Hudson Eight Special Sport Saloon bodied by Coachcraft in England 1938

HUDSON Eight Special Sport Saloon by Coachcraft 1938The only one remaining survivor from 1938. on a very limited 1935-1938 custom made production in England. The Hudson Motor Car Company was founded in Detroit. Michigan. in 1909 and continued making cars until 1957. The name came from Joseph L Hudson. a Detroit department store entrepreneur who provided the financial backing. but the engineering brains behind the firm were Roy Chapin. Howard Coffin and George Dunham. Hudson had a number of firsts for the auto 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' (1916). to work at a higher rotational speed while remaining smooth. developing more power for its size than lower-revving engines. The first Hudson straight-eights were launched in 1930. initially with 3. 5-litres. but from 1932 a 4. 2-litre unit was available. Tough and well-liked. it remained in production until 1952 and also powered such Anglo-Americans as the Railton and Brough Superior. Notably refined. it benefited from a fully-balanced crankshaft. oil cooler. high chrome alloy cylinder block. silicon aluminium alloy pistons and cam roller tappets. Developing 125bhp and allied to three-speed manual transmission. the free-revving powerplant provided ample performance. In 1937 a standard Hudson Eight set a new 1. 00 mile record averaging 88. 9mph including stops for petrol. and also broke the 24-hour record covering 2. 04 miles at an average speed of 87. 7mph. Despite its imposing all steel ‘Fortress of Safety’ bodywork. it could hit 60mph in just 15 seconds. Revamped for 1936. the Hudson Eight model range not only gained a new 'Fencer's Mask' radiator grille but also a redesigned chassis complete with 'Rhythmic Ride'. 'Tru-Line Steering' and 'Radial Safety Control'. Hailed by Sir Malcolm Campbell in the marque's British advertising campaign as "a really great engineering advancement". the latter feature consisted of two forged steel control arms that prevented the beam front axle from experiencing any lateral movement. Powerful four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes brought the whole thing to a reliable stop. while inside. the spacious cabin featured such luxuries as an adjustable driver's seat and steering column. and a sophisticated ‘Thru-Draft’ fresh air ventilation system. This particular car is a very rare Special Sports Saloon that features aluminium bodywork over an ash frame by Coachcraft of London. Formal yet sporting. it was designed by Reid Railton. designer of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s ‘Bluebird’ land speed record cars. and it is thought that only a handful were built. including one ordered by the British Foreign Office as a state car for the Governor General of Hong Kong. Sir Andrew Caldecott. Today. only three examples are thought to survive. one in New Zealand and another one in the UK. This car is listed in John Dyson’s book on Coachcraft which states that it was made in 1938 with body number 1076 on chassis number 8439412 and was registered GUA 691. This is the only 1938 car surviving. on a 1935-1938 production. The previous owner found the car languishing in a barn where it had been for at least 20 years. I was planning to restore it but I have now decided that I already have too many other projects on the go to do it the justice that it deserves. I believe it to be complete apart from the rear seat and the clock from the dashboard which is missing (but the spares section of the Hudson Club apparently have one for sale). The chassis and the aluminium bodywork appear to be in generally sound order throughout although there are a couple of what look alarmingly like shotgun blasts either side of the rear window – no doubt there’s a story to tell there! No attempt has been made to turn the engine but the car still rolls freely and the brakes still work. The dark red leather front seats will have a pleasing patina once restored. as will the lovely leather doorcards. Altogether a most rare and intriguing motorcar from the Golden Era that should amply reward the sympathetic restoration that it now requires. I am selling only because I realised I will never find the time to restore it as it deserves. The car is viewable on appointment in Monaco. I can assist with shipping. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need further information.