Article Archive

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Surviving Hudsons are few and far between

The year is 1947. Within this twelve month period, the first ‘instant camera’ was introduced by Polaroid; B.F. Goodrich introduced the first tubeless tire and John Bardeen and Walter Brattain of AT&T and Bell Labs, perfected the first commercial transistor.

(photo from www.plan59.com)

The folks in the illustration above are all decked out for an evening in the country at the Summer Playhouse, transported there by a ‘47 Hudson Commodore Series 174, itself decked out in lustrous ‘Royal Red’– a $23.00 extra and one of just ten colors on the palette for that year. The full wheel covers, standard equipment on Commodores, were offered with red or cream accents at no additional cost.

The late afternoon ride to the country was probably a comfortable adventure traveling in the ritzy Commodore, particularly with its standard air foam seat cushions and ‘Weather Master’ heater– a $50.00 option.

The driver (in all probability one of the two men in the scene) had it easy if his Hudson was equipped with the optional ($40.00) ‘Vacumotive Drive’, a vacuum-operated system which automatically engaged and disengaged the clutch, or ‘Drive-Master’ at $98.00 (including Vacumotive Drive) which totally eliminated clutch and shifting operations. Standard gear changing fare was a three-speed manual, available with overdrive for an additional $88.00.

Entertainment during that long ride to the country came in the form of an optional AM radio, tagged at $77.00 and I’m pretty sure that spacious Commodore cabin was often graced with the dulcet tones of Bing Crosby, Jo Stafford, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore and countless other pop artists of ‘the day’.

Hudsons for ‘47 were available in two model series, the entry level ‘Super’ and the tonier ‘Commodore’. Both models offered a choice of six or eight cylinder power. The Series ‘173’ designation in the Super (Sedan and Club Coupes only) and ‘174’ in Commodores (all body styles), indicated that the larger, eight cylinder engine was lurking under that prolonged, narrow-nosed hood.

The Hudson line of automobiles dates back to 1909 when the first models rolled out the door of its Detroit-based assembly plant.

A group of eight Detroit area businessmen joined forces to form the company whose goal it was to produce a car for less than $1,000.00. The company was named after one of the founders, Joseph L. Hudson, a Detroit area department store tycoon who fronted the lion’s share of the start up capital.

One of the most influential and knowledgeable ‘car guys’ among the founding fathers, was a young executive named Roy D. Chapin, Sr. Chapin had spent some of his developing years working with Ransom E. Olds.

Surviving Hudsons are few and far between these days. About the only place you’re likely to see a scant handful is at the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri’s annual Easter Concours d’ Elegance held in Forest Park. A quick scan of Auto Trader Classics on-line for Hudsons for sale resulted in only seven hits... none of which were 1947 models.

So, if you’re dead set on finding a forty-seven Hudson to take to the 5th Annual Columbia Kiwanis Charity Car Show coming up Saturday, September 5th in Columbia, Illinois, you’d better get crankin’! And IF you are lucky enough to find one, the Old Cars Price Guide says you can expect to pay around eighteen thou plus for a trophy-winning club coupe like the one shown above. When compared to more popular collectibles and considering the scarcity of the marque, that’s not an unreasonable fare. The trick is finding one for sale with an owner willing to sell at that figure. Good luck!

SCALE MODEL COLLECTIBLES

Miniature Hudsons are darn near as hard to find as the real thing these days.

Nineteen forty-sevens are basically nonexistent– having never been produced to my knowledge. A handful of early fifties diecast Hudsons in 1/18 scale were produced, however, under the Highway 61 brand.

I found the 1952 Hudson Hornet convertible in black and also in ‘French Gray’ available at Kevin Pickell’s Scale 18 site. Reflecting the high level of detail and quality that Highway 61 has been noted for, the Hudson is priced at $64.95. Visit ‘scale18.com for more details.

I did not see any listings for Hudsons at Greg White’s Designs In Motion site, but he is still listing a ‘spring cleaning’ sale with over 500 cars on sale. This might be a good time to pick up one of those die casts that you’ve been wanting for so long.

Contact Greg:
www.designsinm.com
636-519-1011
800-250-8848
DesignsInM@aol.com

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If you haven’t been to Gateway Classic Cars in the last six to twelve months, you’d better get on over there.

The inventory has turned and there are some awesome rides parked in the old Venture store in Fairmont City, Illinois, including a drop-dead-gorgeous, powder blue, 1964 Oldsmobile 98 convertible that includes approximately fifty trophies that the car has earned in the last few years! It’s darn near a steal at $17,995.00... at least that’s what I told my chief financial officer (a.k.a. wife)!

If you decide to drop by Advance Auto Parts OR Gateway Classic Cars, please tell ‘em The FIN MAN sent you.

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UPCOMING DON’T MISS EVENTS

September 25, 26 and 27
If you are a huge Mopar fan and a huge racing fan, you won’t want to miss the huge a5th annual, MONSTER MOPAR WEEKEND coming September 25, 26 and 27 at Gateway International Raceway– brought to you by the MISSOURI/ILLINOIS Dodge Dealers.

This is the Midwest ’s largest Mopar only event. At last year’s event, they registered over 730 show cars; more than 250 swap meet vendors selling hard to find parts; a car corral with nearly 75 cars for sale; and a large manufacturers’ midway selling all types of racing and restoration products to more than 15,000 spectators coming through the gates.

In the racing program, there were almost 600 cars competing in more than seven pro classes for over $50,000 in payouts which is the largest purse of its type in the nation for an all Mopar event.

The MMW Classic and Custom Car Show has over 55 judged classes with over 170 class awards and 4 Best of Show awards as well as long distance and club participation awards. The car show also features the AERO CAR REUNION, which is the largest gathering of Dodge Daytona’s and Plymouth Superbirds in the world (40 attended last year’s event). These cars will take laps around Gateway’s 1.5 mile oval on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s event will also feature the 2nd Annual LX FALL MEET which includes Chargers, Magnums, Chrysler 300’s and the new Dodge Challengers.

They will also be hosting the 3rd Annual Mopar Police Vehicle display. This has proved to be a well-received addition to the show and continues to grow in size each year.

For all the details go to www.monstermopar.com.

September 19
If you’re in the market for a collectible automobile, Saturday, September 19th may be your lucky day. That’s the day of Country Classics Inventory Reduction Auction. Owners Russ and Anita Noel are making room for some new arrivals and weeding out 130 cars from their current inventory of approximately 600! These cars are being sold at NO RESERVE! This could be a great opportunity for some lucky cruisers and collectors to pick up a first or new ‘toy’ at a bargain price, given the present state of the economy. Everybody knows that when times get tough, it becomes a buyer’s market.

For details on the Columbia, Illinois Kiwanis Charity Car Show, proceeds of which go to benefit the Kiwanis Educational Enrichment Program, e-mail jhuch@htc.net or jsriley3@yahoo.com.

You can learn more about the once-proud Hudson line of automobiles by visiting the free, on-line Hudson club at www.hudsonclub.org.


September 18-19
If you’re a ‘big rig’ lover like me and you missed the Kemp show, don’t sob, bawl or wail. Just mark your day minder for Friday OR Saturday, September 18-19. This show is ‘BIG’ in more ways than one. The Gateway and Lincoln Trails Chapters of the American Truck Historical Society is putting on their big, Annual Antique Truck Show on both sides of the river. Catch it Friday from 9-4 at Truck Centers, Inc. located at 747 East Taylor in St. Louis OR Saturday at Truck Centers Troy, Illinois location right off Interstate 55/70 in Troy. Delmar Bequette will be there with his B-series Mack as well as some of the other folks who displayed at the Kemp show, PLUS a whole lot more.

Refreshments will be available (for a fee) and the flier says “Anyone with a truck 25 years old, or older, in any condition, is invited to show their ‘tired iron’! No competition, or entry fees! For more info you may contact John Lamke at 636-583-3573 or Jeff Yates at 618-667-3454. The FIN MAN will make an appearance on Saturday at the Troy, IL show and possibly at the St. Louis show on Friday as well. Ask for me if you attend.

September 27
The Archway Olds Club will hold its annual All Olds Fun Show on September 27 at the Museum of Transport. Oldsmobiles from every era will be on display and all are welcome, regardless of condition (cars that is, not guests). Everything from fixer-uppers to concours-quality show cars will be on display for your viewing pleasure. As a bonus, you can see all that’s new at the museum while you’re there. For event details contact Richard Carlson at McHenry Truck Equipment, Inc. Phone: 314-533-0800.

For detailed info on all the shows, visit the St. Louis car show calendar, and remember, always check the venue for possible cancellation before attending.

Trivia Questions (answers below)

Hudson Commodore Trivia Questions of the Week:

1. ‘Commodore 64’ sounds like it could have been a Hudson sub series but it wasn’t.  Just what was the Commodore 64?  (Okay, admittedly this one’s for the Gen-Xers [or perhaps ‘Y’s] in the audience.  This one should be a piece of cake for the baby boomers.)

2. All but ONE of the following artists had hit songs in the year 1947.  Which one did NOT have a 1947 hit?

Frankie Lane
The Mills Brothers
Frank Sinatra
Guy Lombardo
Dinah Shore
Vaughn Monroe
Johnny Rivers
Danny Kaye
Woody Herman
Bing Crosby
Peggy Lee

3. True or False:  Scientists launched the first animals into space in the year 1947.

4. What was the name of the official U.S. government radio broadcasting service which began beaming signals, promoting a positive image of the United States, into the Soviet Union on February 17, 1947?

5. This automobile manufacturer, originally created as a division of a Swedish airplane company, introduced its first automobile, the model 92, in 1947.  What is the name of this European manufacturer?

6. On November 2, 1947, eccentric designer/businessman Howard Hughes performed the maiden flight of his giant Hughes H-4 Hercules aircraft– at the time, the largest fixed wing aircraft ever built.  (This aircraft still holds the record in some dimensions and specs.)  What was the nickname of this giant transport?

7. In 1947, electronics manufacturer Raytheon, introduced what appliance that would revolutionize cooking?

8. In 1947 a men’s Bulova watch would set you back:

A. $1.49
B. $9.99
C. $24.95
D. $52.50

1. ‘Commodore 64’ sounds like it could have been a Hudson sub series but it wasn’t.  Just what was the Commodore 64?  (Okay, admittedly this one’s for the Gen-Xers [or perhaps ‘Y’s] in the audience.  This one should be a piece of cake for the baby boomers.)
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced in January of 1982.  Commonly known as the C64, it featured 65k ram and sold for $595.00.

2. All but ONE of the following artists had hit songs in the year 1947.  Which one did NOT have a 1947 hit?

Frankie Lane
The Mills Brothers
Frank Sinatra
Guy Lombardo
Dinah Shore
Vaughn Monroe
Johnny Rivers
Danny Kaye
Woody Herman
Bing Crosby
Peggy Lee

American rock and roll singer/songwriter/guitarist and record producer, Johnny Rivers, born John Henry Ramistella on November 7, 1942, reached his prime in the mid to late sixties with a string of successful songs including Seventh Son; Poor Side of Town; Summer Rain and Secret Agent Man.  Rivers is still touring, doing about fifty to sixty shows a year.  He was inducted to The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame on June 12, 2009.

3. True or False:  Scientists launched the first animals into space in the year 1947.
TRUE.  The first animals sent into space aboard a U.S. launched V-2 rocket were fruit flies.  The mission was to study the effects of radiation exposure at high altitudes.  A Rhesus Monkey named Albert, became the first monkey in space on June 14, 1949, in a U.S.-launched V2, (after the failure of the original Albert’s mission). Albert II died on impact after a parachute failure.  Numerous monkeys of several species were flown by the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s.

4. What was the name of the official U.S. government radio broadcasting service which began beaming signals, promoting a positive image of the United States, into the Soviet Union on February 17, 1947?
The Voice of America.

5. This automobile manufacturer, originally created as a division of a Swedish airplane company, introduced its first automobile, the model 92, in 1947.  What is the name of this European manufacturer?
You might call this a ‘Saab story’!

6. On November 2, 1947, eccentric designer/businessman Howard Hughes performed the maiden flight of his giant Hughes H-4 Hercules aircraft– at the time, the largest fixed wing aircraft ever built.  (This aircraft still holds the record in some dimensions and specs.)  What was the nickname of this giant transport?
The first flight of Howard Hughes H-4 Hercules, nicknamed the ‘Spruce Goose’, lasted only 8 minutes.

7. In 1947, electronics manufacturer Raytheon, introduced what appliance that would revolutionize cooking?
Raytheon introduced the first commercial microwave oven in 1947.

8. In 1947 a men’s Bulova watch would set you back:

A. $1.49
B. $9.99
C. $24.95
D. $52.50

Half a century of cleaning and detailing show cars, and half a decade managing one of the largest detailing shops in the metro St. Louis area qualifies Bruce Kunz to offer you his

Detailing Tip of the Week:

Your local auto parts supply store stocks a large selection of detailing tools including cleaning cloths, sponges and brushes to fit every nook and cranny of your car’s interior. Vacuuming the carpets and mats, and wiping down the dash are just the rudimentary tasks one does when cleaning the interior of their automobile.

Once those basic items are covered, it’s time to take the final steps to make your car look like new inside… and after all , that’s the part you see most often when you are driving from one point to another.

It doesn’t take very long at all to put the finishing touches on your car’s interior… IF you use the proper tools.

Today’s cars are complex machines with compartments and holders for everything from beverage cups to cell phones… CDs to power adapters. These pockets, slots, openings and cubbies are wonderfully handle receptacles, but they are also dust and dirt catchers.

Fortunately, folks like Meguiars, Eagle, Westley’s and others have designed a brush, pad or wipe to fit each and every one of these collectors of debris and other nasty stuff.

Combine the proper brush (round; flat; large or small) with a splash of the appropriate liquid cleaner, and in no time you’ll have those areas of your car looking fresh and new again.