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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
http://www.heths.info/-national-hudson-museum.html
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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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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
“Visit” the HET Club http://hetclub.org
“Like” our Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/HudsonEssexTerraplane
“Access” our Webpage http://heths.info/
“Travel” with Doc Hudson www.hudsonhornet.org
“Read” past Triangles http://heths.info/
“Enjoy” Classics
http://classiccarimages.com/gallery.php?gid=62
“Check” the Movies
http://imcdb.org/vehicles_make-Hudson.html
“Browse” AACA Library
http://www.aacalibrarycatalog.org/
$_______ LIFE Member $1,000 or more
$_______ CONTRIBUTING Member $100
$_______ ACTIVE Membership $40
$_______ GIFT in Honor or in Memory of
__________________________________
$_______ General Donation _________________________
$ ________ TOTAL funds enclosed.
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
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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Th
e F
inis
h L
ine
Cheryl Holz
13270 McKanna Road
Minooka, IL 60447
First Class
Please Forward
Address Correction Requested