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Just for a visual comparison to Hudson's Twin-H Power on a 308 ci Hornet. The carbs are twin Carter single barrel WA-1s vs. the standard single 2-barrel WDG. The fuel line connecting the front to rear carburetor is incorrect in this photo. Ditto for a few other details like the coolant return tank and the acorn-headed cylinder head bolts. I drag-raced a 54 Hornet quite successfully in the 60s, quite a machine. This is a standard Hornet with the 7D engine; a 7X high performance Nascar version was available with a hotter cam (#311040), larger head bolt diameters, split exhaust manifold, etc. For racing the GM Hydramatic was far preferred as Hudson's standard shift utilized a "wet" clutch running in Hudsonite fluid. From a service viewpoint one thing to really like on these Hudsons is that the Trico wiper cables and tensioners are under the hood on the cowl, not buried under the dash.

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Here are a few shots of a 54 Super Pickup. We finally got a warm day and I jumped on it to get it painted. For non "stock" vehicles, I like to use bedliner on the inner fenders. It gives an attractive durable finish with little work.

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Needed to head down toward Roanoke VA to pick up a couple of overdrive setups, and then a bit further north pick up a set of wheels. Turns out the shortest distance between the two points was the exquisite Blue Ridge Parkway that runs along the Shenandoah Mountains. Little did I realize that it would be peak color and the drive was absolutely entrancing. The vistas are more varied and further than those on the better known Skyline Drive. I have already penciled it in for next year to take a more leisurely trip.

The vehicle of choice was the shop truck to carry the transmissions and tires. Left the house at 5 AM and after many stops and poking at Packard parts arrived home at 9:30 that evening. 701 miles later, it averaged 17.4 mpg and did not skip a beat. Other than the Parkway, most driving was 65-70 mph. Early in the morning the gen light came on: it seems I had gotten some oil on the commutator whilst oiling the day before. My bad. A moments cleaning and that was solved. Packard were and are competent road vehicles.

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Great views driving through a great area.

Ross,
Nice. Wish I was there!
(I see that you've gone modern; installed a GPS!)
Tom

"I see that you've gone modern; installed a GPS!"

I see what is probably a period piece compass, but don't see a GPS.

Oz,
I believe the compass is a non-digital, non satellite, analog GPS that is mid 50's appropriate! Does anyone know how to use a compass anymore? Where are the buttons?

It was ment as a more or less subtle joke.
Tom

Missed the subtlety there, sorry.

Thought you all might like to see the latest pickup creation, the first of a new series with a coupe type roof and using a portion of the trunk lid to make the tailgate. This is of course a lot more work, but am quite pleased with the lines. This was based on a customers club sedan and has the dual carb engine shown earlier in this post.

The front fender trims are from Bob Powell who is making truly excellent repros of the 53-4 Carib pieces.

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