Description
Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
Viewing: Tues 28th July from 1pm
Auction 29th July, 2026 12:00
Location: Pavilion Gardens St John's Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE
Registration No: PM 553Chassis No: 1039453MOT: Exempt
Entered from the estate of the late Peter Macey
Rare and very desirable Boattail Speedabout coachwork by Biddle & Smart
Understood to have been restored during the late 1960s or early 1970s
Imported to Britain in 1980
A subdivision of the Hudson Motor Company of Detroit, Essex’s products were aimed at the average family and, in common with those of other American manufacturers, were initially four-door open cars with canvas tops. However, while Henry Ford is credited with making cars widely affordable, Essex had much to do with making Sedans available to the masses. By 1924, the company was moving away from four-cylinder powerplants to, firstly, a 2. 1-litre six-cylinder (the Six), and then a 2. 5-litre unit (the Super Six). This was used to power a range of models including a Speedster, Coupé, Coach and four-door, five-seat Sedan. The specification was typical of the day, with the engine mated to a three-speed manual gearbox and suspension by semi-elliptic leaf springs all-round. Braking was initially on just two wheels, with the option of a four-wheel system following in 1927, which became standard the following year. The car rode on artillery wheels. By 1932 the marque had metamorphosed from Essex to Essex-Terraplane and, finally, just Terraplane. A large number were supplied in right-hand drive for the British market through the Hudson-Essex assembly plant in Brentford, Middlesex.
The flagship of the Essex range, and one of the crown jewels of the Peter Macey Collection, was the Super Six Speedabout, a boat-tailed two-seater sports model with a rumble seat, rakishly bodied by the prestigious Amesbury, Massachusetts, firm of Biddle & Smart, which had a close relationship with Hudson but is perhaps better known for its work with Springfield Rolls-Royces. It was more than just a special body—the engine was tuned to produce 55bhp at 3, 600rpm, and the gearbox had special ratios and an overdrive which helped it to a top speed of around 80mph. It weighed about 2, 500lbs., and was appropriately costly at $965, compared against $850 for a standard Roadster. While rare in period, survivors are extremely scarce nowadays. When another 1929 Speedabout was sold in 2005, it was claimed that only five were made and four survived, but we have not been able to verify that.
The previous owners of this Speedabout were John C. and Larry J. Lamas of Easton, Pennsylvania, who had taken possession of it by 1979. Considering Mr. Macey was on a mission to acquire every body style of 1929 Essex, the Speedabout was the Holy Grail, and he did not hesitate about paying $22, 000 when the Lamases offered it for sale as a non-runner in 2005. Mr. Macey did not register it until 2010, and after putting it on the road for just one year, he placed it in storage alongside the rest of his vintage American car collection.
Displaying a well-preserved 1970s restoration, it will require some recommissioning, and then it could be a real head-turner at rallies and concours. It is supplied with the V5C, import, customs and registration papers, the Pennsylvania title, and a 1929 Super Six Instruction Book in good condition.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
