1928 Essex Super Six Sport Roadster

153ci L-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
55bhp at 3,600rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Elegant, six-cylinder Essex Sport Roadster
*Preserved in the Hansen Collection for decades
*Older, well-performed restoration in two-tone Grey and Black
*Eligible for many CCCA and AACA club events


THE ESSEX SUPER SIX

Introduced as a lower-priced companion to the parent Hudson marque in 1919, the Essex soon became synonymous with both high performance and reliability when an example averaged over 60mph for 50 hours in December 1919, a stunt which the company followed up by a successful four-car transcontinental trek in 1920.

Founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1910, the 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. Although the firm would later become famous for its record-breaking Super Six range, Hudson's first product was a four-cylinder car, as was that of companion marque Essex.

Essex pioneered low-cost closed coachwork in the United States, its four-seater sedan being only slightly more expensive than the tourer in 1922 and marginally cheaper by 1925. Essex's big news for 1924 was the switch from four to six cylinders. The new sidevalve power unit started life at an unusually small - for the United States - 2.1 liters capacity before being enlarged to 2.4 liters part way through the year. Renamed 'Super Six' for 1927, the Essex gained a larger and more powerful engine that year and four-wheel Bendix mechanical brakes the year after.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This sporting 1928 Essex Super Six Sport Roadster is offered from decade-long custodianship by the Salinas-based Hansen Collection. A California car for at least the past fifty years, the Super Six has the Sport Roadster bodywork finished in two-tone grey, accented by black fenders and orange pinstripe. A tan canvas top is fitted along with dual rear-mounted spare wheels, and out back is a rumble seat with room for a 3rd person or luggage. A great car for local classic car club events or touring with its powerful six-cylinder engine, just throw a Ben Pollack record on the player, put on your three-piece and hit the road in style.