Hudson Rebuilds Abandoned 1980s Nova Concept Car
Hudson Auto Films is restoring a decades-abandoned fiberglass Nova concept, targeting a drivable finish by summer 2027.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Car Culture
Hudson Auto Films bought the long-abandoned Nova concept car a year ago and has spent roughly 10 weeks rebuilding its cracked, pitted fiberglass body. The team is now about 25 hours of bodywork away from final primer.
Why it matters
The project shows how a neglected, one-off concept vehicle can be brought back to running condition despite delays in fiberglass repair and engine parts. Its progress offers a practical look at restoring rare automotive designs that have sat unused for decades.
The restoration team reports a donor canopy sat 1 inch narrower on each side than the original body opening, and about 25 hours of bodywork remain before final primer. The body work has taken roughly 10 weeks, with no firm date yet for when engine parts will arrive.
The players
Hudson Auto Films
The film company that purchased the abandoned Nova and is leading its restoration.
The details
The crew packed fiberglass bridging filler into damaged panels and sanded high and low spots, after a filler batch failed to set and had to be scraped off and restarted. A donor canopy did not align, so the original, more damaged canopy was reinstalled, and a donor rear bumper was reshaped and bolted on.
Timeline
A year ago: Hudson Auto Films bought the Nova.
Roughly 10 weeks: Fiberglass body shell repair work took place.
Summer 2027: Target for the Nova to be drivable.
Roadmap
The Nova began as a 1980s concept that was marketed in the United States as the Sterling and started out in the UK in the early 1970s. Hudson's rebuild brings a forgotten one-off design back to life rather than adding another production model to the market.
For enthusiasts who follow concept car restorations, the project shows how long bodywork and parts delays can extend a build timeline. Readers interested in one-off classics can track whether the summer 2027 drivability target holds.
The takeaway
Restoring neglected concept cars takes patience, as bodywork and parts can stall progress for weeks. Hudson's continued work on other parts of the build suggests a path forward even when one stage runs long.
What happens next
Hudson has set a target of having the Nova drivable by summer 2027, and the body needs about 25 more hours of work before final primer.
Further reading
For more stories on restorations like this, browse Car Culture.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Motor1.
