N-O-T-I-C-E Do you have a neighbor who might be interested in your HUDSON HUDSON TRIANGLE vehicles? Tell him about the Society! Journal of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Historical Society Dedicated to Explain the different types of Memberships we offer! Preserving the History and Products of the Hudson Motor Car Company Volume 10 Issue 1 Ask him to join with us! Inside this issue:
We’re interested in preserving the Hudson 1 Hudson Homecoming Homecoming History and Products The management and staff of Hostetler’s Hudson Auto President’s 3 Museum, The Shipshewana Town Center, and the Town Of the Report of Shipshewana wish to extend a huge thanks to Hudson Enthusiasts who turned out for the first Hudson Home- Annual Meeting 4 coming. HUDSON MOTOR CAR COMPANY Notice A parade, BBQ, ice cream social, and community cruise in Gilmore 6 complete with music were all on the schedule for Friday’s Please return to: Museum events. The weather provided a beautiful day to enjoy the Richard Burgdorf NAAM 7 cars. We were told over the last couple of weeks that the 3456 Judith Ridge Road Conference tourists in town really enjoyed the parade and the commu- Imperial, MO 63052-3910 nity will be looking to turn out in force next Con’t pg 8 The Hudson 9 Italia
When Hudson 11 Went Racing
Quilt Raffle 14
Charles Nash 16
Hostetler Hudson 18 Museum Update Auction Notice 19
Membership 20 Form
PAGE 20 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 1 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
The Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Historical Society, Inc. 2008 HET Auction Officers: President: Sue Figert Meyer Treasurer: Richard Burgdorf 342 Massachusetts Ave., #500 3456 Judith Ridge Road Indianapolis, IN 46204-2161 Imperial, MO 63052-3910 (317) 860-2903 (636) 942-2500 The 2008 HET Historical Society Auction will be E-mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] th held on Friday, July 25 at 8:00 p.m. in Marlbor- Vice-President: Larry Kennedy Secretary: Park Waldrop 9350 Vandergriff Road 1404 Ridgewood Drive ough, MA. Bring your donations to the National Indianapolis, IN 46239 Rock Hill, SC 29732 (317) 862-2020 (803) 327-3929 Meet. Last year, we raised over $5,200 at the His- E-mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] torical Society Auction - so give generously and Board of Directors: buy a lot! Dennis Flint (Term: 2005-2008) Clinton Webb (Term: 2006-2009) P. O. Box 1967 (916) 332-1535 194 CR 197 (940) 668-1084 North Highlands, CA 95660-9067 Gainesville, TX 76240 E-mail: [email protected]
Larry Kennedy (Term: 2005-2008) Audrey L. Charbonneau (Term: 2007-2010) Membership Application 9350 Vandergriff Road (317) 862-2020 P. O. Box 313 (860) 274-2774 Indianapolis, IN 46239 Watertown, CT 06795-0313 $ ______LIFE Membership $1,000.00 or more E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Hal Waddell (Term: 2005-2008) David Stevens (Term: 2007-2010) $ ______CONTRIBUTING Membership $100.00 per year 508 Ruth Circle (321) 676-1659 4622 Bluff Rd. (231) 894-2281 West Melbourne, FL 32904 Whitehall, MI 49461 $ ______ASSOCIATE Membership $25.00 per year (non-voting members0 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] $ ______Gift in Honor of or in Memory of ______Charlie Nau (Term: 2006 - 2009) Joe Stinnett (Term: 2007-2010) 8605 Pheasant Drive (406) 721-4383 7953 Stone Road (407) 877-1047 $ ______Total funds enclosed Missoula, MT 59808-1010 Apopka, FL 32703-8970 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Bruce J. Smith (Term: 2006 - 2009) Mike Cherry President, HET Club 42 Gilligan Road (518) 477-9740 3 Silver Queen Court (435) 657-0443 Please make checks payable to: HET HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC East Greenbush, NY 12061-1713 Park City, UT 84060 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Mail to: Joe Stinnett—Membership HET Historical Society Membership: Triangle Editor: 7953 Stone Road Joe Stinnett Laurie Fromm Apopka, FL 32703-8970 7953 Stone Road 132 Creighton Lane (407) 877-1047 Apopka, FL 32703-8970 Rochester, NY 14612 (407) 877-1047 (585) 723-8669 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
PAGE 2 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 19 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
Shipshewana Hostetler Hudson President’s Report—A Call for Help
Museum Has New Curb Barriers 2009 is the year we will celebrate manning this display table, as we 100 years of the Hudson Motor- will be taking new membership The Hostetler Hudson Museum car Company and 50 years of the applications and selling raffle tick- opened on October 5, 2007, display- Hudson Club. Mike Cherry, ets for the Hudson quilt made by ing 35 Hudsons. After the preview President of the Hudson Club, Kaylene Spring. We would also by Hudson enthusiasts in July 2007, has challenged the HET Histori- like to have one or two other items it became apparent there was a need cal Society to become a visible donated to the Historical Society for protection around the Hudsons. It part of this celebration. The cele- for fundraising at the 2009 Na- was reported that many were not re- bration begins immediately fol- tional. spectful of “not touching the Hud- lowing the 2008 National Meet. sons”. Initially, the Hostetler Hudson We need your ideas and help for this project. Please email your Please send us your ideas for the suggestions to sue@rubin- 2009 celebration. It should be levin.net . Be sure you include an fun. outline of the project which would demonstrate it fits the charitable Sue Figert Meyer causes of the HET His- torical Society.
We also hope to have a display table at the 2009 National Meet, where we Museum borrowed ropes and stancions will display photo boards (posts) from the NATMUS Museum in Au- of the Hudsons owned by burn, Indiana. In late 2007, the HET His- the HET Historical Society torical Society paid for 1000 feet of custom barricades which matched the ex- and the pin a member re- isting design of the sign bases. Pictured here are the new floor curb barriers ceives when joining the which protect the Hudsons. The HET Historical Society was pleased to be a Historical Society. We 1939 Hudson at Hostetler Hudson Museum part of this project will need help in 2009
PAGE 18 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 3 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
his late 30s or early 40s. I have worked in his other home at the corner of Fifth Notice of Annual Meetings and Garland many times, it is now an apartment house. This little house is Hudson Essex Terraplane Historical Society, Inc. owned by Rich Bennett. Rich went to grade school with my brother. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Hudson Essex Ter- -Tim Burns raplane Historical Society, Inc., will be on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 1:00 p.m., at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, Massa- Below are some interior shots of chusetts. Officers will be elected at the Board of Directors meeting. the home, provided by Tim Burns
Current officers are as follows: Sue Figert Meyer - President Larry Kennedy - Vice President Dick Burgdorf - Treasurer Park Waldrop - Secretary These officers have indicated a willingness to serve another term.
The annual meeting of the Members of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Historical Society, Inc. will occur on Friday, July 25, 2008, at 9:00 a.m., at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, Massachusetts. Three board members will be elected at the membership meeting.
Directors terms expiring in July, 2008, are as follows: Larry Kennedy Hal Waddell Dennis Flint Larry Kennedy, Hal Waddell, and Dennis Flint have all indicated a will- ingness to continue to serve another term.
Each regular and life member in good standing is entitled to one vote on matters submitted to a vote of the members. A membership includes husband and wife, and both husband and wife are entitled to vote at the membership meeting. If an organization (such as an HET Club Chapter) has a regular or life membership, the organization shall designate a per- son entitled to vote at the membership meeting.
PAGE 4 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 17 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
Charles Nash’s Home NoticeNotice of ofAnnual Annual Meetings Meetings HudsonHudson Essex Essex Terraplane Terraplane Historical Society, Histori- Inc. As most of you know, I live in Clio, from the bankers in 1916, Nash took If you know of anyone who is interested in becoming an HET Historical Michigan, about 12 miles north of a buyout and bought Jeffery Motor Society member, please invite them to attend the membership meeting. Company in Flint, birthplace of General Motors Corporation. Kenosha. I am a me- The name Date: May 27, 2008 chanical was changed contractor to Nash and and have the rest is Sue Figert Meyer HET HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. worked in history. 500 Marriott Center many homes The house is located across the 342 Massachusetts Ave. in the Flint street from the headquarters of Du- Indianapolis, IN 46204-2161 area. In No- rant-Dort Carriage Company, the Direct Dial: (317) 860-2903 vember, building in which GM was started. Direct Fax: (317) 453-8603 By <
PAGE 16 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 5 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
Gilmore Museum Muscle Car Exhibit Features a Hudson
The Gilmore Museum is located on 90 acres near Hickory Corners, Michigan. Gilmore has several barns housing many classic cars. 22 Hudsons from the fabulous Hostetler Hudson Collec- tion were on exhibit at Gilmore in 2002 - 2006. The Gilmore Museum has car shows almost every weekend during the summer months. This year the Gilmore Museum opened May 1, 2008. One of their featured ex- hibits is Muscle Cars. Larry Kennedy’s 1951 Hudson Super Six Club Coupe is a part of the Gilmore Muscle Cars Ex- hibit. Larry’s 1951 Hudson was fea- tured in the Hemmings Muscle Ma- chines Magazine in February 2004. This 1951 Hudson is Hornet powered and equipped with many pieces of vin- tage speed equipment. If you have an Hudson Quilt opportunity, take the time to visit the Gil- more Museum - you will enjoy it! Designed and made by Kaylene Spring Kaylene Spring has made a vintage looking quilt with hand- The Gilmore Museum is located: embroidered Hudson emblems and symbols for a HET Historical 6865 Hickory Road Society raffle. The quilt is 84 X 96 inches. One-half of the proceeds Hickory Corners, MI 49060 will go to the HET Historical Society and one-half to the Bill Albright (269) 671-5089 Award Fund. HET Historical Society Officers and Directors will have raffle tickets for sale soon. The drawing will be at the 2009 National Website: http://gilmorecarmuseum.org Meet. Thank you Kaylene!
PAGE 6 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 15 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
Hudson Quilt for Raffle NAAM Conference
. The National Association of Automo- Tennessee University, discussing the bile Museums (“NAAM”) held its an- characteristics of different generations nual conference this year in con- junction with the biennial confer- ence of the Society of Automotive Historians (“SAH”) in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 2 - 5, 2008. Several Hudson enthusiasts were present (See photo). The confer- ence was hosted by the Lane Motor Museum, a museum which displays over 150 vehicles from Asia, Europe, North and South America, dating from 1924 to 2003. The museum opened in 2003 and is located in the former (Back Row L-R) Larry Kennedy, Sue Figert Ken- Sunbeam Bread Bakery building nedy, John O’Halloran, Bill Tilden, Dean Mor- in Nashville, Tennessee. gan, Marilyn Tilden; (Front L-R) Rob Reinhold, D.J. Kava , and Kit Foster. The format of the conference is two days of seminars/educational sessions, with one day for tours - “Understanding Your Audience”. It (Friday). There were about 111 at- was fascinating. On Friday, two tours tending this year’s conference, and were offered - a Civil War tour and a the seminars were the best ever. Country Music tour. After lunch in One semi- downtown Nashville, we visited the nar fea- Lane Motor Museum. tured Bren Martin, As- We were very pleased that Dean Mor- sociate gan, Manager of the Hostetler Hudson Professor Museum in Shipshewana was able to Larry Kennedy in 1949 Hudson of History, attend. Larry Kennedy drove a black Commodore Middle 1949 Commodore Hudson to the
PAGE 14 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 7 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
Hudson Homecoming (con’t) year. The weekend fit well with an- Hudson Homecoming is scheduled tique cars in conjunction with an an- for May 15th & 16th 2009. tique festival that happens We had a on the same wonderful weekend. time with those who attended and
Saturday thank everyone began for their patience with a as we move this pancake event forward to and sau- make each year sage breakfast, tours mid morning better than the through afternoon to area points of last. Promoting the museum, the HET, interest, and concluded with a ban- and the Hudson Historical Society are quet Saturday evening that raised all goals several hundred dollars for the mu- with this seum. We had future owners in at- event tendance both days, Moms & Dads of but we these kids should be proud of them!! plan to have a A total lot of fun of 43 and cre- cars ate and some over great memories along the way!! 100 guests Cathy Forbes were Sales & Marketing Director in town to kick off what is planned as Shipshewana Town Center & Hostetler’s an annual event centered on all Hudson Auto Museum things Hudson. The second annual
PAGE 8 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 13 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
When Hudson Went Racing (con’t) The Hudson Italia
equipped cars were faster, but the Early in 1953, Hudson officials con- frame. Mounted on the Jet’s 105- Hornet’s low center of gravity gave it cluded that a dramatic new car of inch wheelbase chassis was the 114- the superiority of handling needed to some kind was needed to help rekindle hp Jet six-cylinder engine with Twin leave the V-8 cars behind. Following spirit in the dealer organization and, H Power. are the yearly racing results. most importantly, to strengthen a sag- ging public image. There was not 1951 enough time to design and tool up 13 1st place finishes for such a miracle, but Stuart Bar- 4 2nd places its, vice president, and Frank 1952 Spring, chief stylist, found a way. 48 1st place finishes They commissioned an interna- Marshal Teague and wife nd tionally known coach maker, Car- Milwaukee 1952 23 2 places 13 3rd places rozzeria Touring, of Milan, Italy, to design and build a special custom Recognizing the Hornet’s potential, he 12 4th places body and mount it on a Hudson prepared one using some parts sup- 1953 Jet chassis. It was to be a sports plied by Hudson engineering in Detroit. 46 1st place finishes type car of ultramodern design. He won most of the races he entered. nd Working under the direction of Hudson The car, finished in Italian cream, had In 1952 the factory offered a dual 33 2 places rd engineers and designers, Touring in a many novel features. Its wraparound manifold induction system called Twin 14 3 places th matter of months created the Hudson windshield had no side posts to ob- H Power, which employed a 2 down- 11 4 places Italia. The price to Hudson was struct vision. Functional air scoops draft single barrel carbs. 1954 $20,000. Many of the new cars design set into the front fenders cooled the 1953 saw the introduction of the 7X 18 1st place finishes concepts were based on ideas incor- front brakes, and air intakes faired engine. This 9 2nd places porated in earlier experimental models into the rear fenders cooled the rear consisted of a 6 3rd places developed by Spring. brakes. A triple bank of chrome tub- cast iron th ing faired vertically into each rear 6 4 places The two passenger header, Twin H fender simulated jet stacks but actu- Italia as shown to the Power and in- ally held tail, signal and back up press on August 25, ternal engine 1954 was the last year that the Hud- lights. For ease of entry and exit, the 1953. Nearly 10 inches modifications. son would hold a stranglehold on doors were carried 14 inches into the lower than standard Hudson models, it The Olds and stock car races, as the new 1955 roof. The Italia seated two passen- featured Hudson’s Stepdown design other V-8 Nash-bodied Hudson did not corner gers on two individually adjustable Marshall Teague and with the floor recessed within the base daughter well. - submitted by Dennis Flint “Anatomical” seats, Con’t pg 10
PAGE 12 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 9 SPRING / SUMMER 2008
The Hudson Italia (con’t) When Hudson Went Racing each of which would recline. The car By early December 1953, an order had no opening rear deck but an inte- was placed with Touring for 25 cars. The first race entered by a Hudson the teens. The 1933 Terraplane 6 and rior compartment behind the seats pro- By the time the cars reached this was in October, 1909. The Model 20 8 cylinders would catch a total of 46 vided ample room for luggage. It was country, the merger with Nash- raced at the Vanderbilt Cup, on Long new speed and endurance runs in a six equipped with Borrani racing type Kelvinator was under way. Late in week period. Also the cars would hold chrome wire wheels, turn signals, ra- 195, one Hornet was shipped to It- 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the Pikes Peak dio, heater, back aly, and hill climb. In 1935 Sir Malcom Camp- up lights and one four- bell set three new speed records for an white sidewall door full- 8-cylinder auto. He did this while wait- tires. sized ing to race his “Bluebird” race car. On Italia was the Muroc Dry Lake bed, a Hudson 8- The Italia was built. cylinder broke 36 AAA speed records shown to the This full- in April, 1935. 1938 was the only year public at the Dal- sized that a Hudson would pace the Indy 500 las, Memphis prototype Island and finished in fourth place. race, with a Model 112 Deluxe con- and Los Angeles was to Hudson entered cars in many races vertible coupe. In 1940 John Cobb, the shows. On Sep- be the as a way to show that the cars were English world speed record holder, tember 23, 1953, basis for built tough. On April 10, 1969, a took the Class C stock car record for Norman K. Van- a new Hudson Super Six set a record for the flying mile, at 93.89 mph. (At that Derzee, vice line of the straightaway mile on Daytona time he held the land speed record at president in charge of sales, wrote all full-size cars. The merger put an Beach. 35.11 seconds at a speed of 368.85 mph). dealers asking for their reactions to a end to this program. Of the 26 cars 102.53 mph, driven by Ralph Mul- In 1949 a Commodore Eight set a new company proposal to build a limited produced, 19 are accounted for. ford. Another driver for Hudson was Daytona Beach class record of 98.63 number of Italias. The net price to the The four-door was called the X161. Ira Vail. A Hudson also held the re- dealer would be $4,800; about $6,000 cord for the Pikes Peak hill climb in mph. This was done after motorcycle to a cus- - CVF, Jan 1919 (rev Dec 1998) 1917. In 1919, Ira Vail came in 8th racing had been cancelled because of tomer. place at the Indy 500 race. Also this a rough beach. 1951 was the begin- While there year an Essex held the world long ning of a stock car race takeover by the was a distance endurance record, going Hudson Hornet. Marshall Teague is great interest in the Italia, orders were 3,037 miles in 50 hours of nonstop credited with putting the Hornet into not coming in. Dealers were disap- running, averaging 60.7 mph. racing. Operator of a garage in Day- pointed that the car was not based on tona, he had a sharp knack for tuning the Hornet. In the twenties the Hudson Company engines and prepping a car for a race. 1954 Italia—5 did not do as much racing as it had in Con’t pg 12
PAGE 10 SPRING / SUMMER 2008 PAGE 11 SPRING / SUMMER 2008