Description
The Hudson Super Six 171 Sedan was one of the most important models in Hudson’s long history—a car that marked the company’s evolution from a maker of competent middle-class automobiles into a respected name in performance and engineering innovation. Introduced in the late 1910s and continuing into the 1920s, the Super Six series became synonymous with refinement, stamina, and speed, and the 171 Sedan variant represented its most complete expression of these qualities in closed-body form. It was a car that combined the muscularity of early American engineering with a new sense of precision and balance, setting benchmarks that would influence the industry for years.
The Hudson Super Six first appeared in 1916 and immediately transformed the company’s fortunes. Its name came from the revolutionary six-cylinder engine that lay at its heart—a powerplant designed to run with exceptional smoothness and strength. By the early 1920s, the model range had expanded to include a wide variety of body styles, among them the 171-inch-wheelbase sedan that offered genuine luxury and comfort for the era. The Super Six 171 Sedan was aimed at discerning buyers who demanded the performance and mechanical excellence of Hudson’s famous open models but wanted the privacy and sophistication of a fully enclosed touring car.
At the core of the car’s success was its 288-cubic-inch straight-six engine, a side-valve design producing around 76 horsepower—figures that placed it among the most powerful sixes of its time. The innovation lay in Hudson’s pioneering approach to balancing and reciprocating mass. Engineers carefully reduced friction and vibration through precise machining and lightweight pistons, allowing the engine to rev higher and run more smoothly than its contemporaries. The “Super Six” name was not marketing exaggeration; it was an honest reflection of its performance. The car was capable of sustained speeds approaching 70 miles per hour at a time when most family sedans struggled to exceed 50. Its acceleration and hill-climbing ability astonished contemporary testers, who noted that it combined the smoothness of a luxury car with the speed of a sports model.
The 171 Sedan used a robust ladder-type steel frame that gave the car immense strength, a quality much valued on the rough, often unpaved roads of the day. The long wheelbase provided exceptional ride comfort, while semi-elliptic leaf springs at each corner offered a supple yet controlled suspension feel. Hudson paid careful attention to weight distribution and chassis geometry, resulting in handling that was far ahead of many rivals. Steering was direct and well-weighted, giving the driver a sense of control unusual for a car of its size and period. Four-wheel mechanical brakes, large and progressive, provided strong stopping power—a feature that added to the car’s reputation for safety and competence.
Stylistically, the Super Six 171 Sedan reflected the formal elegance of the early 1920s. Its tall, upright body was built with flowing fenders, a long hood, and a narrow, polished radiator shell that carried the Hudson emblem with pride. The roofline rose gently over a generous passenger compartment, and the overall impression was one of solidity and presence rather than flamboyance. Chrome and nickel accents highlighted the grille and lamps, while wire or wood-spoked wheels completed the picture. The sedan’s coachwork was produced to exacting standards, with carefully fitted doors and deep, lustrous paintwork that conveyed craftsmanship rather than ornamentation.
Inside, the Hudson Super Six 171 Sedan provided a level of luxury that rivalled far more expensive marques. The interior was lined in broadcloth or mohair, complemented by polished wood trim and nickel hardware. The seats were deep and comfortable, with ample legroom front and rear thanks to the long wheelbase. The dashboard carried clear gauges and simple, logical controls. Ventilation was provided by adjustable windscreen panels and operable side windows, while thick carpets and sound insulation contributed to a sense of refinement rare in the early 1920s. The car’s silence at speed was frequently remarked upon by owners; it moved with a smooth, unhurried dignity that few contemporaries could match.
Performance was where the Super Six 171 truly distinguished itself. Its engine delivered abundant torque from low revs, making it effortless to drive on long grades or through heavy traffic. On open roads, it could maintain high cruising speeds with remarkable composure. Hudson’s publicity department famously organized record-setting endurance runs to demonstrate the car’s durability and speed—most notably the Los Angeles to San Francisco drive in just over seven hours, and a transcontinental trip that proved the Super Six’s reliability under punishing conditions. These feats captured the public imagination and cemented Hudson’s reputation as a builder of fast, dependable automobiles.
The Super Six 171 Sedan appealed to a new class of motorists—professionals and families who wanted modernity without the ostentation of imported luxury. It was priced attractively compared with Packard or Pierce-Arrow but offered similar refinement and superior handling. Its long-legged touring ability made it a favourite among early motoring clubs and private owners who appreciated engineering integrity. The car was also popular with chauffeurs and livery services, as its reliability and comfort made it ideal for executive transport in an age when mechanical dependability could not be taken for granted.
By the mid-1920s, the Hudson Super Six had become a household name, and the 171 Sedan played a crucial role in that success. It bridged the gap between the Edwardian carriage tradition and the modern automobile age, combining mechanical sophistication with understated elegance. Hudson continually refined the design, adding improved carburetion, better lubrication, and enhanced interior fittings, ensuring the car remained competitive as automotive technology advanced.
Today, the Hudson Super Six 171 Sedan is regarded as one of the great American classics of its generation. Restored examples showcase the precision of Hudson’s craftsmanship and the durability of its engineering. When driven, they reveal the qualities that made the model so admired—a sense of smooth, unhurried power and a mechanical harmony that belies its age. Collectors cherish the car not only for its historical importance but for the experience it still offers: the long hood stretching ahead, the rhythmic pulse of the straight-six, and the steady, confident progress that defined the best of early American motoring.
The Hudson Super Six 171 Sedan remains a monument to intelligent engineering and refined design. It was the car that transformed Hudson from a promising manufacturer into a symbol of mechanical excellence. In its day, it was considered one of the finest six-cylinder automobiles in the world, and a century later, it still carries that aura of grace and quiet authority—proof that true engineering brilliance transcends time.