Vehicle Description
Nearly as quickly as the automobile evolved, speed contests evolved
alongside. Organized races between steam vehicles happened in as
early as the 1880s, with events for internal combustion-powered
machines following suit by the 1890s. At the turn of the 20th
century, automobile racing was a full-fledged sport and
manufacturers were constructing purpose-built machines to contest
grueling cross-country events. As racing grew in popularity, more
and more manufacturers saw the marketing value in building
ready-to-race sports cars. In America, where closed circuit racing
was hugely popular, manufacturers like Stutz and Mercer began to
offer "off the shelf" racing cars which could be readily stripped
of fenders and lights, raced hard, then reassembled and driven
home. Between 1910 and 1914, the Mercer Raceabout and Stutz Bearcat
earned legendary status for their on-road performance and
illustrious racing careers. In an effort to get in on this
prestigious market, other manufacturers soon followed with their
own race-replicas. One such company was Hudson, who in 1912,
offered the Mile-A-Minute Speed Roadster atop the robust and
powerful Model 33 chassis. The Model 33 was introduced in 1911, in
only the 2nd year of Hudson production. This entirely new model is
widely considered the first true "ground-up" Hudson. The
four-cylinder engine was designed by the engineering genius Howard
E. Coffin and built by Continental. It displaced 226 cubic inches
and featured opposing valves and a unique oil filled cork-faced
clutch which allowed for exceptionally smooth operation. For 1912,
the smaller Model 20 was dropped and the Model 33 was the sole
offering from Hudson. To the usual lineup of touring car, limousine
and coupe bodies, Hudson added the racy "Mile-A-Minute" Sport
Roadster. Spartan and purposeful, the Mile a Minute offered
guaranteed 60mph performance - with period adverts claiming it was
"faster than its name implies". This racer for the road followed
the formula of Mercer and Stutz, with two exposed seats, a monocle
windscreen, and mudguard-style fenders. Fenders, lights and
valances were easily removed for racing, the seats and steering
column were lowered, and a large fuel/oil tank was fitted behind
the seats. The light body combined with Hudson's powerful engine
returned truly exciting performance for the era. It was also a
tremendous value; at a list price of $1,600 the Mile a Minute Sport
Roadster was nearly $1,000 cheaper than a similar Mercer Raceabout.
This 1912 Mile a Minute Sport Roadster is a wonderful example of
the rare and exciting veteran Hudson road-racer. This car has a
long history in the Vancouver, B.C. area, where it was discovered
in the 1960s by a famous local enthusiast named Buck Rogers. Buck
was a pioneer of the antique car hobby in the area, and he formed
the Vintage Car Club of Canada in 1957. He was well-known for
unearthing rare and significant cars throughout British Columbia.
When Rogers first saw the Hudson 33, he recognized this car as an
important and unusual Mile a Minute roadster. As found, it was in a
fairly derelict state, but the engine and running gear were intact,
and Rogers was able to acquire the car and bring it home. Rogers
soon sold the Hudson to another prominent Vancouver enthusiast,
Jack Halladay, who restored it using a replacement Model 33
chassis. The blue painted roadster was well known among club
members and it participated in numerous tours over the years.
Following Jack Halladay's passing, the car was sold to Jack Sheperd
in 1989. Sheperd was an avid collector and a perfectionist when it
came to his cars. To meet his meticulous standers, he commissioned
a comprehensive restoration to return the car to factory correct,
Mile-a-Minute Roadster specification. To ensure accuracy of the
restoration, Sheperd located a proven and genuine example (an
ex-Harrah collection car owned by Dick Deluna) to use as a
reference to ensure his speedster was restored to factory original
specification, with the correct lowered steering angle, set back
engine and additional chassis bracing that were unique to the Mile
a Minute. Sadly, before the restoration was completed, Mr. Sheperd
passed away and the car was left to the Vancouver Vintage Car Club.
Fred Grey, a club member and enthusiastic restorer acquired the car
in 2013, taking over the project and exercising great care to
ensure the car was completed to the correct standard possible.
Great care was given to sourcing the special Model 33 speedster
parts such as the Bosch DU4 magneto. The correct 24" wooden spoke
wheels (touring cars and others used 25") had to be custom made by
respected expert Anderson Propeller. Today, the Hudson 33 Mile a
Minute roadster presents in wonderful condition, in a vivid period
appropriate yellow paint scheme with lots of beautifully polished
brass fixtures. The serial number, 23046 (engine no. KK12295),
designates it as the 46th Speedster built, though it is believed
that only a dozen or so remain today. The paintwork is in excellent
condition, with correct button-tufted leather upholstery on the
sparse bucket seats. Correct details abound such as the circular
trunk that also doubles as a spare wheel carrier, accessory manual
oil pump, Castle headlamps (discreetly converted to run LED bulbs)
and E&J cowl lamps. The big four-cylinder runs well and thanks
to the lightweight bodywork, the performance lives up to its
evocative name. This Model 33 Sport Roadster is a charming and
historically important early speedster that benefits from a careful
and authentic restoration. Exciting to drive even at less than
"Mile a Minute" speeds, this beautifully presented and exceedingly
rare Hudson is ready for enjoyment on tours, rallies or out on the
open road.
