New Hudson Models;Prototype or Drawings only?

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hello all. In trying to research the history of my car (1928 LeBaron bodied roadster), I've been asking two questions. Was this car built originally by Lebaron coachworks or brought to them after being purchased by the original owner? The Book (The History of Hudson), Describes the 1928 roadster as being designed by LeBaron but built by Biddle and Smart. My question is, to all you Hudson vaults of knowledge out there who might be kind enough to chime in with some thoughts and insights: did LeBaron build prototypes of the cars they designed for car manufacturers to show their offering to them like they did say, in the 60s (then being made from clay) or where their offerings merely presented in drawing form? If the consencus is that they made prototypes, then it may explain better why this car is LeBaron bodied, if not, then it may very well have been brought later to be customized as it is described as being nearly identical to the production version. My hopes are that someone out there can shed some light on this subject of prototyping or not. thanks for all who help Phil

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  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    You might contact the Detroit Free Public Library which has, or used to have, a lot of material if the HET Librarian has nothing for you.

    You might also try contacting the Classic Car Club of America as they may have material dealing with body builders (as that is one of the criteria for acceptance of cars into the Club).
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    phil walsh wrote:
    Hello all. In trying to research the history of my car (1928 LeBaron bodied roadster), I've been asking two questions. Was this car built originally by Lebaron coachworks or brought to them after being purchased by the original owner? The Book (The History of Hudson), Describes the 1928 roadster as being designed by LeBaron but built by Biddle and Smart. My question is, to all you Hudson vaults of knowledge out there who might be kind enough to chime in with some thoughts and insights: did LeBaron build prototypes of the cars they designed for car manufacturers to show their offering to them like they did say, in the 60s (then being made from clay) or where their offerings merely presented in drawing form? If the consencus is that they made prototypes, then it may explain better why this car is LeBaron bodied, if not, then it may very well have been brought later to be customized as it is described as being nearly identical to the production version. My hopes are that someone out there can shed some light on this subject of prototyping or not. thanks for all who help Phil

    Phil

    Mr. D. J. Kava has done extensive research on Hudson and the materials of the Detroit Library are a souce which he is familar. DJ is an active contributor to the White Triangle News and his name and contact information should be available through that source. Also Mr. Alex Burr has captured a treasure trove of information on his website and the discs he sells. The combined knowledge of these gentlemen should help your narrow the focus of your search.

    Cheers from Texas
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    Another suggestion: one of my cronies in so. Calif. has a '26 Hudson cp. with a unique body by a small co. in Ohio (I think Anderson?). This co. made quite a few bodies for Studebaker & I think a member of the Stude. club did research at the town where the co. was located & found out some info so perhaps you could try researching newspapers, libraries, etc. where LeBaron was located. Paul saw a pic of one of these special Hudson coupes parked by several Studebakers the co. had just finished!
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