H-E-T Club Southern California Chapter Newsletter - Recognized by the OCW Golden Quill December 2016 - January 2017 Exclusively for Fans of Hudson Motor Bob Ross - Editor

Last Chance to Celebrate So what are you doing next

our 50 years year?

By having our Christmas Party in Help us put together a plan worthy of your Duarte at the Old Spaghetti Factory time. On Sunday, January 15th we are in Duarte. having a PLANNING MEETING to find Automobile historian Jim Crabtree is ways to enjoy our Hudson vehicles. It will returning this year. They say nobody be a dinner meeting at Coco’s

walks in LA. Well, few people take Restaurant just off the I-210 freeway. or or public transit either. Most everybody We are looking for some new ideas. After

T moves by private automobile. But 50 years of almost monthly activities why? (~600), the challenge is to try something Getting around in LA; everybody different that we can all enjoy and include complains about it but few understand the old favorites. how we got where we are and if there

flec is anything we can do about it. Come Annual Planning Dinner to the SCC Christmas party and hear Meeting E auto historian Jim Crabtree talk about “Getting Around in LA: Why is traveling so hard?” All are welcome Jim became a lifelong collector right after he got his third matchbox January 15 - Coco’s car for his 9th birthday. In the years since he has amassed a collection of Restaurant mostly FoMoCo products ranging from a 1926 Lincoln Dietrich to a 1971 LTD . 1150 Colorado St, Arcadia Jim says he was born with a 'history udson r udson (I-210 Fwy to Michillinda gene' and has been researching

automotive history continuously off ramp) H Continued next page Dinner: 4:30 PM Planning Meeting: 5:15 PM

the the RSVP by Jan. 10th 626/260-1090

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socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 1 just to understand more about his cars and parking and facilities. Then give Steve (661/946- why they were made the way they are. 9027) or Joel (323/327-6110) a call. +++++++++++++++++++ So, the time is Sunday, Dec 11, 1:00 to 4:00 pm – We are gathering at The Old Spaghetti From the President’s Garage Factory Restaurant – 1431 Buena Vista Another Economy Run is in the history books. Street, Duarte (just off the 210 freeway) for our And we tried a few new things. Last year we met annual party. We will gather at 1 pm and eat at a representative from the TwentyNine Palms 1:30. Menu Choices – Spaghetti with Meat Recreation department. He invited us to come Balls; Chicken Marsala; Fettuccini Alfredo back this year. (Vegetarian) plus garden salad, bread, spumoni, coffee, tea or soft drinks. $25. They offered the use of their city park and This is a reservation-required event. Need your responses and checks by Dec. 5th See the enclosed form. Please mail them to: Ruth Hay, HET SoCal Chapter Treasurer, 508 Ruberta Ave., Glendale, CA 91201-2792 Be sure to send in the Party Reservation form by Dec 5th . ______

Mark Your Calendar provided coffee and donuts for our sendoff. 50 Years of Hudsons in Southern The mayor stopped by to welcome us and tell us California some interesting facts about the area and park. Dec. 11 - Christmas Party, Old Spaghetti Factory, As a result there was a lot of coffee drinking and Duarte conversation and a very relaxed sendoff. The ------community of TwentyNine Palms is a very Jan. 15 - Annual Planning Dinner Meeting 4:30pm friendly community if you take the time to enjoy Aug. 21, 2017 - Western Region Meet it. Aug, 22-27, 2017 - International Meet, San Diego ------Some of the wives complained that they were 2018 - Western Region Meet, Gem State Chapter tired of dusting Economy Run trophies, so this July 10-14, 2018 - International HET Meet, Chula year participants were presented Certificates of Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Achievement which documented their mileage. ------Next month we will have a very important 2019 - Western Region Meet, Big Sky Chapter meeting that will determine our 2017 program, 2019 - International HET Meet, Bettendorf “Quad i.e. the 2017 Annual Planning Meeting. In the Cities”, IA past the Board has assembled the program - this ------time we hope many of our members will bring Board Meetings are open to all members. Phone their ideas to add to the Hudson experience 626/260-1090 for directions. Want to be a host for an SCC Meet close to your home? Just find a park or other attraction with . Bob

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 2 ------Southern California HET Chapter Christmas Party Reservation

>>>> Required by Dec. 5 <<<<

Names Attending ______

______

______

______

Meal Choices: ______Spaghetti with Meat Balls;

______Chicken Marsala

______Fettuccini Alfredo (Vegetarian)

Number Attending ______x $25 = $ ______

Mail Reservation Form & check payable to “So. Cal. HET. Club” to: Ruth Hay, HET SoCal Chapter Treasurer, 508 Ruberta Ave., Glendale, CA 91201-2792

______

SCC Officers Communications: Bob Ross 626/355-8747 Membership: Susan Ross 626/355-8747 President: Bob Ross 626/355-8747 Technical Advisor: Jon Cronk 805/987-8187 Vice Pres: Stephen Marshall 661/946-9027 Chapter Store: Jon Cronk 805/987-8187 Secretary: Susan Ross 626/355-8747 Past President: Jon Cronk 805/987-8187 Treasurer: Ruth Hay 818/247-0753 Region Director: Tom Haney (602) 861-5915 Tour Chairman: Stephen Marshall 661/946-9027 Region Director: David Putnam (801) 544-9175 Assistant Tour Chairman: Joel Shapiro 323/327-6110 HET President: John Pontius (260) 927-8427

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 3 2016 Laughlin Economy run

1937 Hudson Town & Country Sedan Mark LaBouef 18.825 mpg 1941 Hudson Business Coupe Modified Perry Spring 13.793 mpg 1941 Hudson Coupe Modified Craig Kistler 19.572 mpg 1949 Hudson Super 6 Sedan Modified Press Kale 23.291 mpg 1950 Hudson Commodore 8 Coupe w/OD Buzz Stahl 22.812 mpg 1951 Sedan w/OD Joe Polo 14.360 mpg 1954 Hudson Hollywood Super Wasp Ed Burton N/A 1954 Hudson Hornet Special Sedan Warren Bachtel 22.895 mpg

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 4 From the local paper

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 5 From the HET Historical Society than just stock values. The American public’s The Hudson Triangle confidence was shaken to the very core. The Depression Years; A fight for People’s lives were changed forever. The “good times” were over. No more taking chances! survival If that wasn’t enough, A Look at the Times the Thirties were On “Black Tuesday”, October 29th, 1929, with plagued with yet only 64 days left in the decade, the Wall Street another catastrophe. crash abruptly ended the optimism and Beginning as early as prosperity of the “Roaring Twenties”. In just one 1930, America day, we were faced with the greatest economic experienced the downturn our nation had ever known. Over 14 greatest natural, yet billion dollars in stocks and bonds was lost that manmade disaster it Tuesday, and a total of 30 billion that week. Not had ever known. Oklahoma Family Running only was America brought to her knees, but for Shelter in a Dust Storm Beginning in the much of the free world as well. Our world, as we panhandle of Oklahoma, then quickly spreading once knew it would never be the same. throughout the Great Plains from southern Texas to Canada, the “Great Dust Bowl” destroyed any remainder of hope and optimism. Not only were hundreds of thousands of “bread winners” out of work, but our agriculture was threatened. Our very own food supply was in danger, and the farmers, the very persons we depended on for our food, were losing their land, their homes, and their very existence! What a double whammy to the American way of life! Over twenty-five percent of the work force was jobless; another twenty-five percent took pay cuts in order to keep their jobs. In the dust bowl, over 100 million acres was affected, some of it rendered useless. Over 750,000 farms were Depression Era Soup Line lost. The Great Depression and the Automotive Never in recent history were there two Industry consecutive decades that were such extreme In tough economic times, everyone still had to opposites The twenties were filled with eat. They all needed a roof over their heads, but unbridled optimism and opportunity, a time of not everyone had to drive a car. And so it was taking chances, and of “the sky’s the limit” during the depression. For some of the lucky thinking. Seemingly, the opportunities were ones, life went on without change. For others, it endless. was a matter of survival. For many, food and But seemingly, the Wall Street crash took more shelter became a priority, and the automobile

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 6 became a luxury they could live without. Cars Well known names such as Studebaker and were a big ticket item. Not only the purchase Packard would survive, but would be forced to price, but the maintenance, the tires, and gas as change their product and their image in order to well. find their positions in the new marketplace. The automotive business that had come into it’s Hudson in the Great Depression own in the twenties took a tremendous hit. Many In 1919, Hudson had introduced the , her consumers could no longer make car payments. low-price entry into the automotive market. The The dealers and banks were forced to repossess Essex became an instant success, and quickly cars that they ultimately could not resell. Even moved up the sales ladder, eventually to third those that were able to keep their cars weren’t place. The car had been a success for the driving them as they once did. Demand for car company by anyone’s standards, and quickly related businesses slowed to a snail’s pace. made Hudson and Essex household names. If people weren’t driving, they didn’t need But, as the depression worsened, Essex sales batteries. They didn’t need their cars repaired. began to sink. They didn’t need tires or even gasoline. New In 1929, Essex sales were a little over 227,000 businesses that once flourished in the twenties cars. Those sales along with Hudson sales were downsizing or even closing. The automotive business had changed over night. As for the automobile manufacturers, they may have taken the biggest hit of all. By the twenties and thirties, car manufacturers were depending on volume for their profits. Needless to say, in a depression, volume sales are something that is hard, if not almost impossible to obtain. The larger companies such as General Motors, Chrysler and Ford were in the best position for survival. In the case of GM and Chrysler, they had a car for every pocket book. For Ford, the company was well entrenched in the market place due to the past popularity of the Model T, and in current times, the Model A. 1930 Essex Super Six But for others, especially the more upscale brands, it was “Mission Impossible”. The demand for prestige cars had almost completely brought the automaker’s total to just a little over dried up, and many of the upscale 300,000 units. However, Essex sales dropped manufacturers were the first to succumb. Great by fifty percent in 1930, and another fifty percent names such as Marmon, Peerless, Stutz and in 1931. The tremendous loss of sales was Jordan were some of the first to go. Other caused largely by the economy, but also by the greats such as Pierce Arrow, Auburn and popularity of Walter Chrysler’s new and popular Duesenberg lasted a little longer, but ultimately entry the Plymouth. Plymouth would soon would find themselves on that long list of defunct replace the Essex as America’s third place automobiles. seller.

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 7 Although Hudson was an outstanding car, and . Their the flagship of the company, it was Essex sales slogan, used in that had made the company into a leader in the national advertising automotive world. Both Hudson and Essex were was “In the air that’s known for their speed, so it was time to aeroplaning, on the capitalize on their record. water, that’s hydroplaning, on the The all new Essex-Terraplane ground, hot diggity dog, The Essex was completely redesigned, using a that’s Terraplaning!” lightweight semi-unit body construction, and a The new Terraplane lived up to the company’s more powerful six-cylinder engine. Ever since claims and more. It was fast, it was comfortable, 1916, Hudson had been known for her high it had outstanding brakes, and it was attractive. performance “Super Six” engines, so increasing There’s little doubt the car lived up to the the Essex performance was not a daunting task performance claims. for the automaker. With the new lightweight body and the new high performance engine, the We’ve all heard of Bonnie and Clyde’s love for new entry could easily travel at speeds of 80 the Ford V-8, and the letter Clyde wrote to Henry mph. Ford attesting the Ford’s Hudson’s claim was that it could travel 80 mph performance. Well, all day, and get 20-25 mpg. While both may be for other true, it’s pretty obvious the car might do either, gangsters, it was but not both at the same time. the Terraplane Nevertheless, the year was 1932; the year Henry they preferred. 1934 Terraplane Ford introduced his now famous V-8, a high Outlaws such as performance car at a low price. Only Hudson’s John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson always new entry could match both Ford’s performance, drove a Terraplane when they could get their and Ford’s price. What an achievement! hands on one. On the national scene, the media continued to Word has it that whenever a Terraplane was focus on aviation as the new form of travel. stolen in the Southwest, an alarm would go out Chapin himself was an avid aviation fan, as were to law enforcement to be prepared for a possible many in Hudson management. Why not bank robbery. capitalize on the new craze? The new Essex was dubbed the Essex-Terraplane. The term Terraplane was a play on words, terra, meaning land, and plane from airplane. The car was fast, so driving one was like driving a plane across The Southern California chapter of the HET land. Club is a Life-time member of the The new Essex-Terraplane was introduced on HET Historical Society heths.info July 21, 1932, and since the focus was on aviation. Amelia Earhart was their spokesperson, and Wilbur Wright took delivery of the first

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 8 socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 9 socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 10 socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 11

$______LIFE Member $1,000 or more

$______CONTRIBUTING Member $100

$______ACTIVE Membership $40

$______GIFT in Honor or in Memory of

______

$______General Donation ______

$ ______TOTAL funds enclosed.

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Please make payment by cash, check, or money order payable to HET Historical Society, Inc., in US Dollars, and mail to: Cheryl Holz, 13270 McKanna Road Minooka, IL 60447

Thanks for your Support!

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 12 CLICK…online  SCC Twitter http://twitter.com/scchudson  SCC Webpage http://socalhet.org/  Hudson Related Items for Sale http://socalhet.org/salesroom.htm  Restoration Suppliers http://socalhet.org/suppliers.htm  HET Store http://clubstore.biz  HET Club http://hetclub.org  HET Club Online Library: Online Hudson Literature  HETHS Museum http://www.hudsonmuseum.org/  HETHS Twitter http://twitter.com/Hudson_Museum  HETHS Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HudsonEssexTerraplane  HETHS Webpage http://www.heths.info/  HETHS Project www.hudsonhornet.org ______

------SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HET CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP FORM

Date: ______

Name ______Spouse______

Email Address______Phone______

Street Address ______

City______State ______ZIP Code ______

HET Membership No.______(Found on the WTN Label) (National HET membership is required for local chapter membership)

□ New □ Renewal □ Email Copy □ Printed Copy

Hudson-built cars owned: Year Make Model S/N Engine No. ______

______

Mail $15 check payable to “So. Cal. HET. Club” to: Membership Chairman, 150 South Michillinda Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 91024

Nov-16

socalhet.org The First HET Chapter - 50 Years and Still Going page 13 Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club Southern California Chapter 150 South Michillinda Avenue Sierra Madre, CA 91024

First Class

The First HET Chapter Chapter HET First The 50 Years and Still Going Still and Years 50 -

The SCC Hudson Reflector Newsletter has been recognized by Old Cars Weekly’s 2015 Golden Quill Golden 2015 Weekly’s Cars Old by recognized been has Newsletter Reflector Hudson SCC The