1924 Hudson Imperial 7 seater (with division) Sedan

Description

The Hudson Motor Car Company was formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1909 by two former employees of the Olds Motor Works, namely Roy D Chapin and Howard E Coffin, with the new venture financed by Joseph L Hudson. The first Model Twenty was introduced as a 1910 model, offering sophisticated engineering at an affordable price, the specification including sliding gear transmission, a feature normally reserved for considerably more expensive automobiles. A move to a new factory in June 1912 heralded another major advance for Hudson, namely the switch to six-cylinder production and by 1914 all Hudsons were powered by sixes. The legendary Super Six, boasting an all-new L-head unit, first appeared in 1916 and proved the mainstay of Hudson's production for the next decade. The powerful new 289-cid motor boasted a four-bearing crankshaft balanced with eight counterweights and a relatively high compression ratio of 5.0:1, resulting in the outstanding output of 76 horsepower, streets ahead of the competition. Ralph Mulford set records at Daytona Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Pikes Peak in 1916 that stood for years, proving just how advanced Hudson's motor really was. The Hudson was a success by any measure, with sales doubling that year and rising steadily thereafter. Mechanical improvements continued in the late Teens and early Twenties, as did changes to the styling and specification of the Super Six. Mid-way through 1924 the company unveiled a number of revisions, including a longer wheelbase (from 125.5-inches to 127.5-inches), smaller 33-inch wheels with the latest ?balloon? type tyres with modified steering and suspension to suit, a new Detroit Lubrication carburettor and separate intake manifold. The transmission remained a three-speed sliding gear unit and the chassis featured a semi-floating rear axle, with mechanical brakes operating on the rear wheels. The choice of body styles included sedans, phaetons, coach and speedsters, of which the four-door five and seven-passenger sedans were by Biddle & Smart, the remainder by Fisher. Optional equipment included disc or wire wheels (as an alternative to the wooden-spoke items with detachable rims), radiator shutters, front and rear bumper bars and a spotlight. In total some 59,247 Hudsons were delivered to the company's dealers in the 1924 calendar year.