6T-FinSeeker Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 (edited) For sale on Craigslist: 1954 Hudson Jetliner 4-door Sedan in Sylmar, CA - $14,800 - Text Conrad: 747 279 98 two six On 4/25, Seller reduced price to $13,800 On 5/3, Seller increased price to $14,800 On 5/11, Seller reduced price to $14,300 On 6/29, Seller reduced price to $13,500 On 8/11, Seller reduced price to $10,000 and relisted On 8/16, Seller increased price to $12,000 On 8/17, Seller reduced price to $10,000 On 9/8, Seller reduced price to $9,000 Link to 9/5 relist (same price, $10,000): https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d/sylmar-1954-hudson-jetliner/7662565072.html Seller's Description: 1954 Hudson Jetliner 4-door Sedan condition: good cylinders: 6 cylinders transmission: automatic odometer: 85,000 title status: clean 1954 Hudson Jetliner for sale. All original Rare classic car. Only 2 years made. 53' & 54' 4 door sedan with continental package, new whitewall tires, fender skirts, window visors. Original 202 straight six motor with dual range Hydramatic Transmission (automatic, 3 speed). Runs excellent. 6 volts. I have receipts of all work that was done by previous owner. Has an Electric Fuel Pump, glass pack exhaust (chrome tip), heater, seat belts, custom license plate. Has 3 small body imperfections that will need a little TLC to make the car showroom worthy, but still a beautiful daily cruiser. The next caretaker will have no major problems to deal with. Comes with car cover, original manual and shop manuals, hydraulic jack, crossbar tire iron, fire extinguisher, and 2 extra tires. Appraised at 15,500. Edited September 20, 2023 by 6T-FinSeeker update status (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Neat and seldom seen. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Colors work really well on that car. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Might be nice that since mentioning the three body areas needing work they might show a photo to allow folks a chance to see them before making any decision. I agree it is nice and certainly different from the assembled multitude of Chevelles and Road Runners that abound almost everywhere you look. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suchan Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Sharp car. Are they really that stubby, or is the photography just making it look that way? In any case, the continental kit actually looks pretty good. Gives the car better proportions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 A nice example of an unusual car that may only appeal to a very limited (niche) market. The older audience that actually recognizes and identifies with this Hudson may see this for what it is, a somewhat overhyped and very overpriced flip. Most people would opt for a more popular (and familiar) Chevrolet, Ford, or Plymouth sedan. BTW that trunk "rug restoration" isn't helping justify the price. Was a 1954 Jet six cylinder single carb 4-door sedan really appraised at $15.5K? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingrudy Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 I think that is the last original Bob's in the San Fernando Valley. Brings back memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudsy Wudsy Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 A lot of true Hudson fans actually bristle at the sight of a Jet. The money spent on designing and tooling up for this ill-fated little car could have been far better spent on developing a V8 or a new body style for the existing line. Also, the "smarter-than-anyone-else" chairman of Hudson Motors at that time, Roy D Chapin, insisted that he be able to get in and out of the new car while leaving his hat on. Thus, the disproportionately high roof line. The continental kit in the rear actually helps to offset the short, boxy lines, somewhat, but it was still a car that the public didn't want. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-mman Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 54 minutes ago, Hudsy Wudsy said: but it was still a car that the public didn't want. Yes. The public couldn’t be swayed into a compact Ford with Oldsmobile styling cues that was being offered for the price of a full size Oldsmobile. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted April 25, 2023 Author Share Posted April 25, 2023 On 4/25, Seller reduced price to $13,800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 As has been observed by others regarding the Hudson Jet: there was nothing wrong with the Hudson Jet except it killed the company! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumBob Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 I never liked the bolt up-right styling and high roof line on those cars. They always looked boxy and unattractive. The colors on this car work nicely though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, DrumBob said: I never liked the bolt up-right styling and high roof line on those cars. They always looked boxy and unattractive. The colors on this car work nicely though. From what I have read, neither did people of that era! It looks too high and narrow. Compare that to the 1953-54 Studebakers, which were streamlined and svelte! Edited April 26, 2023 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 As far as '50's car styling goes, I view that decade as very experimental. Companies like Studebaker and Hudson had both amazing and/or visionary body styles in the 1950's...as well as some odd looking styles. I see both companies as risk takers in that regard, and having some unusual looking models was result of that approach. It seems that there can never be a picture of a Hudson Jet without the obligatory negative comment about its looks. I never quite understood that perspective. To me, it just looks rather ordinary and a little unspectacular (unlike the step-down models)...nothing worse than that. It was a small economy car and it's dimensions and proportions were a function of that purpose. Certainly not as stubby as the Nash Metropolitan, and a lot more versatile. Is it any stranger looking than a Henry J? Those are the kind of cars it should be compared to, not the Studebaker Loewy coupe. Nevertheless, the Jet's great failings (in my opinion) were that it was made by Hudson and couldn't compare visually with the other great looking cars they made at that time. It's also blamed by Hudson lovers as the model that killed Hudson as an independent brand. Those things may be true, but I think it would be cool to own a Jet. They had a straight six engine and could be driven on the highway back then. I'm hoping it's unloved status means I can find a decent one in my price range someday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillOutThere Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 The best thing to remember about the Hudson Jet is that it gave the world a base for designer Frank Spring to create the Hudson Italia sports car using Carozzeria Touring for the coachwork. But even with Twin-H on the little 202" six the car was underpowered. The Italia, having been a concession by management to Spring for having destroyed his original intent for the Hudson Jet, eventually only sold some 26 cars and that took dealers months and years to accomplish. In some cases Italias were only sold after REMOVING the Hudson lettering from the nose of the car and in some others by putting in a small block Chevy V8. I wrote a comprehensive magazine article about the Italias back about 1975-ish. I'd have to go find my copy! I was the Jet and Italia tech advisor to the HET club several years. The Jet was NOT a great car, not even really up to Hudson standards. This one looks like one of the best survivors out there, but even from 1500 miles away, I'd suggest it is not something you want in your collection. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 (edited) Here is a good analysis of the Hudson Jet program management motivation, design development and ultimate effect on the company: Car Show Classic: 1954 Hudson Jet – A Torpedo In A Plain Beige Wrapper (Or Hudson’s Deadly Sin #1) | Curbside Classic Jet Crash: The Compact Hudson Jet > Ate Up With Motor Edited April 26, 2023 by 58L-Y8 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted May 3, 2023 Author Share Posted May 3, 2023 On 5/3, Seller increased price to $14,800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 Seller still believes that $15.5K appraisal was done by a serious, experienced and sober appraiser. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sal Hepatica Posted May 3, 2023 Share Posted May 3, 2023 On 4/25/2023 at 9:33 PM, JamesR said: As far as '50's car styling goes, I view that decade as very experimental. Companies like Studebaker and Hudson had both amazing and/or visionary body styles in the 1950's...as well as some odd looking styles. I see both companies as risk takers in that regard, and having some unusual looking models was result of that approach. It seems that there can never be a picture of a Hudson Jet without the obligatory negative comment about its looks. I never quite understood that perspective. To me, it just looks rather ordinary and a little unspectacular (unlike the step-down models)...nothing worse than that. It was a small economy car and it's dimensions and proportions were a function of that purpose. Certainly not as stubby as the Nash Metropolitan, and a lot more versatile. Is it any stranger looking than a Henry J? Those are the kind of cars it should be compared to, not the Studebaker Loewy coupe. Nevertheless, the Jet's great failings (in my opinion) were that it was made by Hudson and couldn't compare visually with the other great looking cars they made at that time. It's also blamed by Hudson lovers as the model that killed Hudson as an independent brand. Those things may be true, but I think it would be cool to own a Jet. They had a straight six engine and could be driven on the highway back then. I'm hoping it's unloved status means I can find a decent one in my price range someday. I don't want to be overly harsh, but Hudson had (with the exception of the exceedingly rare Italia) no visionary styles in the '50's. They were stuck with the short-lived post war "inverted bathtub" style along with Nash and Packard. Packard abandoned the tub in '51, Nash in '52. Hudson was stuck with it until 1954! The '48 step down Hudson, which wowed the public that year, was already becoming old hat by 1950. By '54, positively archaic. The Hudson in '55 was a badge-engineered reskin of the boxy 1952 Nash body (nobody's idea of a beauty queen) after the '54 merger. The "Hash" '55-7 Hudson's were hardly visionary. The Jet, unlike the Henry J, was not pencilled out by management to be an "economy car". Thus, it cost more than many full sized competitors. Why have a stubby 3/4 scale '53 Ford replica when you could have the Ford for less money... and choose a hardtop, wagon or convertible instead of being limited to stodgy little sedans? They are, as you say quite ordinary. Plain vanilla ordinary. They have always been unloved and unappreciated. They were a real tough sell when new, are still a tough sell and bring little money. They're out there, if you really want one, for a lot less than this one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted June 30, 2023 Author Share Posted June 30, 2023 On 6/29, Seller reduced price to $13,500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumBob Posted June 30, 2023 Share Posted June 30, 2023 On 4/26/2023 at 11:12 AM, 58L-Y8 said: Here is a good analysis of the Hudson Jet program management motivation, design development and ultimate effect on the company: Car Show Classic: 1954 Hudson Jet – A Torpedo In A Plain Beige Wrapper (Or Hudson’s Deadly Sin #1) | Curbside Classic Jet Crash: The Compact Hudson Jet > Ate Up With Motor DO NOT click on these links! They'll take you to a scam telling you your computer is infected, don't turn it off, report this to us, etc. It is a total scam. AVOID! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 Really? These links work for me, no scam warnings. If you are worried, go directly to the Curbside Classic and Ate Up with Motor sites to read these articles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 Steve's links worked fine for me. I never heard of either of those sites, and they look excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suchan Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 3 hours ago, DrumBob said: DO NOT click on these links! They'll take you to a scam telling you your computer is infected, don't turn it off, report this to us, etc. It is a total scam. AVOID! Might be that the warnings are a scam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumBob Posted July 1, 2023 Share Posted July 1, 2023 9 hours ago, suchan said: Might be that the warnings are a scam. The warnings are a scam. That's what I said. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted August 16, 2023 Author Share Posted August 16, 2023 (edited) On 8/11, Seller reduced price to $10,000 and relisted on Craigslist: 1954 Hudson Jetliner 4-door Sedan in Sylmar, CA - Text Conrad: 747 279 98 two six Link to relist (same): https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d/sylmar-1954-hudson-jetliner/7653438086.html Seller's Description: 1954 Hudson Jetliner 4-door Sedan 4 door sedan with continental package, whitewall tires, fender skirts, window visors. 202 straight six motor with dual range Hydramatic Transmission (automatic). 6 volts. Has an Electric Fuel Pump, glass pack exhaust, heater, seat belts, custom license plate. Good condition but still needs a little TLC to improve. Excellent weekend cruiser. Comes with car cover, shop manuals, hydraulic jack, crossbar tire iron, fire extinguisher. ***PRICE DROP***$10,000*** Edited August 16, 2023 by 6T-FinSeeker update info (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted August 16, 2023 Author Share Posted August 16, 2023 On 8/16, Seller increased price to $12,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Another price INCREASE? Exactly who are these sellers anyway? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan G Posted August 17, 2023 Share Posted August 17, 2023 Last year a Jet kept showing up in my searches, about 2 hours away and about half this price. I really, really wanted to like it. I truly did. The factory just forgot to make it special. The best thing I can say: it's the cheapest way to get yourself into a Hudson these days, if that's your only goal. I'd take it, apples to apples, over a comparable Ford or Plymouth just for the novelty factor, assuming they were all the same price. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted August 17, 2023 Author Share Posted August 17, 2023 On 8/11, Seller reduced price to $10,000 (again). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted September 8, 2023 Author Share Posted September 8, 2023 On 9/8, Seller reduced price to $9,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted September 11, 2023 Author Share Posted September 11, 2023 On 9/9, Seller deleted the Craigslist ad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6T-FinSeeker Posted September 20, 2023 Author Share Posted September 20, 2023 On 9/17, Flipper listed for sale on Craigslist: 1954 Hudson Jetliner 4-door Sedan in Los Angeles, CA - $10,995 - Call: 310 697 76 six six Link: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/los-angeles-1954-hudson-jet/7666971826.html Seller's Description: 1954 Hudson Jetliner 4-door Sedan condition: excellent cylinders: 6 cylinders transmission: automatic odometer: 68,000 paint color: blue title status: clean 1954 Hudson Jet! Absolutely stunning example! - Excellent running and driving! - Automatic Transmission! - Flat head 6cyl 6 volt! - You will not find a nicer Jet for sale! - No issues! - Turn key car! - Everything works perfect including radio and all windows! - Tires in excellent shape including both spares - All original owners books and service manuals - Clean california title in hand! ***Personalized (1954 Jet) plates stay with new owner - Send a message or call for more info or to come pick this gem up - Capable of driving anywhere. Come take a look and drive it home! - ASKING $10,950 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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