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The following story appeared in the Sept/Oct 1994 issue of White Triangle News. Harry F. Krauss was an employee of the Hudson Motor engineering department and a long time contributor to WTN.
The Inside Story
by Harry F. Krauss
Hudson had factories outside of the U.S. at London, England and Tilbury, Ontario plus assembling distributors in South Africa, Australia, Denmark and several other locations. In connection with the plant at Tilbury, Ontario, I'll retell a story told to me by A. E. McGhee, an electrical engineer at Hudson Engineering and an employee of long seniority. I have corresponded with Mr. McGhee this summer and will be meeting him later on. When the Tilbury plant first started Hudson production, everything went wrong. They were in a general farming area and most of their employees were from a farming background.
Now, the average successful farmer is a pretty good mechanic. He has to be. And he stays on the farm, repairs his farm machinery and does his farming thing. The fellow who just "can't cut the mustard" is the one who dashes off to some factory and tries for the weekly pay check. |
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| Hudson gets Starring Role in New Movie |
A 1950 Teal colored Hudson Sedan will soon be coming to the big screen. A new movie called Fido directed by Andrew Currie was filmed in Kelowna BC Canada this summer. The movie stars Carrie-Anne Moss and Billy Connolly. Its a Sci-Fi movie set in the 50's that is described as a B movie homage to Zombie movies and all those crazy days of drive-in movies and big cars. The movie follows the trials of Timmy and his pet Zombie. Mom and Dad want him to get rid of it, Timmy has other plans.
Rod Yule who lives in the Okanagan area of BC was asked to find some cars for the production. After rounding up some likely candidates he showed them to the director and the 50 Hudson was chosen as a must have car for the movie.
Stayed tuned for announcements when we find out the exact 2006 release date for the movie. |
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The morning started out dark and cloudy the rain was coming down fast and heavy as we wound our way down to the Hudson meet. I got there around 9:00am to help Norm setup. At 11:00 we were still the only ones there and the rain was still pouring. I thought to myself maybe no one is coming. And then the sound of a car coming down the driveway and Bob Callfas's beautiful 37 Terraplane appeared and right behind him Dean Callfas in a 53 Hornet. A few minutes later Cary Treasure appeared in his 53 Hornet and we now had some Hudsons on the property. Later Ken Smith arrived in his mint 52 Hornet and we headed down the road to the harvest fair. It was still raining but you can't stop Hudson owners. The fair was pretty bleak due to the weather but we trooped around anyway. When we got back to Norms place more Hudson folk began arriving soon we had 24 people enjoying a pot luck supper and of course the Hudson talk never stopped. Then came Ken and Pat Callies in their 47 Commodore six and we had a Hudson parking lot.
A great time was had by all and promises of another meet next year. We will keep at this until we hit one with a sunny day.
Checkout the gallery I have posted an album of pictures from the meet. |
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Posted by 51hornet Sunday, September 11, 2005 (03:02:45) |
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| Hudson Meet September 10th Update |
Folks,
its getting close to the Hudson meet. If you are coming can you please give Norm a call at 780-387-4555 to confirm you will be there. It will help Norm and Ann get an idea of how much they need to have on hand for supplies. Remember those who need to stay over will be treated to a nice breakfast courtesy of Ann and Norm. Don't forget to bring a dish for the potluck supper.
Hope to see you all there on the 10th so lets get those Hudsons on the road and support this meet so we can make it a success this year and in the years to come. |
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Posted by 51hornet Tuesday, August 30, 2005 (04:51:46) |
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I have a 1940 Hudson Brougham which I purchased in Uxbridge, Ontario in 1985 and took with me to California in 1987. The car was not Tilbury-built...production had ceased because of the war. However, the plant was bigger before the war than after, and produced thousands of Hudsons, Essexes and Terraplanes. Part of the plant still exists and it is currently being used for storage. I will try to post a photo soon.
Most of the manufacturers had satellite plants in Canada, and a good part of the reason was favorable trading partnerships in the British Commonwealth. Many Tilbury-built cars were shipped overseas...to New Zealand (where the Essex was the biggest selling car-the model T Ford of that country) Australia, South Africa, etc. Cars were shipped to the UK, although more complete chassis and running gear where shipped there to be coach-built and sold as Railtons and Brough Superiors.
Folks knowing a lot about Canadian Hudson manufacturing include HET Club member Hedley Bennett of London, Ontario and Jack Miller of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Anyone looking at this site should also be sure and click on the logo on the home page which takes you to the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club Site. If you own a Hudson product, you should join...great club, great place to get cars, parts, and advice. Several members sell a variety of repro parts like gaskets, rubber products, etc.
And we have a great magazine! |
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| Alberta Hudson Meet September 10 |
We are happy to announce a Alberta Hudson Meet to be held September 10 in Millet Alberta. Hosted by Norm and Ann Grabatin it will be a chance to come out and enjoy a day of Hudson viewing. Come meet and talk to fellow Hudson owners. Everyone is welcome and we have a fun and interesting day planned so come on out and support Hudsons in Canada. Please invite your friends so they can see what Hudsons are all about.
Location
Event will be held in Millet Alberta which is located about 25 minutes south of Edmonton. just take highway 2 down past Leduc and onto Millet. The meet will be located on Norm's acreage. I will post exact directions in a few days.
**Update: Here are the directions. When coming into Millet from Edmonton, you will approach Millet and on your right you will see the IGA. Across the road from this on your left is a crossing over the tracks. Take this and go down this road and 8 houses down is Norms place. We will have signs posted but its pretty easy to get to. When you see the Hudsons you are there.
Those who are coming can you phone Norm at the number below to RRSVP so we know how many to expect.
Details and Agenda
Arrival: Anytime after 9:00am is fine Please try and be there before noon. Register when you get there so we know who you are.
Meet and Greet: Park your cars. Display those beauties and tell everyone about them.
Lunch: Please bring your own lunch.
Hudson Caravan of cars travel down to Leduc harvest fair run by Leduc West Antique Society where we will display our cars as part of the old time fair. There will be old tractors and harvest displays and of course our Hudsons.
Supper: Back to Norms place for pot luck supper. If everyone could bring a dish it would make for a nice evening. Bring deck chairs and anything else you need to be comfortable. Bring pictures of your cars and be ready to have a nice evening of talk around the campfire.
Staying over: Norm is hosting campers. So if you need to stay over, bring your camping gear. Norm and Ann will provide a nice breakfast for those who stay over.
Parts Swap
The best thing about a get together is trying to find those parts you need so if you have some you want to swap or sell please bring them along and we will setup a table for you to display what you have. I am sure you will get a lot of interested Hudson owners taking a look. For more info contact us below.
Contacts
Norm Grabatin 780.387.4555 email: grabatin at hotmail dot com
Dave Ferguson 780.929.9307 email: fdmd1 at shaw dot ca
Sean Wetherall email: 51hornet at hudsonmotorcar dot org
**You know how to put above email addresses together. We are avoiding spam bots.
We will be updating info here at HudsonMotorcar.org so keep on coming by to see whats new.
Thanks
Sean aka 51hornet |
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What I have been able to dig up so far is this. Before WWII Hudsons were built in Canada under contract to the Hudson Motorcar Company USA. The assembly was done by Canada Top & Body which after the war became Chatco Steel Products. This production facility went under the name Hudson Motorcar Company Canada and was located in Tilbury Ontario. I have letters and envelopes from the factory.
After the AMC merger in late 54 production in Canada was stopped around 1955 and without the Hudson contract the Chatco Steel company went out of business in 58.
More as I get it.....
51hornet |
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Posted by 51hudson Thursday, April 21, 2005 (08:54:47) |
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| Hudson Dealership In Edmonton Alberta |
During the hey day of the Hudson the factory beginning in July 1949 started sending out Hudson Merchandisers which contained updates about the cars and sales and maintenance tips. It was amazing what they actually put in those 6-8 page pamphlets. Even tips on how to arrange the cars in your garage for the best appearance to the customer.
During my readings I found mention of a Canadian Hudson dealer in Edmonton Alberta. Healey Motors Limited. Mr. Andre Pelletier is listed as the service manager. He reports that Healey Motors was planning a Hudson training school for 20 mechanics and 6 body men.
I think Healey Motors is now Healey Ford and the down town dealership looks old enough to have been around in May 1952 when the article appeared. I hope I can find someone who remembers the Hudson days. Maybe I will get a story.
51hornet |
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Read More... |
Posted by Anonymous Wednesday, April 20, 2005 (00:30:43) |
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