Very nice 38T at auction

Park_W
Park_W Senior Contributor
edited January 2012 in HUDSON


The '38 Terraplane model 81 Deluxe Touring Brougham, from the Herbert Bell collection in Georgia, is up for auction in Charlotte, NC on the weekend of Jan 13-15. Auction web site is www.tommackauctions.com. Click on View Auction Vehicles, then on the photo of the car for more photos. Car is as nice as they come ... only negatives are very old tires that would have to be replaced, and (undisclosed) a '36T engine under the hood vs. a '38.

Comments

  • ArkieJazz
    ArkieJazz Member
    That's a very lovely car. Anyone want to make a guess what it will bring? I'm going to say somewhere around $14K
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Arkie, I believe that's what the current owner/hopeful reseller paid for it a month or two ago.
  • ArkieJazz
    ArkieJazz Member
    I can't help but envision that car with a set of original skirts, a nice grill guard and a pair of fog lamps.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    There's a heartwarming personal story with this car. Mr. Bell and his wife were married in 1939. He had bought a new '38T the previous year, and that's what Herbert and "Dot" drove on their honeymoon trip. In 1989, with their golden anniversary approaching, Herbert covertly mounted a search and found another (this) Model 81 with the same body configuration as their original one. He had it restored and painted the same color, then sprung the surprise on Dot at their anniversary party. Afterward they went on a brief second honeymoon trip in the car. Herb always said it would be the last car he'd sell.

    The sad ending is that unfortunately he's deep in dementia at age 95, not aware of his surroundings or able to recognize family or friends. The family held off breaking up and selling the collection until they were certain he wouldn't be aware and troubled by their absence. Assuming this Terraplane sells, along with the "Driving Miss Daisy" '49 and the '49 C8 convertible being auctioned in Florida this month, I believe the remaining cars are the '24 touring, the '29 Standard Sedan and the '54 Jetliner.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Great story I hope a good HET person buys it and keeps the story alive. I love this era for Hudson. I want one to drive around town. My daughter driving it me on the running board with a tommy gun.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    51H, you've got the right picture. Summer I got out of high school I had a hot H8 engine in a '38 Hud sedan that was done in all dark grey primer. Friends and I all had dark colored derby's, and we'd cruise around in that car wearing the derby's and each of us with a cigar hanging out of our mouth. Great fun ... wish I had a photo!
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