Ask the Car People.SM


1946-1954 American Cars

56 messages,  Last post on Jul 11, 2012 at 11:08 AM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum.

What is this discussion about? Classic Cars

Messages Page 6 of 6

#49 of 56 Re: Here's another one [isellhondas] by hpmctorque

Jul 10, 2012 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jun 30, 2012 9:00 am)
Beginning in '51 you could equip Plymouths with overdrive. Since I never rode or drove in one, I can't say how they cruised on the highway.

#50 of 56 Re: Here's another one [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 10, 2012 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 10, 2012 2:52 pm)
if you want a 50s domestic car with adequate power and handling for modern roads you are somewhat limited. I would guess that a Hudson Hornet and maybe an Olds coupe would get you by okay. Cads are too freakin' big, Buicks are...well...Buicks...Chevies still old ladies cars....maybe the 49-51 Ford coupe would work out okay..at least it's a V8 and not such a heavy car. Kinda primitive suspension, though. The Mopars haven't quite made it to the good handling stage of the 55s on up.

#51 of 56 Re: Here's another one [Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque

Jul 10, 2012 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 10, 2012 4:18 pm)
A '53 or '54 Dodge with the hemi V8 and overdrive, or a Chrysler Saratoga (hemi in a relatively small body, ala Olds 88) would probably hang in there with the Hornet and the 88, don't you think?

#52 of 56 Re: Here's another one [hpmctorque] by hoosiergrandad

Jul 10, 2012 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 10, 2012 5:07 pm)
When I was 5, my Dad bought a 53 Pontiac Chieftain 2 door with a straight 8 and a stick, about the same color as the 52 Chevy at the beginning of this thread. He kept it until 59, when he traded it in on a new Catalina. I remember him taking it up to 85 a few times. My Grandpa had a 56 Star Chief hardtop, turquoise and white, that seemed like a rocket in comparison. A
"perfect" example of THAT car would sorely tempt me, were it available. I haven't seen one with an original spec interior....

#53 of 56 Re: Here's another one [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 11, 2012 (9:37 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Jul 10, 2012 5:07 pm)
Nah, you'd be in the trees on the first turn I think. The Hudson was a pretty formidable car in its day---hence its great success in early NASCAR.

#54 of 56 Re: Here's another one [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Jul 11, 2012 (11:06 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 11, 2012 9:37 am)
I believe those Hudsons held some kind of a track record for many years.
 
I remember an old timer telling a story about how he was driving his new 1950 Olds 90 MPH one night when he saw headlights behind him. he figured it was a cop and he was about to get nailed so he didn't let off the gas.
 
To his great surprise, he was passed by a Hudson who he guessed had to be doing well over 100 MPH.

#55 of 56 Re: Here's another one [isellhondas] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 11, 2012 (11:08 am)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jul 11, 2012 11:06 am)
Olds and Hudson competed in NASCAR but the overhead valve V8s finally won out.

Messages Page 6 of 6

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement