1930 Essex Challenger 6 Series

1930 Essex Challenger 6 Series Standard Sedan

The Essex Motor Company produced cars from 1918 to 1922 and by the Hudson Motor Car Company until 1933. Small affordable cars were their claim to fame, especially enclosed cars beginning in 1925. Beginning in 1928, Essex used mechanical brakes on all four wheels and used a piano hinge for the door for which they boasted a stronger connection than the competition.

For consignment, a 1930 Essex Challenger 6 Series Standard sedan. After selling hundreds of thousands of cars in the late 1920\'s, Essex stepped it up with bigger and better appointed cars in 1930. With a lower and stronger chassis and retained the Challenger but with the crash of the stock market, Essex only sold 76,000 cars in 1930. This is one of them, in unrestored barn find condition.

NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY

Exterior
A light gray body is accentuated by a black cab and fenders. Black spears shoot from the cab and top the engine cover elongating the cowl profile. The frame and front bumper are black, and the grille is feathered with engraved ornamentation. A double row of louvers vent the engine covers and a visor overhangs the windshield. Looking rearward, the back window opening is oval and sits above a tall cab and luggage shelf. The side glass that is present is cracked. Wood not only appears on the running board but also makes up the spokes on the 19-inch wheels.

Interior
Not much to it here as there\'s a back bench seat and tan broadcloth wrapped door panels. Missing is the floor so the frame and transmission are fully visible. The headliner consists of chicken wire and wood framing and the steering wheel and column are the only existing parts on the dash. Happily, the Hudson manufacturer\'s plate with the car number is still in place. Otherwise, this is essentially a shell of a rare car that will need bottom up restoration.

Drivetrain
The 160.4ci L-head inline 6 cylinder is in place although missing some parts. It has a 1-barrel carburetor and is attached to a 3-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels and 5.40 gears. Mechanical drum brakes are found front and rear. The six cylinder and the mechanical brakes make this car somewhat unique for the times.

Undercarriage
A single exhaust flows into a stock style muffler and then dumps under the car. Leaf springs are found front and rear. Everything is relatively clean and dry underneath and as such, can be last on the list for restoration!

The Essex name was dropped in 1933 and in its place came the Terraplane but despite its unmatched speed and style, it could not compete with the big manufacturers during a difficult economic period and eventually became the low end Hudson 112 in 1938. Sales dwindled and Essex was a short lived nameplate. Here\'s an opportunity to take on a project to save a rare and somewhat obscure marque.

NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that\'s more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!

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