the hudson triangle

Fall 2015 http://heths.info/

HET Historical Society - Moving Forward

AACA Library NHMCC Museum Hudson Triangle “Doc Hudson” Media Library

THE HUDSON TRIANGLE

Exclusively for members of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Historical Society.

Awarded the OCW Golden Quill A 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization Volume 17 Issue 4

Hudson - 1910 and 1957

Photographed at the National Hudson Motor Car Co. Museum

Ypsilanti, MI

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http://heths.info/ Fall 2015


The Starting Line

Recently an email showed up in the Inbox

from a person looking for a 1953 Jet.

Their parents were celebrating their 60th

wedding anniversary and their father was

turning 80.

When their parents were married they were given a

1953 Jet. So they were looking for a Jet to have at

the birthday party.

We checked our garage and our schedule and

responded that we could help them out.

We showed up for the party with our ’54 JetLiner and

they were overwhelmed. Now there are a lot of that

family with a lot of photos of a ‘54 JetLiner and a lot

of memories.

It is always nice to be able to show off a Hudson.

- Editor

Dedicated to Preserving the

History of Hudson Motor Car Company

© 2015

Thank you! Your donations

provide communications, events,

and services that help to promote

the Hudson brand.

Departments

The Starting Line 2

From Where The Coyotes Call 3

Quiz - Car Auctions 4

___________

History

Terraplane Performance 6

Hudson at War Part 2 7

1920 Essex Mail Run 9

Innovative Design 10

Historical Society Projects

NMCC Showroom Front Page

Two Hudson Museums 4

Historical Society, Inc.

Getting to Know You 5

Board of Directors 15

Membership

Society Boost 4

Tax Year 4

Digital Hudson Triangle 6

Membership Application 14

Click, On Line 14

How to Reach Us 15

___________

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From Where The Coyotes Call With Calvin

This morning I was startled

awake by the sound of hail

hitting my rooftop. Quickly I

realized IT'S FALL YA'LL! And

those hail stones are acorns.

This is the time of the year when

things are slowing down on the farm. Harvest

has finished. Fall Festivals and parades are

in full swing around here. I was able to

participate in one of our local festival parades

with all of my grandchildren riding on a

1922 Hudson Fire Truck. We had a great

time! We even got our

picture in the local

paper! Twice.

Now is when I usually

start reflecting back to

the reasons that I am

thankful for this past

year. There are too

many to list here. But,

at the top of the list is

my family and then the

thankfulness for all of

my friends in the HET club and HETHS. I am

also very thankful that I live in a rural area with

church fellowship, close friends, and for

neighbors that I can visit with at the festivals.

Most of our club and society members have

had a rich family history with Hudson

automobiles for many generations. They are

loyal to our club because of their family history

with HET and longtime close friendships they

have made within the organization.

With our family we are the first generation with

HET. Our family interest started within the last

ten years. We love the cars! The reason I

wanted to become a part of this organization is

because we love the fellowship we have with

members. At every Hudson function I make

new friends and lifelong relationships.

As we age we realize we must introduce these

great cars and great people to our future

generations. We want to keep our children and

our grandchildren interested in also preserving

these great automobiles and their history.

Maintaining our museum and Doc Hudson

is crucial to preserving our important HET

history for all the upcoming Hudnuts to see

and enjoy. Being able to learn from our past

and to see living history will help our future

generations.

We need to be

thankful that we have

a great museum, a

great HETHS board of

directors, officers, and

staff that are working

hard to keep our

heritage alive and

going strong. Doc

Hudson is another

reason to be thankful.

He is out there

attracting attention to

our club and teaching others about our great

cars and organization. I am very thankful for

our organization and for all of our HETHS

members!

We hope everyone has younger family

members or friends that they can share and

enjoy this rich history with and an opportunity

to be as thankful as we are!

Happy Fall Ya'll

Calvin

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Give the Society a Boost!

Did you know that you can donate to HETHS

every time that you shop on Amazon. We

have signed up the society for their charity

program. When you are ready to shop, just go

to http://smile.amazon.com/ . Search for and

select the “Hudson-Essex-Terraplane

Historical Society”. A painless way to help

us out and the same Amazon prices.

What do you know about Car

Auctions?

1. How did the idea of an auto auction come

about?

2. Who was the first person to hold an auto

auction?

3. And in what year was the first “auto

auction” held?

Answers later

Two Hudson Museums

Thanks to a lot of people, the Hudson marque

now has two fine museums in different

locations to show off the fine Hudson products.

A few people have asked about the

redundancy of the NHMCC Museum based in

the old Miller Motors dealership in Ypsilanti, MI

and the Hostetler HET Museum in

Shipshewana, IN.

Anyone that has visited both can see that the

two museums are nothing alike. The Hostetler

museum features a large comprehensive

collection of Hudson made vehicles displayed

in a warehouse-type setting.

The NHMCC Museum concentrates on a few

well chosen, periodically changing, cars

displayed in a historical setting. The new

museum concentrates on educating visitors

about the company and the products.

The Tax Year is Drawing to a Close

If you are reviewing your tax planning for the

year, remember that all donations to the

HETHS are tax-deductible since it is a

501(c)(3) Charitable Organization.

A monetary donation can be sent to HETHS

treasurer Kaylene Souers.

If you have a car taking up room in the garage

or you have boat that you no longer float or

you have memorabilia gathering dust or you

have property that just creates taxes, it would

help the Society. We can help you with the

valuation and with moving it. Just talk to Calvin

about it.

Be sure to visit them both when in the area

and enjoy the efforts of the many. For more

information about the NHMCC Museum,

contact Ed Souers [email protected] .

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Getting to know you…..

The only thing constant is change. In keeping

with that thought the HETHS has changed

immensely in the recent past. Part of that

change is comprised of new leaders.

We have a new president and through his

column and Hudson meets you will get to

know him. In addition

we have a new

secretary and a new

treasurer.

Kaylene Souers is our

new treasurer.

Kaylene is quick with a

smile and a delight to

visit with.

Kaylene is married to well

known HETHS

contributor Ed Souers.

The two met at

Huntington College in

1976. Ed was easy to

spot as he was the only

student that drove a 1951

Hudson to class.

Since that time Kaylene states she has

learned a lot about Hudson automobiles and

likes to help with restoration and with

educating folks about the Hudson Motor Car

Company.

The old adage that to get something done,

give the job to a busy person is sure true

in this case. In addition to managing the

Souers household and interacting with their

three grown sons and their five grandchildren,

Kaylene is a private piano instructor and

accompanist.

Along with music and family, Kaylene is

actively involved in the Lions Club, her local

church and she is the volunteer bookkeeper

for the Harlan Christian Youth Center.

Kaylene became involved in the HETHS and

HET Club when she and Ed got married.

Kaylene says, “I always look forward to the

annual Hudson Family reunion.”

A Blessing

A group of seniors were sitting around

talking about all their ailments at their local

Cafe.

"My arms have got so weak I can hardly lift

this cup of coffee," said one.

"Yes, I know," said another. "My cataracts

are so bad; can't even see my coffee."

"I couldn't even mark an "X" at election time

because my hands are so crippled,"

volunteered a third.

"What? Speak up! What? I can't hear you,

said one elderly lady!

"I can't turn my head because of the arthritis

in my neck," said one, to which several

nodded weakly in agreement.

"My blood pressure pills make me so dizzy!"

exclaimed another.

"I forget where I am and where I'm going,"

said another."I guess that's the price we pay

for getting old," winced an old man as he

slowly shook his head.

The others nodded in agreement.

"Well, we all should count our Blessings,"

said a woman cheerfully...

"Thank Goodness we can all still drive."

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TERRAPLANE PERFORMANCE by Jack Miller

1934 Terraplane “ Ruggedness Runs”

The Ruggedness Run was done in 16 different areas of the United States for 24 hours a day

for two weeks which more than equaled a years driving with the priority to draw attention to the

Terraplane’s “stamina, performance, mileage” that was way more than adequate for normal

driving.

Did You Know?

Did you know that The Hudson Triangle is also

available in digital form? All HETHS members

receive the printed magazine. In addition a

member may request a digital (email - pdf) copy.

There are many benefits to the digital copy.

Quick delivery

No postal damage or loss

Full color at no cost to the Society

Able to receive it while traveling

Able to print multiple copies

Able to print larger format for sight-impaired

Able to use direct links to the internet

Free pdf readers are numerous and

available

Members receiving their Triangle by

email get it sooner, and in a form that’s

easy to keep in a file folder on their

computer. It doesn’t take up shelf space

or gather dust!

If you would like to receive the digital

copy at no extra cost, just contact Bob:

[email protected] with your current

email address.

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mailto:[email protected]?subject=Request%20for%20Digital%20Triangle



The following is an article by John Dyson from the

Railton Owners Club Bulletin

(Our thanks to them for being allowed to reproduce this.)

A HUDSON IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR - Part 2 .The American Connection

The Motor, September 12th, 1911 reported: "Hudson was the choice of Capt.

(sic, a courtesy title, for he had resigned his commission) Rawlinson, who went

to the New York Show in January last on behalf of a group of English finan-

ciers who desired to enter into business arrangements with a good American

company". Thus the Rawlinson-Hudson Motor Car Distribution Com-

pany was set up at 479, Oxford Street — adjacent to the premises occupied

by Darracq. A catalogue was issued listing stock Hudson models, as well as

offering English coachwork to choice.

Rawlinson entered a Hudson for the 1914 T.T. (Tourist Trophy) race, held

on June 10th and 11th in the T. 0. M., a modified Model 33 (3,707 ccs.), fitted

with a skimpy two seater body. The Autocar commented "The Hudson is, of

course, not in the least likely to win, and no one realises this more than the fine old sportsman who is driving it and driv-

ing it well", despite which various problems arose, forcing the car's withdrawal on the start line.

The Western Front

The declaration of war on August 4th, 1914 found Rawlinson hurrying from Staffordshire to London to offer his ser-

vices to the War Office. Despite his previous military experience, they were not interested; at 47 he was considered

'too old'. However, he was accepted in the R.A.C. Volunteer Owner Driver Corps, on the recommendation of his

friend Julian Orde, the Club Secretary. The V.O.D. Corps comprised various well-to-do car owners, anxious to 'do

their bit', who offered themselves and their vehicles to perform such duties the army might deem necessary, as there

was, of course, a dire shortage of mechanical transport. For example, Bendor, Duke of Westminster, volunteered, to-

gether with his man, Powell and Rolls-Royce 'Ghost'.

Issued with an official armband, Rawlinson was instructed to proceed with all haste to Southampton for embarkation

with other Corps members. The T.T. Hudson was good for 80 mph on any suitable stretch of road, so he was happy

to take advantage of the official dispensation to ignore speed limitations. In company with two dozen other drivers,

the convoy set off from Le Havre for the Front. This quickly dissolved into a rather hairy dice, with Toby leading, in

their anxiety to reach Amiens and G. H. Q., 'before it was all over'. And so began a very gruelling ten months on the

Western Front, of which there is space only to mention a few of the incidents that befell the Hudson and its intrepid

driver. That they both performed many Herculean tasks — Rawlinson was Mentioned in Dispatches on four occa-

sions — speaks volumes for the stamina and toughness of the pair coping with appalling privation, primitive condi-

tions and atrocious roads.

Toby was kept extremely busy during the late summer and early autumn, trying to keep units in touch with one an-

other in all the chaos. A serious incident occurred involving the Hudson, when on a narrow road Rawlinson was

confronted by a battery of horse drawn artillery, at the gallop. There is obviously no way of stopping such a mass of

The Hudson 33 competition car that suffered terminal mechanical problems

at the TT. (Photo Foster/ Rawlinson

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metal, men and horses, so Toby swung abruptly onto the railway line running alongside, damaging the Hudson's

up-draught carburettor and copper inlet manifold beyond immediate repair. With the German advance expected,

he was in despair, but luckily found a lorry driven by a sergeant, who, it turned out, had once worked in the Dar-

racq depot. A tow was affected, not without difficulty, to a workshop, and shortly the Hudson was speeding back

to H.Q.

On another mission, he was approaching a crossing of the River Marne at speed (70 m.p.h. he claimed) in the early

light of dawn, having been led to believe the bridge was intact. To his horror he saw that the first arch had been

blown. To stop was impossible, so he steered off the steep embankment, coming to rest, safe and sound, within a few

feet of the riverbank.

In general, his work entailed conveying dispatches and staff officers around the front, reconnoitring and report-

ing on troop movements. Here, his detailed knowledge of the geography of Northern France, gained during his

years with Darracq, stood him in good stead. Some return journeys involved distances of several hundred miles,

yet the Hudson performed with remarkable reliability.

However in early October, a particularly nasty accident befell the car in a village near Ostend. In Toby's words "Just

outside the entrance to the village street the pave was very rough indeed, with several deep gutters crossing the road

at right angles. As my car struck one of these gutters one of the front detachable wheels suddenly came off! The

wheel bounded high in the air coming to rest eventually 150 yards away in the field. The car was left on three

wheels, travelling at high speed (50 m.p.h. according to Bendor Westminster, who was following) between the

The T.T. Hudson equipped for war. (Photo: Rawlinson)

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crowded houses in the narrow street". Somehow Toby retained control, safely coming to a halt, and though the axle

was badly bent, the wheel was forced back on for the car to continue to Ostend for repair.

With the Hudson once more roadworthy, and the new machine gun mounted on the scuttle, car and driver report-

ed to headquarters in Bruges. Leaving it in the care of a Belgian sentry, Toby went indoors but was startled to hear

the gun on rapid fire. It transpired that a couple of youths had seen fit to show off their supposed knowledge of fire

arms and set the thing off. Luckily it was set at an angle of high elevation, so most of the rounds went over the roof

of a near by house, so no real harm was done. However it was careless of Toby to leave the weapon loaded. He was

somewhat amused to note that "the windows of the house had been occupied by females of somewhat ample pro-

portions, two of whom had promptly fainted. They lay half in and half out the window, and considerable efforts

of strength were needed to remove their ponderous persons to a safer position".

Concern was growing that Antwerp was likely to be overrun by the invading Germans, where Winston Churchill, as

First Lord of the Admiralty, had impetuously joined the Royal Naval Divisions (naval personnel fighting as troops, for

which they had no proper training) and Toby's brother, General Rawlinson, the British 4th Corps Commander, were

situated.

On 7th October, it was decided that Toby should reconnoitre a safe route for the evacuation of these two "important

persons". So taking with him as passenger and machine gun operator, Lord Edward Grosvenor (Duke Bendor's uncle),

the pair set off in the Hudson at 11 p.m. under a bright moon. There had been some slight problem as `Ned'

Grosvenor "was like all Grosvenors, absolutely fearless, a splendid fellow in every way, and a most agreeable and amus-

ing companion. The only drawback to his society was his bulk, and the difficulty was to stow his ample person into the

car's diminutive bucket seat."

The route chosen lay through Ghent, and some ten miles beyond the town was an open heath. In Toby's words "On

reaching this heath, where many shrubs and thickets were scattered about, I suddenly pulled off the road on to the

grass and stopped. This was done as I saw very suspicious looking shadows moving amongst the bushes, having the

appearance of mounted men." Luckily it proved a false alarm, and the lights of several cars appeared approaching from

the direction of Antwerp. "The cars also saw us and halted about 100 yards away. I therefore whistled loudly a certain

family call which my brother and I had been in the habit of using as children. To my intense satisfaction, I had no

sooner whistled than I heard his voice shouting out; 'it's all right; it's Toby"'.

To be continued

1920 Essex “Mail Run”

San Francisco to New York City

4 days, 14 hours, 43 minutes

Return Trip - New York City to

San Francisco

4 days, 21 hours, 17 minutes

from Jack Miller

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Remember to renew your annual donation to HETHS and help the

advancement of our goals

Thanks to Robert Tate and Austen Smith of www.MotorCities.org for this fine article

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CLICK…online

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Address:

Phone:

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Please make payment by check, or money order payable to HET Historical Society, Inc., in US Dollars, and mail to:

Cheryl Holz, 13270 McKanna Road

Minooka, IL 60447

Thanks for your Support!

History Answers

1. The idea came about after attending a

cattle auction, and it was wondered if cars

could be sold the same way.

2. That gentleman was J. D. Rawls. He re-

turned home from the cattle auction and built

an auction booth at his car dealership,

Rawls Auto Sales.

3. He held his first auction in 1938.

This was followed by Manheim and Akron

Auto Auctions in 1945. Ten years later, C.B.

Drake, owner of the Drake Auto Auction in

Decatur, Illinois, invited a group of twenty-

five auto auction owners from six Midwest-

ern states to form the first auto auction asso-

ciation, called the "National Auto Auction

Protection Association" (NAAPA). NAAPA

set up guidelines to prevent frauds in the au-

to auction market. In 1954, the word

"Protection" was dropped from the Associa-

tion's title to reflect a wider range of goals in

the industry, becoming the existing National

Auto Auction Association we know today.

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How to Reach Us HET Historical Society

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e F

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