1949 HUDSON COMMODORE "I am waiting" I suppose the romance of a rusting automotive relic is partly about what it can be.  I dream some of my pictures will capture the imagination of a well-moneyed automobile junkie who will surrender some coin to salvage and rejuvenate or restore these beauties. This 1949 Hudson Commodore haunts me because its story is unknown.  It just seems to be waiting.  A lot of good parts can be salvaged from this car and the body is rusted but seems to be straight.  I believe, as Jay Leno does, that not all old cars should be completely restored, only rejuvinated to run and be seen.  Retaining the patina of old age and the history of the vehicle seems almost more respectful than complete restoration, but that's just me.  But it takes a special motivation for someone to be patient enough and willing to spend the dough to retrieve beasts like this from the metal scrap heap.

1916 Hudson-Original Owner Dutch Caswell's family bought a brand spanking new, maroon and black Hudson in 1916.  The Hudson  company had been making automobiles since 1909 and in 1916 manufactured its first engine, the Super Six.  It was to be the industries first inherently balanced, high compression L-head motor; more powerful and lighter than any supplied by the Continental Motor Company. The Caswell's loved the car.  It was a smooth riding head turner.  Handed down from Father to Son for generations, it was at last, "misplaced."  The current owner's father sold it and the car was never seen again for twenty years.  Dutch thought about the car and in fact acquired a 1912 Hudson as his hobby car.  He relocated many times over the years and eventually landed in a very small rural town in Oregon, which, as luck would have it, was five miles from the current owner of his family car.       The license says 1917 but Ducth assures me, it is a 1916 Hudson   While I am unclear on how Dutch rediscovered the car, he tells me the car is in original condition, not having even had a paint job.  It runs well (he keeps plenty of water on board to cool the engine) and he drives it frequently.  I may be chatting with Ducth in a week or two, at which time I will sharpen the details on his discovery and the car.  For now, enjoy the pictures of this classic.