Let me start out by saying that, before I wrote this, I knew virtually nothing about Hudson automobiles, let alone a wooden-wheeled 1930 sedan like this which AMXBrian brought to our attention. It just so happens that it’s for sale here on craigslist for $6,000 out of Appleton, Maine.
I now know a whole lot more about Hudson than I could possibly fit in an article about one car that’s been in a garage for 35 years. I’ll make it brief: Hudson started producing cars in a Detroit factory in 1910 and continued doing so until 1957, having merged with Nash-Kelvinator in 1954. They produced many, many automobiles over the years, most notably the Terraplane and Hornet. During WWII, they produced engines for amphibious landing craft, some of which came ashore in France on D-Day.
All of this brings us to today, with this 1930 sedan. After 89 years, there are not likely to be many left in existence. The seller doesn’t give us many words to work with, but my research found that its base price was about $1,200 and it’s one of only 113,000 cars produced that year. The engine in this car is the “Great Eight”, which displaced 219 cubic inches and put out a whopping 80 horsepower, through a non-synchronized three-speed transmission, to wooden-spoke wheels, and mechanical brakes were employed to slow the roll of its 3,200-lb bulk. We can see from the handful of pictures, though, that the car is mostly there but definitely needs quite a few things attended.
All in all, it’s a big project for anyone to undertake, but it could be very rewarding when complete. In fact, Petrolicious did a short video about a German lady who took one on a world tour a few years ago. What do you say? Do you like this type of antique vehicle? If you had the resources, would you restore it or Rat Rod it?
She will be one beautiful car when restored. Please, someone save her.
Definitely restore. A friend of my father had a 33 Essex Teraplane and a 40 something Hudson 4 dr. Sedan. Both were completely original. The Hudson you could hardly hear it run. Wish I had money to own and restore this one.
My grandfather had a 1929 Hudson it was stored in a shed in the back yard . I use to play in it all the time. He sold it for $75.00 when we moved in 1957. I was sad to see it go.
Restore it to original. Please ditch any idea of a “rat rod”. It’s far too nice for that.
I agree, keep it orginal! My husband had one but sold it and it went someplace overseas. I was very upset but he said we just had to many “toys”. He has a Bently, a Rolls Royce, a GMC truck he is building and I have a 53 F 100.
The grill shell is a piece of art.
Could be a nice ride. Parts probably hard to find. There doesn’t seam to be much interior to work with. Rust issues seen in running boards. Wooden spoke wheels could be restored. Overall nice project for someone with years of time and deep pockets. Would love to see it after restoration.
Way too rare to rat rod. Lots of original parts. Things like headlight lenses probably interchange with lots of other makes of same year. I had a Chrysler 1930 CJ that looked very similar.
In my older age, I have discovered a liking for the cars from 1930. Basically the Model A, Chevrolet and with this Hudson, well all of them.
It could be that it was a period that I could not get to drive in, my earliest driven car was a 1949 Ford shoebox.
As I was born in 56, my first crush was the 55 Chevy, which is still my favourite.
But a 30s car just had the classic lines, with secure sedan cabin and the open road just waiting for it.
How can I contact you? I am interested. Please send me your email or phone number please.