Essex Super Six Saloon

The Hudson Motor Company began making cars in Michigan in 1909 and stayed in business until 1957. 

The company had a number of firsts for the car industry including dual brakes, the use of dashboard oil-pressure and generator warning lights, and the first balanced crankshaft which allowed the Hudson straight-six engine, dubbed the ‘Super Six’, to work at higher revs while remaining smooth, developing more power for its size than rival lower-speed engines.

From 1919 to 1933 Hudson also produced the Essex brand of cars, slightly cheaper versions of the Hudson, which were to prove hugely successful, selling over 100,000 a year by 1925, including many made at a factory in Brentford, London.

This particular Super Six is undoubtedly one of those London-built cars and, according to a note in the history file, it was bought new by a Mr Hickman of Wordsley, Staffordshire, in March 1925. From 1930 until 1970 it was apparently stored in a barn in Stourbridge and the previous owner fondly recalls sitting in it when he was 10 years old.

He finally managed to buy the car in 1970 and promptly set about a full restoration before using the car as a wedding vehicle for the next 30 years or more. He notes that the front passenger seat folds forwards which made getting into the back seat easy for brides in long dresses, while the big windows gave a good view of the bride and groom.

The current lady owner acquired the car from the wedding business about 10 years ago and has continued to use it for pleasure purposes, getting it MOTd every year. She reports that it has always proved very reliable and runs and drives well. Taxed until June and MOTd until July, this lovely old motorcar is ready for immediate use and is due to be driven some 40 miles to the sale.