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In this Discussion
- hudsoncustom June 2011
- Old Fogey UK June 2011
- StillOutThere June 2011
F.B.I. Target Shooting in 1934
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At an antique car event yesterday someone (Jeff, was it you?) told me about something on cable tv, some sort of series on guns, which featured movies of the F.B.I. practicing drive-by shooting (!!!) in 1934. They had a line of shiny new cars in which to drive. All of them were 1934 Hudson Eights! The Eights, however, were equipped with trim from "lesser" Hudsons, possibly the result of a deal with the FBI to buy fast cars from Hudson that were stripped to the basics. Muscle cars, if you will. Anyone know more about this?
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I've seen your film clip on programmes about Dillinger, etc, on History Channel.
It seems criminals and the FBI both favoured Terraplane and Hudson 8's. There's a story that Dillinger waited all night outside a Kansas City Hudson dealership to get one of the new 1934 models.
You need to read about "The Battle of Barrington" in the book "Public Enemies" for an account of the death of Baby Face Nelson in late 1934 which involved a high speed chase between gangsters in a Ford V-8 and 2 FBI agents in a 1934 Hudson 8. It ended with the 2 agents dead and their car taken by a mortally wounded Nelson. Exciting stuff ! It's a pity that the recent Johnny Depp movie monkeyed about with what actually happened and generally minimised the role of Hudsons in the events portrayed.
The car in your pic shows a deluxe model but the entry level 1934 Hudson 8 was called the Challenger - I have one. It was a stripped down model that had only 3 hood vents on each side, no pivoting vents in the front windows, and Terraplane lighting and interior, etc, - but it did have the 112 BHP motor. The changes saved some weight and I guess it could be described as an embryonic muscle car ! -
Following is an email response from a friend of mine, Sandy Jones, who is a historian on American gangsters. Its a good contribution to the thread, I think.
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Hi Wayne,
Hoover made a series of shorts showing the power of the FBI, also a feature called " You can't get away with It " He kinda fancied himself a movie director so a lot of scenes he is doing something in the picture.
The guy responding to the post, is close, Dillinger bought a new 34 Hudson at a dealer in St Louis after attending a Auto Show there. Drove it to Tucson where he was arrested. The car went to auction in 35 is one story, other is he gave it to his Tucson lawyer, Rose Silver. It did go on tour, was at the Colorado State Fair in the 50s I believe, talked to a guy that saw it.
I have all the numbers on the car from the FBI records, including the salesman that sold him the car ( all cash ) in St Louis ! They traded in a 1933 Essex Terraplane 6 his girlfriend had bought.
Sandy Jones -
Sandy's right. It was St Louis. My mistake.
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Nice photos and info.
For what it is worth, my Grandfather was employed by the FBI as a special agent from Dec. 8, 1941 until 1973.
He said that the FBI was quite fond of Hudsons, and he drove stepdown Hudsons throughout the early 50's.
