1929 HUDSON MODEL L

The Hudson Motor Car Company, founded in 1909 and  producing cars until the mid 50's, were the American kings of art deco kitsch in the auto industry and they did so at a reasonable price, roughly comparable in range to a modern mid-range priced minivan. Fords and Chevs were a little cheaper but for class bang for buck in the flapper era you couldn’t beat the Hudson. Sure she was big and clumsy and no sports car but the ‘L’ series sedans (and there was also a limousine available at a reasonable extra cost) were the people mover of their day (I‘ve included pictures of both). A night on the town with your buddies clubbing was a breeze with the big elegant Hudson. This was ‘the’ affordable big car of the times.

Unfortunately the company that designed these great bodies (Biddle & Smart) couldn’t survive the depression and by 1931 the Hudson had a different look. But for a short while a bar was set that was too high for the other manufacturers to attain. And Hudson gloated over it in their ads and sold these big beauties by the thousands. And quite a few still exist today. In fact, it’s rumoured (unconfirmed by me) that Buenos Aires Argentina still has a fleet of these vehicles being used as luxury taxis. Not surprising really as their design is truly timeless.

This 139 inch wheelbase car (the limousine wasn't bigger. They just stretched the body right to the back by removing the luggage rack area) was powered by a 288 cubic inch inline 6 engine producing 92 horsepower mated to a 3 speed manual Selective Sliding transmission. This allowed this 4200 pound car to be capable of speeds slightly over 80 mph, a very good result for the times for a mass produced large sedan. Only try hitting that speed in a straight line however if you don't want to find out how the body stands up to a rollover!