Hudson Automobile - Extinct Autos
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The Hudson Motor Car Company was opened by Roy Chapin (previously an Olds employee) and a group of investors headed by J L Hudson . Hudson was the owner of Hudson’s Department Stores and authorized the use of his well known , name for the automobiles .
Hudson was the first automobile to use a balanced crankshaft , which allowed the engine to run much smoother and at higher RPM . They were also the first to use a dual braking system .
In 1929 Hudson was the third largest US automaker and sold about 300,000 automobiles , all models combined and manufactured in USA ,England and Belgium . In 1919 Hudson introduced Essex Motor Company division to produce models for the lower price market . In 1932 Hudson brought out the Essex Terra-Plane and in 1934 the Essex name was dropped in favour of just Terra-Plane . In 1938 the Terra-Plane was discontinued . In 1951 the Hudson Hornet was introduced . It had a 302 cid six cylinder engine the would out run most of the other cars on the road at that time .
Hudson Hornets won NASCAR Championships from 1951 to 1954 .
In 1954 Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator to form the American Motors Corporation .
Hudson vehicles were discontinued in 1957 .
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