1937 Hudson
- On February 20, 1909, 8 Detroit businessmen formed The Hudson Motor Car Company with the mission of producing an automobile that could be sold for less than $1,000USD ($35,140 today). The company named for Joseph L. Hudson, a wealthy Detroit department store entrepreneur who provided the necessary capital.
- On July 3, 1909, they delivered their first vehicle, The new Hudson “Twenty”.
- They would sell 4,508 units in the first year, making for the most successful first year of production for any manufacturer in the history of the automobile industry.
- The company had built a solid reputation for its reliable Six and Super Six models, but in 1924 their sister company, Essex, began producing a line of 6-cylinder vehicles which put pressure on Hudson to move up-market.
- In 1930 Hudson unveiled a new line of cars named “Great Eight”. They were “often luxurious, and usually smooth, effortless performers”. They were all powered by the new Hudson Straight Eight engine which used a side valve configuration and propelled The Hudson Motor Car Company to new heights.
- In 1934 The DeLuxe Eight was introduced, it was a series of luxury cars designed as the high-end version of the Standard Eight. They were initially offered in long (Model 66) and short (Model 64) wheelbases. A wide range of open and closed bodies were available on these platforms.
- In 1937 the entire Hudson model range was visually upgraded in what the manufacturer called “useful beauty” with interiors of “drawing room luxury”, longer platforms were introduced, with long (Model 76) and Short (Model 74) designations.
- The 1937 Hudsons dominated in Class C, closed stock car racing, breaking all existing records. Their durability and performance were unmatched and accounted for 38 records in 1937, many of them high speed records and endurance runs.
- This 1937 Hudson DeLuxe Eight Convertible sits on a 122-inch wheelbase and is powered by the famed L-Head straight eight-cylinder 254.47 cubic-inch engine producing 122 horsepower.
- It has a “Hydraulic Hill Hold”, “Electric Hand” pre-selector three-speed transmission, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
- In a time when automatic transmissions were not commonplace, the “Electric Hand” was the cutting edge, it boasted the removable shift lever which would make enough useable room for 3 people to sit in the front without impeding drivability.
- This DeLuxe Eight showcases an older comprehensive restoration with the highly popular Peacock Green exterior paint, cream wheels, and tan top.
- This highly optioned example features dual enclosed side-mounted spares, streamlined rear-mounted fender skirts, dual chrome horns, wire wheels, a single front-mounted spotlight, and a heater.
- This is believed to be the only surviving 1937 Convertible Brougham.
