First Show
PaulButler
Administrator
Took my 1939 112 to her first show this weekend. Over near where I live in the UK is an annual event called the "Steam and Vintage" based in Wolverhamptons West Park.
I decided to take the car along as it had been a long time since I had attended a show , the weather looked good (it was mostly) and I wanted to show her off in her faded glory.
As usual at these shows its always amazing how many people come along and say that "my father (or more likely grandfather) had one of those".
The other most often question asked was "is it American because it isnt left hand drive". I'd printed up a few information sheets before I went because I reckoned that there are always questions like this and it amazed a number of people that Hudson (amongst others) actually had a factory in the UK and that my car was a proper UK built Hudson so the steering was in the correct place.
It was a fun weekend and I started to build a network of contacts. On Saturday mine was the only American there and today it had a 1934 Buick for company.
Posting a couple of photos so you can see what it was like. This first one I like because it shows my car next to some Austin 7's - see the difference!
I decided to take the car along as it had been a long time since I had attended a show , the weather looked good (it was mostly) and I wanted to show her off in her faded glory.
As usual at these shows its always amazing how many people come along and say that "my father (or more likely grandfather) had one of those".
The other most often question asked was "is it American because it isnt left hand drive". I'd printed up a few information sheets before I went because I reckoned that there are always questions like this and it amazed a number of people that Hudson (amongst others) actually had a factory in the UK and that my car was a proper UK built Hudson so the steering was in the correct place.
It was a fun weekend and I started to build a network of contacts. On Saturday mine was the only American there and today it had a 1934 Buick for company.
Posting a couple of photos so you can see what it was like. This first one I like because it shows my car next to some Austin 7's - see the difference!
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Comments
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Paul does your car have the small bore motor that was peculiar to the London-built Hudsons? I have several Road test reports of these cars built there if you are interested.
Geoff.0 -
Geoff C., N.Z. wrote:Paul does your car have the small bore motor that was peculiar to the London-built Hudsons? I have several Road test reports of these cars built there if you are interested.
Geoff.
Hi Geoff,
My car has the 175 ci 16.9 HP motor.
I don't know if you were aware but pre-war over here cars were taxed on HP so these cars were "detuned" somewhat. I think it was in around 1910 that the tax was introduced and from memory the rule of thumb was that each HP cost £1! American Cars were popular in the UK because they were "cheap" but when this tax was introduced the cost of taxing a model T went up from £6 6s to £23!
I'd love to see copies of the reports - are they scannable at all or could you photocopy them?
Thanks
Paul0 -
The hand-outs sound like a great idea! Maybe you might someday develop a poster that could be displayed on an easel next to the car, with a brief article and photos of the Hudson factory there. It's probably long since forgotten by most British people.
I get the feeling that there are more Hudsons and Essexes in the UK than meet the eye. Probably because few people bring their cars out to shows, as you have done. Perhaps you can seek out other Hudson owners there, and form some sort of an unofficial group which can serve as a clearinghouse for information. And, in turn, serve to stimulate interest and bring a few more of these cars out of the woodwork!
Right now, only the Railton Club serves the Hudson community in the UK. It would nice to have a British group to which Hudson owners themselves could turn.0 -
Jon B wrote:The hand-outs sound like a great idea! Maybe you might someday develop a poster that could be displayed on an easel next to the car, with a brief article and photos of the Hudson factory there. It's probably long since forgotten by most British people.
I get the feeling that there are more Hudsons and Essexes in the UK than meet the eye. Probably because few people bring their cars out to shows, as you have done. Perhaps you can seek out other Hudson owners there, and form some sort of an unofficial group which can serve as a clearinghouse for information. And, in turn, serve to stimulate interest and bring a few more of these cars out of the woodwork!
Right now, only the Railton Club serves the Hudson community in the UK. It would nice to have a British group to which Hudson owners themselves could turn.
Jon,
I'm sure there are more Hudsons in the UK than meet the eye. I've owned three over the years and I know of others that are around. I have to say I really did enjoy the show this weekend spending time talking to the "Old Timers" who were interested in the nuts & bolts and the younger kids whose eyes just opened wide when they saw this big old thing sitting there.
What I found interesting was how many of them referenced "Doc Hudson" when they saw the make of my car.
As for the easel concept that was something that came up in conversation over the weekend. I had 4 A4 sheets of Hudson type information which were laminated and I placed across the front windows of the car. There were a couple of people there who did have an easel setup which looked really nice.
I'll happily send you what I displayed this weekend and I'd love to have some photos of the Hudson factory in the UK to develop the theme so if you know of any or if anyone has some then that would be great.
It was also interesting how many people were stimulated into asking questions by what I'd written about the car and tried to show of the 1939 Hudson range of cars.
It was a fun time!0 -
Congrats Paul! Great pictures and information. Looks like a great show to be at. Enjoy!0
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Thanks for sharing, Paul. Enjoyed the pics. Man, those Austins look like toys in comparison to the Hudson!0
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Paul, great that you have an original type car, and flying the flag for Hudson in the U.K. I have only ever come across one of these small bore motors, and was intrigued that they used a special casting, as there is water jacket between the cylinders, unlike the siamesed bores of the 21.6 h.p. motors. A lot of British cars used odd h.p. ratings to avoid a higher tax, and of course in the case of Hudson the strange bore size of 2-21/32" to give 16.9 h.p. and sutck with the 5" stroke, which of course had nothing to do with horsepower really. I think the silliest example of all was the Morris 10/6, which had a 2-1/8" bore, and 4" stroke. The standard engine for the H112 was 3" bore and 4-1/8" stroke, which was about the same capacity and performance, but was rated at a different tax bracket. In Hudson's case, they made the small bore optional on all models from 1934 onwards, and the rear axle was geared down to 41/9 (4-5/9:1) to compensate for the loss in power. On British roads of the era this would not have made much difference. Perhaps you should do a write-up on your car for the W.T.N. to give a different perspective of the world-wide aspect of our cars. Best wishes,
Geoff.0 -
Paul a very nice car, good to see you turning the heads over there and very well thought out about taking some preprinted infomation
Mike0 -
Good friends with Hudson products all over the world that we will never meet but will keep in touch with this thing...I for one think this is "GREAT" and thanks for the people on here for sharing there lifes & Hudsons with us. Ron0
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If people are interested these are the handouts I had on the car. I know they can be better so will be working on a theme for the next show.
Took the old girl out tonight to fetch in some takeout (Chinese if anyone is interested
) and I spent longer talking about the car than I did waiting for the food. It's great to be able to use these old things as they certainly generate conversation. 0 -
Great images Paul. I printed a fact sheet for my '46 and have that on a card with some pictures taken of how my truck looked like when I started and some of the progress which I display in front at show's. I get a lot of people reading and looking the truck over.0
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LanceB wrote:
Hi Lance,Great images Paul. I printed a fact sheet for my '46 and have that on a card with some pictures taken of how my truck looked like when I started and some of the progress which I display in front at show's. I get a lot of people reading and looking the truck over.
Yes it certainly prompted a lot of conversations and as I said most people were amazed that it was right hand drive.
I have an idea for a display stand to go in front of the car with this information on it plus some more. Jon suggested a little more infor and pictures about the Hudson factory here in the UK so that's my next project - trying to find out!
Thanks for your comment0 -
Way to go, Paul!
The handouts look terrific!
It sounds like you are having great fun with the car and THAT is what is really important.
Kevin C.0 -
Kevin C. wrote:Way to go, Paul!
The handouts look terrific!
It sounds like you are having great fun with the car and THAT is what is really important.
Kevin C.
Thanks Kevin,
Yes having fun indeed. Even today when I had to go out and run some errands there was no choice as to what to use - modern day or old style.
Old style it was - love to see the expression on people's faces!0 -
Cool brouchures I think I will have to make something like that for the 310
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essexcoupe3131 wrote:
I used Powerpoint to make a slideshow and then someone kindly laminated the printed sheets for me.Cool brouchures I think I will have to make something like that for the 31
It is amazing the difference they made in terms of people stopping , looking , reading and then being interested enough to ask questions.0 -
Hey Paul i'm sure that you will have some more shows this season, give me a ring ref Welland Steam Fair and Much Marcle, both local and great shows, besides i want to have a ride in the Hudson! I have some photo's of your car when i owned it and was restoring it at Lane's End Garage (over twenty five years ago wow!. I have some great news on my 35 convertible but i'll save that for when we finally meet again buddy. Great pics of a great little Hudson well done you.
Cheers lester aka. (biggles):cool:0 -
lester wrote:
Hey Biggs,Hey Paul i'm sure that you will have some more shows this season, give me a ring ref Welland Steam Fair and Much Marcle, both local and great shows, besides i want to have a ride in the Hudson! I have some photo's of your car when i owned it and was restoring it at Lane's End Garage (over twenty five years ago wow!. I have some great news on my 35 convertible but i'll save that for when we finally meet again buddy. Great pics of a great little Hudson well done you.
Cheers lester aka. (biggles):cool:
Yes I well remember Much Marcle (or at least some of it!). I'm hoping to do a couple of more shows this year so we'll get our act together and meet up.
Paul0
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