Highlights
- Exceedingly rare car, with only 3 examples traced worldwide
- Subject to a complete rebuild following UK import in 1989
- Impressive history file with car show info board
The Appeal
The Hudson Motor Car Company was one of the early Detroit success stories, with a relatively small, inexpensive product range that was constantly innovating. In 1942, this came to a head with what they proudly dubbed “America’s Safest Car.” This was a full redesign of their existing Hudson Six, with an impressive framework and, for the time, boasted an impressive technical spec.
A push-button starter, deep-buffed upholstery, “Teleflash” signals and a six-cylinder inline made the Deluxe Six a truly impressive motor. It was extensively advertised, very well received… and after five weeks of production, was halted by World War II.
The car barely got an opportunity before the American war machine took over, leaving a pitiful number of these roaming American roads. Amazingly, the Hudson Owners Club has since only been able to locate three worldwide.
That’s two in the US, and one in the UK. And that one in the UK is what you’re looking at right now!
The History and Paperwork
- Placed into barn storage in the US in 1964
- Purchased in Oregon at a Hudson meet in 1989
- Imported to the UK and subject to a large-scale 3-year rebuild
- First UK registered in 1991
- MOT exempt but with certificates up until 2011
- Impressive visual record of the rebuild on original car show board
- All work undertaken by owner with specially imported or manufactured parts
It’s fair to say that the Hudson Super Six was an ill-fated addition to the lineup in 1942. This car - numbered 80 out of the total produced in the five-week period – is one of only three reported survivors worldwide, two of which are still in the States.
Following twenty-two years on the road, this Super Six was placed in dry storage in 1964, after which it was bought by a visiting British enthusiast in 1989. It was whisked across the pond, where three years were spent restoring it to former glories.
The Interior
- Red leather seating
- Wood veneer accents
- Fully restored to a high standard
The Super Six was instantly acclaimed for its interior upon release, and remains an impeccable one today. Rich leather seats, extravagant wood veneers and bakelite all make for a little slice of art deco heaven.
Even the steering column is held in a wood enclosure, capped with a rich red branded steering wheel. Note the square gauges and clocks, and the beautiful concave radio – it’s a real work of art, something that feels more like a private cabin than it does a car.
The car’s interior saw some re-upholstery work and repairs during its rebuild, meaning everything is in good stead with very few signs of wear – and an additional feature of an after-market cassette player installed below the dashboard.
The chromework features a gentle sprinkling of patina, and there is a gentle bubbling to the lacquer on the impressive wooden dash, but this adds more character to the vehicle than any detriment to its appearance. The red leather seating is in good condition, with some gentle wear, while the carpets do appear somewhat ill-fitted and could do with a clean.
The boot follows this example nicely, appearing very clean and well-kept with a spare tyre, and no signs of significant corrosion that we can discern.
The Exterior
- Subject to a respray and rebuild in 1989
- Bright red paintwork with polished chrome and tan soft-top
- Contrasting whitewall tyres
Hudson knew how to make a car turn heads. The egg-shaped arches, the impressive, squared nose and heaps of chrome make this car look like a bold example of American streamlining, with a distinctly confident, yet sophisticated air. The pride the company took in the Super Six is evident with tons of branding smattered throughout the chromework and wheel caps.
Everything here is impressively presented, with excellent paintwork and a pleasant, gentle patina to the chrome. There’s no paint loss or chips that we can discern, and only some very slight bubbling we were able to make out on the rear things, that’s barely noticeable from most vantage points.
The wheels are in good, clean order but do show some slight loss to the red highlighting, while the white walls themselves have lost some of that clean white appearance. However, they’re still a bright, well-displayed set, with plenty of tread on the tyres.
The soft top is in great condition, having been fitted during its restoration and showing no severe signs of wear or damage.
The car’s underside is showing some wear and corrosion, but this all appears to be surface level and rather negligible to the car’s overall condition. Considering the car’s overall age, we’d judge it to be a very sound example.
The Mechanics
- Subject to a thorough engine rebuild in 1989
- Good, clean engine bay with a very well-kept floor
- No faults are reported with the car throughout
Hudson’s six-cylinder Power Dome was a well-reputed engine for its time, noted for being particularly quiet when set against similar vehicles. That was matched by a silky-smooth overdrive transmission and True Center-Point Steering – so it’s perhaps of little surprise that the company were very outspoken about how the car felt on the open road.
This example was given a thorough overhaul upon purchase in ‘89, and has had a relatively peaceful life while in the UK. Everything here is well-kept and shows no major leaks or signs of corrosion, while the vendor informs us that the car is running exactly as it should.
Thanks to its rarity, not many will have the pleasure of taking a Super Six onto the road. Should you take this opportunity, you’ll soon find it to be a distinguished, very serviceable classic that holds up surprisingly well amongst its modern counterparts.
Summary
The Hudson Super Six only became such a rarity due to poor timing and world politics. A quick look around this car should convince you that was a bit of a tragedy – it’s an exceptional-looking car with very well-regarded mechanics and a beautiful interior.
Thanks to the work of a dedicated British enthusiast, this is an entirely unique opportunity to take on the sole British survivor of the model. You’ll be amongst a distinguished three worldwide, bound to raise crowds at car shows, and carrying the golden goose of the Hudson collector’s community.
For our money, that’s absolutely unmissable!
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