What in the Sam Hill is a “Terraplane”? Yeah, I know, it’s a Hudson model like this 1934 example that T.J. found for us. But what I really mean, generically speaking, what does that term mean? My guess is that it’s a reference to this business coupe’s svelt and somewhat streamlined lines – you know, like an airplane – a mode of transportation that was capturing most people’s imaginations 90 years ago. The seller tells us, “This car is not a show car. It is a respectful and reliable driver“. Maybe so, but it looks great so let’s investigate more closely. Located in Portland, Oregon, this black business coupe is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $25,600 with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN price of $32,500 available too.
As the seller tells us (from Wikipedia) the Terraplane was produced between 1932 and 1938. Our subject car is a three-seater business coupe but other body styles wore the Terraplane badge too including convertibles, four-door sedans, tourers, and standard coupes. Hudson had a surprisingly good year in 1934, coming in fifth place in the domestic production race with about 86K units. As a comparison, number one Ford knocked out 564K copies.
The listing records this Hudson as a 60K mile example and mentions that it has been repainted somewhere in the past – it sounds like it may be a ten-footer, however. The seller adds, “(there are) some areas of blistering along the reveal lines and some minute blistering in various other areas“. It is suggested that the bumpers could stand to be replated. That said, the entire package is considered to be sound.
In ’33 the Terraplane had a straight-eight engine and it got high marks for its friskiness. For ’34, a 93 HP, 212 CI, flathead six-cylinder engine was the order of the day. The seller states, “The car starts, stops, runs, and drives out well. It is still 6 volts throughout“. A three-speed manual gearbox makes the rear wheel connection.
At first glance, the tan fabric upholstery presents quite well but the seller describes it by suggesting, “The interior is original but sadly has areas along the bottom of the door panels and the bottom of the seats where it had become dinner to moths and/or small rodents“. And further review does reveal some mouse-house activity going on. The damage is not too extensive but on a car of this quality, it should be repaired (makes one wonder about the wiring!). The simple dash houses an equally simple instrument panel that contains clear and legible gauges. There’s no good image of the leather roof panel so I’ll assume that its condition is similar to that of the overall exterior.
Hudson’s lengthy tagline in the thirties went like this, “On the sea that’s aquaplaning, in the air that’s aeroplaning, but on the land, in the traffic, on the hills, hot diggity dog, THAT’S TERRAPLANING“. OK then, it’s got me sold. We’ve discussed the next move for 1930s cars before and have speculated that as it relates to current desirability and the marketplace. What’s your thought on this Terraplane, will it be tough to move, or due to its condition, will it easily sell itself?
Jim, it’s SAM HILL, what in Sam Hill, referring to the devil. It’s okay, point well made, to most today, a “Terraplane” surely must be some kind of airplane. Again, many will never know what a fantastic car this was for the 30s. I mean, look at it, swoopy in every detail.
Couple things,1934 was the 1st they dropped Essex, and just became Terraplane. I believe it was a straight 8 offered in 1933, making Terraplane one of the fastest cars of the time, and Terraplane had the vacuum/electric shift control, not featured here, that Cord and Tucker used. It had a novel front suspension, but at a cost. Terraplanes weren’t cheap, at over $780 new, almost $250 more than a Ford or Chevy, they still managed to sell quite a few. I think I read, there are supposedly THREE in the world like this left. It’s an amazing find.
Yes, I know, it’s a typo, the kind that spell check will not catch.
JO
Thanks for the great posts, Jim!
What a beautiful coupe. Hopefully, it’s left as is and not LS’d. But $32k is a bit much for a 6 banger that needs bodywork, IMHO.
nice find
Why am I always a day late and dollar short… my vintage dream vehicle is a 34 Terraplane pickup, but a coupe wouldn’t be a bad vehicle. I hope it doesn’t end up being rodded.
No Hudson-produced V8, ever.
Correct, I meant straight-eight but I guess my fingers are to use to typing V8.
JO
Terraplane started in 32 with a straight 6 only. In 33 they offered a straight 8 model in addition to the straight 6. The main way to tell the difference is that the 8 had operable hood louvers as opposed to stamped vents on the 6. My grandfather bought a new 33 straight 8 Coach (2-door, 5-passenger coupe) in 33 and drove it until the late 1940’s. The straight 8 was a 33 model year offering only. From 34 until the end, they returned to the straight 6 as the only offering.
The Essex Terraplane offered an optional straight eight in 32 & 33. The eight was no longer offered starting in 34.
Hot dignity dog that is a beautiful automobile. I would love to go Terraplaning.
I have always thought that the ’34 Ford 3 or 5 window coupe was the nicest ’34 of all the manufacturers, however, I now think that this Hudson trumps it by a mile!
Frank Spring who deigned this car loved to fly, had his own airplane and was the chief designer at Hudson . His idea of “terraplaning’ was a concoction of terra (earth) and plane . Earth planing if you will. In 1932 Hudson still used the word “Essex Terraplane” but shortly thereafter the “Essex” part was dropped. The name Terraplane continued until the late 1930’s before being dropped.
Terra is Latin, I believe for earth or planet , so I’ve always thought Terraplane meant “earth plane” , something like land cruiser , something that floated on the road
Terra Firma, the more firmer, the less terror!
Terra Plane, the less planer, the more terror?
Don, exactly. I would not have thought it needed any explanation.
Don’t chop, change, or chigger this up. Freshen as needed, but above all keep this beauty as designed. There won’t be any yawning when this scoots by.
I had one similar to this, minus engine. Lack of funds and expertise caused me to sell it!
I was going to change to step down brakes, a simple job, as the bearings were almost interchangeable, the only difference were the bearing cups; those from the step down fitted around the ‘34 bearings!
Who ever buys this, PLEASE, keep it stock.
These are so rare and most of them have been rodded out.
Thank you,
That grill alone is a piece of artwork.
terraplane: an airplane designed to use on land…
There is a delightful little old man in La Grange, Illinois named Clifford if memory serves. He owned two Terraplanes that he had stored for 40+ years. He sold one about 15 years ago. Still owns the other. Has it stowed in dry storage somewhere.
Robert Johnson’s take on the Terraplane Blues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccfz3bRvt1A
Those lines are beauitful, it is for sure a beauty.