Vehicle Description
1928 Essex Super Six Roadster
Essex cars were designed to be moderately priced cars which would
be affordable to the average family. Proving durable, their
capabilities were checked upon and confirmed by AAA and the United
States Post Office. In 1919, an Essex completed a 50-hour, 3,037.4
miles endurance test in Cincinnati, Ohio, at an average speed of
60.75 miles per hour. The early Essex cars also captured many hill
climb records. In a special Essex race car, Glen Shultz won the
1923 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
During its production run, the Essex was considered a small car and
was affordably priced. The Essex is generally credited with
starting a trend away from open touring cars design toward enclosed
passenger compartments. This consignment made in Detroit sports
4-wheel mechanical drum brakes, an innovation for its day. It will
need some TLC on the exterior print, with surfaces currently
showing some peeling of the respray. The interior is a beauty, and
it is mechanically sound with a restored engine bay and engine.
Exterior
A blue green covers this car and is an older respray. It is showing
some wear at spots with some peeling and rub off of the respray
throughout. Gaps are nicely minded and there is no rust in sight.
Black curved fenders meet up in the center of the car and form a
running board for easy access and egress from this car. Typical of
the late 1920's a chromed radiator surround is flanked by a single
headlight on either side with a dual bar bumper below. A long hood
in rolled form stretches from the radiator to the firewall and
eventually the passenger compartment. On top is a tan canvas top
for the convertible. On the back is a rumble seat which sits above
a rear mounted spare tire, and a dual bar split shiny bumper on
back. 20 inch nicely refinished wood spoked wheels are on all 4
corners as well as a spare which is sans spokes.
Interior
Light butterscotch leather drapes the door panels and single
interior wide tuck and roll bench. The leather is beautifully aged
with some natural creases eased on over time. Door panels are also
in the butterscotch and have a snazzy pouch for extra storage. In
front is a restored dash with a swooping wood oak lath trim piece,
over some blue/green painted to match the exterior dash front. In
the center is a polished squared off corners oval instrument
cluster with squared off corner white faced gauges within it. This
sits within a black painted dash. Fronting the dash is the original
bakelite steering wheel, also in back. Butterscotch carpet is
covering the floors and is nice and clean.
Drivetrain
An upward lift of the cowl in front and we see a restored 153.2ci
inline 6-cylinder engine. There is a 1-barrel carburetor on top and
a 3-speed manual transmission of unknown origin on the back. As for
the rear axle, you are looking at a 5.40 gear ratio. All is looking
clean and slightly aged under this hood.
Undercarriage
Fully restored nice rust free black mechanical parts, suspension
and drivetrain is seen along with some stained wood between the
frame rails. Rockers and body hangers are solid and rust free. Leaf
spring suspension is all around and 4 wheel mechanical drum brakes
are noted on all 4 corners. Looking good overall underneath.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and fine runner, provided a nice cruise, and a
pleasurable Sunday drive speed test ride. All is functioning well
for this test drive.
Save for the exterior peeling paint, a very nice example that has
benefited from a previous earlier restoration. Great interior, nice
canvas convertible top, and solid mechanicals are slightly
distracted with the peeling paint, but a minor inconvenience when
you consider this car is all good on every other front. Hudson
eventually took over, and the Terraplane would replace this Super
Six Roadster in 1932. For now, enjoy the limelight as the Essex
Super 6 from 1928.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
