Hudson's with crank handles

bob ward
bob ward Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
When did Hudson stop making cars with crank handles?

Reason for asking is that I've recently bought a 35 H8, and while the grille doesn't have a crank handle hole, the sheet metal in behind the grille is set up for one.

Was the crank handle an option at one time?

Comments

  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    All cars up to 1942 had a front pulley nut with the provision for the crank handle. I think they discontinued it after the war.
  • StillOutThere
    StillOutThere Expert Adviser
    The '32 Essex-Terraplane was the first Hudson product which had NO crank hole in the grille, and of course no crank hole cover either. The buying public was not yet ready to believe that cars would start every time on electricity and Hudson lost E-T sales because of this "gimmick". Thus the '33 Essex-Terraplane had a crank hole in the grille. And so did '34 Terraplane and '35 and '36 and '37 and '38 !!! The public had spoken!!!
  • Huddy42
    Huddy42 Senior Contributor
    edited June 2011
    G'Day Bob,
    Very unusual for a 1935 Hudson 8 cyl not to have a crank hole, I remember years ago, Ken Hooper had some covers cast from Aluminium,had some cast for 1934 from brass, I still have a rough unfinished one on my shelf. They had two clips that clipped into the hole for the handle.

    To my knowledge 1939 was the last model to have provisions for a crank handle, I know for sure my 1942 has no provision for one, the harmonic balancer nut is definately flat, so no driving dog.
  • bob ward
    bob ward Senior Contributor
    Thanks for the info guys. It looks as though we have another of Hudson's little mysteries here. This is the grille of my recently purchased 35 Hudson 8, but without the expected crank handle hole. I've checked the grille and it is definitely factory, it hasn't been modified.

    35H8.jpg
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I wonder if your grille had been damaged at some time in the past, and that a former owner had had someone repair it? Possibly the damage was so great that the entire lower portion was beyond recognition and the person who repaired it did not include the crank hole. Either because he was unaware it was there, or because he was unable to obtain a crank hole cover (the original one having been damaged beyond repair) and just figured that no one would notice the difference.

    I can't think of any other explanation, unless this was some sort of Hudson prototype (where the factory was considering doing away with the crank hole)
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    That is very strange. Do you suppose the grill is an aftermarket replacment? The very top is also a little different..As it has holes for the center strip, that would mean it had a longer center strip also,,,,,hhhmmmm
  • PAULARGETYPE
    PAULARGETYPE Senior Contributor
    AS YOU CAN SEE ON MY 34 HUDSON 8 SEDAY IT CAME WITH A CRANK HOLE COVER
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    32to39 all had crank hole covers. All models. Walt.
  • StillOutThere
    StillOutThere Expert Adviser
    edited June 2011
    walts garage-53 wrote:
    32to39 all had crank hole covers. All models. Walt.

    EXCEPT the '32 Essex-Terraplane. Support X 3 on the attached factory photo.
  • tigermoth
    tigermoth Expert Adviser
    hello, what are the holes in the front of the fenders for? is that where the snowplow arms attached?
    all joking aside has the front bumper been repaired? perhaps just camera angle.regards, tom
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    1936 up did not have crank holes in the grille. Some models from 1930 to 1933 had crank holes, and all models from 1934 and 1935 had crank holds and the front bumper had the down curve in the center to clear the crank. You could order a front bumper bracket that bolted to the center, down curve, that had a hole at the top to put the crank through to hold crank steady. Walt.
  • hudsonsplasher1
    hudsonsplasher1 Senior Contributor
    My 39 has a crank hole. In fact, I was just talking about this subject with Fred Pinder at the central regional meet.
    Gene.
  • bob ward
    bob ward Senior Contributor
    tigermoth wrote:
    hello, what are the holes in the front of the fenders for? is that where the snowplow arms attached?
    all joking aside has the front bumper been repaired? perhaps just camera angle.regards, tom

    The holes in the front fenders are where someone in the past has (crudely) mounted turn signals. The front bumper hasn't been repaired, it does curve down below where the crank handle would normally go.

    I like JonB's suggestion that it was some sort of Hudson prototype or maybe a styling exercise, and it has ended up in a kit of export parts when the factory was done with it. That's a much classier story than a mundane incorrectly repaired story. ;)
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    StillOutThere wrote:
    walts garage-53 wrote:
    32to39 all had crank hole covers. All models. Walt.

    EXCEPT the '32 Essex-Terraplane. Support X 3 on the attached factory photo.

    Looks like there were a few exceptions.
    I'm no authority on this subject. But I think that 1942 was the last year for crank, and crank holes.

    I'd be interested to know for sure.:)
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    1940 up do not have crank hole covers, as that is when they started holding the counter balancer on with a 1 1/2 inch head bolt. Walt.
  • Huddy42
    Huddy42 Senior Contributor
    My very original 1942 Hudson definately does not have a crank handle,( and does need one LOL) as previous stated 1939 was the last Hudson with a crank handle
  • bob ward
    bob ward Senior Contributor
    edited June 2011
    Had a look through some of the buts and pieces that came with the car, and I'm missing the piece of stainless up the middle of the grille. If anyone has one they can spare, and are going to the OKC National I'll catch up with you there. Please PM me or email r-j-wardATbigpond.com

    Just for interest, the hood emblem and bird are very nice brass repros.

    IMG_0035-5.jpg
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    edited June 2011
    Huddy42 wrote:
    My very original 1942 Hudson definately does not have a crank handle,( and does need one LOL) as previous stated 1939 was the last Hudson with a crank handle

    Hmm? Are you sure? I thought I remembered seeing an early '40s Hudson with a crank. I'm thinking in '42 it was still an option. Not on your '42, but on some others.
  • Huddy42
    Huddy42 Senior Contributor
    As the old Packard saying goes. "Ask the man who owns one."

    Yes, I'm sure been around Hudson's for 50 years, had a 1940 and now own a 1942 had it for 23 years.

    1940 had a chrome strip that ran right down the centre of the grill and curved at the bottom.I have never seen any 1942 with a crank handle.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion