Vehicle Description
The American Hudson Motor Car Company took its name from Joseph L Hudson, who provided the finances that enabled a group of experienced ex-Olds Motor Works employees to embark on a new automobile manufacturing venture. Incorporated in February 1909, Hudson built its first car in July of that same year and 12 months later had sold 4,000 units, the industry’s best first-year sales record to date. During 1915 Hudson sold a little under 12,900 cars – some 1,000-or-so less than Chevrolet, by way of comparison – yet in 1916 no fewer than 25,772 Hudsons found customers, an increase of 100%. The reason was the introduction in January that year of the ‘Super Six’, which had been launched on the back of a series of high-speed demonstration runs made on Long Island in December 1915. With 76bhp on tap, the side valve-engined Super Six possessed a performance demonstrably superior to that of many six-cylinder rivals costing far more. One of the truly outstanding American cars of its day, the Hudson Super Six remained in production until 1926 when it was replaced by an ‘F-head’ (inlet over exhaust) design.
The latter lasted until the 1930 season when Hudson jumped aboard the multi-cylinder bandwagon by introducing an inline ‘Great Eight’, though stylistically the newcomer looked much the same as the outgoing six. Displacing 213.8 ci (3.5 litres) Hudson’s only straight-eight engine would remain in production up to 1952. For its debut year of 1930 the Great Eight was offered in two wheelbase lengths – 119? (Model T) and 126? (Model U) – there being a total of 11 different body styles to choose from. Although less powerful than the six it replaced, the Great Eight was a lighter and faster car.
This Hudson has been maintained as needed with a newer interior (not of original design) and a paint job. The engine runs smooth, an electric fuel was added to by pass the Vacuum Fuel pump. Pictures should clearly show the cosmetic condition.
Additional pictures can be found at www.tomlaferriere.com
