1928 Essex Super Six

The Essex Motor Company was formed in October of 1917 as a marketing move by Hudson to produce a separate line of less expensive automobiles. Apparently, the name was chosen at random from a map of England. The first Essex automobile was completed by 1918 and equipped with a four-cylinder engine. The Essex vehicles were popular, particularly with the introduction of an affordable closed sedan body style in 1922, pioneering a shift away from open tourers for American buyers.

The Hudson Motor Car Company was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1910 and took its name from Joseph L. Hudson. Mr. Hudson provided the financial backing and the mechanical expertise were provided by a group of experienced ex-Olds Motor Works employee. Incorporated in February 1909, Hudson built its first car in July of that same year and 12 months later had sold 4,000 units.

Hudsons became famous for its record-breaking Super Six range and the Essex was renowned for its low-cost closed coachwork; its four-seater sedan was only slightly more expensive than the tourer in 1922 and marginally cheaper by 1925. Essex switched from four-cylinder power to six in 1924. Initially, the engine displaced 2.1 liters which was unusually small for a six-cylinder, U.S.-based engine. Partway through the year, the displacement was enlarged to 2.4 liters. In 1927, the model was renamed 'Super Six'.

As the 'Roaring Twenties' drew to a close, Essex enjoyed considerable success with an all-time high of 229,887 shipments for 1928, helping to propel Hudson to a strong fourth-place standing among America's automobile manufacturers. The Essex styling and design language closely resembled Hudson automobiles, albeit with a smaller footprint. Design cues included a slim vertical radiator, a new radiator mascot, a lower-profile windshield visor, cowl lights, wider fenders, and a bead line extending from the radiator to the windshield post. The interior carried Hudson's new black rubber steering wheel. Safety became more prevalent with the addition of new Bendix three-shoe mechanical brakes at all four corners.

By the time the Essex name was retired in 1932 and replaced by the Terraplane, over 1.13 million Essex automobiles were produced. When the Essex Motor Company was dissolved, their cars officially became a product of Hudson.

Essex's 1928 production was divided into two series. The 'first' series was introduced on January 1st of 1928 and the 'second' debuted on June 5th of that year. A new Five-Passenger, Two-Door Coach body style joined the list which included the two-Passenger Coupe at $745, the Five-Passenger Phaeton at $750, the Four-Passenger Coupe with rumble seat at $775, the Five-Passenger Sedan at $795, and the Four-Passenger Roadster with rumble seat at $850.

The 153 cubic-inch L-head inline six-cylinder engine had a single downdraft carburetor and produced 55 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. It had a three-speed manual transmission, a 110.5-inch wheelbase, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022