ClassicCar

sapmut

Hello, I am cleaning up this terraplane without the engine or transmission,but in doing so I am looking for the vin. It is not on the firewall or on the rear axel (rearend). I did not see it on the frame anywhere but it is possible I had missed seeing it..The only number I can find so far is 5211951 written on the passengers side front axel...Other than that I am at a loss. One note title is lost. I was told the car at one point came from Chicago,hence finding a license plate from1973 Illinois, reading 881 123..Does anyone have any idea's on this...Thank you

oldhudsons

take a look at the right front facing of the front axle, it may be stamped into the axle there (if dirty, use a wire brush to clean it for inspection) - as I recall the '32 H has it stamped into the right side of the frame, at the bottom edge, right behind the RF wheel.

It would have been on a manuf. plate screwed to the firewall but seemingly has been removed - you should be able to see/find the 4 holes.

sapmut

Hello, yes,the right front axel is where I found the number 5211951,so I guess that is the vin.I will look at the frame a little closer to see if there are any stamps by the RF wheel..no holes in the firewall..Question do you know how th decifer the vin or is there a website you may know of...Thank you

Jon B

The 1932 Terraplane serial number would have started with "3" and so would the 1933. The 1935 Terraplane "Deluxe" models would have started with "52". Possibly someone transplanted a 1935 front axle to your car, at some point?

oldhudsons

post a pic so when can positively identify it for you.

sapmut

oldhudsons wrote:

post a pic so when can positively identify it for you.

I will hopefuly get pictures up this afternoon,I wanted to clean it up somewhat,since it was quite a mess...I have to figure out how to post pictures on this thread..

oldhudsons

that makes 2 of us, LOL!

46HudsonPU

sapmut wrote:

I will hopefuly get pictures up this afternoon,I wanted to clean it up somewhat,since it was quite a mess...I have to figure out how to post pictures on this thread..

If you have issues, email the pictures to me (click on 'Rick', below), mention this thread, and I'll see that they get posted...

hudsontech

sapmut wrote:

Hello, yes,the right front axel is where I found the number 5211951,so I guess that is the vin.I will look at the frame a little closer to see if there are any stamps by the RF wheel..no holes in the firewall..Question do you know how th decifer the vin or is there a website you may know of...Thank you

1932 Terraplane (Essex-Terraplane) serial numbers ran 350000 to 364124; so 5211951 cannot be the serial number. Closest serial number to that would be from a 1935 Model 52 - those serial numbers ran from 52-102 to 52-13362.

For a complete list of Hudson, et al, serial numbers check out

www.hetclub.org/burr - 1909-1957 Hudson serial numbers is the 2nd link down.

Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

sapmut

Hello, here I hope are some pictures..In the pictures like the lights,and side engine skirt panels are not not show..bumpers are in my hanger,as are other parts,but hopefuly these will give an idea of what I am up against...Thank you

46HudsonPU

Appears pretty solid... Looks like you've washed it down a bit too.

sapmut

Pretty solid,rained all day here in florida,clearing out a space inside for it...

53jetman

This car is a 1935 Terraplane Roadster or convertable. The 1932 would have been a much smaller car, with a narrower tread width.

Jerry

53jetman

sapmut

Tires on passenger side are new,the old tires were shot,threw them on to move around chasis

essexcoupe3131

this is going to be 1 fine automobile when you get it finished and very good lines

Mike

sapmut

Hello you may be right.I was looking at some pictures of both,with similarities.I was going by the owners son who claimed it to be a 32 from his grandfather.The only problem is, the headlightsand the horns are different in the 35

hudsontech

The serial number on the front axle begins to make sense - it's a '35. Don't feel bad about the mis-identification. Way back in the early 1970's, when I first joined the club and really couldn't tell one year from another, I bought what was supposed to be a 1935 Terraplane Coupe. Turned out to be a 1936 Model 61.

Oh well.

Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

ralpie

sapmut wrote:

Hello, here I hope are some pictures..In the pictures like the lights,and side engine skirt panels are not not show..bumpers are in my hanger,as are other parts,but hopefuly these will give an idea of what I am up against...Thank you

Really nice find...good luck on the restoration.

The following are some pictures found on the net

First two are 34 Terraplanes, the third is a 35 T coupe, the last is a 32 T.

sapmut

Thank you for the pictures,One question though,was it an option to have the tire on the sideskirt instead of the back..All the 35's I have seen so far have had the tire on either the driver or passenger side,instead of behind the rumble seat...

ESSX28-1 · ESSX28-1 January 2010 Posts: 995Platinum Member

sapmut wrote:

Thank you for the pictures,One question though,was it an option to have the tire on the sideskirt instead of the back..All the 35's I have seen so far have had the tire on either the driver or passenger side,instead of behind the rumble seat...

The Butler book has some great identifying photos. Try your local library or I could scan & post a page or two.

Browniepetersen

I know that there will be a lot more qualified people chime in now that we have pictures (by the way, nice job) I am going with 1935 Terraplane. That is just a wag... I do recognize the rim on the front of the car drivers side as a 1936. That was the only year that they used that style rim. Anyway, nice project. Great looking roadster and it is going to be fantastic when it is done.

46HudsonPU

The Butler book is a good resource & reference. It is 'out of print', however is readily obtainable. Here is a search I have saved on eBay for it. It is 'at the moment', so will always show you the current offerings -

http://desc.shop.ebay.com/items/__0879380357-0879387297-0879386967-0912612193-History-of-Hudson-History-of-the-Hudson-Cars-That-Hudson-Built-096050480X-LCCN-80-53376-bay-boyle-thames-valley-river-bean?LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=(0879380357%2C%200879387297%2C%200879386967%2C%200912612193%2C%20%22History%20of%20Hudson%22%2C%20%22History%20of%20the%20Hudson%22%2C%20%22Cars%20That%20Hudson%20Built%22%2C%20096050480X%2C%20%22LCCN%2080-53376%22)%20-bay%20-boyle%20-thames%20-valley%20-river%20-bean&_trkparms=72%253A1234%257C39%253A1%257C66%253A2%257C65%253A12&_sop=10&_sc=1&_rdc=1&_trksid=m194&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSRCHX:SRCH

Don't pay over $30 + shipping for a good copy (and I've seen them go for quite a bit less...).

tigermoth

these are great pics. it is interesting to me note all the differences in the pics..first three all have a '34 bumper. first has heart shaped radiator insert, which i have never noticed before on hudson built cars, second does not..looks like '35 has radiator mascot from '34 to go with the '34 bumper.

john conde'e book, "the cars that hudson built" is also a good source. that one is a little harder to find than butler's book. both are very good.

on these smaller roadster/convertible/cabriolets i like the lines of the car with the spare on the back versus side mounts..but that is just a matter of taste. i was at an auction a couple of years ago where they were selling a '33 cabriolet. the owner had hacked into the fenders on both sides to put on side mounts. in my opinion it was too much for the little car. the rear spare works better for the car. anyway it went for $23,000. a complete driver..but still too rich for my blood..and bank account.

ok, now that you own it and have it home...i would love to hear the back story of how you found it. regards, tom

walt norem

:)What a Beauty! IMO the best looking car hudson made. There are 2 of these in New England (Mass.) I have warned both owners not to leave the keys in them when I'm around.

Both are great guys (of course they are, they're Hudson guys)and would help if they can. If you want the contact info let me know.

sapmut

Hello, thanks to everyone who commented with all the information..I am cleaning it up today,and looking for other numbers that it may have..An answer to some questions,is that the car was found in the backyard of a persons property in Florida, and it had beed sitting for about 10 yrs.The owner stated it was his grandfathers 1932 Terraplane,and that he inherited it.The engine and transmission evidently were taken by his brother,but he wont provide information on where he is..They do not get along..The car also came with a complete set of extra fenders and a pile of parts..At one point it looks like there were some modifications to it,because I was told it was going to be a hot rod??..This car will be put back to its origonal state,but it is going to be a while. Any information would be great..It took me about a year to get this individual to sell it to me..I should have some better pictures up soon...

oldhudsons

I'm assuming this is a T not a H & know of 2 of these, one restored, and one a l.w.b. model that is quite original, unrestored, and needing that to be done (used to own it).

These guys might be willing to provide you with pics - if I had digital ones of the latter I would e-mail them to you but owned it prior to the digital photo era.

If interested send me an e-mail & I will send it along to them.

ralpie

Doing a bit of history checking... when cars were listed in the roster... there was ONE 32 Essex Terraplane Convertible listed in the state of Florida. THere were three 33 ESSEX T convertibles listed and O 35 Terraplane convertibles. Maybe this car has been a phantom from the club and or it might have been improperly IDed for all these years?

hudsontech

On my (soon-to-be) web site @ www.hetclub.org/burr in the main list you'll find 1935 Terraplane Tune-up Specifications and 1935 Service Information and Adjustments - In the Manuals file you'll find a 1935-1942 Carburetor Information booklet I put together - in under Service Merchandisers you'll find 10 1935 Service Magazines that will have some useful info. Check back later - I'll have more info on my site.

On Gregg Maroney's web site @ www.hudsonterraplane.com/tech/tech_index.htm you'll find, under 1935, a Terraplane Special Owners manual. That's for a Model 51 (G), but the info is close to the Model 52.

Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

46HudsonPU

Heart_Of_Texas wrote:

Doing a bit of history checking... when cars were listed in the roster... there was ONE 32 Essex Terraplane Convertible listed in the state of Florida. THere were three 33 ESSEX T convertibles listed and O 35 Terraplane convertibles. Maybe this car has been a phantom from the club and or it might have been improperly IDed for all these years?

Looking over Aaron's spreadsheet

, there are three 1935 Terraplane convertibles listed - Haines City, FL; Valley City, OH; Zillah, WA;

Around 80 or so total 1935 Terraplanes listed...

Ric West IN

Hi Great looking project! Looks like brakes were updated to 36 or newer,

probably to get hydraulic for better stopping power. 32-35 Terraplanes originally had 4 lug drums with mechanical /cables for shoe activation.

If you want to revert to original I believe you will need drums ,backing plates and assorted shoes springs etc. Do not have to switch the complete axle assemblies.

"Ric"

sapmut

Hello again, the car was purchased from a Franks out of Wimauma,Fl.It has been in is yard for at least the last ten years.I can't seem to find any other numbers on the car frame or rear,and it appears that there is not a location on the firewall for a data plate.I thank the person about the info about the brakes,and I will look into it closer..I will post more information as I go...Thanks again,Sean

ET8conv

The frame serial # location is on the outside of the right frame rail near the rear of the front spring mount. 32-35 H&T had 4 lug wheels and the 35T steel wheels look a lot like 36T wheels, 36 H&T's had 5 lug wheels. does this car have roll up windows in the doors? If so it is a convertible coupe not a roadster as roadsters only had side curtains. As for the spare tire location, the could have come either way. Standard location was in the rear sidemount was optional.

Tom

sapmut

Hello, roll up windows...I am going to check the frame in that location again..possibly I missed it...thanks...Sean

sapmut

Checked the frame in that location .no such luck..I am going to hit sections of it with the sandblaster this week to see if it is hidden under the gunk...

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