Ouestion For Geoff In N.z.

Yes, I have lived in New Zealand all my life. I heard about the H.E.T. Club from a fellow Hudson owner, back in 1964. He had a few copies of the W.T.N., which back then was a photocopied pamphlet style, and Merrit Marks was still President. He lent me these, and I joined up straight away. I'm not sure how my friend knew about it, but he has since dropped out and sold his car. I can't remember how much the dues were, but it was real hassle getting overseas funds way back then - apply to the Reserve Bank for a permit, wait for it be approved, then go to my Bank for an overseas currency draft. At that stage here Essex were not welcome in the local "Vintage and thoroughbred" clubs, which were rather exclusive unless cars were over-restored, or exotic. So it was a breath of fresh air to be welcomed into a group who took pride in preserving the great cars built by Hudson. I corresponded at length with Doc Daugherty, who was an avid Essex lover, and he was intrigued that I used my 1928 Essex as my everyday business car, clocking many thousands of miles each year. My wife and I have attended three National Meets , Cleveland, Portland, and Sacramento, plus two Australian ralies, and met many wonderful folk through our involvement in the club. Alas, I doubt that we will be able to travel together to the U.S. again because of the problem of medical insurance for my wife, coupled with the ever-increasing cost of overseas travel. I currently drive a '53 Hornet sedan, '54 Jet Liner sedan, and yes, still have the '28 Essex Coach, now in semi-retirement, like myself. I have also owned at various times, a '35 Terraplane sedan, ' 39 l.w.b. Country Club 8 sedan, and two '29 Hudson 7 passenger sedans.

Geoff.