Vehicle Description
1939 Hudson Series 95 Country Club 8
The Hudson Motor Car Company, often called simply Hudson Motors,
was founded in 1909. Joseph L. Hudson, owner of the renowned
Detroit department store, was the primary investor in the company,
created by eight individuals, including Roy Chapin and Howard
Coffin, former employees at Olds Motor Works. In the first year,
Hudson Motors sold 4,000 of their original four-cylinder models.
This represented the highest number of first-year-sales of any car
company to that point, and quickly earned Hudson respect in the
American auto market.
For consignment, a 1939 Hudson Series 95 Country Club 8, 4 door
luxury sedan that started life in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Less than 10
examples of this particular model are known to exist as of today.
The car has changed hands and even was in the ownership of a noted
Collector named Eldon Hostefler. There are extensive records of the
history and work performed in this car throughout its recent
history. The car is stated to be "never restored", well preserved
and highly original in addition to its rarity. This information is
all consignor-stated. The recent history can be traced due to
titling.
Exterior
Looking much like the 1935-36 Ford with its teardrop headlights,
small design details were changed, but it borrows heavily from this
design which was wildly popular for the times. The teardrops are on
either of the rounded fenders, and a wonderfully curvaceous
horizontal ribbed grille curves around the front of the car. The
bumper below has bumper guards for extra protection for the fancy
grille. A pointed but rounded nosed hood with chromed trimmings
tops this grille and is a front hinged version. Fenders and running
boards are still prevalent in this era and this car is no
exception. The rear fenders have skirts for the more "aero" look
similar to the Zephyr of the time period. 4 doors with a common
center B pillar hinge are minding their gaps nicely above the
running boards. Glass is nicely preserved and a front split
windscreen is on this model. The roofline of the car is long and
sleek with it taking a dive downward to the bump out trunk neatly
molded into the metal of the back of the car. At the top of the
trunk is a solid oval rear glass. The pontoon-like rear fenders
eventually melt onto the rear with elongated teardrop tail lights
on either corner and a nice shiny bumper is framing the bottom.
16-inch wheels are wrapped in wide whitewall tires which weigh in
at 6.50-16 in spec.
Interior
A swing of the doors shows off some stitched mauve colored mohair
with panels that are straight with embossed art deco designs.
Bakelite escutcheons are holding on to chromed actuators and
cranks, and a small cream colored armrest on the back of the doors.
A lower brown carpeted horizontal panel is showing on the bottoms
and has experienced some tearing. In front is a nicely covered
light mauve broadcloth covered bench with some light stitching for
insert panels. The back bench has a nice armrest inserted on either
side and a hold on chromed bar attached to the back of the front
bench. Fronting the art deco styled dash is a banjo steering wheel
rimmed in cream bakelite. The dash is faux painted wood and appears
to be emulating birch or holly with a green tinting. Rounded over
rectangular instrumentation is in this faux painted wood and also
plenty of buttons and pull knobs, including a cigar lighter. A
wonderful central dash radio is in and in front of the passenger is
a large rectangular clock that oozes art deco as well. A dual
heater is below, and the dash top is slightly lighter steel formed
to the same shape as the dash. Black rubber matting covers the
floors in front, and for the rear passengers, more upscale tan
carpeting. The headliner is tan mohair and is nice and tight and
stain free. Some damage to the fabric rope like material at the
edges of the door seas is evident.
Drivetrain
Under the hood in a patinaed engine bay is a 254.4ci inline
flathead 8 cylinder engine fitted with the Hudson Power Dome
cylinder head. It has a 2-barrel carburetor on top and a 3 speed
manual in back which is original to the car. A 4.11 rear axle is
installed.
Undercarriage
Care and proper storage has protected this environment, but not
without heavy surface rust on the floor pans frame and rockers. No
invasive rust is noted even on the body hangers and undersides of
the running boards. Leaf sprung suspension is all around, and drum
brakes prevail on all 4 corners.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up and off to the test track which is the real test
for a car. In this case though, it proved to be not a challenge as
all was working just fine save for the clock. Nice smooth
acceleration, good solid transmission, and decent handling for a
large car.
A rare version with only 10 known to exist. It borrowed designs
from several manufacturers, however, does present uniquely as its
own and as of course a Hudson.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
