Terraplane

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Would anyone have more information than what I have been able to obtain from 2 pages on the internet regarding the:

Hudson Terraplane
or
The Terraplane

Very interested in the 2 door coupe with parcel rack...rumble seat and 5 speed.

I was told that in 1932 they only came in black and in 1933 they came in white...not sure how true that is?

I can't remember whether ours had the spare tire mounted behind the drivers front fender or if it was behind the rumble seat.

Anything you post would be much appreciated.

Cheers...Doug

[Omag 2.0]

i've seen that one on a TV-show some time ago. Wicked thing. one just dettached the wings an tail and drove away.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all head something like that?

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Thanks OMAG:

But this did not fly...it was a car...and very well built if I remember correctly.

I found a site but can't find the model I am looking for.

Thanks for your reply

Cheers....Happy Motoring...Doug

[Omag 2.0]

Whoops! seems i messed up! Anyway ... still funny to see a guy drive a cockpit of a plane down the highway.

Sorry i didn't know it was a car you were talking about ...  ;)

[Hagar]

Is this the one Doug?

1933 was the only year for an Essex, or Terraplane, 8 cylinder motor. An inline 8 it had the same bore of 2-15/16" as the six, but had a stroke of 4-1/2" giving 243 CID. With shipping weights of around 2500 to 2700 pounds, this produced a light and lively little automobile and with a price range from $585 to $695 gave good value also. A total of 38,150 Essex-Terraplanes, both 6's and 8's,were shipped in 1933. (Carl Weber Collection).

I found plenty of articles on the Terraplane on Google.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=hudson+terraplane
It seems there were many different models. I thought this one was particularly interesting.
http://home.earthlink.net/~tray001/hudson/dillinger/dillinger.htm

According to outlaw historians the 1930's bad-boy John Dillinger and his gang preferred the 1933 Hudson Terraplane 8 as the fast getaway car because it blew the Ford V8 right off the road!

The History:

In march of 1933 while escaping from an apartment in St. Paul Minnesota, John Dillinger, along with his girlfriend Billie Frechette had a running machinegun battle with the local police in which Dillinger was wounded in the leg. Their escape car was reported to be a large green and blue-black sedan. On a return trip from Ohio a week later on April 6th, just outside of Noblesville, Indiana, John and his brother Hubert were driving home early in the morning when Hubert fell asleep, ran through a fence and crashed into a tree stump wrecking the Hudson. They both escaped but left the Terraplane behind. The previous owner's father in 1934 pulled this Terraplane out of that field. In the late 1960's and early 1970's the car underwent a complete frame-off restoration. During the restoration the owner discovered several bullet holes in the left cowl panel, probably from the St. Paul escape mentioned above. Recently a collector, Sandy Jones, and the John Dillinger Historical Society purchased this 1933 Hudson Terraplane.

Hudson assembly plants were also built in Belgium, England, and Canada.
http://www.hudsonclub.org/hethist/hethisthome.htm

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Thanks Doug THAT'S IT

That was my Grandfather's car and the first car I ever drove.  I drove it all over during the one summer I spent with my grandparents.  Didn't have a licence as we were out in the country and the closest peace officer was miles and miles away.
What an automobile, it was built like a Centurion Tank and would it go.  I was only 14 well almost 15 and touring all the back roads.
Sure would like to see or even purchase one.

You made my day....Thanks

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

I saw it ...I saw it to-day!!

Of all the times to be going in the opposite direction as he was....and....I couldn't turn around.

It was in the City of Belleville, Ontario , Canada at about 9:30am.

I could of sworn it was our car...it looked perfect.

I haven't seen a Hudson Terraplane in at least 15 years and all I got was a glimpse to-day.

Oh well...better luck next time

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug