Vintage Hudson Terraplane Tune Up kit

[COL911]

I got this at an estate sale today and was told that the 83 year old seller had once worked as a mechanic at the Hudson dealership in Norfolk VA. Original tool roll, labeled 1-819-B, Huudson Terraplane Tune Up Kit, Mfrd. By Buckley XXXX! Jackson, Mich., USA. Tool components are very well made.

Any idea what this would be worth and best way to find Hudson collectors who might want it? It should go to a good home!

 

[COL911]

Exterior of tool roo.

 

[notlob]

That's really cool! And appears much more complete than most old auto tool kits. Try contacting someone here:

https://www.hetclub.org/

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is a sweet find! Best way to connect it with Hudson collectors is find a Hudson Terraplane owners club. I bet there are more than one. Value on antique roll-ups depends on rarity, age, condition, and the popularity of the car. I know zip about Hudson cars and less about the tune-up kit. But I have some experience with antique and vintage trunk tool kits in general. I know I wouldn't let that go for less than $100. Think about it this way. Someone who owns a Hudson Terraplane (or any high-end vintage automobile) has probably invested 1,000 x that much in the vehicle restoration. The toolkit, in a trunk, or a glove box, or even opened on a towel over a fender, is often the piece de resistance at a car show. They are highly desirable.

X-Posted with notlob!

Please post a close-up of the marking, and also a photo of the tools out of their pouches.

 

[COL911]

I knew it would be desireable to a collector. Since joining this forum I'm slowly going broke buying tools I wouldn't normally collect or use because I know someone else would. I think I have a twisted tool version of excessive pet rescue syndrome!

Ive posted on the forum suggested, will keep you posted!

 

[COL911]

Best close up: marked HMC and part #. There's on Snap On piece, not sure if it belongs.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Sorry. The close-up I would like to see is the marking on the tool-roll.

I'd like to see a photo of all the tools outside of their pockets so I can see what kind of tools they are. Some of them are obvious by the part of the tool showing; others not so much. Please. Thanks.

 

[snapmom]

What model number is on the snap on piece

 

[COL911]

Snap Mom, TMC 46. Very odd looking end

 

[COL911]

I hope resolution is good enough...

 

[COL911]

Snap Mom, there is another Snap On piece in here, see piece on left.

 

[COL911]

Markings:

 

[COL911]

Response from Hudson member: " Yes, that tool kit includes the proper Carter Carburetor tools to set the metering rods, accelerator pump, unloader valve, float height, etc on the carburetors of the mid to late 30's Hudsons & Terraplanes. Long & short feeler gauges for setting valve lash, ignition points. The round probe with wire loop is probably for setting spark plug gap."

 

[snapmom]

They are both regular made so carb tools. Looks like the non socket has a date code

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Mfrd. By Buckley XXXX! Jackson, Mich., USA.

Thanks for the close-up. I'm interpreting your "XXXX" as "illegible" correct? Because I can't read it from here, either. One hunch is Buckley only made the roll-up. If none of the tools are marked Buckley, that would strengthen that hunch. I never heard of Buckley-. I might have to get the Google-fu going on that.

TMC 46. Very odd looking end

It's an oval socket for Strombergs.

Snap Mom, there is another Snap On piece in here, see piece on left.

That's for the unloader valve.

The piece with the T-handle is a jet puller.

 

[COL911]

Yep, t- handle is marked jet puller, small print. I think Buckley is wrong, chasing mfr name down some more....

 

[COL911]

Page 29 of this manual identifies the kit PN: http://hudsonterraplane.com/tech/1934/1934-37MechanicalProcedureManual.pdf

 

[snapmom]

The tmc did not show up until about 46

 

[COL911]

...and the missing piece: Mfd by Hinckley Myers in Jackson MI. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/24664704/1933-41-hinkley-meyers-special-tools. Pg.54.


I still haven't found a similar, complete kit anywhere online. I have to think the original case adds value. I did find similar piece parts on this site: https://www.vintageautotools.com/tools-carburetor-hudson.html

$10ea. Retail, same # of parts as in my kit. The drivers in my kit are much more robust than the ones pictured on the website, but at least I now have a benchmark to use for pricing, excluding the case. I'll probably be pretty reasonable because A) I don't own a Hudson, B) I do have an '87 classic and would hope someone with a classic car interest would do the same for me.

I'm sure it will find a good home; I already have someone interested on the Hudson forum. This is a case of 'where else are you going to find one like this'? It was fun researching; thanks to all who helped!

 

[snapmom]

Thanks for sharing. Always nice to see a rare set.

 

[StillOutThere]

I would be interested. I have a '35 Hudson Custom 8 Brougham. I administer the Terraplane SEVEN page on Facebook. Thanks.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I still haven't found a similar, complete kit anywhere online.

Why don't you ask the guys in the Hudson Terraplane community? I would bet 1 recovered original tune-up kit for every 50 restored Hudson Terraplanes on the road. And that might be light. Maybe 1 in 100.

I have to think the original case adds value.

Of course it does! Your Pay It Forward (and hope something good comes back, even if its just karma) approach is admirable. As a restored wartime Willys jeep guy, I know the value of camaraderie and sharing information and parts within the wartime Jeep community. But as an antique and vintage tool collector, I also know how expensive and time-consuming the hunt can be. I have traded parts and tools with like-minded guys. I have given stuff away. I have taken freebies. And I have paid dearly through the nose. Lord knows that when I find something really special, I don't feel one ounce of guilt getting value for it. Good luck whatever happens.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...and the missing piece: Mfd by Hinckley Myers in Jackson MI. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/24664704/1933-41-hinkley-meyers-special-tools. Pg.54.

Nice find. And that makes much more sense. Specialty tools maker, was a division of Kent-Moore for many years. Objectively, that would make me consider the Snap-on and other non HM pcs to be replacements. But that roll-up means everything!

 

[elidas]

I work at what was at one time a Hudson dealer in Oakville Connecticut. The owner (now passed) was big in the Hudson club. We would push out new car (we are still a new car dealer) and work on the odd Hudson that showed up.