OKC -Day 1
hudsontech
Senior Contributor
Sunday - 17 Aug - In a word - HOT:ohmy: Real hot!!! We left Memphis around 6am and headed west to the Great Adventure!!! Got here at 2:30 - not bad considering we took U S hiways (64, 266 and 62) from Fort Smith, AR to OKC - distance right around 475 miles. Had no problems with our main mode of transport - the '96 Olds, tho she was starting breath heavy, and the engine temp was thinking about heading to higher ground by the time we got to I-35 on the east side of town - so we decided to take the I-35 to I-40 to the hotel, rather than go thru town.
We arrived at the Biltmore to find the strange looking cars - oh, yes, they were Hudson's - parked here and there with a main group in one section of the parking lot. A number of step-downs, but few Essex models and not to many T'planes either. Nice looking '37 T pickup, and a couple drop dead georgeous 47's - one a coupe. In the step-downs there was a beautiful Hollywood. I know this intial write-up is thin on details - that's because we spent most of the time in the lobby chatting with people as they checked in. We'll have more as the week progresses. And before you ask, no I don't have any pictures - yet. But, that said, I'm using the hotel computer and I don't think I can down load any from my camera. I had planned on buying a lap top for this trip - but that money went into car repairs before I got out of Memphis.
The heat got to at least two Hudsons - they arrived via ramp truck. Another member, coming up from the south yesterday, had his Hudson overheat and start vapor locking. I checked in with him via cell phone last night before I went to bed and he's at a members house and they've been working on the car. So with a little luck he'll be here today sometime.
We're looking at temps in the low (fortunately - if that's the right word) triple digits. Middle of the week may see 108, 109. The swap meet, at the moment rather thin - but it's early yet - is way out in back, but there are some trees and some of the vendors have set up tents to get out of the sun.
More later.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
fm Oklahoma City
We arrived at the Biltmore to find the strange looking cars - oh, yes, they were Hudson's - parked here and there with a main group in one section of the parking lot. A number of step-downs, but few Essex models and not to many T'planes either. Nice looking '37 T pickup, and a couple drop dead georgeous 47's - one a coupe. In the step-downs there was a beautiful Hollywood. I know this intial write-up is thin on details - that's because we spent most of the time in the lobby chatting with people as they checked in. We'll have more as the week progresses. And before you ask, no I don't have any pictures - yet. But, that said, I'm using the hotel computer and I don't think I can down load any from my camera. I had planned on buying a lap top for this trip - but that money went into car repairs before I got out of Memphis.
The heat got to at least two Hudsons - they arrived via ramp truck. Another member, coming up from the south yesterday, had his Hudson overheat and start vapor locking. I checked in with him via cell phone last night before I went to bed and he's at a members house and they've been working on the car. So with a little luck he'll be here today sometime.
We're looking at temps in the low (fortunately - if that's the right word) triple digits. Middle of the week may see 108, 109. The swap meet, at the moment rather thin - but it's early yet - is way out in back, but there are some trees and some of the vendors have set up tents to get out of the sun.
More later.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
fm Oklahoma City
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Comments
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Thanks for the update Alex, keep em coming for those of us from Down Under who could not make it for some reason or another.Say G'day to all our friends we have met at previous meets.Sounds like another Nashville by the sound of the temperature.0
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Huddy - right, OKC ala Nashville. Feature article in todays paper about heat wave all over central & eastern U.S., which will continue.
Daytime SHADE temps for OKC forecast to be 103 next few days.
Peeked out onto patio last night at midnight, was 90 + looks like "monsoon" storms in offing for today & rest of week with large dark clouds to the north & west of Phoenix = hot & muggy weather.0 -
Alex: thanks for the on-site reporting!
As to the heat: oh dear! It sounds like deja Nashville all over again! Only, maybe worse! Not OKC's fault of course, Mother Nature seems to track the H-E-T national meets and pounce on us every so often. Let's see: I seem to recollect York, and Cleveland as being run-to-your-air-conditioned-room affairs. What were the others....?0 -
Thanks for the up date. Sorry I could not make it this year due to a storm with 120 MPH winds that lasted for 20 min. House is ok but, trees down all over yard. 4 days without power. I was all ready to go but??? Next year! Its going to be hot but always fun at HET meets. Will wait for more up dates. (from Iowa)0
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I is great to hear you made it. Hope to hear and read what I can about the National this year. Encourage those around to take lots of pictures and we can live through the images!0
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hudsonsoul wrote:I is great to hear you made it. Hope to hear and read what I can about the National this year. Encourage those around to take lots of pictures and we can live through the images!
X 2 ...Pictures please.:)0 -
Pictures will be forthcoming - but not right now, unless somebody with a lap top and a camera has some to post on here. I'm on the hotel computer and no way to download pictures.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN0 -
Dont think it can top the NAT at Iowa City. as far as high temp and humitity...THAT was brutal,,,but found more good parts there than most others..0
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Here's day 3 - tho it's actually Day 1 of the actual National meet. Monday was the Big Country portion of the event.
The parking lot is filling up - and we have some shy birds parking back of the buildings and down by the flea market. If there's a draw back to all this the swap meet is about 150 yards down in the back. I haven't been down there today, but yesterday it was a little thin. I spotted some vendors coming in this morning so probably will get better.
There are quite a number of pickups this year. 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1940's. And John Forkners "air conditioned" 1939 Panel truck - it's full of bullet holes!!!! There's a Railton that I've forgotten the year of to keep Brownie Petersens 1937 Stratton Tourer (designed by Reid Railton) company. Severl Essex models - tho at least one is a street rod. The body work is vintage Essex. There are also several beautiful stepdown converts out there also.
I'd venture to say the count is at least 150 cars - there will no doubt others coming in. Weather remains hot - the early-late rule remains in effect - go out early in the morning for 2 or 3 hours and late in the afternoon for the evening tire kicking/Hudson story times.
It's actually not to bad out there at the moment - there is a breeze so if you're in the shade it's tolerable.
More later - y'all take care now, hear.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
OKC National Meet0 -
Thanks for the great updates Alex! I'm on the 6:00AM from Manchester NH in the morning - landing in OKC just before noon. Hope to be kicking (hot) tires by 1:00!
Will be bringing lots of pics of a 35 T Convertible project I'd like to sell to a fellow HET'r.0 -
Might be interested in your convertable?
Just got this photo, I think from the National!0 -
I'll look for you Glenn!
Jim0 -
I arrived this afternoon. Great selection of hudsons. By the way.......it's hot :evil:
It's fun trying to put faces to the names.
Don0 -
Day 2 - Impressions: (Tho the fun and games have been going since Sunday, this is actually the 2nd day of the National as Sunday was "arrival" time for many and Monday was the Big Country Regional meet - I think!!" Anyway - impressions:
HOT - :evil:
Cars in the lot - beautiful 1930 Hudson Model T Coupe and just down the row another beautiful 1930 Hudson Sedan;
HOT - :evil:
Two Railtons and Brownie Petersens Stratton Club Saloon;
HOT - :evil:
More than a few drop dead beautiful step-down convertible;
HOT - HOT - HOT :evil:
A 1910 Roadster that came in yesterday;
HOT - HOT - HOT :evil:
John Forkner frying an egg on the hood of his '39 Panel truck while John Fromm video taped it;
WAY PAST HOT - :evil:
Russ Chilton working on his '52 Hornet sedan at 9pm when it's cooler;
HOW HOT IS IT you ask???? I went to get something out of my '96 Olds this morning and the chrome tape on the trim on the drives side was peeling off!!!!
Catching up on old times with Charley Woodruff - discussing a book that he wrote about his trip from New York to the Seattle National. If y'all get a chance to buy a copy do so - it's appeal, other than it's about traveling all over the country in a 1951 Hudson, is that Charlie is not a professional writer; but he's done an excellent job with this little book. Get one.
It's 6:30am - time to head for the parking lot and get some more pics that we will post - eventually. Stay tuned.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN0 -
Alex,
I think the heat is getting to you. One 1937 Railton Sport Saloon and my 36 Hudson Sport Saloon.
I saw the egg on the hood of the sedan delivery last night and thought about eating it. It was still a bit raw in the middle.
I too am on the hotel computer so no photos until I get home. It is a great meet and a lot of very nice cars all the way from 1910 roadster to the Hashes.....
More later.... Having too much fun to stop and talk. Wish you all were here...0 -
Even with the heat , this is a really good HET national. Lots of fun seeing everyone and I have given some rides in my 37. There is a good selection of parts
Pleanty of interesting cars to look at.
Charlie's new book is a very interesting read, and well worth picking up a copy to read for enjoyment. My "Hometown Hudson Dealer" book has sold almost all the copies I brought and everyone likes it.
The Hudson Essex dealership in Oklahoma City is a gem to see.0 -
Here on theeast coast we appreciate all the coverage . Wish I could be there but for the moment will have to live vicariosly through our Hudson Bretheren . Love the coverage . Keep up the good work .0
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i am here at the builtmore in room 452 with photos of my 35 terraplane g series feel free to stop by!!!!!0
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And now is the time to pause for reflexions. It is Day 3 of the National - some people are still coming in for the next couple of days; some have already packed it in and heading home. After today there is only the business meeting and the banquet, followed by an evening in the parking lot exchanging last minute Hudson stories (both true and stretched), saying (sadly) good by to old friends and new ones. Some will leave tomorrow; the rest of us will head out early Sat morning to try and beat some of the heat and traffic:
Some last minute thoughts:
We have seen several couples with babies under 6 months old - at the other end we have the Mordentis and the Waddells in their 90's. This age spread convinces us this is as much family reunion as a Hudson National car meet. I can't think of any other car club that could present this age grouping;
We applaud those folks who braved the Oklahoma summer heat to come together to renew old friendshps, make new friends and build new memories to share at National meets to come. Despite the heat it was, and will be remembered as, a fun event;
We probably won't have another update until we get back to Memphis on Saturday - I'm lucky in that I've only got 500 miles to get home - so Sunday I will finish this oddeysee and hopefully post a few pictures. I'm sorry that the heat kept to may of you away - you missed a great party. Hopefully we'll get to see those of you who came to OKC, and those who didn't, in Gettysburg in 2012.
Safe traveling to all of you no matter where you go.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
OKC National0 -
Alex has hit the nail on the head with this one. It is a great meet and I mentioned before I left that I would be sitting beside my car when I was not eating or meeting. I have been impressed and excited by all the folks that have stopped by and mentioned the Forum. It is sure good to place a few names with faces. It is so great to have such a Hudson Family to meet with each year. Alex will have all the cars posted before I get back to Utah so I am excited to see the photo's...0
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I've had a great time so far! Business has been brisk in the swap meet area, and I got rid of many of my large parts that were unneeded. I've never seen this many 1956 15" wheelcovers in one place - ever! - and I had 30, of which I sold all of them!
Well, I am back into Hudson ownership again. I sold my '37 TP Model 71 last year to a HET member in MO, and have been looking on and off since for a new project. I bought the '47 Super Six 4-dr sedan parked right behind me in the swap area. It's a local car, so it's staying local. Complete car, needs rockers and floors...no big surprise there. It's a Winter project, so there is no hurry to figure out where to go on it.
I've seen people from at least seven countries come through. Had a great talk with a gentleman from Holland. There was a contingent of Kiwis that had a little bad luck with their Stepdown yesterday, as it broke a valve spring. HET member K. Denton brought them to his shop and they fixed their car in record time!
It's been a great National! So what if it's 150 degrees?
Brownie and Alex - I've been wanting to talk with you guys, but haven't seen you yet...0 -
Patrick,
Congratulations on the purchase of your "new" Hudson and the sales of the "unneeded" parts.
Welcome back into the land of Hudson ownership. Hope to see you around the forum again.
Kevin C.0 -
66patrick66 wrote:Brownie and Alex - I've been wanting to talk with you guys, but haven't seen you yet...
After the business meet this morning you will probably find me anchored to a soft couch, either in the hallway outside the Business (Computer) room or in the lobby area.
I've seen the cars and it's to damned hot out there to revisit - except at 6:30 in the morning. The heat got to me Wed afternoon and I've been feeling a little wobbly for the past couple days. About 10 min is all I can take.
But it's not to bad - most everybody wanders by and stops to chat. This is, by the way, how you cope with extreme heat - stay indoors and venture out early in the morning or for short periods of time during the latter part of the day.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
OKC National Meet0 -
To all who came to OKC, I just want to say that It was an honor and a privilege to help put on this meet and I hope that all had a good time. It was actually cooler in OKC than many other areas of the Midwest. Whoda thought that folks would be flocking to OKC in July to escape the blistering heat in central Ohio? I would particularly like to recognize my wife Anne Marie who ran the hospitality room and was there most of the time. Everyone stayed hydrated and I thought I would pass on a few statistics. After tallying up supplies, on average we consumed 10 gallons of lemonade, 3 gallons of sugar free lemonade, 3 gallons of water and 3 gallons of iced tea every day. As for cookies and snacks...feed them and they will come! I had a great time visiting with many of you. Brownie, you floored me with that English Hudson. Alex, I am so pleased that we were finally able to recognize your contributions to the club. Randy and Russel, not only did you win the Albright award, you took home 2 of the banquet centerpieces! I need to go to Vegas with you guys. Thanks to all who came. You made it a great meet.0
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Thanks, the hospitality room was a lifesave and many were able to use it several times a day. Thanks for the snacks and goodies and fluids. Good shade in there too. Thanks, Bob P.0
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Thanks to ALL the workers that made the Nat. a nice one....The TREES and GRASS for the swap area was a life saver....Thanks again0
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I second what bobdriveshudson says - an oasis in the desert!!! LOL and nice company too.
And, yes, a big, big hand to those who put this international together - it's hard enough organizing this type of event if it's in your home town. How the NTHD did it from 200 miles away should be a legend in itself.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN0 -
The hospitality room really was a center of activity, with tons of Hudson folks coming and going all the time.
Many thanks to the fine folks who put on this meet. You did a great job and raised the bar even higher for future meets!!
Matt0
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