Unless you are an old timer, you have probably never heard of Essex. Yet, in the late twenties it was one of the top three automobile manufacturers in the United States. They built a lot of cars, but the sight of one today is a rare occurrence. This 1927 Super Six Coupe was recently extracted from a barn in Washington and the owner has since done a lot of work to make it roadworthy again. Find it here on craigslist where they seller is asking $5,300. Thanks goes to Brian C. for the tip!
Not only did Essex crank out a lot of cars, but they even saw some racing success. Here’s a couple of racers sitting in front of a Hudson/Essex dealer in Salt Lake City. An Essex special even won the 1923 running of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb!
This coupe may not be ready to race up any hills, but the owner has re-finished the chassis and wheels, replaced the tires, and rebuilt the radiator. They do not mention if it is currently running, but they do have a clear title, some extra parts, and the original owners manual. Sounds like some good cheap pre-war fun to us!
Sort it out, clean it up and enjoy. No need to make a trailer queen or a resto mod out of it. There is a huge painted Hudson-Essex sign on one of the buildings on Automobile Alley in OKC.
During WWII so many cars were crushed for the iron. So many “T’s” were lost that way. Glad this is a survivor and thanks for finding it. Still looking for my STAR car. Only ever saw one.
Oh link for STAR car. I saw one in a junk yard near me (Phillipsburg, PA) about 1970 and wanted to buy. Owner said no, holding on for a few more years to get more money. (In college but would keep me busy. Had my 37 Packard but sold my 24 T for college. Sold the Packard for my downpayment for first house.) :-( Story we all know too well. Junk yard to rusted just not worth anything. He sent it to a crushing yard with all his others.
forgot the link… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_(automobile)
I guess racing was the thing to do, if you wanted to make a name for yourself, back then.
What a great car and a reasonable price! I will say a prayer tonight that some one doesn’t make a damn street rod out of it! This should either be left alone or totally restored, not rodded!
Sheesh – I just came from looking at a low miles 2007 Roush Mustang – the Essex excites me more than it did – lets see, Its only 92 miles from home to Coupeville – would my wife allow me to buy another fixer-upper? (probably not without giving up something – like half my net-worth)
I agree, this car definitely deserves to made road ready and to have fun with.
A good friend and I went to look at some cars in Cheyenne and one was a “field” 33 Dodge coupe. It had been sitting outside for year but had minimal rust and the engine still turned free. We are in the process of making it totally road worthy and other than replacing the roof insert, we are leaving it totally alone. The last thing we wanted to see was someone stuffing a 350 in it.
On the other-hand you will be stuffing a lot more than 350 (dollars that) is into the ’33
Best of luck!
I just found out it’s less than ten miles from me…..
My Dad, who was born in 1913, said he and his dad, along with other gearheads in the 20’s & 30’s era, had a “nickname” for the Essex, they called it a Pain-in-the-Assex, as it was such a ‘pain’ to keep ’em running.. With that said, at least this ones a 3-window coupe, and not the commonly plain ol’ sedan or four-door, so hopefully ‘someone’ will resurrect it to enjoy. Me, I’ll stick with my ’40 Ford.
Dave, I’ll race you for it in my 2007 Roush Mustang (not!!). If the Essex is running, or at least has acceptable compression, it looks to be a hell of a deal.
Going to look at it at 11 in the Morning….
According to the present owner engine has been removed to replace the babbit bearings.
Please let us know how it goes and if you end up buying it.
Here is a little background on the Car. The 1927 Essex Coupe with Rumble Seat was originally purchased by Harold and Ruth Rhodes of Juan de Fuca Washington Where they had dove the car until 1943. When Ruth drove into the shed by their home on Arnold Rd. Where it sat hidden for 46 years. Don Sullivan of Coupeville Wa. pruchased the car in 1989. Don had to remove 6 in. of dirt from in front of the shed doors so he could get at the car. Harold aired up the tires and removed the blocks that it was sitting on in it’s tomb. They pulled it from the shed loaded it on a trailer for it’s short trip to Coupeville. Unfortunally Don couldn’t finish the car. So I’m proud to say that I am the third owner of a Island Car that has not left a 20 mile radius for 86 years…. Of course it’s going back to Original……
This is a really cute car, very good looking. An ideal opportunity for what I call a “sensitive” restoration. Original in appearance, but enough upgrades to be reliable, even a new powerplant if necessary there’s no need for an original resto, it will never be concours. I’d also hate to see it hot-rodded, there are plenty of less rare cars around for that.
Hey Dave – let me know what you learn; I wonder if the big ends could be cut to replace the babbit bearings with OEM style shells? Back in the day when my twin bro. and I were destroying old cars I hand honed babbit bearings for an old Chevy – didn’t have enough power to blow squat so I got away with it!
don@dbellcpa.com
(206)546-2345
I’d love to hear the story of who put the Essex in that barn….and how long it was there. I wonder how you media blast the chassis with the body still on the frame? Carefully?
When I talked to the present owner he bought it from the oringinal owner and it’s an original Whidbey Island Car. It came across by ferry before the Bridge was built.
Should be restored to original
If I get it it will be.
Good Luck!
hey dave you beat me to it. I was 10 min away When the seller called to say he had a sale. O-Darn. Well its sounds like a nice deal so good luck with it, maybe see it at one of the car shows . ( im from mount vernon)
Erik anytime you wanna come over and check her out you’re more than welcome.
He who hesitates is lost! Well done! For want of a bigger garage and a more understanding wife, there to go I.
Redo the mechanicals, redo the interior, shoot the exterior with clear – drive the wheels off it – hope to see the car in Seattle soon.
Here is a little background on the Car. The 1927 Essex Coupe with Rumble Seat was originally purchased by Harold and Ruth Rhodes of Juan de Fuca Washington Where they had dove the car until 1943. When Ruth drove into the shed by their home on Arnold Rd. Where it sat hidden for 46 years. Don Sullivan of Coupeville Wa. pruchased the car in 1989. Don had to remove 6 in. of dirt from in front of the shed doors so he could get at the car. Harold aired up the tires and removed the blocks that it was sitting on in it’s tomb. They pulled it from the shed loaded it on a trailer for it’s short trip to Coupeville. Unfortunally Don couldn’t finish the car. So I’m proud to say that I am the third owner of a Island Car that has not left a 20 mile radius for 86 years…. Of course it’s going back to Original……
A wonderful story and well worth the effort to restore to original. Keep us posted!!
Dave! I submitted this so I am so happy that someone from this site was able to make the purchase!I live in the Seattle area and sure hope to see that car out and about in the future. What a great success story. This just goes to show, again, that the car community can save (car’s) lives!
Bring it on Dave. Great find. Keep us posted.
I have an the opportunity to purchase a 1927 Essex from man up the street for 7000.00 it’s a couple with the rumble seat and I want to buy it to save it from being resto modded .the car needs to stay original
Man I’d snag it if I were you, but parts are hard to find.