The Hudson Motor Company launched the 'Essex' brand in 1919 as an entry level car to sell beneath Hudsons. 20,000 Essex were sold in the first year, and 200,000 were sold in 1929. The first Essex cars were affordable 4-cylinder cars, and in 1924 the Essex Six was launched, and a larger Essex Super Six in 1927, although this emgine proved troublesome. An enlarged six was introduced for 1932 and later that year it was fitted into a new 106-inch chassis and named the Essex Terraplane until 1933 when it was sold simply as 'Terraplane'.
aa Essex Super Six 1930 Roadster badge
Essex Super Six 1930 Roadster - badge on grille
ab Essex Challenger 1930 Roadster grille
Essex Super Six Roadster 1930. The first Essex Six was introduced in 1924 with 16.5hp but was upgraded to 17.32hp as it disappointed Essex Four owners. This engine was enlarged in 1927 to create the Essex Super Six with 18.2hp.
ac Essex Challenger 1930 4-door sedan head
Essex Challenger 1930 4-door sedan, The Challenger had been launched in 1929 with the six cylinder 2,645 (161) 55 bhp sidevalve engine. The chrome grille was new for 1930.
ac Essex Super Six 1928 Tourer head
Essex Super Six 1928 Tourer, the Super Six gained a larger 2,511cc (153) side valve six cylinder engine in 1927. In 1928 four-wheel Bendix mechanical brakes were given to the Essex at at time when many cars only had 2-wheel braking
ac Essex Super Six 1929 Coach head
Essex Super Six 1929 Coach. In 1929 this Super Six was replaced by the Challenger model which had a number of improvements including a new chrome grille.
Essex Super Six 1927 Sedan front
Essex Super Six 1927 Sedan. Essex made the closed sedan affordable and changed peoples preferences away from the open Tourer which had been the cheapest body on a car. Powered by 2,298cc inline six
Essex Super Six 1928 Tourer front
Essex Super Six 1928 Tourer, powered by 2,298cc six cylinder engine
Essex Super Six 1929 Coach front
Essex Super Six 1929 Coach. Bendix four wheel brakes were given to the Super Six for 1928. The 6-cylinder L-head engine was now enlarged to 2,511cc.
Essex Super Six 1929 Coach rear
Essex Super Six 1929 Coach. Body was built on 110.5-inches and this Coach was one of six bodies offered, all made of steel.
Essex Super Six 1929 Coach side
Essex Super Six 1929 Coach. Bendix four wheel brakes were given to the Super Six for 1928. Body was built on 110.5-inches and was a new All Steel Full Vision Coach, manufactured by Hudson in place of earlier bodies by Briggs.
Essex Challenger 1930 4-door sedan front
Essex Challenger 1930 4-door sedan, powered by 2,645cc (161) inline six. The Challenger was intended to challenge against the new six cylinder Chevrolets which were under-cutting Hudson's entry level Essex brand.
Essex Challenger 1930 4-door sedan rear
Essex Challenger 1930 4-door sedan, The Challenger was built on a 110.5-inch wheelbase. The Touring Sedan had an extra window in the c-pillar
Essex Challenger 1930 Roadster front
Essex Challenger 1930 Roadster. The six-cylinder engine was enlarged in 1927 to 2,622cc (160) for the Essex Super Six with 18.2hp, and from 1928 four wheel brakes were offered.
Essex Challenger 1930 Roadster rear
Essex Challenger 1930 Roadster. The Essex Challenger was introduced in 1929 to counter the new six cylinder Chevrolet that was under selling the Essex. The Essex Challenger was built on a 113-inch wheelbase and nine bodies were offered by the factory.
Essex Four 1918 front
Essex Four 1918, powered by 2,931cc 4-cylinder engine. The first Essex cars were powered by 4-cylinder engines to give Hudson a cheaper market