Help Identify: 1937 Hudson Essex Terraplane Convertible Question

Unknown

My mother is about to inherit a frame off restorated 1937 Hudson that you can see in the pictures below. From what I know it is a 1937 Hudson Terraplane Essex 2 Door Bourghum (sp?) My grandfather (who built it through hand fabrication of the fenders and using 3 donor cars) claimed that it was a special and rare car. Can you guys tell me by the pictures if this vehicle is something unique? Unique or not, my mother has all intentions of keeping it. Thanks in advance for your help!

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Ol racer

I would say your grandfather did an excellent restoration...I am no expert but I think the Car is one of a few remaining '37 convertibles and very valuable.....

Aaron D. IL

Tell your mom to join the HET club. It is indeed a rare car. Value? Whatever someone would pay for it, but since she's not selling it it's priceless. Let's put it this way, if you had to replace that car it would take you a long time to find a duplicate if you could. Electric Hand that it has is a desireable feature. It's just a "Terraplane" too. "Hudson Terraplane" was only 1938. Essex-Terraplane was 1932-33. and every date in between was simple "Terraplane." But yes it was indeed made by Hudson.

Jon B

It's not "unique" in the sense of being one of a kind, but there are only about 25 of the 1937 Hudson or Terraplane convertibles known to exist. (They were made in both makes, by the Hudson Motor Car Company). Of the 25, some are Hudsons, others are Terraplanes, and of either brand of convertible you would have either a "brougham" which had a back seat and that rear "quarter window" on the side, behind the door window -- or a "coupe" which had no rear seat or quarter window. The cabin of the brougham was cut larger than the cabin of the brougham, but they had essentially the same body.



On top of that, in either make and either of the two convertible body styles, you had the "series": Hudson came in the Eight or Six, Terraplane came in the Deluxe or Super models (basically trim levels) which were both six cylinders.



Yours is the brougham but I'm not sure which model Terraplane. The first two digits of the serial number would tell the tale: "71" indicates a Deluxe, "72" is the Super.



So, you can see the endless possibilities for "combinations" -- Hudson Eight convertible coupe, Terraplane "Super" convertible brougham, Hudson Six convertible brougham.....and so on. When you add the color choices and the options like Electric Hand, you can see that you'd have many more combinations than would be possible in just 25 surviving cars. So it is quite possible that you have a "unique combination".

hudsontech

Looking at the pictures I'd have to say you have a "convertible" brougham. That said, despite the "Terraplane" name plate on the grille, Hudson didn't make a Convertible Brougham in the Terraplane line. A Convertible Coupe, but not a Brougham.



In the Hudson line-up Convertible Broughams were made in the Models 73 (6 cylinder) and 74 and 75 (eight cylinder) lines.



Please to post the serial number - include the model number which usually starts with the serial number; as 71-1234.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

[Deleted User]

Kevs51Hudson wrote:

My mother is about to inherit a frame off restorated 1937 Hudson that you can see in the pictures below. From what I know it is a 1937 Hudson Terraplane Essex 2 Door Bourghum (sp?) My grandfather (who built it through hand fabrication of the fenders and using 3 donor cars) claimed that it was a special and rare car. Can you guys tell me by the pictures if this vehicle is something unique? Unique or not, my mother has all intentions of keeping it. Thanks in advance for your help!

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Hi---From what I am seeing, it is indeed a rare car. Appears to be missing the fender light lenses & has the wrong hood ornament, but is a well equipped Terraplane & since it is so well optioned with accessories I bet it also has the automatic clutch which when combined with the electric hand makes for as close to what was then available to an automatic transmission. Beautiful restoration, valuable & by all means keep the car.---Cliff Minard.

[Deleted User]

John Conde's "The Cars That Hudson Built" shows a 1937 Terraplane Convertible Brougham on page 111. The car is a "right-hand-drive model, with optional fender lights."

BN

hudsontech

Gentlemen,



I stand, humbly, corrected before you!!!!! I just went to the best source I have available, a 1937 Hudson & Terraplane parts book.



Listed therein, at the beginning of the body section, is a list of 1937 Body Models. Under Convertible Coupe are listed models 71, 72, 73, 74, 75.



Well, I never said I was perfect. And I know there are errors in my General Information Handbook. We keep trying.



A copy of the 1937 parts book is posted on Gregg Maroney's web site @:

http://www.hudsonterraplane.com/tech/tech_index.htm



PS: Soon to come a 1938 Hudson & Terraplane will be posted to Gregg's site when he has a moment to do so - so 1938 owners check back again.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

HudsonTech

Memphis, TN

Unknown

Thank you to all of you that responded! Me and my mother have a lot to learn about this fine Hudson!

bull_islander

Hey Kev-
Have you had the opportunity to check out the 51 you were set to inheret?

Unknown

Not in person... it's due in shortly... can't wait to add it to the stable!

hudsontech

Kevs51Hudson wrote:

Thank you to all of you that responded! Me and my mother have a lot to learn about this fine Hudson!

You can find a lot of information on Gregg Maroney's web site that he's posted for me - web site address is in my last post.



There's also some '37 info on my personal web site @ www.freewebs.com/hudsontech .



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

HudsonTech

Memphis, TN