Sliced and Diced Hornet drop top

[Chuck Most]

So... my laziness has sort of killed the '57 IH to death, at least for the time being. I guess that means I can turn my attention to an idea I've had for a long time- an extreme custom rendition of the Hudson Hornet, based around the '52 rag top kit.

So far...

First order of bidness was to remove the center divider post, and chop 6" out of the winsheild frame. The glass will be one piece- not sure yet if I'll reshape the opening for the '54-only glass (the lower corners were squared off) or keep it as is.

I thought it looked okay with the stock body and such an extreme chop, but I had the itch to see how it would look sectioned. So out came the saw and...

The Hornet lost a quick and easy 3" from its belt without the aid of Slim Fast. I also did away with all the stock side trim, I may add my own D-section side trim later on.

I'm planning for something mostly traditional in appearance but with a few twists here and there.

[geezerman]

That's cool, Chuck. Gonna look great.
That might have been sweet ,unsectioned, with a carson top !

[Chuck Most]

Non-sectioned with a Carson may still be a possiblility, I still have another one of these kits....

Did a quick check for ride height- I think I might be able to get it lower, but not 100% sure yet.


And just for fun, I 'borrowed' a supercharged 308 from another project, just to see how it would fit...

[geezerman]

;D Cool !!!

[tomcd62]

looking forward to more!

[Chuck Most]

Marching on...


Of course I had to shorten the radiator for the sectioned body- the stock piece on the right, and the cut-down one on the left.


I wanted buckets, but liked the Hudson's upholstery pattern, so I decided to take two front benches and cut them down into buckets.


Here they are in place, along with the rear seat. All seats had about 1/8" removed from the base to fit into the now-shallower interior.

And now trimming and fitting the cut down side panels can begin...

[dogfish7]

Man, that's looking sweeeeeeet!

[geezerman]

NICE !!!!!

[Chuck Most]

Have the side trim and skirts roughed out. Well, on one side only...

[harron68]

Fab work as is your work, always. Only oddity is the top windshield piece that is so wide it detracts from the otherwise streamlined long low look. The look is similar to one of my ancient works, a '49 Ford with a section out and a chopped top. Long and low!

[geezerman]

Lookin great, Chuck.
I think the heavy windshield top compliments the build....somehow

[harron68]

As it is, the wider windshield top does give room for side "no draft" window, but even just a rounding of the sharp corners would give it a streamlined look. Just my personal opinion. The seat and radiator altering are flawless and we'll see what motor will power it.