Here's some interesting statistics for you. I found out the other day that DVLA which is our Vehicle Licensing Authority here in the UK publish statistics on cars that are what are called SORN. SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification and you are meant to tell the DVLA the reason why your car is not currently taxed.
If you don't then they can come along and take your car away 🙂
I looked through the statistics but found nothing for Hudson so I emailed the authority to ask why. The reply came back that some makes just didn't get split out; Hudson being on these but they'd be happy to do an analysis for me if I could supply some more information. Me being me gave them the list of 1939 Serial Numbers and I asked them to see what there was and here are the results! I have attached it as a spreadsheet ; makes it easier to read
I'm not sure of some of the numbers but I think some of the serial numbers may cover Railton as well. If you look at there appear to be 18 112's licensed with the DVLA as at the end of last year of which the 8 that are currently showing as being SORN or not on the road if included in that 18 would leave 10 that are on the road 🙂
Hopefully 11 soon with mine
The Hudson Country Club Eight numbers are interesting with 18 being shown ; that's quite a lot.
Overall according to the DVLA there are 101 1939 Hudson's in this country. That seems a lot to me but who knows.
I am checking with the DVLA about the criteria used to pick these up so it's an on-going piece of work. I am going to ask them if they would run queries for the other years as well so keep your eyes peeled!
I have an update ; the two tables are exclusive so a car can be in either one or the other which means there are a few Hudson's from 1939 still kicking around!
Even better news is that I am going to able to present a list of VINS from the rest of the 30's and will be able to get some other figures out as well. Plus the 20's , 40's and 50's as well!
Will you be also be able to get names and address. That might be a way to inform them there is a Hudson, Essex, Terraplane Club they may not know exists. You never know who may find a interest in the HET Club.
I was not aware there was a Hudson club and was not looking for one. Following a led to buy a Hudson PU, by chance I meet Bill Albright. I couldn't afford his PU but I did join HET Club he told me about. A few years later I found a 47 PU, then a 52 Hornet, and then another PU , and then another PU and a 54 Hornet parts car. You might say I'm hooked. Since then I decided it was better to let a couple PU's go to someone else to enjoy. Now one is almost restored and the other is in progress by the young man that bought both my PU's. He was not a Hudson guy but I heard recently he has acquired a couple more pickups.
Lee O'Dell
When you are done with the UK, come across the pond and start the analysis over here, please.
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