Read Langworth this week

50C8DAN
50C8DAN Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I finally took the time this week on a business trip (had plenty of time on the plane) to read "Hudson 1946 to 1957, The Classic Postwar Years" by Richard Langworth. Anyone that is into Hudsons, especially step downs should read this book!



It is a great read and has a lot of interesting info from some of the upper management during the last years. Between the Automobile Quarterly and this book you can get a pretty good history, although there are a few things missing such as the role of Vince Piggins during the racing years.



A few interesting pieces of info:



- The profits that were made during the first postwar years could have easily been used for a V8 development and/or stepdown upgrades. It could have also put Hudson in a much better postion with Nash or anyone else for a merger.

- Barit should have stepped down and younger management put into place. This may have saved Hudson, at least for some time until a decent merger could have taken place.

- It was clear that the upper management had lost its touch and could not any longer understand how the market and desires of the public had changed. This was especially true with the development of the Jet, lack of V8 and lack of updating of the stepdown.

- I got a better appreciation of George Mason. Indeed he was the only one of the independents that "got it"

- The X-161 was actually a test bed for the 1955/56 Hudsons, not a '57 as has been suggested. It also had more interesting features that I had known and ones that indeed were used on other makes in the future.



Borrow or buy this book!

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I got to tell you that I have been impressed with Richard Langworth's work on another auto book: "The Last Onslaught on Detroit". Its the behind the scenes look into Kaiser-Fraser. Automobile Quarterly also worked with him on this one. As a teenager in the 70's I had a subscription to AQ and they heavly avertised this one. I wanted it bad but the cost was too much for me.

    I spent the last 6 years searching for a copy only to stumble onto one.

    I have been trying to get the Hudson book he wrote and can't wait to read that one.

    If you like his work and have a interest in finding out about what happened at Kaiser-Frazer you will love this one.

    PaceRacer50
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    Here are some other Hudson books that are available and also one about Kaiser Fraser, scroll down to the bottom of this page:



    http://www.ypsiautoheritage.org/gifts.htm
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Dan, You're right about the book and what contributed to Hudson's demise. Barit was supposed to be a good leader but a bit out of step with changes occuring in the industry in the 50's. IMHO, the lack of a V-8 and money squandered on the Jet didn't cause Hudson's demise but sure did contribute to it.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Studebaker had a V-8.

    They didn't go much longer than Hudson before Packard came in to save their sorry butt.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    It was Studebaker that saved Packard which they killed in1958. Studebaker lived on until 1966. If Hudson would have restyled the stepdowns and invested in a V-8, they may have made it into the 60's too.
  • Nevada Hudson
    Nevada Hudson Senior Contributor
    Packard bought Studebaker in 1954. Curtis-Wright bought Studebaker- Packard in 1956, and Curtis -Wright killed Packard.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Nevada Hudson wrote:
    Packard bought Studebaker in 1954. Curtis-Wright bought Studebaker- Packard in 1956, and Curtis -Wright killed Packard.



    Moot point. At the end, Packards were just rebadged Studebakers which did not meet the expectations of the buying public. Studebaker style and quality, or lack thereof, killed Packard. Curtis-Wright ownership certainly didn't help but was not responsible for the designs which were implemented years before they assumed ownership.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    Langworth's book is a great read. Not as much a reference book as the way Butler's book is laid out it more like a story. Langworth's book made me tear up a bit in the chapter where he described what it was like for the dealers at the first introduction of the step-down in the New York Astor hotel. I'm never selling my copy of it. hehe The other 2 Hudson books I want copies of is John Conde's "The Cars the Hudson Built" and "Fun at Work Hudson Style"



    For any of you new to the world of Hudsoning you should definately read these 3 books:

    1. History of Hudson by Don Butler

    2. Hudson the Post War Years by Richard Langworth

    3. The Cars that Hudson built by John Conde.



    If you have a good library system locally they should be able to find you copies thorugh inter-library loan. #1 is easiest to come by and can be obtained in the WTN.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    While you are discussing who killed who. Did you forget Worthington pump and the Mercedes Benz connections? Add the Granettli Bros./STP. in there also for good measure.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    tombia wrote:
    While you are discussing who killed who. Did you forget Worthington pump and the Mercedes Benz connections? Add the Granettli Bros./STP. in there also for good measure.



    No, but thanks for asking.
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