1919 Essex Series A Tourer

The Essex Motor Company was formed in 1917 and made its debut the following year as Hudson Motor Company's 'junior' companion marque. It operated from the old No. 5 Studebaker plant on Detroit's Franklin Avenue. Essex was named after an English town and was financed and managed by top Hudson staff. For example, Hudson president Roy D. Chapin and other leading Hudson staff served on the Essex board of directors. Essex president William S. McAneeny was Hudson's factory manager, and top Hudson executives Roscoe B. Jackson and A.E. Barit held administrative posts at Essex.

The original Essex vehicles were powered by a 55 horsepower 'four' mounted in a 108-inch wheelbase and given angular body designs. They were relatively inexpensive while offering good performance and reliability. The first Essex automobiles were produced in December of 1918 as 1919 models. In December of 1919, an AAA-supervised demonstration test was executed involving an Essex being driven to speeds exceeding 60 mph at the Cincinnati Speedway over 50 hours and 3,037.4 miles. Four Essex motorcars participated in a publicized transcontinental run in August of 1920, with a mail pouch transported by each car and each driver swore in as official letter carriers.

Essex sales were impressive, outselling Hudson two consecutive years in 1919 and 1920, and matching them for 1921.

The 1919 Essex line was named the 'Series A' and was available in three body styles including a four-door Touring from $1,395, a Roadster from $1,595, and the $2,250 sedan. For 1919, Essex shipped 21,879 vehicles.

This particular example is a Series A Touring which was the most popular body style from the first model year. It has a quality older restoration dating to the 1980s. In 2000, it was acquired by the Hostetlers from Ray Unsworth of Vermont. It is finished in gray and yellow, and the interior is trimmed in incorrect brown textured vinyl upholstery. It has a gray radiator shell and fenders, and wooden wheels mounting white sidewall tires. There is a Moto-Meter, split windshield, wind wings, and cowl lamps. The engine is a 180 cubic-inch four-cylinder unit with three main bearings and 55 horsepower. There is a three-speed sliding gear transmission, a Hotchkiss rear axle, and mechanical brakes on the rear wheels.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2019