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A prime example of a gorgeous Hudson Commodore 8 convertible, this 1950 model from Hudson expert John Soneff's personal collection recently sold for $112,200 at auction. Images: Auctions America

When an avid buyer, restorer and hot rod enthusiast passes, his or her prized vehicles and memorabilia are often passed down to children or other family members. Although some items are kept, more often than not, most of a collector’s prized finds are then sold with the estate or auctioned off. That is the case with the late John Soneff’s Hudson collection, but according to Hemmings Daily, this isn’t a sad parting of ways for the collection and Soneff’s family. In fact, many of Soneff’s beloved cars have now found loving homes thanks to the recent Auction America’s Auburn Spring sale, including a 1950 Commodore convertible that sold for just over $112,000.

In addition to being an avid restorer and auctioneer, Soneff was known around Colorado as the owner of the last Hudson dealership in Denver, according to the Denver Post. Located on Curtis Street, Soneff’s Master Garage was sold years ago to a private investment firm for $2.5 million, but Soneff’s Hudson tie didn’t end there.

After selling his garage, he moved his operation across the alley to a building on Arapahoe Street. It was there that Soneff’s remaining Hudsons were recently shipped to the Auction America’s Auburn sale in Indiana, following his death last June.

Among the vehicles that went to auction were many of Soneff’s most prized Hudsons, including a fully restored 1950 Commodore 8 convertible Brougham with a hydraulic top and windows, Hudson Weather Control Heater, 254 ci inline-8 and a Super-Matic Drive transmission; a 1949 Commodore 6 convertible Brougham with a Twin H Power inline-six, power windows, steering and top, and a three-speed, column-shift transmission; and a 1939 Model 98 “Big Boy” three-quarter ton pickup with modern upgrades such as air conditioning, cruise control and an AM/FM radio with cassette player.

Of the 12 that hit the auction, 11 sold with no or met reserves, with the most expensive of the bunch being the ‘50 Commodore 8 convertible, which brought in a bid of $112,200.

Next in line was the Commodore 6 convertible Brougham, which brought in $71,500. The Big Boy, one of three believed to still exist, brought in $48,400.

The last Hudson operation in Denver is now officially closed, but Soneff’s memory will forever live on in the place he called home, as well as through his prized vehicles that have now gone on to be part of other enthusiasts’ collections. Not as sad a goodbye if you look at it that way.

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One of just three known existing models, this 1939 Hudson Big Boy pickup could have sold for thousands more than it did at auction. However, due to the modern upgrades to the vehicle, it only brought a bid of $48,400.