Restorer32 Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Was called out the other day to look at a true barn find 1931 Hudson Sedan. Last licensed in 1952 and apparently an untouched original, though needing complete restoration. Typical 4 door sedan except for the fact that it had an auxiliary transmission behind the first and a second shift stick, shorter and behind the original stick. Very well done , even appeared to factory. Was there such an option? Attached is a photo of the data plate. Can anyone explain the Oriental? Asian? lettering on the plate? Just your typical "Patent Protected" language? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrhd29nz Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 I cant help with the extra shifter, but likely its the "free wheel'' option, but I cant say for sure when Hudson put that out.As for the Plate, Hudson was a Major Exporter of cars and the Asian lettering is Patent language. It is interesting to me that In our Hudson collection 4 of our american left hand drivecars have the asian lettering, but we have two cars " built for export " right hand drive, and no asian lettering on the data plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 Hadn't thought about freewheeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Henderson Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Why would someone want a second transmission? I've heard of this done to homemade tractors for such jobs as pulling stumps, but a 4dr sedan? Or, perhaps the added trans was installed backwards to function as an overdrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted September 23, 2013 Author Share Posted September 23, 2013 Thinking the second shift lever is way too substantial to be associated with freewheeling though I know nothing about how Hudson freewheeling was engaged. This lever is immediately behind the regular shift lever and is shorter. Looks more like an overdrive but an overdrive in hilly PA prior to 1952? Seems unlikely. Unfortunately the car is stuffed in a spot where it was impossible to actually crawl under and investigate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrhd29nz Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 I looked it up, Free wheeling option was introduced by Hudson in May of 1931 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrhd29nz Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 I cant find much for a 31, But this is what a 32 looks like, Sounds as if your find is a modified version, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Back in the early 1950s, it wasn't too uncommon to bolt two transmissions back to back as a form of overdrive. Our Speedster was that way when we bought it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket-ny Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I owned a 1931 Essex town sedan about 25 years ago and it definitely had free wheeling and the shifter set-up was exactly as you explained this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket-ny Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Just ran across this picture of a 1931 Essex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now