ClassicCar

98truck

I have notice that the vin # is all over my car (frame,rear axle, front axle, body) are the same.
But the serial # on the engine block is different, Does this mean that the has been change or not.
I pick the car out of a barn which has sat since 1952.
I would like to know if this a numbers maching car or not. Makes a big differents when I restoring back to oringal.

THanks George

hudsontech

Engine and serial numbers were different up until mid-1938. In 1931 engine numbers ran from 1305001 to 1360999 (and probably not all were used. Serial and engine numbers, in most years, were block numbers).

The block for 1931 Essex serial numbers ran from 1234267 thru 1281684 - if you check that sequence you come out with 47,418. There were 40,388 Essex cars shipped in 1931. along with 720 commercial. Even adding the 720 commercial shipments it comes out to 41,058 numbers used out of the 1234267 thru 1281684 block.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

98truck

The serial # number on the block is 1323603

Thanks George

98truck

Thanks Alex this the vin # 1252133. Would this car be very rare???

Thanks George

P.S. See my picture of my 2 cars, The Maverick took 7 years to retore, I hope my Essex don't taked that long

hudsontech

I don't think it's a especially rare car. You have to figure only 40,338 were shipped to begin with. Then figure the attrition over the years (WWII took an awful toll on older cars for scrap metal) and there aren't to many left.

To me rare means, oh, something like the 1954 Hudson Italia's. There were only 25 or 26 of these made to start with. Most are still around - but still and all that has to be rare. Or maybe one of the 1929 Dover commercial models - I don't have shipping figures for that, but there's only about 3, maybe 4, known to exist. So, yes those could be considered rare.

Still it will be a nice car to restore - this forum will be a big help in finding parts and information. I have an on-line library web site I'm building for the club - I have info on there that will be useful, such as the 1931 Mechanical Specifications for the Essex. The site is at hetclub.org/burr - scroll down to the bottom and click on the Reference Sheet folder. The 1931 Essex specs are the 3rd and 4th entries. There's also a paint spec reference sheet in there that tells you what colors were used on what body styles.

Good luck - that's a nice looking job you did on the Maverick. I'll warn you the hard part of restoring the Essex is finding parts - but they are out there and HET club members will be glad to help. If you haven't joined the HET club yet I strongly advise you to do so. I've been a member for 41 years, which tells you something. Great bunch of people. Go to the club web site @ hetclub.org for an application.(You don't need to log in to get an application). It'll be money well spent.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

essexcoupe3131

Hi George, Alex is right, parts for these are hard to come buy but that is depending on what you are looking for,There is a new guard and a second hand set of bonnets on eBay at the moment,what parts are you looking for?
I have the molds for the mascot which I am doing at the moment
molds for the front bumper irons and for the side light storks
door Handles turn up from time to time depending on wither you are using the 30 handles (std) or the Hudson handles (deluxe)
1 of the ways you can tell between the deluxe and std is the rear diff ratios as as I remember and some will put me right is the the std has a 5.4 ratio diff and the deluxe is a 5.1 ratio
K gap has all the door rubbers and stops and does produce new running board matting to order
Glass tracks are available and felts and rubber weather strip
the big headlight buckets are hard to find and the glass for these are available from time to time
Will Moon has 6-7 of this year quite a few coupes
If I can be of any assistance contact me

Mike

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