Some cars carry the weight of history just by existing, and this 1933 Essex Terraplane Deluxe Convertible is one of them. Currently offered here on Facebook Marketplace out of Bellingham, Massachusetts, the car hasn’t seen the open road since 1955. Nearly seventy years later, it still presents as a remarkably solid project, waiting for the right restorer to bring it back to life. Thanks for the tip Zappenduster!
The Terraplane was Hudson’s attempt to blend style, power, and affordability in the early 1930s. They were well-regarded for their performance, which made them popular with moonshiners and even a few gangsters of the era. This example is the long-wheelbase Deluxe version, making it rarer still, and it’s powered by a six-cylinder engine paired to a manual transmission. According to the seller, the body is rust-free, an impressive claim for a ninety-year-old convertible that’s been parked for decades.
Looking at the photos, the car certainly has age on its side, but not in the sense of deterioration. The paint is worn and chipped in places, the surfaces dusty, and the interior shows the kind of wear you’d expect after all those years in storage. Still, the bones appear solid. The body panels don’t show signs of rot, and much of the original trim, including those eye-catching outside horns and dual tail lights—is still in place. For collectors, details like the spare tire cover and the new top header are small but valuable touches that can save time and money during restoration.
Inside, the cabin will need a complete redo, though most of the major pieces are present. That’s an advantage because sourcing parts for a Terraplane is no small task. Thankfully, the seller notes that a new wiring harness has already been fitted, giving the next owner a head start on the electrical side of the project.
What makes this car particularly compelling is its history. Being off the road since the mid-1950s, it hasn’t been subjected to the wear and tear of later decades. That also means it’s something of a time capsule, offering a glimpse into what Hudson, and the Terraplane badge, were all about in the depths of the Depression era.
This isn’t a quick flip or an easy driver as it sits, but for the enthusiast with patience and vision, it’s a rare chance to own a convertible Essex Terraplane, one of the more interesting American cars of its time.
Clean it up and find a museum to put it in as it sits. When was the last time you saw one of these? Never have seen one myself.
My Grandpa told me about Terraplanes from the 30’s. In their day he told me they were a hot car, going right along with the author here. He had a friend who had a convertible like this one and sadly was killed in it racing his friends in rural upstate NY. It would be great to see this one either revived after all these years and preserved, or restored.
My grandpa talked about these cars to. He was born in 1921 and passed in 2002. He talked to me a lot about them back in the early 1980’s. This is the first one I have seen.
The last time I saw one of these
was in 1968 when Frankie Spittle”s ’33 DeLuxe convertible
appeared as a spread in Rod & Custom Magazine but I don’t recall the issue. It was light blue
with dark blue accents on the body with a dark blue leather interior with black carpets. On the outside, it was bone stock and looked like this car. Underneath, it boasted a 327 Chevy V-8 mated to a T-350 auto
tranny. I can still see it today with
it’s dual side mounts and accessory trunk, and those huge
driving lights up front. Man that
car was gorgeous! Hadn’t seen
another one til I saw this one today. My Grandpa bought several Teraplanes brand new until they quit selling them. Then,
he bought full size Hudson’s until
they closed down in ’57. The last one I recall him having was a ’52
Hornet sedan with twin H-piwer.
After that, he bought one Ford, and after that, he bought nothing
but Buicks til he passed away in
1973.
either that terraplane you saw was later then 1968 or it had a turbo 400 in it. Turbo 350 didn’t come around until 1969
Somebody is liquidating Great Grand Pas’ collection for a cash out on the Real Estate.
I seen this before.
A friends family, just south of me, is battling it out in the courts now.
Lawyers are happy, forcing sales of the collection, to pay their fees.
Put your stuff in a Trust; before you die.
I got this quote off the web, apparently these were fairly hot cars in there day, stock car racing etc. with a 94 hp. straight 8. Some of its stock-car performance records were not broken until 1951. Terraplane may seem like a strange name for an automobile until we give it a context, as in the original slogan concocted by the Hudson marketing staff. “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!”
Great piece of advertising history, Bob I can just imagine the posters
Terra as in terrafirma.
My Dad once told me that a Terraplane was his first car. He also said that he “rolled” it. Beyond that he wouldn’t elaborate. I never knew that these were considered “hot” in the day. Thanks for revealing that, Elizabeth. Even though he was a family man he was a car guy to the core. Like many men in the WW2 generation he was a do it yourself person. And I spent more than a few Saturdays with him while he wrenched on the family flivver. Invaluable learning experience for me. I can’t remember the last time I saw a Terraplane. I think maybe in the nineties during an Orphan car show. I would love to see this when the new owner brings it back to life. My project days are over but I think this vehicle has a lot of potential. GLWTS.
Hudson people will tell you that it was the first true “muscle car” and not the GTO
When I was quite young, I saw the occasional Terraplane (not convertibles, usually); though somehow 1934 Fords and Model As were “everywhere” then. A neighbour had a 1933 Pontiac sedan, complete with pull-down rear seat side window blinds. And I loved riding in rumble-seats, still seen quite often. 1930s and late 1920s cars had a “magic” all their own, and it was sad to see them gradually vanish from the roads after the War. I would love to see this one completely restored and driven, though I am entirely too old and too poor to take that on, now in my life. Glad that it has survived over all of these years. There was something about the upholstery in cars of this era — brings back a flood of memories.
I loved seeing this. When hearing the name Terraplane the first thought that comes to mind was that the Terraplane was one of John Dillinger’s favorite automobiles back in the thirties. Many thanks for posting this.
What, do we now have here now? A “new” Wayne?
The last time I saw a Teraplane was (approximately 2006) my Uncle Smity’s garage after he passed away. It was a 2 door sedan, parked next to a other 2 door sedan. They were twins. Uncle Smity went from a,died in the wool Hudson guy to a Terraplane guy in his retirement. The previous time “the twins” had seen the “open road” had been a couple of years before that used in one of his kids wedding parade.
Cool cars, but never got the chance to ride or drive one.
This was a treat seeing this post …it’s actually the first Terraplane (roadster) I’ve seen from different viewpoints. Anytime I hear the word Terraplane I can’t help but think of 1930’s legend John Dillinger, who favored the Terraplane for it’s speed & handling (for obvious reasons) – thanks for posting this