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1936 HUDSON STRATTON

SPORTS SALOON

Stats:

DESIGNER: Reid Railton

BUILDER: Coachcraft Ltd, London, England

BUILT: September 23, 1936, Car #643679, Body #759

ENGINE: Hudson 8 cyl. 122 hp 254 c.i.d.

BODY & PAINT: Black Watch Tartan Green (Custom Mix)

INTERIOR: Trimmed Tan Hide over Latex Cushion

TIRES & WHEELS: 129 Inches wheel base

Coachcraft used the design prowess of Reid Railton for these particularly advanced “pre-war Hybrid” cars ( Reid Railton was the designer of the “bluebird” land speed record cars of Sir Malcolm Campbell -- Campbell selected the Hudson eights to set seven speed records at Daytona Beach in 1935 using this engine configuration). The Railton Company manufactured “high end-Coach Built” cars from 1933 to 1939 (1429 total) and only a very few retained the prestigious Hudson designed “Waterfall” grill features. This car will soon be recognized by the Classic Car Club of America as a Full Classic™.

This Stratton 4-door Long Wheel Base Sports Saloon is a low slung, streamlined; and yet still spacious design distinguished by long sweeping fenders that in one piece extended through the running boards to the rear fenders. Hidden hinges on the long hood extend its visual effect to accentuate the body’s length; heightened by the deep radiator surround, Chrome shell headlamps, twin horns, driving lights and rain gutters outlining the sun roof and margins all add to the beauty of this Classic Car. This car features aluminum skin over an ash wood frame.

Design trademarks for the 1936 model year include the four suicide doors, the “flat hump” two-section trunk, twin spare 16 inch tires tucked into the streamline design of the fender/running boards and include covers of body design, color and bright-work accents. It is reported and documented that Coachcraft built only one of these Saloons for the production year of 1936. This fine “formal car” was purchased by the British Foreign Service and delivered to the Governor General of Hong Kong, Sir Andrew Caldecott. It was used as his private “State Car” until just before World War II arrived in Hong Kong. It was then sent by the British Government to Canada for safekeeping. This fine automobile is featured in Don Butler’s The History of Hudson.

Thank you to Brownie Petersen for letting us showcase this gorgeous vehicle!

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