1939 Hudson Series 95 Country Club 8

The Hudson Motor Car Company, often called simply Hudson Motors, was founded in 1909. Joseph L. Hudson, owner of the renowned Detroit department store, was the primary investor in the company, created by eight individuals, including Roy Chapin and Howard Coffin, former employees at Olds Motor Works. In the first year, Hudson Motors sold 4,000 of their original four-cylinder models. This represented the highest number of first-year-sales of any car company to that point, and quickly earned Hudson respect in the American auto market.

For consignment, a 1939 Hudson Series 95 Country Club 8, 4 door luxury sedan that started life in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Less than 10 examples of this particular model are known to exist as of today. The car has changed hands and even was in the ownership of a noted Collector named Eldon Hostefler. There are extensive records of the history and work performed in this car throughout its recent history. The car is stated to be “never restored”, well preserved and highly original in addition to its rarity. This information is all consignor-stated. The recent history can be traced due to titling.

Exterior
Looking much like the 1935-36 Ford with its teardrop headlights, small design details were changed, but it borrows heavily from this design which was wildly popular for the times. The teardrops are on either of the rounded fenders, and a wonderfully curvaceous horizontal ribbed grille curves around the front of the car. The bumper below has bumper guards for extra protection for the fancy grille. A pointed but rounded nosed hood with chromed trimmings tops this grille and is a front hinged version. Fenders and running boards are still prevalent in this era and this car is no exception. The rear fenders have skirts for the more “aero” look similar to the Zephyr of the time period. 4 doors with a common center B pillar hinge are minding their gaps nicely above the running boards. Glass is nicely preserved and a front split windscreen is on this model. The roofline of the car is long and sleek with it taking a dive downward to the bump out trunk neatly molded into the metal of the back of the car. At the top of the trunk is a solid oval rear glass. The pontoon-like rear fenders eventually melt onto the rear with elongated teardrop tail lights on either corner and a nice shiny bumper is framing the bottom. 16-inch wheels are wrapped in wide whitewall tires which weigh in at 6.50-16 in spec.

Interior
A swing of the doors shows off some stitched mauve colored mohair with panels that are straight with embossed art deco designs. Bakelite escutcheons are holding on to chromed actuators and cranks, and a small cream colored armrest on the back of the doors. A lower brown carpeted horizontal panel is showing on the bottoms and has experienced some tearing. In front is a nicely covered light mauve broadcloth covered bench with some light stitching for insert panels. The back bench has a nice armrest inserted on either side and a hold on chromed bar attached to the back of the front bench. Fronting the art deco styled dash is a banjo steering wheel rimmed in cream bakelite. The dash is faux painted wood and appears to be emulating birch or holly with a green tinting. Rounded over rectangular instrumentation is in this faux painted wood and also plenty of buttons and pull knobs, including a cigar lighter. A wonderful central dash radio is in and in front of the passenger is a large rectangular clock that oozes art deco as well. A dual heater is below, and the dash top is slightly lighter steel formed to the same shape as the dash. Black rubber matting covers the floors in front, and for the rear passengers, more upscale tan carpeting. The headliner is tan mohair and is nice and tight and stain free. Some damage to the fabric rope like material at the edges of the door seas is evident.

Drivetrain
Under the hood in a patinaed engine bay is a 254.4ci inline flathead 8 cylinder engine fitted with the Hudson Power Dome cylinder head. It has a 2-barrel carburetor on top and a 3 speed manual in back which is original to the car. A 4.11 rear axle is installed.

Undercarriage
Care and proper storage has protected this environment, but not without heavy surface rust on the floor pans frame and rockers. No invasive rust is noted even on the body hangers and undersides of the running boards. Leaf sprung suspension is all around, and drum brakes prevail on all 4 corners.

Drive-Ability
She fired right up and off to the test track which is the real test for a car. In this case though, it proved to be not a challenge as all was working just fine save for the clock. Nice smooth acceleration, good solid transmission, and decent handling for a large car.

A rare version with only 10 known to exist. It borrowed designs from several manufacturers, however, does present uniquely as its own and as of course a Hudson.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.