1911 Hudson Model 33

The Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, began producing vehicles in 1910 and would remain in production until 1954. The early vehicles used a 20-horsepower, four-cylinder Buda side-valve engine that promised speeds of 50 MPH. During their first year, around 4,000 examples were sold. The four-cylinder engine would remain in the Hudson line-up until 1916, when it was dropped in favor of a one-model policy.

The company was started by Roy Chapin, Howard Coffin, and Frederick Bezner, who had previously worked for Oldsmobile. Financial backing was from Joseph L. Hudson, head of Detroit's famous department store that bore the same name. Initially, the company was allied with Chalmers-Detroit, but soon Hugh Chalmers' interest in Hudson was acquired for $80,000, and the team's holdings in Chalmers-Detroit were sold to Mr. Chalmers for $788,000. Hudson became independent, introducing its first car in 1909, later merging with Nash-Kelvinator in 1954 to form American Motors - the Hudson name was gone by 1957.

Hudson completed its first vehicle in July of 1909, a month after the first illustrated ad appeared in The Saturday Evening Post. Over 1,000 examples of the twenty horsepower Hudson were produced that year, each wearing the triangular badge on its radiator which signified 'Performance, Service and Value' according to Hudson's advertising. During the first full year of production - in 1910 - the company produced 4,556 vehicles which allowed them to grow in financial stability. A new quarter million square foot factory designed by architect Albert Kahn was built as production increased.

Hudson introduced the Model 33 in October of 1910, with its name referencing its actual horsepower measured on a brake (rather than the ALAM calculated horsepower which was 25.6 horsepower). The inline-four had its block and cylinder head cast together and its 4-inch bore and 4.5-inch stroke resulted in a 226 cubic inch displacement size. While the previous engine had been built by the Buda Company, this 226 CID unit was supplied by Continental Motor Manufacturing Company of Muskegon, Michigan. The L-head valves were positioned on the left side with passages through the block from the carburetor on the right side. The three-speed transmission was mounted in unit with the engine and clutch, the latter being cork-faced and running in oil - of as Chapin's marketers described it 'fluid cushioned.' The redundant braking operated via a contracting band and expanding shoes on rear wheel drums. The 114.25-inch wheelbase chassis was suspended by semi-elliptical leaf springs at the front and 3/4-elliptical leaf springs at the rear. A total of five body styles were offered, including the Mile-a-Minute Roadster. They continued to wear the distinctive radiator-shell design, triangular Hudson emblem, and high-crowned fenders.

The Hudson 'Mile-a-Minute' Roadster was faster than its '60-mph' name implied. It was a very advanced vehicle, though minimalist in design. It had a 100-mph Warner Auto-meter, Demountable rims with an extra rim in the back, lamps, Prest-O-Lite tank, and luggage carriers. It had a thirty-gallon fuel tank and an additional tank for 10 gallons of oil. It was very well balanced and could travel the roads and raceways in better form than most other vehicles.

It was a dual-purpose vehicle with both road and racing in mind. It had quick-fill oil and gas filler caps. For intense racing situations, the fenders could be removed to reduce weight even further.

Sales of the 1911 Hudson vehicles increased by 50 percent over the previous year, and by the close of the year, Hudson's year-old factory was being expanded, also by 50 percent. Hudson produced approximately 7,900 vehicles for the 1911 model year and 6,486 examples shipped to dealers during the calendar year. The business expanded beyond the U.S. shores, with Hudson opening a sales agency in Puerto Rico in 1911.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: T11240

Hudson's first-year successes were followed by increased production and additional dealer shipments for the calendar year 1910. The Model 20 remained unchanged. Racing became a greater priority, and successful accomplishments followed, including a fourth-place finish and fastest lap at the October 1909 10-lap Massapequa Cup preliminary.

Howard E. Coffin's engineering improvements led to an entirely new Hudson for 1911, the Model 33. It retained the company's unique radiator-shell design and triangular Hudson emblem, with new high-crowned fenders and an expanded line of body styles resting on a larger 114-inch wheelbase platform. The prior Buba Company-manufacturing engine was replaced with a new 226 cubic-inch unit sourced from the Continental Motor Manufacturing Company of Muskegon, Michigan. The 33-horsepower engine worked harmoniously with the company's cork-faced, oil-filled clutch assembly.

Approximately 7,900 examples of the 1911 Model 33 were produced, and 6,486 examples were shipped to dealers during the calendar year. Along with sales in the United States, Hudson also opened a sales agency in Puerto Rico in 1911.

This 1911 Hudson 33 speedster was originally used to promote Hudson sales in Puerto Rico. It was driven for several days at 60 miles per hour in Puerto Rico to prove its reliability.

The Hudson speedster is custom-built on a race car chassis. A 33 horsepower, four-cylinder Buda engine powers the speedster-Hudson began producing their own engines just a couple years after this 1911 Hudson was built. It features a cork-faced clutch that is enclosed in an oil bath.

While playing golf in Puerto Rico in 1987, a Pennsylvania doctor named Dr. Warren D. Kislter of Chambersburg, PA, found out his golf partner owned a few automobiles, including this 1911 Hudson speedster. Shortly after, the doctor bought this Hudson (from Mr. Latoni in July of 1976), a Pierce-Arrow, and a Lincoln from his golf friend and had them shipped to the United States. Restoration began in 1984 at Ken Shields Auto Body of St. Thomas, PA. Much of the sheet metal, floorboards, and gas tank were refabricated during the restoration.

The current owner became interested in the Hudson at the Hershey show and bought it from the doctor on April 19th, 1991. Concours appearances include the 1991 Meadow Brook Concours and the 2011 Louisville Concours.

Currently, this Speedster is finished in yellow paint with black accents, white sidewall tires, large-diameter spoked wheels, monocle windscreen, brass lighting, oval bolster-type fuel tank, rear-mounted spare, and bulb horn.

Cabriolet Runabout
Chassis number: MVIN309708IND

The Model 330 was introduced in October of 1910 and was the work of Howard E. Coffin's engineering genius. The car was now powered by a Continental-supplied engine featuring 'monobloc' architecture.

In 1911, a Hudson Model 33 chassis was shipped to England's Rawlinson Body Works at London's Grosvenor Square, where it was given a Cabriolet body. It featured sweeping bodyside moldings, a folding 'mother-in-law' seat at the rear, a substantial folding top crafted in leather, and pinstripes to accentuate the bodyside moldings. Brass accents and two-tone wheels completed the ensemble. This model 33 features a 12-volt electrical system which was an upgrade done in period. It also has a period-updated electric starter and coil-distributor ignition.

It is believed that this Model 33 Cabriolet was driven and enjoyed in England until November 1954, when it was sold by Vintage Autos of London to Dan J. Bihler of Moundsville, West Virginia, who would retain the Hudson until 1980, when he sold it to Milford Barker of Havana, Florida, under whom the car was restored.

This Cabriolet later passed through Wayne Hadden of Cairo, Georgia, before being added to the Hostetler Collection during 2004, where it has remained on display ever since.

This car is powered by a 226 cubic-inch four-cylinder Continental engine fitted with a single Stromberg carburetor. The 33 horsepower produced by the engine is sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed sliding gear transmission. There are two-wheel rear mechanical brakes and a wheelbase that measures 114 inches.

by Dan Vaughan

Torpedo Touring
Chassis number: 10879

The Hudson automobile was not named for any of the founders of the company but for the man who put up the money: Joseph L. Hudson, owner of Hudson Department Stores and a prosperous Detroit merchant. All four principals worked for Oldsmobile, including Roy Chapin, Howard Coffin, and Frederick Bezner. Initially, the company was allied with Chalmers-Detroit, but Hudson soon became independent while introducing its first car in 1909. Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator in 1954 to form American Motors - the Hudson name was gone by 1957.

This car is powered by what is believed to be a Buda engine built to Hudson specs - 226 cubic-inch producing 33 horsepower, thus the Model 33 name. The Torpedo-style body refers to both the narrowness of the body and its low profile.