Survivor! ICON 1949 Hudson
Are enthusiasts rediscovering Hudsons? Two full-custom versions made the finalist rankings for Goodguys Top 12 awards last year (for Custom of the Year and Custom Rod of the Year) and ICON turned out this stealthy barn-find beauty, which was, in the company’s words, “re-imagined as a highly capable, modern daily-driver with a bit of rockabilly attitude.”
The shop had Art Morrison Enterprises design subframe assemblies to integrate into the Hudson semi-unibody structure, updating it with four-wheel independent suspension, big-inch Brembo disc brakes, and 18-inch billet aluminum wheels fitted with original Hudson hubcaps. Those wheels get rolling courtesy of supercharged 6.2-liter GM LS9 engine cranking out 638hp and sending it through a 4L85E automatic transmission.
ICON always puts a lot of thought into the cabin and this Hudson is no exception. It features hand-dyed wild alligator and Moore & Giles leather upholstery, German wool carpeting,
Alligator-trimmed wool sun visors, and extensive sound deadening. A newly cast 16-inch translucent blue steering wheel with unrestored Hudson brightwork and horn ring rests atop a tilt steering column. The dash keeps its classic style, but features CNC-machined aluminum knobs and trim modeled after original brightwork, along with stealthily integrated modern amenities like Vintage Air, LED lighting, modern gauge internals, and a high-performance audio system.
The end result is a cool, stylish classic that’s as capable of navigating Los Angeles city traffic as it is conquering the twisting two-lane canyon roads outside the city.
Photos by ICON
