Laure Classic Cars September 21, 2016

By: Laure Justice

In the worst year of the Great Depression, when a gallon of gas and a can of Campbell’s soup both cost ten cents, the Hudson Motor Car Company introduced the 1933 Essex Terraplane Six and the Essex Terraplane Eight.

1933 Hudson Essex Terraplane Eight — By Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand (1933 Essex Terraplane 8) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Gangster-Style 1933 Hudson Essex Terraplane

With full, elegant fenders that swoop back into thick running boards, the ’33 Terraplane is described as the year and model of car the gangster, John Dillinger, preferred.

(If you’ve seen the Johnny Depp movie Public Enemies, you may have noticed the Hudson Essex Terraplane featured in the film.)

33 Terraplane Specs

(I pulled these directly from the owner’s manual of the ’33 Essex Terraplane Six to ensure accuracy.)

Cylinder Bore—2-15/16″—74.61 mm.
Stroke—4-3/4″—120.65 mm.
Number of Cylinders—6
N. A. C. C. Horsepower Rating—20.7 H.P.
Piston Displacement—193 cubic inches—3.15 liters
Car Serial Number—Plate on dash under bonnet
106″ Wheelbase—368,379 and up
113″ Wheelbase— 5,001 and up
Engine Serial Number—Stamped on left side (center) of cylinder block (25,131
and up)

	U. S.	Imperial	Metric
Radiator and Cooling System	3 gals.	2.5 gals.	11.35 liters
Gasoline Tank, 106″ Wheelbase	11.5 gals.	9.58 gals.	43.53 liters
Gasoline Tank, 113″ Wheelbase	16 gals.	13.3 gals.	60.57 liters
Engine Crankcase (refill)	6 qts.	5 qts.	5.68 liters
Clutch	1/3 pint	1/3 pint	180 c.c.
Transmission	3 pints	3 pints	1.4 liters
Rear Axle	3 pints	3 pints	1.4 liters

Spark Plugs

Size 14 mm. Set points at exactly .025″ (.62 mm.). Replace after each 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometers) of service.

Generator Charging Rate

Generator is regulated by position of third brush. This should only be altered by competent service stations using accurate measuring instruments.

Generator output	{	17 amperes at 8 volts
		13 amperes at 6 volts

Output to be measured at generator. Do not exceed the above rates.

Battery

Use only distilled water to cover plates. This should be done as frequently as found necessary. An average of every two weeks during the summer months (less frequently in cooler weather).

Lamp Bulbs

	Candle Power	Base	Voltage
Headlamp (double filament)	21-21	Double Contact	6-8
Parking (in headlamp or on front fenders)	3	Single Contact	6-8
Telltales (on instrument board)	3	Double Contact	6-8
Instrument Board	3	Single Contact	6-8
Stop and Tail Lamp (double filament)	2-21	Double Contact	6-8
Dome	15	Single Contact	6-8
Fuse (at lamp switch)	20 Amperes

[Pg 15]

Engine

Firing order of cylinders—1-5-3-6-2-4.

Classic Hudson Cars for Sale

Part of the reason Classic Cars Online US exists is to help connect classic car buyers and sellers, and we’ve added several ways for you to connect – pick your favorite, or join us in all four places: (1) sign up on the Classifieds page here on the site, (2) visit and like this site’s Facebook page, (3) the Best Classic Cars for Sale page or (4) join the Classic Cars Online: Classic Cars for Sale group if you are looking to buy or sell classic Hudsons.

1933 Hudson Essex Terraplane