The
Hudson REflecTor
Southern California Chapter Newsletter
February, 2003
Poker Run Draws Small
But Enthusiastic Group
The first Southern California Chapter tour of
the new year, a Poker Run in the Burbank/
Pasadena/Griffith Park area, drew a small
but enthusiastic group of Hudson owners.
Several participants made the run in more
modern cars because their Hudson vehicles
were not operable at the moment, with three
Hudson-made products participating. Press
and Janet Kale drove their ’49 Hudson
Super Six Four Door Sedan up from Orange
County to make the Poker Run, while Ken
Perkins participated with his ’39 Hudson
Four Door Sedan and Lew and Cathy Phelps
Chapter Vice President Pete Smith photographs a
Motometer on the hood of Lew and Cathy Phelps’s
1929 Hudson, at the Poker Run stop at Griffith Park.
The Kale’s ’49 Four Door Sedan is parked behind
the ’29 Town Sedan.
made the run in their partially restored 1929
Hudson Town Sedan.
Continued on Page 6
Urgent Legislative Alert
Bill to Tighten Old Car Emissions Exemption Introduced in California Senate
Legislation has been introduced in the California Senate to modify California’s current emissions
test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older. S.B. 708 repeals the current pro-hobbyist
exemption and replaces it with an exemption for vehicles that are 45 or more model years old,
commencing January 1, 2005. Although this bill would not directly affect owners of Hudsonbuilt cars, since it would exempt all vehicles made before 1960, it is a matter of concern to all
old-car enthusiasts. If this bill passes, it will very likely lead to further “ratcheting down” of
emission testing exemptions until all historic vehicles are banned from California’s highways.
H-E-T members should contact their state senator to voice opposition to this measure.
Legislators do pay attention to communication from their constituents, and often can be
persuaded to change their vote on a bill if they receive thoughtful input from voters. Since, on
the face of it, this bill would appear to be a “harmless” way to improve air quality, legislators are
likely to vote in favor of it unless they are educated about its actual effects. Please immediately
write or email your State Senator and urge a vote against S.B. 708, drawing on your own
experience with old cars and making some or all of the following points:
•
Existing law in California exempts all pre-1974 vehicles from emissions testing until 2003.!
Under current law, after 2003 vehicles 30 years old and older are exempt from emissions
testing.!
Continued on Page 4
Visit the SoCal Chapter Web Site at http://SoCalHET.org
From el Presidente
Boy, we’ve sure had a mild winter this year – seems like every weekend has been just right for
getting that Hudson, Essex or Terraplane product on the road. With the first day of Spring
rapidly approaching, its time to start thinking about the Western Regional Meet up in Billings,
Montana, June 17-20. If you’ve never attended a regional meet as a vacation destination,
you’ve missed a lot of fun!
When my family got our Hudson, one of the first meets we went to was a Regional near Butte,
MT. It was held at a resort hotel out of town a ways, with lots to do for everybody, kids and
adults alike. The Big Sky Chapter did a great job in coordinating the swap meet, tech sessions,
silent auction, kids events, even a real tire-kicking contest, and I’m sure they’ll do it again. The
most memorable part for me was meeting some really nice folks from around our region, and I
have found that to be true at all the regional meets we’ve attended, from Kelowna, B.C. to
Escondido, CA. So I hope I’ll see many of you SoCal’ers when we get to Billings in June.
PS – Special Thanks to Lew & Cathy Phelps, Brad & Susan Forbush, Ken Perkins and the Lance
Family for manning the card stops for our Poker Run.
See ya’ on the road.
Jon Cronk, President
Hudson Resources Profile
K-GAP Sees a Need and Fills It
By Lew Phelps
Press Kale and his friend Wayne Graefen
had a problem back in 1980. Both were
restoring mid-30s Terraplanes, and both
needed new rubber door seals. They couldn't
find a source, and eventually had to have
seals manufactured for their cars. "I figured
that if we were having trouble finding this
stuff, others were, too, so we started a little
business to fill that need," Press says. The
business was called K-GAP, which stands
for Kale-Graefen Automotive Products.
Nearly a quarter century and 5000 customers
later, K-GAP is still going strong, though
much changed from its origins. Wayne
Graefen left the business in 1988, and Janet
Kale stepped in as Press's business partner in
addition to being his spouse. The product
line has grown from an initial offering of
half a dozen items (the door seals plus red
and black trunk and grill emblems) to more
than 300 offerings today.
Press and Janet Kale pose with one of their four
Hudson-made cars, a 1949 Super Six 4 Door Sedan.
Over the years, the Kales have identified
manufacturers who are willing to do small
production runs ("in the hundreds of units
rather than the thousands that most
companies prefer to run on a custom order,"
Press says). Press himself makes a few of
the items, including the rubber running
board mats offered for the 1929 Hudson, the
1929 Essex, and the 1930-31 Terraplanes,
plus the front floor mats for the ‘29 as well
Visit the SoCal Chapter Web Site at http://SoCalHET.org
as the '30-47 Hudsons. These are
immaculate reproductions, as perfectly
detailed as a factory original.
We asked Press how he was able to create
such a perfect reproduction. "We were able
to borrow a New Old Stock mat to make the
mold," he says. "And that is the secret for
any high-quality reproduction of any old-car
part," he adds. "The hardest part of our
business is finding really good originals to
use as a basis for the reproduction."
Press and Janet's connections to the Hudson
community go far back. "My father owned
a number of Hudsons, and my brothers and
uncles as well. I bought my first Terraplane
in 1950, and worked for a Hudson dealer in
1952 and 1953. Once you get Hudsons in
your blood, you keep coming back to them,"
Press says. "We dated in a Hudson,
honeymooned in a Hudson, and brought our
firstborn home in a Hudson," he added.
Today Press and Janet own four Hudsonmade vehicles – a silver and green 1949
Super Six four-door sedan with over
740,000 miles on the odometer, a 1949
convertible, a 1934 Terraplane pickup truck,
and a 1937 Terraplane utility coupe. All are
in good running condition, with the
Terraplane truck being the most perfectly
restored, he says.
Along the family's Hudsonly ways, Janet
became involved as well. Prior to becoming
a partner in K-GAP, she assumed leadership
roles in the national Hudson-EssexTerraplane Club, as Vice President in 1979
and President in 1982. Janet also served as
Western Director for over 10 years. She led
the national HET organization for two years,
and to this day is the only woman president
in the organization's history.
"The thing I like best about the Hudson
community is that it is so friendly," Janet
says. "Most old-car clubs are pretty stuffy
about who can join or participate. If you
don't have a 100-point car, they look
askance at you. The Hudson organization is
much more open and friendly." She recalls
that some years ago, several Buick owners
attended an HET event and found it so
friendly that they ended up joining the local
chapter and national club, and eventually
acquiring Hudsons so they could participate
fully in HET affairs.
K-GAP is a "hobby business" - not the only
thing that keeps income flowing in for the
Kales, but it does keep them busy, they say.
"What is really wonderful about the business
is that it gives us not just an excuse but an
important reason to participate in Hudson
events around the country, and even around
the world," Janet says. "We attend the
National Meet as well as the two closer
regional meets each year," Janet states. They
just jump in their air-conditioned 1949
Hudson Sedan, attach the K-GAP (Mullin's
replica) trailer, and drive to the event, even
when it's all the way across the country.
A real highlight for the Kales was a trip to
New Zealand in 1992 to participate in a
huge quadrennial old car rally, where
legendary Hudson owner Geoff Clark hosted
them. "We bombed all over the countryside
at very high speeds in his '29 limo," Janet
recalls. "He scared the hell out of me, but we
had a great time. We were fortunate enough
to once against the rally in 2000, this time
adding Australia to the itinerary and once
again were hosted by Aussie members, Elsie
and Brian McGuire outside of Melbourne."
But now, after nearly a quarter of a century,
the Kales are once again ready for
retirement, and are beginning the search for
a buyer for the K-GAP business. If you
know someone to whom this important
Hudson resource could be entrusted, call
Janet or Press Kale at (714) 523-0403 or
email kgap@earthlink.net.
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of
profiles of businesses who provide resources for
those collecting, restoring and driving Hudsonmade vehicles. We will focus initially on firms
located in Southern California, and expand
eventually to profile businesses elsewhere.
Visit the SoCal Chapter Web Site at http://SoCalHET.org
Legislative Alert
Continued from Page 1
•
•
•
•
California's current emissions testing exemption recognizes the minimal impact of vehicles
30-years old and older air quality.
Vehicles 30-years old and older constitute a small part of the vehicle population, and banning
them won’t significantly reduce smog.
Antique and classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well maintained and infrequently driven
(about one-third the miles each year as a new vehicle).
S.B. 708 is bad public policy because it imposes a very large burden on a part of the
population for no measurable benefit to the environment.
Your letter will be most effective if you make your points in a courteous, respectful tone, and if
you write it in your own words. Please do not just copy the language above and use it verbatim.
Blend these points into your own “story.” (For an example of how this is done, see “Sample email to State Senator” on Page 5.)
Please don’t delay! Write your letter or email today before S.B. 708 gains momentum. Also, if
you are a member of any environmental organizations that might be taking a position in favor of
this bill because of its perceived benefits, contact the group’s leadership and explain why S.B.
708 is not a good idea.
If you are not sure of the contact information for your state senator is, call the California Senate
general information line at 916-445-4311. Contact information can also be obtained via the
Internet at http://www.enjoythedrive.com/legislative/contact_legislator.asp.
Classified Ads – For Sale
Hudson Cars & Parts and engine work, etc. Contact
Al Saffrahn at 520-568-2911 (01/03)
Twin H Stainless Steel Heat Shield, Mirror Finish,
$15 per pair plus shipping. Also shield for ’37 to ’47
2-barrel carbs. $8 each. Glove box inserts for ’30 thru
’54 Hudson products $32.50 each. Sales literature,
etc. Bill Albright 909-823-9168.
1954 Hudson Jet 2 door, Family owned car, Have all
parts for possible restoration. $500.! Deborah Phillips
(626) 332-7251! (lead by Sam Tribble).
Classified Ads – Hudsons Wanted
My name is J. Lombard. I’m a member of the
newly formed Silver State chapter of HET. I am
currently restoring a ’29 Essex Coach but am looking
for a driver while I work on the Essex. What I would
like is a’52 or ’53 Hornet 4-door sedan, if any of your
members have a lead on such a vehicle, I would
greatly appreciate being notified. Thank you.”
J Lombard; Gardnerville, NV
775-265-3654; lombardj@gte.net
I will be visiting in LA during early May and
would be interested in possibly buying a ’48-49
Hudson coupe automobile that I could drive to
Portland, return to Sacramento, Las Vegas and return
to Memphis, TN.
I prefer a black one in show condition having a
Corvette running gear, in case you know of one.!
However, an excellent one with a reliable, original
running gear (valve seats would need to have been
updated suitably for the unleaded fuels) would work
well as long as the heater and radio work well too.
John G. Williams, Memphis, TN
901-755-2011 or 901-753-1130
jgw2@bellsouth.net
This classified ad section is free to members of the
Southern California Chapter HET as well as guests from
other Chapters within the National HET as space permits.
The Chapter does not assume responsibility for business
practices of advertisers, nor does it guarantee the quality
or condition of the advertised item.
Classified ads submitted prior to the last day of the month
will run for three consecutive months beginning with the
next issue. If you sell your item, or wish to extend the ad,
contact the Editor by email at
hudsontownsedan@earthlink.net or call 626-796-1079.
Visit the SoCal Chapter Web Site at http://SoCalHET.org
Sample e-mail to State
Senator Regarding S.B. 708
Dear Senator Scott:
I seldom write to you regarding legislative
matters, because I have found over the
years that your own judgment on legislative
issues reflects my views pretty well. I write
today concerning legislation introduced into
the State Senate that is sufficiently arcane
that it might not have come to your attention
for close scrutiny.
SB 708 proposes to modify existing
legislation regarding emissions exemptions
for antique and classic vehicles. Current law
exempts vehicles older than 30 years from
emission testing. SB 708 would modify that
with a more stringent requirement that the
vehicle be 45 years old to be exempt,
beginning in 2005. Thus, when it becomes
in force it would require emission controls
on vehicles produced from 1960 onward.
Although, as owner of a 1929 Hudson Town
Sedan, I would not personally be affected
by this legislation, I consider it unnecessary,
highly burdensome upon collectors of
classic vehicles, and bad public policy
because it imposes large costs on a
segment of the public with no discernable
public benefit.
Consider, for example, the plight of
someone who owns a 1961 Mercedes 300
SL Roadster -- a highly desirable classic
vehicle in which it would not be difficult to
invest over $100,000 for a careful
restoration. SB-708 would render such a car
illegal to drive in California, because it
cannot reasonably be retrofitted with
emission controls that would bring it into
compliance with new-car standards.
You might reasonably ask, isn't this car
contributing to California's smog problems?
The answer is -- not enough to matter, and
certainly not enough to force it off the road.
Classic cars tend not to be driven very
much — about one third the annual mileage
of "normal" vehicles. They tend to be used
most often on weekends, when overall
automotive emission levels are lower than
on weekdays. Moreover, they are typically
very, very well maintained, and thus
produce as little emission as one can expect
from an older car. Old-car owners do not let
their cars become smoke-belching oil
burners. For example, in my own case, I
just spend $3,000 to have a mechanic
improve the performance of the engine on
my 1929 Hudson.
I am as strongly in favor of cleaning up the
air in Southern California as anyone is, but I
think that penalizing owners of classic
vehicles is the wrong way to go about it.
Much better solutions abound, including
expansion of mass transit, encouragement
of non-polluting technologies such as fuel
cells, and strong enforcement of existing
emission control rules.
With respect to emission controls on classic
vehicles, I think it would be appropriate to
require that any classic car owner be
required to maintain in good repair whatever
emission controls were required and
installed on the vehicle when it was
originally manufactured. This is consistent
with other aspects of California law
regarding, for example, seat belts. California
law requires seat belts to be fitted on any
licensed classic car that was fitted with them
when sold new. (I might add that I have
installed seat belts in my 1929 Hudson,
because I think it is a smart thing to do.)
Unfortunately, SB 708 takes a much more
Draconian position with respect to emission
controls.
I would welcome a response describing
your position on SB 708.
Sincerely,
Lewis M. Phelps
Pasadena, CA
Visit the SoCal Chapter Web Site at http://SoCalHET.org
H.E.T. SoCal Chapter Event Calendar – 2003
Mar. 16 —
SoCal HET Chapter Board Meeting at the residence of Brad Forbush, chapter
Secretary, in Burbank. All members are welcome to attend and comment.
March 12 — Crystal Park Orphan Vehicle Show 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crystal Park Casino
Hotel in Compton. Open to all “orphan” marques, including H-E-T. Contact Bud
or Dee Gruver at 213-747-9974 (days) or 562-949-2249 (evenings).
Apr. (tbd) — Local Activity. Event specifics still to be determined.
Apr. 20 —
SoCal HET Chapter Board Meeting at the residence of Brad Forbush, chapter
Secretary, in Burbank. All members welcome to attend and comment.
May (tbd) — Election Meet. Location and date to be determined. Board meeting to follow.
Jun. 17-20 — Western Regional Meet in Billings, MT. See event flyer on next page for more
details, including planned events and hotel information
Jul. 22-26—
HET National Meet in Madison, WI. See the White Triangle News for more
details, including planned events and hotel information.
Sep. (tbd) — All California Meet on the Central Coast of California.
Nov. 15-16 — Laughlin Economy Run. Southern California Chapter is hosting this year’s
economy run. Mark your calendar to participate!
Dec. 14 —
Holiday Party. Time and location to be determined. Mark you calendar!
Note: Chapter Board meetings are scheduled for the third Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m. In each
issue, this calendar will list the locations for board meetings for the current and following two months.
Poker Run
Continued from Page 1
back at Izay Park in Burbank, where they
drew their fifth and last card to complete
their poker hands. The total run was 35
miles and took participants about two hours.
“This was a great test for our ’29 Town
Sedan just after it had come out of the
shop,” said Lew Phelps. It pulled the steep
grade going up La Tuna Canyon in third
gear, and maintained 40 mph all the way to
the top. This was the first extended run for
our Town Sedan in half a century!”
from Orange County was no big deal. “We
travel in style,” said Janet, contrasting the
Kale’s “new” Hudson with the Phelps’s
older car. “Air conditioning, a radio, all the
modern conveniences.”
Ken Perkins brought his light yellow ’39
Sedan, powered by a 1953 Hudson Jet
engine and transmission. Ken bought the car
without any engine or drive train, and
restored it 15 years ago with an automatic
transmission to make it easier to drive.
Press and Janet Kale traveled in style in their
beautifully restored silver and green 1949
Super Six Four Door Sedan, which has a
slant-six engine and has logged nearly
750,000 miles! Since the Kales regularly
drive this car all over the country, the trip up
Visit the SoCal Chapter Web Site at http://SoCalHET.org
Visit the SoCal Chapter Web Site at http://SoCalHET.org
A Note from the Editor
Last month we sought suggestions for a new
name for this newsletter. We received
dozens of suggested names. The winner,
suggested by Cathy Phelps, is “The Hudson
Reflector.”
Like all good names, it has several
meanings. It refers to a bright and essential
part of our Hudson cars. It allows us to
“reflect” on the glory of these vehicles. And,
in a happy coincidence, it includes the letters
H-E-T, which we have “pulled out” in the
new masthead in red lettering to signify that
this is a publication for owners of all
Hudson-made vehicles: Hudson-EssexTerraplane.
In this issue, we introduce a new feature, a
profile of Hudson Resources — companies
or individuals who provide significant
resources to collectors of Hudson-made cars.
We’re initially focusing on companies and
people right here in Southern California, but
of course will eventually expand our
attention nationally and even internationally.
In future issues, we’ll be profiling additional
businesses that provide resources to Hudson
owners. Do you have any nominations?
Drop an email note to me at
hudsontownsedan@earthlink.net.
— Lew Phelps
Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club
Southern California Chapter
646 S. Madison Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106-3830
Visit the SoCal Chapter Web Site at http://SoCalHET.org