1931 Hudson Greater Eight Boattail Roadster

234ci L-Head Inline 8-Cylinder Engine
Marvel Type E Carburetor
87bhp at 3,600rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Internal Expanding Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Offered from the Estate of Robert L. Byers
*Desirable, one-year only Hudson Greater Eight Boattail Roadster
*CCCA and AACA Award winner
*Among the rarest Hudsons of all time


THE HUDSON GREATER EIGHT

The American Hudson Motor Car Company took its name from Joseph L Hudson, who provided the finances that enabled a group of experienced ex-Olds Motor Works employees to embark on a new automobile manufacturing venture. Incorporated in February 1909, Hudson built its first car in July of that same year and 12 months later had sold 4,000 units, the industry's best first-year sales record to date.

During 1915 Hudson sold a little under 12,900 cars - some 1,000-or-so less than Chevrolet, by way of comparison - yet in 1916 no fewer than 25,772 Hudson's found customers, an increase of 100%. The reason was the introduction in January that year of the 'Super Six', which had been launched on the back of a series of high-speed demonstration runs made on Long Island in December 1915. With 76bhp on tap, the sidevalve-engined Super Six possessed a performance demonstrably superior to that of many six-cylinder rivals costing far more.

One of the truly outstanding American cars of its day, the Hudson Super Six remained in production until 1926 when it was replaced by an 'F-head' (inlet over exhaust) design. The latter lasted until the 1930 season when Hudson jumped aboard the multi-cylinder bandwagon by introducing an inline 'Greater Eight'. Displacing 234 cubic inches, Hudson's only straight-eight engine would remain in production up to 1952. For its debut year of 1930 the Great Eight was offered in two wheelbase lengths - 119" (Model T) and 126" (Model U) - there being a total of 11 different body styles to choose from. 1931 saw minor changes, with little modified mechanically and most of the focus directed at cosmetic differences.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

First appearing on Hudson's lower tier brand, Essex, in 1927 and 1929, the boat-tailed Roadsters were a rare body style that was not offered every year. By 1931, Essex and Hudson were sharing bodies, so when the taper tailed figure was once again offered on the Sport Roadster, it appeared on both line-ups. Crafted by Murray, under whose employ was one Ray Dietrich who is believed to have penned the evocative figure, the boat-tailed Roadster featured a steeply swept windscreen and a Convertible top that could be swiftly removed for a clean, sporting look.

This well-optioned, one-year-only 1931 Hudson Greater Eight Boattail Roadster - or Sport Roadster as they were also referred to - was the recipient of a comprehensive restoration performed during 2007 and 2008. A 1992 Antique Automobile Club of America National First Prize, as well as a Classic Car Club of America First Prize in national competition badge (no. 1770) suggests that the Hudson Greater Eight had toured the show fields even before the restoration was performed. By 2010 the stunning Hudson Boattail Roadster had joined the prominent collection of the late Robert L. Byers and was subsequently shown on serval occasions including the Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States.

The Hudson is finished in an eye-catching red color on the Boattail body, with Burgundy-painted fenders and accents, neatly matching the rich Burgundy interior. The handsome good looks of the Boattail Roadster are topped by white wall tires mounted on Burgundy wire wheels. So rare was the boat-tailed Sport Roadster that the style didn't even appear in contemporary Hudson catalogs at the time. Only about half a dozen examples are believed to survive today, making this rare survivor a particularly unique opportunity to acquire the most sporting Hudson model of the early 1930s.