1952 HUDSON HORNET RESTORED BY CUSTOMS & CLASSICS WINS BEST OF SHOW FOR OWNER

Years ago when I was apprenticing as an auto mechanic I apprenticed with Mike Thomas. Mike was a Hudson nut; in fact so was his brother Eric. Between the two of them they had fix or six Hudsons or Terraplanes. Mike was a fantastic, common sense mechanic who could fix just about anything and Eric was a top notch bodyman. I've lost touch with both of them. I do know that Eric still has his own business, Eric's Custom Auto Body in Port Perry, Ontario.

So whenever I see a Hudson or an article on a Hudson my thoughts turn to a wonderful period of my life, learning from a master. When I got this article I knew I had to run it on my site.

“Attention to Detail produces Flawless Results that Bring Multiple Honors Including Best in Class Award”

MURRAY, Utah (September 23, 2013) — An impeccable 1952 Hudson Hornet, restored by automotive restoration expert Chris Purdum and his Utah-based Customs & Classics Restoration team, recently earned car owner Jon Anderson Best in Show honors at the Vail Automotive Classic in Colorado. “We performed a full restoration on the Hudson, sparing no expense and giving full attention to every detail from mechanical to chassis, and from interior to paint, and we are very proud of the results of our efforts,” said Chris Purdum, sole proprietor of Customs & Classics Restoration in Murray, Utah.

L.A.-based car collector Jon Andersen commissioned Purdum to restore his Hudson in 1998 with a goal of not only preserving one of the most incredible machines to come out of Detroit in the 50s, but to maximize the investment value. Jon also wanted the opportunity to enjoy displaying the collectible at prominent Concours d’Elegance events across the United States where the finest cars compete for top honors. “Customs & Classics did an outstanding job restoring this automobile which has already delivered multiple Best in Class and Best of Show awards and I am very pleased with the results,” said Andersen.

Chris Purdum is now on the road, personally trailering the Hudson by enclosed transport to multiple events throughout the month of September. Thus far, the gem has been displayed at the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance in Southern California on the prestigious Trump National Golf Club, and at the Vail Automotive Classic, held at the famed Colorado winter resort, garnering both Best in Class and Best of Show awards along the way. “We are now off to the Santa Fe Concorso where the Hudson has been invited for exhibition September 29.

The restoration performed on Jon’s behalf took four years. The interior has been accurately restored to new and it took three years to have the fabric custom woven to be as original. The car is as beautiful and mechanically sound as it was the day it rolled off the assembly line and Jon can now enjoy sharing its beauty with automotive enthusiasts at events and wherever he goes. Owning a correctly-restored vehicle also means Jon can realize maximum value for his investment if he chooses to sell it. “It’s rewarding to bring new life to a classic car that is so much a part of American history. Often, breathing new life into an old car also breathes new life into its owner, and we look forward to helping many more car owners and collectors to realize their dream,” said Purdum.

About Customs & Classics 

 Based in Salt Lake County, Utah, Customs & Classics maintains a full automotive restoration facility catering to owners of American and European classic cars. Services range from preventative maintenance and event preparation to full restoration including everything from chassis and engine to paint and interior. In 2013 Customs & Classics celebrates 20 years servicing customers from around the country. In 2011, Chris Purdum launched the Inaugural Intermountain Concours d’Elegance in Utah to further cater to passionate classic car enthusiasts, and to put Utah on the map as a region rich in car culture.