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2007 Australian International Motor Show Auction
Lot
13

1929 Hudson Super 6 'Model L' Dual-Cowl Phaeton

$100,000

melbourne

Sold

Specifications

Engine In-line six-cylinder, 288.5-cid
Gearbox 3-speed manual
Body Work Dual-Cowl Phaeton
Colour Two-tone Blue
Interior Beige
Trim Leather
Wheels Wire-spoked
Brakes Drums

Description

This lot is no longer available

Although commonly referred to as the Super Six, Hudson in fact dropped the name for the 1929 models and instead called their latest offering the "The Greater Hudson". For 1929, two different variations - the Model R, with a wheelbase of 122.5-inches and the Model L with a longer 139-inch wheelbase - were available. Both were powered by Hudson's famous six, a 288.5-cid F-head unit developing 92 bhp at 3200 rpm. The secret to the Super Six's success was the remarkable smoothness of the engine, with the crankshaft carefully balanced by a series of precision-engineered counterweights. The longer wheelbase Model L featured custom-made coachwork by Biddle & Smart in a range of styles, including the Club Sedan, Limousine and Phaeton. The costliest car in the catalogue was the Sport Phaeton, with dual-cowl seating arrangement, priced at $2,200. The 1929 Hudson featured a taller radiator, cowling and bonnet line along with numerous improvements, including hydraulic double-action shock absorbers and so-called self-energizing brakes. The Hudson Model L was well equipped, with items like electric fuel and oil gauges, windscreen wiper, rear-view mirror and even an electrolock to deter thieves, along with five wire-spoked wheels as standard. Hudson made a total of 71,179 cars in the 1929 calender year, making it the third most popular car on the market. As one of the fastest cars available in America, the Hudson also became popular with gangsters as a getaway car and many were stolen. With the depression just around the corner, Hudson switched to a straight eight in 1930 that proved to be less powerful - and ultimately less popular - than the famous Super Six it replaced. For many car enthusiasts, 1929 represents a high point in the classic era of grand motor cars and the Hudsons from this year are regarded as the best ever made. This, combined with the rarity of the Biddle & Smart Sport Phaeton coachwork (it is known that only a handful were ever made), make this example one of the finest and most significant Hudsons ever to come on the open market.