BONDO one part glazing putty and find it works nicely:

Another shot of the putty and shaping.  It's nice that the hood has such a prominent feature down the center of the hood, I used it to line up my pieces:

The putty on the hood sanded and hood shaped.  It was easy work with a file to get it all flowing together.  I had to work out some angles to smooth curves at the joints.  The transition at the very front of the hood required some careful cutting and filing to get to work but it came out ok: 

And a mock up.  The new sloped front end is shaping up nicely.  You can see it slopes a lot more than stock for that cool streamlined look.  I think the front bumper looks better without the guards, but I like that trapezoid guard in the center and it matches the rear so it's staying:

Another angle showing the sloped hood off nicely.  Think I'll work on getting the side trim to meet up with the grill surround next:

Profile.  The front really slopes.  I finally got the body joined.  It was a bit of a trick, had to take it apart once and adjust the rear to split the misalignment between the two sides, but it's done, ready for filling, filing and sanding.  You can see the .020 filler to get the fenders to join up.  The joints were nice and tight with only two gaps that I'll have to address later.  One you can see on the passenger's side door, below the .020 filler piece and the other is at the rear corner of the driver's side, not bad for such a curved joint:

Rear 3/4.  I got rid of the bumper guards for a cleaner look.  It will need filling, filing and sanding to get it all to blend.  But it's looking lean, mean and streamlined.  Love the stock trim down the middle of the side.  Really has a nice flow.  Gotta come up with taillights too:

Dead on the rear.  Looks better without the bumper guards, but I like the license plate surround so that's staying.  Gotta fill that rectangular hole in the trunk.  You can see the other gap here, it's on the left, the corner, just bellow the .020 filler piece:

Added some .040 1/2 round to  extend the remaining rocker molding around the rear:

The .040 half round is slightly wider than the rocker molding so it will have to be filed to match its shape:

And one last shot of the rocker molding extended.  I liked this small bead around the base as it anchors the car, the rest of the lower chrome moldings were sanded off as I felt it masked the clean design of the sides:

As always, thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

Edited October 18 by Kanada Kustoms

[customline]

Hood mod is a big improvement, Jon.  Who put that hole in your trunk lid? 🤔 

Your headlight treatment maybe could be reflected in your tail light design somehow? Flush with the body contour on the rear of the fenders, vertically? 

[TopherMcGinnis]

16 minutes ago, customline said:

Hood mod is a big improvement, Jon.  Who put that hole in your trunk lid? 🤔 

Your headlight treatment maybe could be reflected in your tail light design somehow? Flush with the body contour on the rear of the fenders, vertically? 

An emblem goes there.

[BK9300]

Lots of meticulous 'surgery' going on here - very educational to follow!  Terrific work, Jon.

[Speedpro]

Love what you're doing, Jon. And the way you're doing it! The car really flows nice. Impressive work.

[EngineerBob]

LOVE how this is coming out! These Hudson's are one of my favorite style of old-school kustom. Almost makes me want to re-do my Hudson similarly.

[FoMoCo66]

2 hours ago, EngineerBob said:

LOVE how this is coming out! These Hudson's are one of my favorite style of old-school kustom. Almost makes me want to re-do my Hudson similarly.

Don't redo it, build another one, because that ones cool!

[meechum68]

Beautiful work so far, and Love how your explaining things, and showing pictures! 

[Kanada Kustoms]

Thanks for the great comments guys... Great stuff!

18 hours ago, customline said:

Who put that hole in your trunk lid? 🤔

 Yeah, the kit comes that way, as mentioned, an emblem is meant to go there.  Not sure why they felt the mounting point should be a hole right through the trunk, but it will need to be filled!

16 hours ago, EngineerBob said:

LOVE how this is coming out! These Hudson's are one of my favorite style of old-school kustom. Almost makes me want to re-do my Hudson similarly.

Agree with FoMoCo66, I'd get another kit if you had new ideas.  Your Hudson build looks really cool.  Love the grill choice.  The Olds grill looks right at home!

Again, thanks guys!

Edited October 19 by Kanada Kustoms

[Kanada Kustoms]

Got some work done on this.

I decided instead of trying to get the small sections of .040 1/2 round, at the rear, to match the existing lower rocker trim, I decided to just remove it all and replace it with .040 half round. It was easier than trying to match what was there and it is all consistent now and looks good:

I filled the hole in the trunk lid. Just needs shaping:

I had to fill the fuel door before I could fit the taillight bezels. I didn't want to cut out too much as I wanted to be able to easily reshape it to look stock. It was an odd shape to fill, I used a piece of .080 sheet. It wasn't that bad to shape in the end, just an odd shaped piece:

Another shot of the filler piece. I left lots of extra. To install the filler piece, I cut out the the fuel filler door area, creating a corner.  I trued the majority with a knife to create a flat surface for the sheet to glue too. You can see it's a nice tight fit:

Next I used my side cutters to bring it down as much as I could before shaping with a knife and file:

And here the filler piece is rough shaped. I'll fine tune it before adding the taillight bezels. It still needs to be curved and contoured to the body shape:

I cut the taillight bezels free from the trim bar intended for the rear. I have rough shaped them in the picture, cutting away excess trim. They will be further shaped and reduced when fitted to the body:

And here you can see the taillights glued in place. The fuel door filler and side of the car has been final shaped:

These taillight bezels were really hard to fit. It required a lot of cutting away of a little material, fitting and repeating. I thought I had one side done, and glued it on, tried to match the other side but it came out different (thinner). So I glued the other side on, took off the first side and matched it to the second taillight. It was a process. I'm glad it's done. I did my best to get them both in the same location and level and square. I don't believe they are perfect, but they are as close as I could get them:

One last shot of the taillight bezels in place.

I find it's a game of close enough when doing custom work. I question if the model body and related parts are perfectly symmetrical (I've run into several model bodies that weren't the same side to side, but you can't tell unless you measure), if my cuts and modifications are perfectly symmetrical, and if my eyes are seeing it correctly (I wear glasses with progressive lenses and correction for astigmatisms). I take a lot of measurements to double check locations of parts but find it's a matter of splitting the difference so it looks right, rather than being perfect. 

But I think I got the bezels in locations I can live with:

I also started on the grill bar. I didn't get a picture, but the back of the grill center has an angled indent. So I filed the back of the grill bar to create a flat surface for the two ends, leaving the center to be filled. You can see the grill has been glued to some sheet stock in the center:

Here you can see what I mean. The center angles in and needs to be filled out then trued with a file before I can start building up the back of the grill bar. I used 3 layers of .020 sheet:

Here the sheets of plastic have been trued with a file and the whole grill bar has been glued to a piece of .118 sheet that will require shaping.  The ends look funny now, but will be removed during final shaping:

I had to build up the grill bar from the back so it will sit forward in the grill cavity where I want it. After shaping, I will most likely need to add even more sheet stock to the back to get it to sit where I want it. All the extra plastic also helps to create a nice strong piece:

Thanks for stopping by and having a look!

Edit:  After these pics were taken, I wound up cutting the driver's side taillight off and moving it in slightly toward center.  It just didn't look quite right, too far from the trunk panel line. Not sure if I got it right, but this is were it stands right now.  Here's a pic of it:

Second Edit:  I removed the driver's side taillight one last time and repositioned it slightly.  I think I got it where I want it now.  This was a real effort, but I think it's good now.  No picture.  Will post pics later as more work progresses!

Edited October 21 by Kanada Kustoms

[customline]

Well, it's always interesting to stop in here, Jon. I like the way you work. Taking that slice out of the car got me thinking. Taming the hood was a big improvement too, and not an easy job.