America On Wheels gets the green light

Museum set to reopen with classic Hudsons display

Vroom-vroom! America On Wheels Museum is set to reopen with a fresh exhibit rolling out of the garage.

The Allentown auto showcase center located at 5 N. Front St will open its doors with a display called “What’s In a Name? Creation, Innovation, Acceleration, & Fame” beginning 10 a.m. Thursday, July 2, according to a Wednesday news release.

The new expo will feature cars manufactured between 1911 and 1957 — all made by the Hudson Motor Company and the Essex Motor Company — and will be presented until March 2021.

Included is the 1953 Hudson Hornet 4-door sedan that was the first model ever to be featured in a NASCAR race.

The news release indicated that the museum will be following the necessary safety guidelines and plans to reopen with mask requirements, temperature checks and hand sanitizing areas.

All cars are from the collection of Dr. Robert Blake, a radiologist from Garden City, on Long Island, New York. Blake has a collection of about 60 Hudson’s housed in the restored O. J. Fritz Ford Dealership in Kutztown.

“America On Wheels will periodically honor significant collectors by displaying some of the vehicles from their collections.” indicated Linda Merkel, Executive Director of America On Wheels in a news release. “It is our way of recognizing them for their dedication to preserving and maintaining these rare vehicles for current and future generations to enjoy.”

The Hudson Motor Car Company was founded in 1909 by Joseph L. Hudson, a Detroit department store entrepreneur. The company produced automobiles until 1954 and at one point was the thirdlargest automobile manufacturer in the United States.

Hudson merged with Nash in 1954 to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). The last Hudson model was produced in 1957. The America On Wheels display will showcase 11 Hudson’s from 1911 through 1957 according to exhibit chair Alan Gross.

For information and hours of operation, visit americaonwheels.org

Free admission: Children 12 and under are free each weekend and seniors admitted free the first Thursday of each month.

Morning Call Arts & Entertainment Editor Craig Larimer can be reached at 610-778-7993 or at clarimer@mcall.com Follow Craig on Twitter @cklarimer

ED KOSKEY JR./SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL The new exhibit at America On Wheels Museum will feature cars manufactured between 1911 and 1957 — all made by the Hudson Motor Company and the Essex Motor Company. Shown here is a 1954 Hudson Hornet convertible. 1911 Hudson touring car maroon and black 1916 Hudson cabriolet in red and black with a straight-six engine 1919 Essex 4-door sedan in green and black. This was the first year of manufacture for the Essex Motor Company. 1930 Hudson eight coupe in red and maroon. 1933 Essex Terraplane 4-door sedan eight-cylinder in blue and black. 1935 Hudson eight-cylinder 4-door sedan in dark green. 1954 Hudson Super Jet, unrestored, light blue 4-door sedan. 1955 Hudson station wagon coral. 1957 Hudson Hollywood Hornet, 2-door hardtop in black, green, and cream. This was the last year for the original Hornet 2002 torch red convertible used by Pennsylvania Travel guide on its magazine cover while under previous ownership. Currently owned by Thomas and Claudia Hollenbach of Allentown.